Asia

[Visited: September 2019]

While walking down the main road freom Karimabad to the valley floor, we see a sign pointing to the place we have been looking for: the old town of Ganish. The inhabitants have realized the value of this oldest settlement on the ancient Silk Road of the Hunza valley, and we are told we need to buy a ticket first. One of the villagers comes with us and turns out to be a knowledgeable guide, taking the time to show us around. After walking for a short while, we arrive at an old adobe building with wooden columns and decorated windows and doors: an old mosque. Pointing at the carved columns, the guide explains that Buddhism and Zoroastrianism were established here before Islam entered the region. Indeed, we see buddhist and zoroastrian symbols carved out in the old wood, together with islamic ones.
When we continue our walk, the guide warns us there is a photoshoot inside the village. Indeed when we reach a small square, we see a group of Pakistani photographers and models, using this historic place for taking pictures. The backdrop is, indeed, dramatic: high above the roofs of the one- or two-storey buildings, we see the crest of snow-capped mountains which reach over 7000m altitude. The buildings on the square turn out to be more mosques; when asked why the small village has so many, our guide tells us that many families established their own mosque, hoping to receive godly favours in return. These mosques, too, are tiny works of art. Square wooden columns with carved decorations, a porch, and wooden panels, windows and doors, all with richly carved decorations.
We move away from the photoshoot, walk through narrow alleys, and see some of the watchtowers that once helped defending this town. Reality of a Silk Route village was that, with passing traders, they had value for thieves and raiders. The town used to be walled, and there were thirteen watchtowers, of various heights. The towers only had openings at the higher level, both to look out for invaders, and for using weapons against them in case that was necessary. People still live in these centuries-old houses, using those fine mosques for their daily prayers. Only the watchtowers have lost their function. We walk to the entrance of the old town of Ganish, where we find the caravanserai, and hooks in the adobe walls where horses could be tied up to. There is a small reservoir here as well, and a better view of Ultar and Ladyfinger Peak, among others. Ganish: what a little gem inside a valley of rugged mountain beauty!

Around the World in 80 Clicks

Personal travel impressions both in words and images from Ganish old town (Pakistan). Clicking on the pictures enlarges them and enables you to send the picture as a free e-card or download it for personal use, for instance, on your weblog. Or click on the map above to visit more places close to Ganish old town.
Read more about this site.
Book your hotel in Ganish

Book a hotel near Ganish old town, Ganish, Pakistan with low prices for all kinds of hotels - without reservation fees.

Ganish old town > Pakistan > Asia

[Visited: September 2019]

Around the World in 80 Clicks

Book your hotel in Ganish