Passu is a very beautiful village on the Karakoram Highway, beside the Hunza River, some 15 km from Gulmit, the Tehsil Headquarter of Gojal in the Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan, and about 150 km upriver from Gilgit. It lies very near the tongue of the Passu Glacier, and just south of the tongue of the Baturaglacier. The latter is the fifth longest non-polar glacier in the world at 56 km,and reaches very near to the highway. The people are Wakhi and speak theWakhi Language. Religiously they are Ismaili, a sect of Shia Islam.Tupopdan, 6,106 metres (20,033 ft), also known as "Passu Cones" or "Passu Cathedral", lies to the north of the village; it is the most photographed peak of the region.Also nearby are the high peaks of Passu sir and shispare and Batura peak.
Settlement of Passu
According to Archeologists, Human’s era passes generation to generation. Passu village is devastated four times in the past. Its first era of human generation is included 3000bc to 5000bc. there you can see many arts of ibex and zebra in different rocks. It shows that people are started to live here so early.After a few decades this village had destroyed by flood, sliding and erodes of rivers. That’s why this village had been empty for a long time. Its second era was pretty historical coz Chinese people lived here, who followed Buddha. Buddha religion came through Gandahara, Swat, Gilgit, Passu and reached China . Its great memory is at karga Gilgit and khuram Abad Passu. Its third era is called Islamic coz there is QURANI AYAT written on the mountain. Islam came here in 9th century through Arabs soldiers when Buddha left. Its fourth era also called Islamic, which had been started from 18th century at the time there were 315 families. During sliding the river was blocked and again this village was destroyed by natural disaster. This time only few families were safe. Later on, again this village was destroyed by natural disaster in 1964. According to local elders, the old Passu was once home to some 300 households. Due to Shimshal's flood and continuous erosion from river side the old Passu settlement was destroyed, forcing the population to leave and to migrate back to their places of origin in central Asia. Later, Passu was resettled by a man named Quli, from Wakhan Afghanistan in 15th century, who is today generally recognized as the ancestor of the majority of Passu’s population. Due to this reference the people of Passu is still called Quli-kuts/kutor. People of Quli-kuts (tribe) origin, also inhabit Karimabad, Murtazaabad and many other villages of central Hunza. The Quli-kuts in central Hunza later adopted the Burushu way of life and now speak Burushaski language. Most of the families were migrated to chapurson and Khyber. Now seven families are recently living which are Magvi Dinali, Sakhi, Alvi , Quba, and Hadab, the population is around 1000.
Unique Village in all angles
Passu is famous because it is home of the Batura Glacier and Passu Glacier. Adding more to the beauty of Passu, standing at the Northern end of the village, is Mount Tupopdon. Inspired by its unique structural attributes tourists have promoted the peak by giving it new names. Some call it "Passu Cones" and others "Passu Cathedral". Mount Tupopdon is the most photographed peak of the region. It is a village of nine Colors Mountains surrounding in its unique images. It has a unique place on the World map. With a rich history and deep rooted culture. Fascinating land with an amazing diversity of places, people and customs, Passu is the mixing bowl of ancient civilization and dream of nature lovers, is well known about its extraordinary contrast of landscapes of the world. Passu is one of the most beautiful village of Pakistan . From times, immemorial the village has been promising Mountainous resort. Situated in the spectacular karakoram Mountains on the old silk route 150 km from Gilgit in the west banks of Hunza River and border on China . It has a unique place on the World map. With a rich history and deep rooted culture .It invites to its breath taking surrounding many adventurers, eco-tourist, historians and nature lovers. This famous village, its towering peaks ever flowing streams its fascinating heritage and above all its hospitable People make it a place worth visiting. Passu is considered the worlds heights landmass, where there is nothing below 2500 matters ,Passu is surrounded by some of the world most famous peaks, glaciers and lakes, such as Passu peak 7284, Shisper peak 7611, Batura, 7785, and the most remarkable is Passu cathedral peak 6500, in the shadow of lofty mountains are the Passu glacier with white skin and Batura glacier with both at the length of 56 km, which is the fifth largest glacier of the world.
