KHEWRA SALT MINES

The Khewra salt mines are the second largest in the world. Nearly 400,000 tons of salt are produced there every year! According to legend, they were discovered in 326 BC by Alexander the Great. The King of Macedonia and his troops reportedly stopped there during their long march through present-day Pakistan. They would then have seen their horses licking the stones and, trying in turn, noticed that they were extremely salty. Today, there are 19 levels of mines and 40 kilometres of tunnels and galleries. The main tunnel, at ground level, has been built for tourists. You can explore it on board an old 1930s train or on foot. The salt caves contain some unusual sculptures and buildings, such as a mosque built with bright salt bricks of different colours or a statue of the great poet Mohamed Iqbal, carved in salt. At the end of the tour (about 1h30), there is a cafeteria and a souvenir shop. You can take a picnic and settle in the surrounding hills.