Attabad is a town in Gilgit Baltistan region about 114 kilometers away from Gilgit city via KKH, in Northern Pakistan. Attabad is located at an altitude of 8,398 feet (above from sea level) and is famous as home of Attabad Lake .
Attabad Lake has become one of the biggest tourist attractions in Gilgit Baltistan due to its unique blue water and dramatic mountain backdrop. The lake offers activities like boating, jet skiing, fishing and other recreational activities.
During winter, the lake is frozen whereas, in summer, its teal blue color gives a eye-catching view for travelers. The blue shade of Attabad Lake is so clean amd clear that it clearly shows reflection of the sky in the water. Due to its expansive nature, one cannot view the lake completely standing at one point.
Popular myths surround the formation of several geographical landmarks in Pakistan. The lake at Katasraj, Choa Saidan Shah in Punjab, is said to have formed from the teardrop of Lord Shiva mourning the death of his wife Satti. Attabad Lake in Hunza, however, was born of less romantic circumstances.
Attabad Lake was created in January 2010 as a result of Attabad disaster. The lake was formed due to massive landslide in Attabad village on January 4, 2010. The landslide killed twenty people and blocked the way of Hunza river for five months and inundated 19 kilometers of the Karakoram Highway. The lake reached 21 kilometers long and over 100 meters in depth by the first week of June 2010 when it began flowing over the landslide dam, completely submerging lower Shishkat and partly flooding Gulmit. Water level continued to rise on June 18,2010 caused by a difference in the outflow and inflow of a new lake.
After the completion of Attabad tunnels, tourists can go on a non-stop journey to the top of Khunjerab. Since the lake was formed the only means of crossing was by loading vehicles onto wooden boats. In 2015, the Chinese built a new road tunnel that opened in September 2015.
°Attabad Tunnels
Part of Karakoram Highway was submerged due to this landslide. On September 14,2015former Prime Minister Mohammad Nawaz Sharif performed inauguration of realigned 24km patch of KKH containing five tunnels at Attabad Barrier Lake.
The five tunnels, together 7 kilometers long are a part of 24km KKH, which was damaged in 2010. The realignment restored the road link network China and Pakistan and is expected to significantly increase economic integration between these two nations.
°Eye Lake
One of the most beautiful lake created by nature called “Eye Lake” situated beside the Attabad tunnel. The picture has been taken in winter.
°Luxus Attabad Resort
The new resort will consist of 59 rooms and will have a rooftop restaurant. It will also have a conference hall and amusement park. The clean water and scenic mountains will make it a must visit place in the region.
It is being constructed by Zoraiz Lashari, a businessman from Lahore who owns multiple grand hotels & amusement part in Lahore and other parts of Pakistan.
After reading the beauty of blue scenic waters of Attabad Lake, one has no doubt why I’m sharing my favorite places with other local guides.
