Things to do in Gilgit Region
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Uprising Memorial
The Uprising Memorial, is a memorial to those who rose against the Maharaja in 1947. It includes the graves of the local heroes, Mohammed Babar Khan and Safiullah Beg of the Gilgit Scouts, and Mirza Hassan Khan of the Kashmir Infantry.
At Partition, many had anticipated Maharaja Hari Singh's eventual accession to India. A clique of Muslim officers in the Maharaja's own army, led by Colonel Mirza Hassan Khan, had been conspiring to seize Kashmir for Pakistan, but word had got out and Hassan was transferred to Kashmir's 'Siberia', the Bunji garrison south of Gilgit.
Meanwhile, the Gilgit Scouts' Major Mohammed Babar Khan and several fellow officers (and, according to some, t…
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Petroglyphs
Chilas is surrounded by wonderful Petroglyphs, which are easy to access, though be prepared for high temperatures and take plenty of water. There is a sign to the 'Chilas II' site near the KKH police checkpoint. Less than 1km down a jeep track there is a huge rock covered with hunting and battle scenes and Buddhist stupas. A common image is the long-horned ibex, ancient symbol of fertility and abundance, and an elusive trophy animal even now.
On a rocky knoll facing the river are the oldest inscriptions, from the 1st century AD: scenes of conquest and stories of the Buddha's life. Four kilometres east beside the jeep bridge to Thalpan is the 'Chilas I' site, with art foun…
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Dumani
Based at Gilgit's top hotel, Dumani has a wonderful vista and a good-value menu with tasty Pakistani, Chinese and Continental cuisine. If you have been scrimping or trekking, this is the place to have a splurge - particularly at the all-you-can-eat buffet lunch (Rs500). Popular barbecue nights (Mon-Sat) commence after 15 May, with locals and nonguests alike enjoying the first-rate food and garden ambience.
Also good value is the high tea buffet on Sunday (15:00 to 18:00) with a great range of salads, hot dishes and desserts. Credit cards are accepted.
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British Cemetery
The well-kept British Cemetery has some surprisingly recent graves of adventurous trekkers and mountaineers among the more historical plots. Buried here is Captain George Hayward, a British explorer murdered in Yasin in 1870 by a son of Gohar Aman. On the side of the shack inside the grounds you'll find a useful map with some interesting stories from the grave. If Ghulam Ali, the caretaker, is around you'll be shown more interesting items for a small donation to the cemetery's upkeep.
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Shandur Cup Polo Tournament
Shandur Cup Polo Tournament. The horsemanship is first rate, the reckless competitiveness of the riders is entertaining and the treatment of the horses is…well, these must be tough little ponies. The tournament dates from 1936, and has been an annual, heavily touristed event since 1989. Most sizable travel agencies in Gilgit and Chitral and a number of national agencies now have package tours, and their own Shandur encampments, for the event.
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Gohar Aman's Tower
In the grounds of the Army Public School (Hayat Shaheed), a crumbling adobe tower is all that remains of Gohar Aman's Tower, a fort built by Gohar Aman in the 1850s. There's not much to look at and the school is pretty security conscious. The school principal may be happy to escort you to the tower and provide a potted history.
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Longlife Mountaineering Equipment
Sales and rental. The secondhand gear is shipped from Europe via Karachi and can be a good buy. The new stuff is from China but is not 'export quality' so be careful. Sleeping-bag hire is Rs50 per day. Sold items may be bought back at half price. Reasonable selection of down jackets, stoves etc.
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Fort
Local police are usually happy to show guests around the Fort, where they are stationed. Your hotel manager may be able to help organise this. The interesting stone-filled wooden battlements with gun sights are crumbling away and the blackened kitchen looks as if it's been in use since 1893.
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Handicrafts
Selling gemstones and old musical instruments, as well as woollen hats and waistcoats that vary greatly in quality. An NA bargain is the durable, hand-woven wool (patti or pattu) of Hunza and Nagyr - coarse, thick and tight, with an uneven grain.
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Green Dragon
Jamal Hotel's Chinese-decorated restaurant produces OK Chinese dishes such as hot and sour chicken, sliced beef and ginger, and laghman (noodles in broth), but covers its bases by churning out Pakistani standards such as chicken karai.
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Askari Bakery
Catch a Suzuki out to Askari Bakery beyond Jutial for good-value cakes, biscuits and bread as well as a range of groceries. The 250 g fruit/plain butter cakes make ideal travel companions.
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Salar Restaurant
Has Pakistani standards and interesting Chinese items - eg mantou (steamed buns) and strange but tasty fried noodles - in clean, low-key surroundings.
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Askari Snacks
You can grab a coffee or tea here and sit in the garden with limited shade and enjoy your bakery items. It is adjacent to Askari Bakery.
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Baig's Restaurant
Located opposite JSR Plaza, Baig's is gloomy but relatively clean, with good oily Pakistani dishes for those with strong constitutions.
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Marshal Bakery & General Store
Stores biscuits, sweets, jam, cornflakes, soup mixes, long-life milk and juices, tinned cheese and pickles to spice up bland curries.
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CSD supermarket
Stores biscuits, sweets, jam, cornflakes, soup mixes, long-life milk and juices, tinned cheese and pickles to spice up bland curries.
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Walk & Ride Pakistan Horse Treks
Organises horse treks from Phander to the Shandur Pass for the polo tournament, as well as through the Chapursan Valley in Gojal.
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Fruit & Vegetable Stalls
Apricots usually appear in June; apples, pomegranates, walnuts and Gilgit's own peaches can be found in early autumn.
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Yogurt Shops
You can buy yogurt at one of the yogurt shops. Say pita for drink here and jata for takeaway.
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North Pole Traders
Try Khan Bahadur's North Pole Traders for dried fruit and nuts - great staples for long road trips and treks.
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Xama Stores
By the Park Hotel, Xama has a dusty collection of old jewellery, handicrafts, carpets and flintlocks.
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Vegetable Market
A sabzi mandi(vegetable market) is along the west side of Jama Mosque.
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Karakoram Mountaineering Equipment
Formerly known as Gown House (and maybe still sporting the old sign).
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