Not all of Pakistan's most remarkable landscapes lie in the high mountains. In the Salt Range of Punjab, a low, rugged line of hills stretching across Jhelum, Chakwal and Khushab districts, two very different but equally compelling sites sit within easy reach of one another: the vast underground chambers of the Khewra Salt Mine and the ancient, sacred pools of the Katas Raj temple complex. Together they offer a day of geological wonder and religious history that few visitors to Pakistan think to include, despite being only a few hours from Islamabad and Lahore.
Khewra Salt Mine
Khewra is one of the largest salt mines in the world and among the oldest continuously worked mines anywhere, with a history that, according to local tradition, stretches back to the era of Alexander the Great's campaigns in the region, though large-scale commercial mining began under British administration in the nineteenth century. The mine produces the distinctive pink salt for which the Punjab region has become internationally known, its colour caused by trace minerals within the rock.
Visitors descend into the mine along a specially prepared tourist route, passing through tunnels and chambers carved entirely from salt. Some of the more elaborate excavated areas include a replica of a famous Lahore mosque built from salt bricks, illuminated pools of brine, and a small train that carries visitors through part of the underground network. The scale of the operation, with tunnels extending for many kilometres into the hillside, gives a real sense of the mine's importance to the region's economy over more than a century.
What to expect underground
The temperature inside the mine remains cool and stable year-round, offering welcome relief from the heat of a Punjab summer. Walkways are generally well maintained for tourist access, though the ground can be uneven in places, so sturdy footwear is recommended. Some visitors with respiratory conditions report the salt-laden air as beneficial, and a small clinic within the mine offers salt-therapy sessions, though as with any health claim, those with specific medical needs should consult a doctor before relying on this.
Katas Raj Temples
A short drive from Khewra, the Katas Raj complex is one of the most important Hindu pilgrimage sites in Pakistan, centred on a sacred pond that, according to tradition, formed from the tears of the deity Shiva after the death of his wife Sati. The complex includes a cluster of temples, some dating back over a thousand years, built in a distinctive regional style with intricately carved stone, along with the ruins of a Buddhist stupa that predates the Hindu structures, reflecting the site's long and layered religious history.
The pond itself, though it has faced periods of low water levels due to nearby industrial activity, remains the spiritual centre of the site, and pilgrims, particularly from the small Hindu community remaining in Pakistan as well as visitors from abroad, come here for religious observance. For visitors of any background, walking among the old temples and looking out over the surrounding hills offers a striking sense of the region's deep and varied history.
The Salt Range landscape
Beyond these two specific sites, the wider Salt Range offers a rugged, low-mountain landscape quite different from anything found further north in Pakistan, with reddish rock formations, sparse vegetation and long views across the Punjab plains. The range holds numerous smaller sites of historical and geological interest, and travellers with extra time can explore further, though Khewra and Katas Raj remain the two most established stops for a day trip.
Best time to visit
Winter, from November through February, is by far the most comfortable season to visit the Salt Range, since summer temperatures in this part of Punjab climb very high and outdoor walking between sites becomes uncomfortable. The mine itself remains cool regardless of season, but travel between Khewra and Katas Raj, along with time spent outdoors at the temple complex, is far more pleasant in the cooler months.
Getting there
Both sites are reachable as a long day trip from Islamabad or Lahore, with Khewra and Katas Raj sitting relatively close to one another, making it practical to combine them in a single outing. The drive from Islamabad takes a few hours each way, and a private vehicle offers the most flexibility for combining the two stops along with any other Salt Range sites of interest.
Practical tips
Wear comfortable, sturdy shoes for both the mine's uneven paths and any walking around the temple complex. Entry fees apply at the mine, and a guide is generally included as part of the underground tour. At Katas Raj, dress modestly and behave respectfully, as this remains an active place of worship for the local Hindu community.
A day trip worth the detour
Travellers heading between Islamabad and Lahore sometimes overlook the Salt Range entirely, sticking to the main motorway and missing a genuinely distinctive day trip that lies only a modest detour away. Combining Khewra and Katas Raj into a single outing offers a rare pairing of industrial heritage and sacred history within the same short drive, something not easily found elsewhere in Punjab. For families travelling with children, the mine's small train ride and illuminated chambers tend to be a particular highlight, while the quieter, contemplative atmosphere of Katas Raj offers a good contrast later in the day. Given the driving distances involved, an early start from either Islamabad or Lahore makes it possible to see both sites thoroughly and still return the same evening, though those who prefer a more relaxed pace may choose to overnight nearby and split the visit across two half-days instead.
To combine Khewra and Katas Raj with a wider Punjab itinerary, browse our tour packages or contact us to plan the trip.