Khewra Salt Mine- World Second Largest Salt Mine
Overview
The Khewra Salt Mine is located in Khewra, north of Pind Dadan Khan, an administrative district in Jhelum District, Punjab Province, Pakistan. It is the largest and oldest salt mine in Pakistan and the second largest in the world. It is a major tourist attraction, attracting 250,000 tourists every year. Its history dates back to 320 BC when Alexander's army discovered it. But started to sell during the Mughal era. Additionally, the main tunnel at the ground level was built by Dr. H. Warth, a mining engineer during British rule in 1872. After the spin-off, the mine was acquired by the Pakistan Mineral Development Corporation and remains the country's largest exporter of salt, producing more than 350,000 tonnes of 99% pure halite per year. Hence, the mine's salt reserves are estimated to be between 82 and 600 million tonnes.
Khewra Salt Mine is located at Pind Dadan Khan Tehsil in Jhelum District. It is about 200 km (125 miles) from Islamabad and Lahore, accessible via the M2 highway, and about 30 km (20 miles) from the Lilla Junction when you go to Pind Dadan Khan on the Lilla Road. Furthermore, the mine is located in a mountain range that forms part of the Salt Mountains, a mineral-rich mountain system that stretches approximately 200 kilometers from the Jhelum River south of the Pothohar Plateau to its confluence with the Indus River. However, the Khewra mine is located at an altitude of 288 meters (945 feet), approximately 730 meters (2,400 feet) from the mine entrance to the mountain. The underground mine covers 110 kilometers (43 square miles).
Things that are worth seeing here
The Khewra Salt Mine is a major tourist attraction with around 250,000 visitors a year, bringing in huge revenue. Furthermore, tourists take the train to the mining area. There are several saltwater pools inside. About fifty years ago, the Badshahi Mosque was built in a mining tunnel with colored salt bricks. Other artistic sculptures in the mine include.
- Replica of Minar-e-Pakistan,
- Statue of Allama Iqbal,
- Crystal stack forming Muhammad's name in Urdu script,
- Model of the Great Wall of China,
- Model of a shopping mall road Murree.
Other tourist attractions at the mine include the 75 m (245 ft) Great Hall; Pul Siraat, a pillarless salt bridge over a 25 m (80 ft) deep salt pond; Sheesh Mahal (Mirror Palace), salt crystals Light pink; there is also a cafeteria.
Best time to visit there?
You can visit Khewra at any time of the year. The temperature inside the cave is very good around 20°C. Moreover, the outside temperature before entering the cave may vary by season.
How to get there?
From Islamabad, it takes almost 3 hr via Lahore-Islamabad Motorway to reach Khewra Salt Mine. You can hire a car if you are traveling from any other city in Pakistan. But it is a must-visit place in any Pakistan Tour.
You can check out our "Trip to Khewra Salt Mines" tour that includes this amazing place.