Archeological wonders, Gandhara civilization's remains attract foreign tourists to Swat.

MINGORA -- Known as the land of Gandhara civilization and archeological wonders, Swat -- previous known as Uddiyana Kingdom where every stupa and carved stone has its own story -- attracts domestic and foreign tourists in droves every year.

Besides the mesmerizing natural beauty, cultural heritage, and primitive architecture, Swat's unique features, including snowfall, rivers, birds chanting valleys, skiing, trout fish and lakes, draw tourists, monks and Buddhists from across the world to explore.

Swat museum, Mehmood Ghaznavi mosque Odigram, Obaghat and rock carvings of Khazana Ghat Charai Madyan, Gogdara and Saidu stupa, Panr Jambil Khwar, Ram Throne, Jehanabad Buddha statue, Tokar Dara Najigram stupa and monasteries of Butkara-I and II are the most frequented tourist sites.

Tourists are being seen in large number at historic Amlok Dara, Shingardar and Gumbatona stupas besides Ghaligay Buddha statue and archaeological remains of Shahkot Pass Elephant Paw, Queen's Throne and Nemogram stupa.

To explore Swat's archaeological treasures, a 20-member delegation of Thailand, led by the celebrated Thai monk Arayawangso, had recently visited Swat museum, Saidu stupa and Butkara Buddhists site along with his 20 disciples.

Late Prince of Swat, Miangul Adnan Aurangzeb had invited Arayawangso two years ago to visit the archaeological rich Swat valley. Arayawangso has written a detailed book on significance and placement of Ghandhara in Buddhist world, calling it the land of wisdom and enlightenment. With his disciples, Arayawangso visited different heritage Buddhist sites where he paid his respects.

Praising rich and multi-cultural heritage of Pakistan, he encouraged people to visit Swat to promote religious tourism and lauded the untiring efforts of the KP government and Directorate of Archeology and Museums, KP for preserving and maintaining these sites.

A 2000-year-old Buddhist site of Kushan era is also attracting tourists, Buddhists and monks every year. As the biggest complex of its kind in the region, the Buddhist site at Aabba Sahib Cheena village at Najigram, some 25 kilometers from Mingora city, has a historic stupa with two minarets and clay pots which take tourists to the past history.

'Swat is a home to Gandara and many others civilization and its archaeological treasures are beyond one's imagination besides its glorious history,' Mian Wahab Shah, senior curator archeology and museums department told reporter.

He said a visitor could not...