Mingora
Mingora (also spelled Mangora or Mingaora) is the largest city in Swat district, situated on the banks of River Swat about 3 kilometres from Saidu Sharif, the present capital of Swat. As of 1998, the population of Mingora was about 175,000.
3 kms. From Saidu Sharif, has yielded magnificent pieces of Buddhist sculpture and the ruins of great stupas. Other beauty spots worth visiting are Marghzar, 13kms. from Saidu Sharif, famous for its "Sufed Mahal" the white marble palace of the former Wali (ruler) of Swat; Kabal, 16 kms. from Saidu Sharif with its excellent golf course, Madyan, 55 kms. from Saidu Sharif, Bahrain, Miandam and Kalam.
Malam Jabba, at 2,636 metres above sea level and 45 kms. north-east of Saidu Sharif is being developed as a ski-cum-summer resort.
Many Buddhist remains and carvings have been discovered near Mingora in the Jambill River Valley. At Panr, a stupa and monastery dated to the 1st century CE has been excavated. At Loebanr and Matalai, Italian archaeologists unearthed 475 Aryan graves dated circa 1700 BCE.
On the opposite side of River Swat at Aligrama, near the Saidu Sharif airport, a site of Gandhara grave culture was discovered by Italian archaeologists which has been dated to circa 1000 BCE.
Mingora is an attractive city for tourists. Here one can find hand-woven shawls and carpets, gems and many antiques.
Fiza Ghat is the most beautiful tourist park, situated at the bank of river Swat.
Mingora has been an important trading centre for the last 2000 years. The bazaars are interesting to explore for semi precious stones, hand-woven and embroiled clothes, shawls, bedsheets, woodwork, tribal jewelry and antiques of different kinds. The hills having the world famous "Emerald Mines" are located to the north of the town.
Marghzar
Marghzar is a small town situated at the foot of Mount Ilam about 13 krn away from Saidu Sharlf. It is famous for its White Marble Palace, built by the Wali-e-Swat in early 1940's. The palace now serves as a hotel. While going towards Marghzar, a road turns to Islam Pur, which is famous for its woodwork, shawls and blankets.
Madyan
Madyan is a tourist resort on the banks of Swat river. It is 1312 m above sea level. The town is famous for handicraft, embroidery and antique shops. A trout hatchery is also located here. Many beautiful side valleys can be approached from here. The distance of Madyan is 56 km from Saidu Sharif.
How to Get There
Swat is linked by road and air to Islamabad/Rawalpindi and Peshawar. Regular coach service for Saidu Sharif is run by Pakistan Tours Ltd. From 1st June to 30th August every year.
Where To Stay
There are moderately priced hotels, motels and rest-houses in Swat including PTDC Motels at Saidu Sharif, Miandam and Kalam.
Climate
The weather remains pleasant from March till October, the best season to visit the valley.
Language
The local languages are Pushto and Kohistani though Urdu and English are also spoken.
What to buy
Local handicrafts include embroidered linen, hand-woven rugs and shawals, silverware, tribal jewellery and carved wood work.
Mingora (also spelled Mangora or Mingaora) is the largest city in Swat district, situated on the banks of River Swat about 3 kilometres from Saidu Sharif, the present capital of Swat. As of 1998, the population of Mingora was about 175,000.
3 kms. From Saidu Sharif, has yielded magnificent pieces of Buddhist sculpture and the ruins of great stupas. Other beauty spots worth visiting are Marghzar, 13kms. from Saidu Sharif, famous for its "Sufed Mahal" the white marble palace of the former Wali (ruler) of Swat; Kabal, 16 kms. from Saidu Sharif with its excellent golf course, Madyan, 55 kms. from Saidu Sharif, Bahrain, Miandam and Kalam.
Malam Jabba, at 2,636 metres above sea level and 45 kms. north-east of Saidu Sharif is being developed as a ski-cum-summer resort.
Many Buddhist remains and carvings have been discovered near Mingora in the Jambill River Valley. At Panr, a stupa and monastery dated to the 1st century CE has been excavated. At Loebanr and Matalai, Italian archaeologists unearthed 475 Aryan graves dated circa 1700 BCE.
On the opposite side of River Swat at Aligrama, near the Saidu Sharif airport, a site of Gandhara grave culture was discovered by Italian archaeologists which has been dated to circa 1000 BCE.
Mingora is an attractive city for tourists. Here one can find hand-woven shawls and carpets, gems and many antiques.
Fiza Ghat is the most beautiful tourist park, situated at the bank of river Swat.
Mingora has been an important trading centre for the last 2000 years. The bazaars are interesting to explore for semi precious stones, hand-woven and embroiled clothes, shawls, bedsheets, woodwork, tribal jewelry and antiques of different kinds. The hills having the world famous "Emerald Mines" are located to the north of the town.
Marghzar
Marghzar is a small town situated at the foot of Mount Ilam about 13 krn away from Saidu Sharlf. It is famous for its White Marble Palace, built by the Wali-e-Swat in early 1940's. The palace now serves as a hotel. While going towards Marghzar, a road turns to Islam Pur, which is famous for its woodwork, shawls and blankets.
Madyan
Madyan is a tourist resort on the banks of Swat river. It is 1312 m above sea level. The town is famous for handicraft, embroidery and antique shops. A trout hatchery is also located here. Many beautiful side valleys can be approached from here. The distance of Madyan is 56 km from Saidu Sharif.
How to Get There
Swat is linked by road and air to Islamabad/Rawalpindi and Peshawar. Regular coach service for Saidu Sharif is run by Pakistan Tours Ltd. From 1st June to 30th August every year.
Where To Stay
There are moderately priced hotels, motels and rest-houses in Swat including PTDC Motels at Saidu Sharif, Miandam and Kalam.
Climate
The weather remains pleasant from March till October, the best season to visit the valley.
Language
The local languages are Pushto and Kohistani though Urdu and English are also spoken.
What to buy
Local handicrafts include embroidered linen, hand-woven rugs and shawals, silverware, tribal jewellery and carved wood work.
