SAEDNEWS: Pakistan’s Salt Range: Exploring Pakistan’s Natural Attractions and the Sights of Lahore
According to Saednews, These days, mines are not abandoned after their resources have been fully extracted. Instead, they are transformed into tourist attractions. The Khewra Salt Mine in Pakistan holds the world’s second-largest salt reserves. Today, the mine has become a remarkable salt city that welcomes large numbers of domestic and international tourists every year.
The Khewra Salt Mine is located in Jhelum District, in Pakistan’s Punjab Province. Situated approximately 160 kilometers from Islamabad, Pakistan’s capital, and 250 kilometers from Lahore, the provincial capital of Punjab, the mine enjoys a favorable location for tourism.
The Khewra Salt Mine is the oldest salt mine in South Asia and contains the world’s second-largest reserves of edible salt. The story behind its discovery is fascinating. According to legend, when Alexander the Great invaded India in 322 BC, his army’s horses stopped near Khewra and began licking the rocks in the surrounding area. This unusual behavior is said to have led to the discovery of the salt deposits.
For many years, the Khewra Salt Mine was operated as the private property of the local Maharajas. However, following Pakistan’s independence from India, the mine came under the ownership of the Pakistani government.
The Khewra Salt Mine covers an area of approximately 110 square kilometers and has 19 entrances. Of these, around 11 are used for underground salt extraction, while the remaining entrances provide access for domestic and international tourists visiting the salt city located within part of the mine.
Approximately 325,000 tons of salt are extracted from the mine annually. One of the most fascinating structures in the salt city is a mosque built from salt bricks and decorated with halogen lamps.
The salt city also features channels designed to carry water through the area. These channels join together to form a stream that flows through the middle of the city. Some tourists even use the saltwater for bathing. Interestingly, the water that feeds this stream comes from rainfall.
Staying in the salt city is popular among visitors seeking natural therapeutic experiences. Doctors are stationed there to provide visitors with the necessary services and guidance to make the most of their stay.
The salt city also has facilities such as a post office, a hotel, a train, and other amenities expected in a small town.
Pakistan’s Khewra Salt Mine is therefore not merely a place for extracting salt; it is also a unique tourist destination where natural wonders, history, and unusual architecture come together.
