Balakot is the land of martyrs and a historical place. It is a beautiful city that is 39 kilometers away from Mansehra and 3,226 feet above sea level. It has been declared as a big Tehsil of District Mansehra. Balakot is a pretty green valley in the area.
While traveling from Mansehra towards Balakot there is a place named Attar Shisha, there are two roads ahead. The right side road is the old and curly one that reaches Garhi Habibullah; thick forests can be seen this way. There is the road that connects you to the capital of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Muzafarabad. The left side road leads you towards the beautiful Balakot.
Jaaba bypass is the newly established road with fewer zig zags and ups and downs leading you towards this lovely valley. On the way, you could witness the green fields of the valley along beautiful houses and the Kunhar River of course. As you enter from the Basian Chowk the Kunhar River welcomes you with its cold and speedy water which comes from Garhi Habibullah and meets to the Jhelum River. Basian is just 11 kilometers away from the Balakot and the mother lake of Kunhar River is the Lulusar Lake but afterward, many lakes and streams join it. This River travels almost 190 kilometers to meet this point. There are many picnic points and rivers are situated on its bank side.
People come from across the world and country to enjoy its environment throughout the year. Kunhar River passes through the Balakot city and has magical effects. The “Garlat” wooden bridge was made on it in 1895 and this bridge served for almost one century over there. It was the first-ever bridge that was used for transportation between the Kaghan Valley. It was vanished and destroyed in the floods of 1992. Another bridge was constructed for the heavy traffic and other means of transport.
A battle was also taken on this place between the Sikhs and Muslims, Syed Ahmed Shaheed and Shah Ismail Shaheed embraced Shahadat at this place. Their tombs are situated in the same place. The whole of this town was hit by the earthquake of 8th October 2005. The city of Balakot was badly affected and the city almost vanished from the earth. With the grace of Allah Almighty, this city became an economic hub once again with a focus point of tourist