salt mine in Punjab, Pakistan
The world's second largest salt mine, the Khewra Salt Mine, is a major tourist attraction, drawing thousands of visitors every year.
Its history dates back to its discovery by Alexander's troops in 320 BC, but it started trading in the Mughal era. The main tunnel at ground level was developed by Dr. H. Warth, a mining engineer, in 1872, during British rule. After partition the Pakistan Mineral Development Corporation took over the mine, which still remains the largest source of salt in the country, producing more than 350,000 tons per annum of about 99% pure halite. Estimates of the reserves of salt in the mine vary from 82 million tons to 600 million tons.
The primary way to get there is to rent a car or take a taxi. It is about 2- to 3-hour drive from Islamabad.
The mine is open daily (including holidays) 9AM-6PM.
Entry fees are US$6 for foreigners and Rs 150 for Pakistanis. If you're student, local or foreign, a 50% discount will be given.
Trolleys charge Rs. 20 per person and Rs. 250 for group of up to 12 persons.
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There are numerous pools of salty water inside. The Badshahi Mosque was built in the mining tunnels with multi-colored salt bricks about fifty years ago. Other artistic carvings in the mine include a replica of Minar-e-Pakistan, a statue of Allama Iqbal, an accumulation of crystals that form the name of Muhammad in Urdu script, a model of the Great Wall of China and another of the Mall Road of Murree.
Other visitor attractions in the mine include the 75-meter-high Assembly Hall; Pul-Saraat, a salt bridge with no pillars over an 80-foot-deep brine pond; Sheesh Mahal (Palace of Mirrors), where salt crystals are light pink; and a cafe.
Visitors are taken into the mine on a train.
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There is a "tourist resort" with guest houses.