Khanpur Dam, built on top of the Haro River which originates at Abbottabad, is one the most impressive dams worldwide. The Khanpur Dam is situated near the town of Khanpur in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, on the Taxila Haripur Road, about 48 kilometers from the capital Islamabad.
A trip to the Khanpur Dam, picnicking, boating, and fishing are all possible at this location. Schedule a trip to Khanpur Dam if you have the time. Groupon has provided all the information you need for your trip.
Khanpur Dam Facts
Khanpur Lake is a reservoir that supplies water to Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and irrigation water for many rural and industrial areas around the cities.
After a 15-year construction period, the Dam was completed in 1983. It cost Rs. 1,352 million
Khanpur Dam is a popular tourist destination in KPK. Thousands of tourists from around the world visit the area every week during peak season. They are attracted to the natural beauty of the city. Visitors can enjoy a variety of adventure activities, as well as breathtaking mountain views.
If you are looking for an adrenaline rush, here’s how to get there:
Gazing at the breathtaking mountain views from Khanpur Dam, enjoy the serene atmosphere
Participating in various watersports events close to Khanpur Dam
You can boat and dive in the calm waters at Khanpur Lake.
There are many activities that you can do, including jet-skiing and camping.
You can visit famous archaeological sites near Khanpur Dam.
The Dam was named after the Khanpur village that was previously named. The Dam is now the location of a new Khanpur city. It is 167 feet high and can carry 110,000 acres of water, or 140,000,000 cubic meters.
Because of its beautiful beauty, Khanpur Lake (the Dam’s reservoir) is a popular tourist spot and picnic spot. The serene and beautiful surroundings are a refuge for migratory birds in winter.
Khanpur Lake is surrounded by parks, flowering trees, picnic areas, and private paths. Picnics, sailing, and yachting are common activities in the terraced garden. The garden’s best spot offers views of Lake Margalla, Rawalpindi, Rawal Hills, and the capital.
After a 15 year construction period, the Dam was completed in 1983 for Rs1,385.1 million. It is 51m high (167 feet tall) and has a storage capacity of 79.980 acres (98.650,000 m3).
1. Blue-green Water
Many people travel from Pakistan to visit the Dam’s blue-green lake. Khanpur Dam draws between 40,000 and 50,000 visitors each week. Tourists can participate in many land- and water-based activities, including:
Cliff jumping
Jet skiing
Boating with the family
Kayaking
Zip-lining
Camping
Waketubing
2. 2. Archaeological Sites
Many Buddhist excavations are located nearby, which attract both local and foreign visitors.
3. Bhamala Buddhist Complex
Excavations at the Bhamala Buddhist Temple (also known as Bhamala Supa) near Khanpur revealed sculptures and heads that date back to the second-to-fifth centuries AD. The stupa was surrounded by precious Kushan coins. The Bhamala archaeological site was discovered near the Khanpur Dam. It has been declared a national and international heritage site. They were discovered in the fourth century BC. The cross-shaped stupa is similar to an Aztec pyramid.
4. Rajgan Mosque
Locals call the Rajgan Mosque “Rajon ki Masjid”, but it is believed to be more than 100 years old. [requires reference] The mosques built in the vicinity are used by people for daily prayers. Eid prayers are still held at the Rajgan Mosque. It houses a large prayer hall as well as a courtyard of weathered bricks that are in dire need of renovation.
5. Khanpur Dam Festival
Every year, the Khanpur Dam hosts a spring carnival. Visitors from across Pakistan and around the globe flock to Khanpur Dam Festival.
Khanpur Dam Festival attracts thousands of people from all over the world for its three-day celebration. There are many water sports that you can do, including motorbike riding, boating, sailing, and air boating. Folk dances, traditional horse dancing from all over the world, as well as drum and pipe sounds (dollsurna) are very popular.
The Khanpur Dam festival also features balloon swings, magic shows, and puppet shows, para-jumping (horseback running), para-jumping, para-jumping, and para-motorized sailplaning as well as joy land for children.
Khanpur Dam Location
Because of its beautiful location, Khanpur Dam is one of the most picturesque places in KPK. As mentioned, the Dam is surrounded by the majestic mountains of the Potohar plateau. The dam is surrounded by a magnificent human-made pool.
It is located in the most remote region of Pakistan. The Dam is located 50 km northwest of the twin cities. The journey takes approximately 1.5 hours if you fly via the N-5 or N-125 National Highways from Islamabad.
Places To Stay In Khanpur Dam
Since it is one of many popular tourist attractions in Pakistan and is just 48 kilometers from the capital city, you can comfortably stay in one of Islamabad’s guest houses or hotels.
Mobile Island Resort and Gandhara Castle Resort are the most sought-after places to stay in this area. You can book Space for as low as PKR 1,800. Prices can vary depending on the season you book your trip.
Tourist Attractions at Khanpur Dam
The provincial government has agreed to create a new authority to regulate the travel industry to encourage tourism in KPK. It will manage and upgrade tourist attractions in the K-P Culture and Tourism Authority. These are the top tourist attractions in KPK. Have a look at:
Saif-ul-Maluk Lake
Swat Valley
Malam Jabba
Lulusar Lake
Kumrat Valley
Shandur Pass
Khyber Pass
KP Culture and Tourism Authority
January 25, 2021, saw the opening of The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Culture & Tourism Authority’s first-ever toll-free tourist assistance line to promote tourism in the province. Callers can make a call at any hour, and it is free.
The ‘Tourist Facilitation Centre’ will be available 24 hours a day, seven days per week. It will provide weather alerts, information about traffic, tourist spots, and local attractions, as well as emergency response services for both foreign and domestic visitors.
According to primary news sources, TCKP is currently operating the helpline in a pilot program.
It is also noteworthy that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa attracted many tourists in the second half of 2020. According to the tourism authority figures, 2,681,000 people visited Khyber Pakhtunkhwa between August 13th and October 31 of last year.
According to reports, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provincial government has completed the draft of a new law which will establish an all-encompassing tourism authority and cultural authority in Pakistan. This will improve tourism in Pakistan.
According to an English daily, the new law will consolidate all existing tourism bodies and departments, especially those managed by K-P Tourism Cooperation into the K-P Culture and Tourism Authority.
It will oversee the protection of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s cultural heritage sites and historic sites, as well as control visitor operations.
KP Culture and Tourism Authority (TCKP), Objectives
English daily reports that these are the top priorities of the KP authority for tourism growth.
There are new initiatives in tourism.
The regulation of tourism service providers is in place.
Conservation of wildlife and nature
Tourism infrastructure development
Keep a tourist police department in place
For breaking the rules, penalties are implemented.
Establishment of a separate tourism fund
Until then, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s minister of tourism will take over as the chairman of the existing tourism authority. Under the direction of a director-general, he will manage day-to-day operations.
This will likely attract more tourists to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which has seen a significant increase in tourism over the past few years.
Conclusion
Khanpur Dam is one of those beautiful beauty spots that very few people know about. Khanpur Dam is home to many tourist attractions. Besides, Khanpur Dam has many historical sites like the more than two hundred years old Rajgan mosque. Khanpur dam is worth a visit.