Swat is one of the most beautiful places on earth. The lush-green valley, with its rushing torrents, icy-cold lakes, fruit-laden orchards and flower-decked slopes is just about perfect. The area has a rich historical past, too, and played a pivotal role in the development of Buddhism. Ruins of great Buddhist stupas, monasteries and statues are found all over Swat.

Saidu Sharif is the main city in Swat, the city houses the Swat Museum which contains one of the finest collections of Gandhara art in the world. Mingora is olny 3 km away, and has Buddhist sculpture and the ruins of great stupas.

Other beauty spots worth visiting are Marghzar, 12 km from Saidu Sharif, famous for its white marble palace; Kabal, 16 km with its excellent golf course.