Khewra Salt Mine, Salt mine in Khewra, Pakistan
The Khewra Salt Mine is a salt mine in Khewra, Pakistan, that spans nineteen underground stories. Tunnels lead through chambers with massive salt walls that shimmer in shades of pink.
The salt deposits were discovered in 326 BC when horses of Alexander the Great's army licked the rocks while passing through the region. Systematic extraction began later under the rule of different dynasties.
The underground complex displays a mosque built from salt crystals that conveys the religious meaning of the site to visitors. Craftsmen continue to shape figures and structures from the pink-tinted blocks that glow in the lamplight.
The site offers guided tours through the illuminated tunnels, with sturdy footwear recommended due to uneven paths. Visitors should bring a light jacket, as the temperature underground remains consistently cool.
A small auditorium and a post office sit deep underground within the mine. Visitors can send letters and postcards from there with a special underground postmark.
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