• The whole area is mountainous, comprising the off-shoots of the famous Hindukush Range, which are glaciated and snow-clad specially during winter, the high white peaks, lush green valleys, rivers, forests and a variety of wildlife create a unique mosaic of natural beauty.
• the area has a rich history, covering thousands of years. Alexander the great traveled through the region in third century BC. The famous Gandhara Buddhist Civilization later flourished in the valleys of Swat and Dir. There are many Stupas and Buddhist settlements in the region. the famous Chinese travelers Huein Tsang and fa Hien came here for learning and a great Buddhist missionary Padma Sambhava, belonging to Swat traveled to Tibet to spread Buddhism.
• an ancient route from Central Asia to India lies across this region. one crosses the Aawa Pass, Timargarah, Chakdara, Mora Pass, Katlan, Shahbaz Garhi and Hund, Hund was the crossing place on the Indus. this is the route which saw the armies of Alexander the Great, Mehmood of Ghazni and Babar marching into India. The route was later abandoned, when Akbar the Great built a boat bridge at Attock in 1581 AD.
• The British  had to fight fierce battles at Malakand twice in 1895 and 1897. The Siege of Chitral in 1895 also attracts the Historians and tourists.
• The region has four distinct ethnic groups.
• The Pukhtoons live in Dir, Swat, Malakand, Buner and Shangla. Kalash people live in the three valleys of Chitral and Kohistanis occupy Dir Kohistan and Swat (Kalam) Kohistan. all these four groups have their peculiar traditions, languages, customs and different ways of living. the region therefore has become more colorful and attractive for the tourists.

 AMBELA PASS:

The famous Ambela Pass, situated in Buner, can easily be approached from Mardan via Shahbaz Garhi and Rustam. It is about 50 Kms, away from Mardan. the British fought a very tough battle here against Yusufzai Afghan lashkars in 1863. the Muslim graveyard of martyrs, the Baba Ji Kandao, where Hazrat Saidu Baba camped, the Craig Picker and Eagles Nest can still be seen at Ambela Pass. this route to Swat is quitter and more scenic than the Malakand Pass. the Malakand area is fettered under the shelter of green and dry mountains. the main road climbs up across 894 meters, to Buner Pass and comes down to China (Pronounced Cheena), Four Kms, further is Daggar, from where a newly repaired ford leads to Jowar. the 45 Kms, road Pir Baba to Barikot passes through Mount Ilam rising through mature pine forests to 1336 meters high Karaker Pass.

ANDAN DEHRI

Traveling from Chakdara, towards Dir, a read turns to the historic village of Uchh. it is about seven kilometers from Chakdara. Before reaching Uchh, one comes across the Buddhist sputa of Andan Dheri. the main and other small Stupas are all made of stone-masonry.

BAHRAIN

The town of Bahrain is situated about 66 Kms, from Saidu Sharif and is 10 kilometers from Madyan. it is another popular riverside resort, with bazaars worth exploring for there handicrafts. the surrounding area has beautiful valleys and is suitable for hiking. the mosques and buildings are worth seeing for wooden carved pillars and other fixtures.

BARIKOT

The Barikot or Bazira of Alexander the Great is situated about 20 kilometers, short of Saidu Sharif on Saidu Sharif-Malakand road. This old town was captured by Alexander the Great in 327 BC, located on the hilltop, a road leads from Barikot to Buner, over the Karaker Pass.

CHAKDARA FORT

Chakdara is an important town of Dir, located on the bank of Swat river. it is about 130 kilometers away from Peshawar and 48 Kilometers away from Saidu Sharif. the Mughals built a fort here in t1586, which was later occupied by the British in 1895, who built the present form in 1896.

CHAKDARA  MUSEUM

The Chakdara Museum is situated about one Kms, from the fort. it has an excellent collection of Buddhist Gandhara Art, from first to seventh century AD. it helps people to learn about the rich cultural heritage of the area.