Azad Kashmir

Advertising Balloons | Advertising Balloons, Blimps, Inflatable |

Phone Card | Phone Cards | Phone Card, Calling Card | Website Directory & Link Directory | Calling Cards & Phone Cards

Please visit our sponsors!!

Azad Kashmir t

Page 1/2

Next

Physically scythe-shaped, the territory of Azad Kashmir is dotted with a vast chain of scenic and natural beauty spots amidst flowing streams, gushing out springs and flowering plants. The mountain tops over the valley look like circular and rectangular caps. The panorama is really enchanting.
The valley rivals those of Kaghan and Swat in beauty and boasts of remarkable alpine scenery. It is bounded to the east by the line of control or (ceasefire line) with Indian held Kashmir and travel to foreigners is rather restricted.
Azad Kashmir extends from the plains of Mirpur at the northern edge of the Punjab through the outlying foothills of the Himalayas, to the mountains in the north at 6,000 meters above sea level. It is drained by three major rivers, the Jhelum, the Neelam and the Poonch whose valleys are very beautiful.
There are four districts of Azad Kashmir namely Muzaffarabad, Poonch, Kotli and Mirpur. These districts abound in natural beauty and rivers and streams flow throughout Azad Kashmir.
All the four districts have lush green forests which provide cool breeze and foliage to the visitors.
Roads are the only means of transport in Azad Kashmir and play a basic role in the development of the territory. The area of Azad Kashmir is 5134 square miles land strip in the shape of a crescent moon, 250 mile in length with width varying from 10 to 40 miles. The terrain is mostly rugged and mountainous with 15,000 feet high mountains in north-west touching the Punjab plains. The area is criss-crossed with rivers and numerous nullahs.
The total length of roads in Azad Kashmir is 730 miles of metalled and 530 miles of fair-weather roads in addition to 830 miles of link roads.

Muzaffarabad

Situated at the confluence of the Jhelum and the Neelum rivers Muzaffarabad the capital of the State of Azad Jammu and Kashmir is at a distance of 86 miles from Rawalpindi and 49 miles from Abbottabad. Surrounded by mountains, it looks like a walled town. It is the administrative capital of Azad Kashmir. Behind the Secretariat to the east is a road climbing above the town from where one can walk up to Pir Chinasi at 2,900 meters with good views of the Jhelum Valley and the higher mountains above the Neelum to the north. From the cool on the Abbottabad Road, you can walk along the ridge looking over the Jhelum and Kunhar rivers.
Past the Red fort, crossing Neelum river at Ghori, a few km way is 'Makra mountain' 3,890 meters which is visible from Muzaffarabad and continues on to Shogran in the Kaghan Valley. This is a superb short trek, although you need to camp overnight halfway.
The upper Jhelum valley makes another interesting scenic excursion from Muzaffarabad. follow the Jhelum upstream, taking the road beneath the Domel bridge. This was the old route to Srinagar. The valley is broad with raised terraces above the river. Rice and maize are widely grown. Some 10 kms out of Muzaffarabad the river widens to from a small lake. This was created by a landslip some years ago. There is a small Angler's Hut here, which makes a pleasant picnic spot. It is possible to take boats out on the river. Book through the Tourist Department in Muzaffarabad.
The city was founded by Sultan Muzaffar Khan of Bamba dynasty and was the seat of an independent State for quite a long period under his successors.
The city is now a combination of old and new buildings and a blend of different cultures and languages. It has besides official buildings, farms, parks and the historic forts standing on the banks of the Neelum, Muzaffarabad, Mirpur, Rawlakot and Kotli are connected with Pakistan by the Micro-weave system of telephone.
There are rest houses, good hotels and guest houses in Muzaffarabad city where the tourists can stay.
The rather sleazy bazaar in Muzaffarabad can be explored for its walnut carvings and its Kashmiri shawls. It is sometimes possible to get a good bargain.

Muzaffarabad Fort

Border skirmishes between the armies of renowned Mughal Akbar and the Chak rulers of Kashmir were common. To ensure safety of the people, and the land, the Chaks realized to raise defense posts and efficiently counter the offensives.
During the year 1949 the construction of the red fort was undertaken. It was finally completed by Sultan Muzaffar Khan the founder of Muzaffarabad city during 1646. When the Mughals overtook the Kashmir rule, this fort lost its importance. The Mughals were more interested in Kabul, Bokhara and Badakshan. During the Durrani rule the fort again came into limelight and its importance was rediscovered.
Maharaja Gulab Sign and Ranbir Singh, the Dogra rulers, reconstructed and extended the fort for political and military operations. Towards the end of 1947 the Dogra forces filed away leaving the fort wide open to anybody.
The architectonics of the fort show that great experts in design and structure participated in its construction. It is surrounded on three sides by Neelum river formally known as Kishan Ganga. the northern part had terraces with steps leading to the bank of the river. The Eastern side of the fort was very well protected from the hazards of flood waters but some parts in the north were slightly damaged. There was an inn at the entry of the fort which has to traces left now.
It has been in the bad shape for quite some time and wears deserted look. The structure still stands with all its inherent glory, grandeur and its historical background.

Dhirkot

Dhirkot is best approached from Rawalpindi via Murree and the nearby Kohala Bridge over the Jhelum, the gateway to Azad Kashmir. It is small township situated at 6,000 feet above sea level and has a bracing climate. It is famous for its healthy surroundings, high altitude landscape.
The town also is famous for the beauty spots. Almost all the area is covered with green trees like deodar, pine and oak. the Dak Bungalow - rest house - which is situated amidst the dense forest is 5,500 feet above the sea level. the Dhirkot is also famous for the fruits mainly apples and apricots.

Bagh

Bagh, the Tehsil Headquarters of Distt. Poonch, is situate at the confluence of two mini rivers - Malwani and Mall which flow all the year round.
Bagh city comprises at least 5,000 shops and has a hospital. the total population of the Tehsil Headquarters is over 3 lacs. Two rest houses are available for tourists. Permission for stay can be obtained from the nearby Forest Department, P.W.D. There are two degree colleges, one is for boys and the other for girls. 'Haji Pir Pass' is 20 miles from Bagh city which is linked with metalled road.

Chikar

The hill station of Chikar, 27 miles from Muzaffarabad has grown into a fairly large township. Three miles from Chikar is the hill station known as Loonbagla which is situated in the middle of a vast range of densely grown forests.
The outstanding features of this hill station are its healthy climate and picturesque surroundings.
Chikar is linked with Muzaffarabad by a motor able road and is connected with Bagh in Poonch district via Sudhan Gali.

Chinary

Chinary situated some 40 miles from Muzaffarabad is a scenic place with a very enchanting Rest House built by the former Dogra rulers. It lies just some twenty yards upward in the Bazaar. A visitor can easily see the Occupied Area beyond the border above 10 miles away.
The city has a Telephone Exchange, a first class dispensary. It is famous for its fruits such as apples, apricots, walnuts and honey.

Page 1/2

Next

Back To The Top

Source: Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation. www.tourism.gov.pk