Karimabad, Gilgit-Baltistan

Karimabad (كريم آباد), formerly known as Baltit, is the capital of the Hunza District in Pakistan-administered Gilgit-Baltistan in the disputed Kashmir region.

Karimabad was named in honour of Karim Aga Khan, the current spiritual leader of the Shia Ismaili Nizari community.

[1] Historically, Karimabad served as a caravan stop for travelers journeying through the Hindu Kush mountains en route to the Vale of Kashmir.

[1] The fauna recorded in the village consist of ibex (Capra (genus), duck, red-striped fox, snow leopard (Panthera uncia syn.

[4] Both Baltit Fort and Karimabad village received the World Award of Tourism in 2000 when Indonesia, Australia, India, and Britain and other countries competed.

[7] The economy is dependent on agriculture with crops such as corn (maize), fruits, and vegetables grown under irrigated conditions.

[1][9] The landmarks around the town are the Baltit Fort, Queen Victoria Monument, Channel Walk and the snow clad mountains of Rakaposhi and glaciers of Ulter Nala.

Mir Nazim Khan got it refurnished with wall paper, curtains, fireplaces, balconies, and windows with tinted glass.

Some of the rooms in the fort have exhibits of dresses and pictures as also some ancient vessels and furniture donated by the local people.

It can be accessed only by trekking for about an hour passing through irrigation channels, a polo ground, an old watch tower, and a narrow passage strewn with rocks.

It is at the base of the rock face and was built by Nazim Khan; in the local Burushaski language it is known "Malikamu Shikari" (ma-li-ka-mu shi-ka-ri).

The water flowing in the channel has a velvety colour caused by the minute content of fine mica particles.

The vividly turquoise waters of the Attabad Lake are 9 miles north of Karimabad.
The fort's construction and design were influenced by those in Tibet .