Autumn is painting the world in golden hues, from Asia to Europe, from modern cities to remote countryside and mountains. One of the remote places in South Asia that is also being painted with brilliant autumn colors is the mountainous region of Pakistan.
Secluded Valley
"One of the misunderstandings when inviting friends to go to Pakistan is that many people think it is a dangerous place. It is dangerous because a lot of information has been fabricated to create such an image, misunderstanding because they have not read about Islam, suspicion because they cannot distinguish between Taliban, Is, Al Queda...", travel blogger Hoang Le Giang shared.
His trip to Pakistan was mainly to the mountains and he met the warmest and friendliest people he had ever met in his many years of traveling. If he had not just traveled around taking pictures but had had the time or luck to talk to the people, especially the Ismaili Muslims, he would have loved Pakistan even more.
The house on the hill
Autumn Scenery in the Mountains of Pakistan
"Pakistan's autumn starts from early October to the end of November, depending on the altitude of the place you go to and how red and yellow you want to see. If you want bright yellow everywhere, you should go to the end of October, but if you want yellow leaves all over the ground, you should go to November. It also depends on the cold weather, so each valley has a different time for yellow leaves. There are many valleys created from 3 large mountain ranges: Himalaya, Karakoram, Hindu Kush", said Hoang Le Giang.
View of the valley from Baltit Fort
One thing is that most of the Thai, Malay and Vietnamese people like autumn with its yellow and red leaves, but for the local people here, the beautiful time is in summer. When wildflowers bloom, the green grass signals life, and autumn is the time when the cold comes. Westerners also like summer more for trekking. Hoang Le Giang chose to trek in autumn to join the wintering journey with the locals.
The quiet look looks like the image of winter coming, but is also the melancholy of autumn.
According to him, autumn is also the time when apples and pears ripen in Hunza, because they are completely organic, they feel very delicious when eaten. In addition, there are almonds, walnuts, and many dried fruits such as cherries, apricots, and mulberry jam, so vegetarians do not have to worry about lacking. Pakistani food also has less spices than Indian food, so it will be easier to eat for Vietnamese tourists.
Harvesting Hunza gold from above
Along the trekking route
"Autumn in Pakistan is quite cold, at the end of October at night the temperature drops below zero, the scene of yellow leaves and white snow mountains is very impressive. The journey to discover autumn in Pakistan is suitable for those who like trekking in the mountains, but most Vietnamese people still choose the road trip to take photos in villages and lakes. I feel very happy to meet the people and continue the journey with the migrant group in a new country", said Hoang Le Giang.
Road to Hopar village
If it were spring, this scene would be dyed white with apricot blossoms.
"People like to take pictures of sunny autumn, but I find that photos with less sunlight have their own appeal. They look quiet and have the image of winter coming, that is the melancholy of autumn," he added.
In addition, travel blogger Hoang Le Giang also suggests some places to see autumn in Pakistan such as: Hunza valley, Skardu, Khaplu, the towns of Karimabad, Passu, Gulmit.
