Hunza Valley, also known as Heaven on Earth, is a beautiful mountainous valley located in the Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan. It lies on the north-west of the Hunza River, and is surrounded by several high peaks including Rakaposhi, Hunza Peak, BojahagurDuanasir II, Darmyani Peak, Ghenta Sar, Ultar Sar and Ladyfinger Peak. The valley is famous for its breathtaking natural and scenic beauty. It is a major attraction for tourists from all over the world.
The Hunza Valley has two main tourist seasons: autumn, which turns the valley to red and yellow, and spring, which welcomes its visitors with cherry blossoms and offers natural beauty in abundance. The valley is divided into three levels, Upper Hunza, Central Hunza and Lower Hunza. Central Hunza is where heritage sites like the Baltit Fort and the Altit Fort are situated. Central Hunza is the most popular tourist destination because of its stunning scenery and its historical importance. Another famous peak, the Ladyfinger also lies in the same valley. Situated on the north-west of the Hunza River, the valley has extraordinary infrastructure, compared to other tourist spots in Pakistan. A symbol of Pakistan-China friendship, the Karakoram Highway crosses the valley and connects it with China through the Khunjerab Pass.
The valley has several incredibly beautiful natural sights which are the main attractions for tourists. Among these attractions the Baltit Fort and the Altit Fort are very well known. The Baltit Fort, after renovation, has recently been turned into a heritage museum. In Hunza, the bazaar of Karimabad is famous for its local handicrafts, handmade rugs, traditionally embroidered caps, shawls and paffu (hand woven cloth). Its gemstones, particularly ruby, are famous all over the world.
The people of Hunza are simple, kind hearted and very hospitable. They serve local cuisines and drinks to their guests. The literacy rate of the area is amazingly high, at 90 per cent. Almost every household here grows fruits like apples, oranges, apricots, pears and some vegetables, like pumpkins, potatoes and tomatoes. Agriculture is the main business of the area.
Another noticeable feature of the Hunza Valley is its irrigation canals which bring melted glacier water to the terraced fields and the local villages. Tourists are able to spot fruit orchards spread over miles. Grown on precarious slopes, the true potential of these fruit trees remains unexplored as of now.
