Attabad Lake
عطا آباد جھیل
A turquoise landslide lake formed in 2010 when a mountain collapsed and blocked the Hunza River. The tunnel beside the lake was built with Chinese assistance.
Attabad Lake lies between Central Hunza and Upper Hunza (Gojal). On 4 January 2010, a massive landslide struck Attabad village. It blocked the Hunza River, and the rising water gradually submerged several villages and about 20 km of the Karakoram Highway. For years afterwards, the only way across was by boat. In 2015, the China-Pakistan Friendship Tunnel, built by China Road and Bridge Corporation with a total length of about 7 km, opened. The road now passes through the mountain on the eastern shore of the lake, and the tunnel itself has become a scenic attraction.
The lake is about 20 km long. Its water has a dreamlike turquoise colour due to its high mineral content, and it is surrounded by jagged brown peaks. The lakeside jetty offers speedboats, motorboats, rowing and other activities, charged per trip. Haggling is advisable, and you should wear a life jacket. There are also lakeside hotels and campsites. It is about 30 minutes by car from Karimabad.
Note: the water is icy cold, so swimming is prohibited. The landslide dam still poses a geological risk, so follow the warning signs on site.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Gulmit
- Hussaini Suspension Bridge
- Borith Lake
- Passu Glacier
- Passu Cones (Tupopdan)
- Hopar Glacier (Bualtar)
- Batura Glacier
- Eagle's Nest Viewpoint (Duikar)