Hunza, located in the northern part of Pakistan, is a breathtaking valley surrounded by towering snow-covered mountains on all sides. It is an extremely beautiful, peaceful and centuries old inhabited region, rich in natural splendour. In many respects, Hunza is well known across the world. From a geographical perspective, this picturesque region holds great importance for Pakistan. Its borders are connected with the friendly country of China on one side, on the other side, it lies close to Afghanistan and to some extent, its eastern side is linked to India through the northeastern mountainous areas of Baltistan
Hunza is recognized worldwide not only for its remarkable geographical significance but also for its peaceful inhabitants and their renowned longevity. Due to the near absence of social crime, this region is regarded with great respect and admiration.
A large number of domestic and international tourists are drawn to this region because of its natural beauty. However, many visitors do not have complete information about the important places they can explore in Gilgit-Baltistan which lies among the most magnificent snow covered mountain ranges of the Karakorum. They often wish to know which locations they can easily visit with their families to enjoy these exceptional landscapes and take back unforgettable memories from their unique travelling experiences.
For the information of visitors, I deem it important to mention that District Hunza comprises three major parts of its landscape. The first is Upper Hunza where the majority of the population speaks the Wakhi language. This dialect is also spoken in China’s Xinjiang province by a small population inhabiting the border areas of Pakistan. Probably, it is also spoken in some parts of the Wakhan region close to the border of Pakistan including in the valley of District Ghizer, a village known as Ishkoman. The second region is Central Hunza, the capital of the present district and ancient Hunza state which covers a relatively large area where the residents mainly speak the Burushaski language. The third and last region is known as Lower Hunza (Zareen Hunza) where most of the residents speak the Shina dialect; nevertheless, in this part of Hunza, some residents also speak the Burushaski.
The population of District Hunza exceeds fifty thousand people. In the present scenario, the literacy rate of this region is more than 98% and among all of them are highly educated. This demography shows that a vast population in the Hunza region is highly educated comparable to entire parts of the country. Many people from Hunza are currently serving in respectable positions in different countries around the world. By working abroad, they play a pivotal role in earning foreign exchange for their homeland at large.
When the Karakoram Highway was constructed, District Hunza was divided into two parts: the upper part of the Hunza district which followed the route of the KKH and the other, i.e. the lower part outside the highway (KKH). As a result, Lower Hunza, the Shinaki area, remained on the other side of the highway. Because of this separation, many domestic and international tourists are unable to visit several beautiful & scenic locations of this stunning region. Consequently, the tourists miss the opportunity to experience many remarkable sites of this part of Hunza.
In fact, the initial areas of Hunza including Hussainabad, Mayoon and Khanabad are no less beautiful than the other well-known parts of Hunza. Indeed, among these places, one of the famous, attractive and memorable spots is a local restaurant located beside the beautiful stream of Mayoon village, on a lush green piece of land in the valley, as the local traditional name of “Café BAYAK” cordially represents Hunza’s traditional hospitality beside an ample quantity of classical foods. This traditional restaurant, throughout the year, offers a variety of dishes ranging from local cuisine to international meals for guests visiting here.
One of the most striking features of this location is the magnificent view of the towering Rakaposhi peak which rises more than 7,000 meters above sea level and appears draped in a white blanket of snow. This spectacular sight welcomes guests who come here with their loved ones to enjoy the breathtaking scenery.
Furthermore, this region is a paradise for trekking enthusiasts, offering opportunities for both high-altitude and low-altitude trekking. In addition to the aforementioned, the Shinaki region of Hunza, which is also very famous among the local people, attracts numerous tourists who visit here from other parts of the country and even from abroad to enjoy its delicious & succulent seasonal fruits.
