Khewra Salt Mines

Posted on Posted in Great Places

Khewra Salt Mines is a salt mine located in Khewra, Jhelum District, Punjab in Pakistan, about 160 kilometres (99 mi) from Islamabad and 260 kilometres (160 mi) from Lahore. It attracts up to 40,000 visitors per year and is the second largest salt mine in the world. Situated in the foothills of the Salt Range, the Khewra Salt Mines are the oldest in the South Asia.

[nggallery id=72]

Salt has been mined at Khewra since 320 BC following its discovery by Alexander’s troops, in an underground area of about 110 square kilometres (42 sq mi). The main tunnel at ground level was developed by Dr. Warth in 1872 but has since been converted into a tourist resort. Khewra salt mine has estimated total of 220 million tonnes of rock salt deposits. The current production from the mine is 465,000 tons salt per annum.

The mine-head buildings have 19 stories, with 11 below ground. Only 50% salt is extracted and 50% is left as pillars to support the mountain. The salt-mine is 288 metres (945 ft) above sea level and extends around 730 metres (2,400 ft) inside the mountains from the mine-mouth. The cumulative length of all tunnels is more than 40 kilometres (25 mi).

Salt occurs in a Precambrian deposit in the form of an irregular dome-like structure. There are seven thick salt seams with a cumulative thickness of about 150 meters. At places the rock salt is 99% pure. Salt is transparent, white, pink, reddish to beef-color red. There are beautiful alternate bands of red and white color salt.

How to get there?

Jhelum is a District and City of PunjabPakistan. Jhelum City is the district headquarter. It is in northern Punjab on the bank of the river Jhelum and at GT Road.

One can reach Jhelum from Islamabad or Lahore via GT Road.

Where to stay?

  • Al- Madeena Restaurant, GT road Jhelum
  • Al-Bilal Hotel, GT Road near Kala Gujran.
  • Makki Hotel, GT road Jhelum.
  • Mehwish Hotel, adjusent GC GT road, Jhelum.
  • Tulip River view Hotel, River Jhelum Bridge.
  • Zeelaf Hotel and Restaurant, GTS Chowk, Kazim Kamal Road.

Lehri Nature Park is situated in Jhelum District, northern Punjab, Pakistan. The park is almost 90 km on GT Road in the hilly Pothohar region from Islamabad and almost 40 kilometers from Jhelum City. It is 10 km from GT Road. The park has lodgings for the night. It is named after the Union Council of the village Lehri. Lehri village is approx 10miles from the park. The residents of Lehri village are mainly the descendants of the Gakhar tribe of the Pothohar region in Pakistan.

Places to eat?

Tulip Restaurant
Jhelum Club
EverGreen Hotel & Restaurant
Hotel Faran
Kentucky Fried Chicken
Bela Bar-B-que
Albilal Hotel & restaurant “G.T.Road”
Butt Karahi, Shandar Chowk.
Meena Kabaab
Food Palace
Saeed Butt Kabab “Shandar Chowk”
Punjab Hot Chicken.
Shaikh Chargha “Machine Mohalla No.3
Merhaba Resteurant
Sareed Fast Foods, Mangla Road,Dina
Rasheed Kabab Markaz

Map

Leave a Reply