From the Heart of the Karakoram: Scenes from Hunza

Hunza, the mountainous valley of the most poetic natural heritage in the world, is part of the Karakoram Range, which houses some of the tallest mountains in the world, including the Rakaposhi, Nanga Parbat, K2, Ultar and Passu Cones.

Bordering China and Central Asia, it is believed that the Hunzai’s are descendants of Alexander the Great and trace their roots back to Macedonia. A strikingly beautiful race, and a place surrounded by majestically vertical peaks and ancient traditions. 

There has been much speculation about the long lives that the people of Hunza are blessed with. Some have attributed it to the pollution-free air.

Hunza is home to the awe-inspiring spring season of cherry, apple and apricot blossoms. The onset of summer brings fruit filled orchards, warm sunny days and cool starry nights. 

Geographically, Hunza has been a very remote region. The royal family that presided over Hunza was called Mir or Tham. They trace their ancestry to Alexander the Great and his army.

The astonishing man-made wonders Altit and Baltit forts were used as royal palaces. Known for their impressive architecture and mesmerising woodwork, they are two of the main tourist attractions of Hunza today. 

The well-thought design of these forts is attributed to a Princess of Skardu who married into the royal family and brought along local artisans and architects to help build these palaces. 

The Mirs ruled over Hunza for more than 900 years and even after the partition of India in 1947, Hunza remained a princely state under Pakistan. It wasn’t until 1974 that its autonomous status was dissolved.

Having been farmers and agriculturalists historically, the people of Hunza are self-sufficient and extremely hospitable to visitors. They have their own native languages Burushaski, Wakhi and Shina. Hunza boasts one of the highest literacy rates in all of Pakistan.

During the autumn months, the valley is immersed in a striking sea of several tones of yellows.

People escaping the sweltering heat of the rest of the country flock to the valley, with its majestic mountain peaks, awe-inspiring glaciers and the friendly locals. 

The crisp autumn breeze, pristine greenish-blue rivers, lush shades of golden trees become everyday sceneries in the valley.

The wonder that is Attabad was caused due to a disastrous landslide in 2010 which backed up the river resulting in the birth of the lake. 

In recent years, tourism in Hunza has soared greatly due to increased accessibility to travel options and improved road conditions. 

While this has been helpful to the locals, they still face the ever-lurking threat of climate change. The formation of Attabad Lake, as a result of a landslide in 2010, is an example of this phenomenon.

The effects of climate change can be seen across the valley, especially with the rapid melting of glaciers. From using water communally and limiting its waste, to exploring more nature-based solutions, residents are putting in commendable efforts to preserve the nature of the valley.