The Bloody History of This 1000-Year-Old Silk Road Village | Full Tour

Join me on an intriguing tour of Ganish, a 1,000-year-old fortified village on the Karakoram Highway and a UNESCO award-winning attraction. Discover ancient architecture, including watchtowers where guards once shot arrows to defend the village, and explore religious sites featuring Zoroastrian, Hindu, and Buddhist iconography. See how people lived 1,000 years ago when the area was ruled by multiple warring tribes. We’ll uncover hidden stories and experience the timeless beauty of this historic gem, where every stone and alleyway whispers tales of the past.

What did you find most interesting in this tour? Let me know in the comments.

Ganish Village, located in the Hunza District, is renowned for several things:

Historical Significance: Ganish is considered one of the oldest settlements in the Hunza Valley, often cited as the first settlement along the ancient Silk Road in this region. This historical importance is reflected in its architecture and cultural heritage.

Architectural Heritage: The village is famous for its ancient watchtowers, traditional mosques, and religious centres. Notably, the wood carving work in the Imambargah of Ganish is celebrated for its beauty. The village also includes structures like the Ali Gohar House, which showcases the living heritage of the area.

Cultural and Religious Heritage: Ganish has been a melting pot of cultures due to its position on the Silk Road, leading to a rich tapestry of traditions. The village has ancient mosques built by leading families when Islam spread in the region, indicating its religious significance. The majority of its inhabitants follow the Twelver branch of Shia Islam, contributing to its unique cultural practices.

Educational Institutions: Ganish hosts several educational institutions like FG Boys Middle School and Aga Khan Diamond School, reflecting its commitment to education, which is a broader characteristic of the Hunza Valley known for its high literacy rates.

UNESCO Recognition: Ganish Village's restoration efforts, particularly its historic structures, have been recognized with a UNESCO Asia Pacific Heritage Award. This recognition highlights its value not just as a historical site but as a model for preservation and conservation.

Natural Beauty and Strategic Location: Situated along the Karakoram Highway, Ganish offers stunning views and is strategically located near significant natural landmarks and historical sites within Hunza, making it a point of interest for travellers and historians alike.

Community and Lifestyle: Despite its historical and touristic value, Ganish remains a living village, not just a museum of the past. This aspect is highlighted by ongoing community life, including new constructions like the Imamia complex, showing that Ganish is a village where tradition meets modernity.

Ganish Village stands out for its blend of history, architecture, cultural richness, and its role as a living testament to the ancient Silk Road's influence on local life and heritage.

00:00 1000-year-old village
00:33 Price
00:58 Where are we?
01:45 Natural fridges
04:33 Why this area is popular for travellers
06:16 What will we see inside the village?
06:46 Fortifications
09:27 Silk Route hospitality
11:18 The main gate
13:00 Religious carvings
17:51 Homes & the extreme cold
20:49 Residents today
21:21 Animals
22:05 4 Mosques
22:33 Village name origin & Hindu link
23:53 Ionian art & Alexander the Great
26:25 Floods
29:00 UNESCO awards
30:38 Watchtower
31:43 Dangers of watchtowers
33:49 The British
34:46 The pond
36:32 Tourist behaviour

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[KarlRock]

What did you find most interesting in this tour?

[KunalVasnani-mywz]

Uncle needs his own YouTube. I could listen to him all day long

[hasanat]

Uncle's speech is so eloquent and his choice of words are amazingly precise, a quality that most people in Pakistan have lost.

[shehlasiddiqi]

This uncle's knowledge and way of explaining is marvelous!

[bryanferguson]

This older gentleman is so distinguished and elegant. It would be interesting to hear more from him, on a variety of subjects. Great video.

[viveksingh-okil]

He proved old is gold. I'm left speechless one of the best guide I've seen .great work karl for this.

[ares]

I love the way the guide talks, I could listen to him for hours.

[babarshahbaz]

One may leave Hunza, but Hunza would live forever in his heart. Great Video.

[amarjeetsinghkala]

These were probably old Hindu/Buddhist temples which were later converted to Mosques.
The layout, the signs leave no doubt. The knowledge of the gentlemen is impeccable 👍

[HabibullahHussain-ihhy]

On god in my 24 years in Pakistan never have I heard such strong vocabulary of urdu, and who would have thought a person living in a place where urdu isn't first language could speak so splendidly. Definitely meeting him in my next visit to hunza.

[sohailahmad]

One thing which caught my eye is that this fort is about 1000 years old and Islam came to this region about 150 years ago. definitely these were not mosques in the beginning, As a native of Hunza why didn’t i think about this before, Thanks Karl.

[pippa]

I love seeing a part of the world I may never get to visit. This series is so special, Karl. Thank you and stay safe out there! As-Salam-u-Alaikum!

[rosssmith]

I was fortunate enough to travel through this area for two and a half months in the early 1990's. The beauty of this part of the world and it's amazingly kind and generous people will forever stay in my heart. Thank you Karl for sharing this journey with us. 🙏

[humanity]

Lovely man! Very articulate
Speaks beautiful Urdu. I am Urdu speaking but would struggle to speak so eloquently. Remarkable man, indeed.

[WaqasAdarshSarem]

This was definitely a Hindu or Bhudhist temple in ancient times before converting to the masjid. Glad to see such a old village with still preserved stuff. Love from Punjab Pakistan ❤

[eyqvxku]

Uncle is an incredibly eloquent and well versed person. What an amazing tour guide. So professional and humble. God bless him.

[Surila-ygdo]

This guy is a gem., Love and Respect from West Bengal ❤

[umairnawaz]

Bro asked for Urdu, and bro got some real Urdu 😃

[HockeySemp]

Genuinely one of the best travel videos I have ever seen here. So much history for a place that is not likely that well known. It's so good to have someone there that knows so much and can share the history!

[rahulsujan]

This was kind of like unintentional ASMR, you can just tell how much he knows about this place and loves it, it seems like it is a pleasure for him to share his knowledge. I love that so much