Skardu Valley

District Skardu

Upper Kachura Skardu

       It is one of the important place of Baltistan Division. Skardu  is the capital of  Baltistan region. It is called the paradise of mountainers. It is situated where the Shigar river meets the mighty Indus river. It has an airport. There is a bus stand for the transport services operating between Skardu, Gilgit and Rawalpindi. A hospital is also situated in Skardu. Commissioner of Baltistan division and Deputy Commissioner live in Skardu and the head offices of all departments are also located here. A beautiful building of Cadet College is also constructed in Skardu and studies has started in 2001. There are two Degree Colleges for boys and girls. Now government and private public schools, are also imparting modern education, in the sector. Many high schools for boys and girls are working efficiently, in the region and primary schools are also established, almost in every village.

      Baltistan has plenty of water reservoirs in the form of glaciers, snow, lakes and springs. A number of rivers and streams flow from the mountains of Baltistan which irrigate a vast area of Punjab and Sindh The great and renowned rivers are the Indus, Shayok, and the Shigar river other than a number of seasonal streams.

Languages 

      The main languages spoken in Baltistan are Kashmiri Urdu, Shina and Brushashki Balti is the national language of Pakistan. Being official language Urdu, is also used as the medium of instruction in the education institutions due to it's national importance. 

Skardu

        Like other districts of Gilgit Baltistan, skardu also has many beautiful places to visit. One of the unique feature of district Skardu is diversity of land where one can find lush green lands, snow capped mountains, waterfalls, lakes and cold deserts, all at one place. There are many tourist spots in Skardu which are famous and easily accessible. These places include, Upper Kachura Lake, (Foroq Tsho), Lower Kachura Lake (Lu Tsho) and Sadpara Lake. On the bank of Lower Kachura famous Shangrilla resort is present.

Tourists Spots in Baltistan

      Gilgit Baltistan is very rich in terms of its scenic beauty. There are glaciers, lofty mountains, rivers, waterfalls, cold and hot water springs and cold deserts, other than these beauties, Gilgit Baltistan is heaven for tourists due to its rich cultural heritage. Historical buildings and ancient civilization which makes Gilgit Baltistan, unique from other places of Pakistan.

       There are two cold deserts present in Skardu valley. One is the Sarfarangha cold desert which is situated at a distance of 20 minutes drive towards east from Skardu Recently this desert has gain national fame due to a car rally which was organized by tourism department of Gilgit Baltistan. In this rally along with local drivers famous national drivers also participated. The famous Indus River flows along the left side of Sarfarangha desert. Another cold desert known as Katpana desert is also present in Skardu city. This desert is situated at a distance of 10 to 15 minutes drive towards west from Skardu valley, The Indus River flows to the right side of this desert. Skardu air port is also present in Katpana valley.

Kharpocho Fort

        Kharpocho was built by Maqpon Bukha, The Raja of Skardu, during 1490 to 1515 AD. It stands on a foundation of granite blocks. The walls are solidly built of stones joined by wooden beams. This great fort had been constructed as strong as Gibraltar and was considered un-conquerable in those days. It remained the capital of Maqpon rulers of Baltistan for atleast five hundred years, till it was conquered by the Dogras in 1840 AD.Kharpocho fort is an important historical heritage of the region and is the king of forts. A small masjid is still exists in the fort.

       conquered all the tiny states around Skardu, and founded a united kingdom of Gilgit-Baltis around the beginning of the 17th century. Hilal Bagh and Chahar Bagh: These beautiful royal gardens were master pieces in Skardu.

Shangrila:

       The legend of Shangrila is alive in Skardu. It is the resort built around a beautiful lake which provides opportunity for all to enjoy the best of Skardu. There is also a upper Kachura Lake in Skardu.

Satpara Lake:

        It lies 8 kms south of Skardu surrounded by high glacial mountains. This lake has an island in the middle of its clear water. Now it has been converted in to a big dam..