Ah, the great salt wonder of Pakistan! Khewra Salt Mines are
a rollercoaster ride. From the journey to the destination, everything is full
of color, heritage, and organic sceneries of Punjab. You just cannot help but
appreciate the creations of God and His Blessings. Khewra is the world’s
second-largest salt mine in the world; it is also a major tourist attraction
that draws hundreds and thousands of visitors every year. If you are from
Islamabad or Lahore or from any place in-between, more than half of the route
is covered by the Motorway which means that it is not a tiresome journey to the
destination.
On the way to Khewra, when you enter the Jhelum district,
you first see the famous Katas Raj Temple which is known for its uniquely
turquoise-colored pond and Hindu origins. After passing through the markets and
moving toward the locality of Khewra to visit the salt mines, the route is a
bit rough but the elevation and the views from the mountain tops make it an
attractive journey for adventure enthusiasts. Surely, the trip will not tire
you out but will energize you for what is to come up next.
Khewra Salt Mines are easily accessible through Google Maps
and a tourist can easily reach their destination by following the directions on
the map. The destination does have plenty of refreshment centers and a pretty
restaurant with a garden. There is a long bridge connecting the parking area
with the mine shaft entrance. The bridge is only open for the public to walk on
to reach the entrance of the mines. There are two tunnels in the mines; both
lead to the same place. A train enters and exits from one side of the mines,
the elderly and those with disabilities can easily enter the depths of the mine
through this route. The other route is accessible by foot.
I would have to warn you about possibly feeling suffocated
once you enter the mines however there is a cool breeze when entering or
exiting the mine which really helps feel better. The salt emerges from the very
first few steps as soon as you enter the mines. Once you cover the length of
the train track, you will see that the salt mines are actually full of
different decorations and salt pieces throughout. The tourism department has
done a wonderful job decorating the inside of the salt mines.
There are boards that guide your tour and they also inform
you about important facts about the mines which I found absolutely dazzling.
Khewra decorators have done a beautiful job at remaking the wonders of the
world using salt bricks and melting skills to craft the wonders of Pakistan
such as the Minar-e-Pakistan and the Mazar-e-Quaid. There are no signals in
Khewra so please do not expect any kind of communication with those you have
lost; it is best to stick around and not let any child unsupervised. Khewra mines
are pretty spacious from the inside so once you enter the destination, any kind
of claustrophobia goes away.
It is best to enjoy yourself and remember to not litter in
the mines.
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