swimming on the roofs of houses; You will not believe in which country this beauty is!

The Hunza Valley in Pakistan, where the mountains reach the sky with a beautiful slope, hosts a phenomenon that is the product of the contrast of nature’s fury and visual beauty. Attabad Lake, with its blue waters and a landscape surrounded by dry peaks, is considered one of the most eye-catching tourist attractions of this country. (BBC)

Photographer: Unknown / unsplash.com

However, this beauty is the result of a disaster. On January 14, 2008, a huge landslide blocked the path of the Hunza River. This event led to the burial of the village of Shishkat, flooding of a part of the city of Gulmit and the displacement of 6,000 people. During this incident, 20 people lost their lives and 25 kilometers of a highway along with 6 bridges were destroyed.

Today, Attabad Lake has become a vital source of income for the local people. Dozens of food stalls, craft shops and boating facilities have been established around the lake. Luxury hotels have also created stable income for them by renting land from local families.

Photographer: Unknown / Getty Images

To reach this lake, tourists usually choose the air route from Islamabad to Gilgit and then a three-hour drive on the Karakoram highway. The best time to visit is from mid-June to mid-September; When the weather is mild and the roads are open.

Photographer: Unknown / Getty Images

In addition to boating and jet skiing, hiking to the meadows is recommended for a panoramic view of the lake. Also, there is a suspension bridge at a short distance from the lake, which gives you a different experience of the wild nature of the area.

With all these beauties, experts warn that this lake may not last forever; Because the created dam is made of rock and soil debris and is not stable. A strong earthquake can break this natural barrier and cause a devastating flood to flow downstream. Also, studies show that river sediments are gradually filling the lake bed.

Photographer: Unknown / Getty Images

In your opinion, is the development of tourism based on unstable natural phenomena risky or a smart opportunity? Share your opinion with us and other audience.

Cover photo source: nonstoptravelling.com Photographer: Lauren Winslow Llewellyn