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Shangrila Lake or Lower Kachura Lake is a part of the Shangrila resort located at a drive of about 20 minutes from Skardu (nearly 2,500 m or 8,200 feet) town.

It is a popular tourist destination, and has a exclusive restaurant that is built on the fuselage of an aircraft that had crashed nearby.

Shangrila was recognized in 1983 with the inaugural of the first Resort Hotel in Skardu, Baltistan. It was titled "heaven on earth" because of its remarkable attractiveness and wonderful view and serene air. Shangrila Resort Hotel was founded by the late Brig.(Retd) Muhammad Aslam Khan, the first commandant of the Northern Scouts of the Pakistan Army.

Shangrila was named after a book titled "Lost Horizon" by James Hilton. In the novel, the author describes a tale in which an aero plane crash landed near a riverbed, in the early 1920's. The surviving passengers came across some Buddhist monks from a nearby temple and sought their assistance. They were taken to a stunning lamasery filled with a variety of fruits and flowers. The monks looked quite young, although they claimed to be hundreds of years old. The idyllic place was called Shangri-la, a Tibetan word meaning "Heaven on earth".

A vacation spent at Shangrila Resort is a once in a lifetime experience that one would want to relive again and again. Located at a height of 2500 meters, this area is more commonly known as "The Roof of the World". Due to its natural beauty, the first impression of Shangrila is of a Fairyland.


When you stay , plan for a relaxing getaway; enjoy a game of Tennis, boating in the crystal blue waters of Kachura Lake and many other activities that we have to offer.

Dinning & Cafe
Shangrila's restaurants have acquired a standard reputation for the service, quality and variety of their foods.

The Pagoda Restaurant
On "China Night" the Pagoda Restaurant (right) offers you a sumptuous Chinese cuisine which traveled this way on the famous Silk Route from China. Other cuisines are also available. The Pagoda is on an island amidst the Honeymoon Lake linked to the Resort by a short bridge.


The Lake View Restaurant
Lake View Restaurant (left) gives a panoramic view of the Resort. In an elegant setting we serve our customers Pakistani and Continental cuisines.

The DC- 3 Cafe
This code name of orginal DC-3 Aircraft was Alph Alpha Foxtrot (AAF) .

This unique cafe is one of its kind. Situated in an airplane, which crash landed on the riverbed and was brought to the present site in the 50's. It offers a variety of snacks and cabin crew hospitality .


Tandoori Village
"Tandoori Village" offers you a taste of ancient old recipes, Chicken Tikka, Seekh Kababs, Mutton Tikkas, Grilled Fish with home made tandoori rooti. Enjoy the out door feast under the stars in a traditional atmosphere.