Khaplu Palace

Khaplu Palace
View of the northern side and main entrance of the palace
Map
Alternative namesYabgo Khar
General information
TypePalace, museum, hotel
Architectural styleBalti, Tibetan, Ladakhi
LocationKhaplu-16800, Ghanche District, Gilgit-Baltistan
CountryPakistan
Coordinates35°9′6″N 76°20′7″E / 35.15167°N 76.33528°E / 35.15167; 76.33528
Elevation2,600 metres (8,500 ft)
Completed1840
Renovated2011
OwnerSerena Hotels (2005–present)
Technical details
Floor count5
Awards and prizesVirgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Award (2012)
UNESCO Asia Pacific Heritage Awards (2013)
Renovating team
Renovating firmAga Khan Trust for Culture
Khaplu Fort, Khaplu

Khaplu Palace, locally known as Yabgo Khar,[1] is an old fort and palace located in Khaplu, a city in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan. The palace, considered an architectural heritage site and a significant tourist attraction,[2] was built in the mid-19th century to replace an earlier-dated fort located nearby. It served as a royal residence for the Raja of Khaplu.

From 2005 to 2011, Khaplu Palace underwent a restoration project carried out by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture under the Aga Khan Historic Cities Programme. The palace now houses a hotel operated by Serena Hotels and a museum depicting the history and culture of Baltistan.[3]

  1. ^ Shah, Danial (June 2013). "Luxury with Heritage" (PDF). Xpoze. 6 (82). Epoch Creatives. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 October 2013. Retrieved 12 September 2013.
  2. ^ Northern Areas: State of Environment and Development (PDF). Compiled by Scott Perkin. IUCN Pakistan. 2003. pp. 119, 285. ISBN 969-8141-60-X. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 14 September 2013.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  3. ^ "How we save our past glories". The Nation. 9 September 2013. Archived from the original on 11 September 2013. Retrieved 11 September 2013.