5 beautiful places in Pakistan

Without further ado, here are the 20 most beautiful places in Pakistan (in no particular order), a country that quickly and fiercely stole my heart.

1. Swat Valley

A green mountain valley with a small village at the bottom.
The Swat Valley – one of the most beautiful places in Pakistan.

Though it has had a rough past, the present and future of Swat Valley are shining very bright. This stunning valley in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan is something straight out of a fairy tale.

Think bright green fields and forests, picturesque villages, and rivers boasting shades of blue so clear and bright you wouldn’t have thought them real!

The true beauty of Swat can be found around the town of Kalam, which serves as a base to the explore the beauty of the valley. Here are 3 places you can’t miss in Swat Valley:

Boyun Village

Boyun, also known as Green Top, is a short drive or manageable up-hill walk from Kalam town. When you finally reached the pinnacle, you’ll be rewarded with a panorama of one of the most vast and beautiful villages I’ve ever seen – along with sweeping views of the valley below. Boyun is an easy day trip from Kalam.

A mountain stream runs through Pakistan's Swat Valley.
Swat Valley – does it get any more picturesque than this!?

Kandol and Spindhor Lakes

These alpine lakes lie 2 hours away from Kalam. These days, Kandol Lake is accessible via jeep track and is a bit more commercialised, whereas Spindhor can only be reached on a 2-hour trek. Whichever you choose to visit, both are absolutely counted among the most beautiful places in Pakistan.

Ushu Forest

This well-preserved forest is full of deodar trees and is a fabulous place to get lost. The road that leads into the forest continues on to several villages set along the Kalam River.

2. Hunza Valley

A brilliant blue river runs through Pakistan's beautiful Hunza Valley.
The exquisite Hunza Valley – a must-visit place in Pakistan.

If you live in Pakistan – or have read anything about the country – it’s almost certain you’ve come across the name Hunza. Don’t let the word ‘valley’ confuse you, though – Hunza is actually a massive district made up of numerous valleys and villages. One part of the ancient Silk Road, here are some of the most beautiful sights in Hunza:

Passu Cones

The Passu Cathedral is a natural work of art and one of the most recognisable scenes in Pakistan. Though staying overnight in Passu village is no longer allowed, the cones are visible from a ways away, starting from the village of Gulmit. The most iconic view of the Cathedral is from the Karakoram Highway, about an hour’s drive from Gilgit City.

The jagged peaks of a mountain range in Pakistan framed by trees in fall colours.
Pakistan’s Passu Cones in fall.

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