Chitral has many beautiful places to visit, some of which are hailed to be Pakistan’s most popular visiting spots for both local and foreign tourists.
Situated in the KPK province, bordering Afghanistan and the Gilgit-Baltistan area, it is 365 kilometers from Peshawar and 405 kilometers from Gilgit.
With an average elevation of 1128 meters, the Chitral Valley is one of the most popular visiting places for mountain climbers, hikers, hunters, and anthropologists.
Here are a few lesser-known but interesting facts about Chitral and its beautiful places to see/visit:
1. Chitral was once regarded as an independent princely state. It was the first state to proclaim its accession to Pakistan after independence. It was designated as a Pakistani district in 1970 and was assigned to the Malakand Division.
2. Chitral played a key role in the first Kashmir war. Mehtar Muzaffar Ul Mulk of Chitral declared Jihad to “liberate” Kashmir from the Dogras shortly after joining Pakistan.
Photo Courtesy: 10adventures
3. One of the interesting facts about Chitral is that it has been under various dynasties. The Chinese invaded the valley in the seventh century AD, followed by the Tibetans in the eighth century AD, and the Buddhists in the ninth century AD.
4. Chitral was previously split into two ethnic groups. The people who live in the upper part were known as Khow, while those who live in the lower part were known as Kalash.
5. The Khow Chitralis arrived in Chitral as part of the Indo-Aryan migration into South Asia. They established themselves in northern area, near the Torkhow and Mulkhow regions.
6. Only two road routes connect Chitral to the rest of Pakistan: the Lowari Pass from Dir and the Shandur Top from Gilgit.
7. The predominant language is Khowar, which is spoken by 98 percent of the people. A tiny population also speaks Kalasha.
8. Polo is Chitral’s traditional sport. The Shandur Polo Festival is held in this area, which also has the world’s highest Polo ground (Shandur Polo Ground).
9. The inhabitants of Chitral Valley primarily wear the Pakistani national clothing, the “Shalwar Kameez.”
Along with “Shalwar Kameez,” women wear “Dupattas” and Shawls. The woolen “Pakol” is the Chitrali men’s most favored headdress.
In the winter, men wear “Shuqa,” which are large baggy coats with long sleeves. Wool is also used to make these coats.
To Conclude
Chitral has an interesting history. It offers a lot of beautiful places to visit, with some of them being considered Pakistan’s most popular visiting spots for all kinds of tourists. It’s undoubtedly a heaven on earth.
