Chaqchan Mosque
A 14th-century wooden mosque in Khaplu, said to have been founded in 1370 by Sayyid Ali Hamadani, with a distinctive Tibetan-influenced style.
Chaqchan Mosque stands in Khaplu town. It is said to date from 1370, founded by Sayyid Ali Hamadani, a Sufi Muslim missionary, and it is one of the oldest mosques in Baltistan. The building may have been converted from a Buddhist monastery. It blends Tibetan and Kashmiri wooden architecture, with multi-tiered wooden eaves, carved wooden pillars and latticed windows of remarkable beauty. Non-Muslims are usually allowed to view only the exterior, so dress modestly, and women should cover their heads. It is a 10-minute walk from Khaplu Palace, so the two can be visited together.
Opening hours
Sunrise to sunset (do not enter during prayer times)
Nearby sights
- Khaplu Palace
- Manthokha Waterfall
- Sarfaranga Cold Desert
- Amburik Mosque
- Shigar Fort
- Blind Lake (Zharba Tso)
- Satpara Lake
- Manthal Buddha Rock