Swat,
the land of legend, romance, and prettiness, Buddhist tradition embraces that
the Buddha himself came to Swat during his last
re-embodiment as the Gautama
Buddha and preached to the people
here. It is stated that the Swat was filled with fourteen hundred impressive
and beautiful stupas and monasteries, which housed as many as 6,000 gold images
of the Buddhist pantheon for worship and education. There is a maximum of 400
Buddhist sites covering an area of 160 Km in Swat valley only. Among the vital
Buddhist mine in swat a significant one is Butkarha-I, hold the original remains
of the Buddha. 


swat valley

Swat valley image by TCKP.

Swat
Valley Sceneries:

The
lush-green valley of Swat, with its hastening fast-moving water, icy-cold
lakes, fruit-laden orchards, and the flower-decked hill are perfect for
visitors. It has an affluent historical past, also. This is “Udayana”
(The Garden) of the ancient classic; the land of engrossing beauty, where
Alexander of Macedonia fought and succeed some of his major battles before
crossing over to the delta of Indus River. This is the “valley of hanging
chairs”, as described by the prominent Chinese pilgrim-chroniclers, in the
fifth and sixth centuries. Swat was once the hold of Buddhism of all of its schools
– Mahayana, Hinayana, and Tantrayana, where once 1,400 monasteries prospered.


Gandhara
Civilization:

It
was the home of the renowned Gandhara School of the statue that was an
appearance of Greco-Roman shape in the local Buddhist custom. Swat was also the
historical land where the Muslim conquerors, Mahmood of Ghazni, Babur of
Ferghana, and Akbar fought their battles introductory to the take-over of South
Asia. The valley of Swat spread out over 10,360 sq. km at an average altitude
of 875 meters. The maximum temperature in July is 38 C and the minimum (during
January) is 1 C. The normal temperature is a maximum of 21 C and a minimum of 7
C. The tourist season is year-round.

Tour
Places Swat:

Saidu
Sharif, Mingora & Murghzar: Headquarters of Swat Valley, Saidu Sharif
dwelling the Swat Museum that includes one of the optimum collections of
Gandhara art in the world. Mingora, the twin city of Saidu Sharif, has yielded delightful
fragments of Buddhist sculpture as well as the remains of great stupas.
Marghazar, 16 km from Saidu Sharif, is well-known for its “Sufed Mahal” the
white marble palace of the former Wali (Ruler) of Swat. Kabul is 6 km from
Saidu Sharif with its outstanding golf course.

Malam
Jabba:

This
city is above sea level 2,636 meters, Malam Jabba Ski Resort stands on top of a
mountain of the Hindukush range, northeast of Saidu Sharif. It is 314 km away from
Islamabad the capital of Pakistan besides 51 km from Saidu Sharif city in Swat
valley. After driving for 10 km on Saidu Sharif-Kalam road, turn right from
Manglor for Malam Jabba. The city includes a trace of Gandhara civilization.
For staying there are a motel, 2 skiing platforms, chairlifts, roller/ice
skating rinks, a restaurant, telephone and snow clearing equipment, etc.

The
food, lodging, and skiing facilities are all managed by foreign-trained staff
and offered at viable costs. The summer temperatures of 10°C to 25°C yield to the
lush green paddock and thick green forests of Pine & Deodar trees. In the
winter when the temperature falls to –5°C to –10°C, the white snow creates it a
supreme place for skiing.

Places
to visit around Swat:


Miandam:
At 1,830 meters above sea level, Miandam Valley is 50 km from Saidu Sharif and
suggested for those who desire a peaceful place full of fragrance and scenic
attractiveness.

Madyan
& Bahrain: Both the towns are an excellent break in your journey while
traveling from Saidu Sharif to Kalam. Madyan is prominent for its trout (kind
of fish) hatcheries and Bahrain for its reunion of two rivers and its
handicrafts.

Kalam:
The nearly all well-liked tourist spot in Swat Valley (2,073 m) is 100 km away
from Saidu Sharif. Besides to P.T.D.C’s motel seasonal coach service, there is a
usual private bus and van service between Mingora and Kalam.

Ushu,
Matiltan, and Mahodand Lake: This is the main impressive area of upper Swat
Valley. While staying overnight at Kalam, you can take pleasure in a day trip
by jeep to these gorgeous tourist spots. The distance is just 13-16 km from
Kalam.

Utrot-Gabral:
An additional scenic valley of upper Swat, located 21-29 km from Kalam. To
visit you will take a jeep to reach there and jeeps can be hired from Kalam. A
day journey with a picnic lunch is optional.

How
to go to Swat:

Swat
is connected by road and by air with Islamabad/Rawalpindi and Peshawar. There are
a regular bus and van service between Rawalpindi and Mingora. A seasonal
tourist coach service for Saidu Sharif and Kalam is run by PTDC from 1st June
to 30th August every year.

Staying
Places:


There
are reasonably costs hotels, motels, and rest houses in Swat at Saidu Sharif,
Mingora, Marghazar, Madyan, Bahrain, Kalam, and Ushu. PTDC also has its Motels
at Saidu Sharif, Miandam, Malam Jabba, and Kalam.

Shopping:

  • Local
    handicrafts comprise:
  • Embroidered
    linen.
  • Hand-woven
    rugs.
  • Shawls.
  • Silverware.
  • Tribal
    jewelry.
  • Carved
    woodwork.

Food
and Drinks:

  • Sag
    gosht (spinach and lamb curry).
  • Chapli
    kabab (beef grill).
  • Shomlay
    (Desi Lassi-Mixture of yogurt, salt, and cold water).