What It's Really Like to Visit the World's Second Largest Salt Mine.

Punjabs Khewra Salt Mine is a place. It's not a history lesson. Imagine a mountain with 11 levels hollowed out. Its lit up in pink and white. There is a mosque. There is a salt chamber that's crystal clear. A train takes you into the rock. That's what you can see any day you visit.

Here's what the Khewra Salt Mine looks like today. It's still a working mine. It's also a tourist spot. People plan a day trip to visit it.

The mine is still active. The Pakistan Mineral Development Corporation runs it. It produces a lot of rock salt every year. Some of it is sent to countries like Korea and Japan. Some of it is sold locally as pink salt.

The mining method is old. They use the "room and pillar" method. They only take out half of the salt. They leave the rest to hold up the mountain. It's slow. It works. The mine been around for over 150 years.

Getting There

Most people go to Khewra via the M-2 Motorway. They exit at the Lilla Interchange. Then they follow the road to Pind Dadan Khan. From Islamabad or Lahore it's a 2.5 to 3-hour drive. It's a good day trip.

What to Expect

• fees are around Rs. 800 For adults and Rs. 500 For students. Foreign visitors pay a rate.

• Timing of mine daily from 9 AM to 4 PM.

• Visitors ride a train through the tunnel. Then they walk through the chambers.

• Trained guides are available to show you around.

What You'll See

It's like a city you will see in the mine where:

• The Sheesh Mahal. A chamber made of pink salt. It glows when lit from behind.

• Saltwater brine pools that change color.

• Salt-brick replicas of landmarks.

• A working mosque made of salt bricks.

• A salt bridge with no supporting pillars.

• A small museum about the geology and mining process.

• Refreshment. A souvenir shop.

Some people visit for the air quality. The environment inside is good for people with asthma. Some operators promote it as a wellness spot.

How Busy Is It?

230,000 - 250,000 people visit every year and round 200 - 700 people every day. It's one of the visited non-urban attractions in Punjab. People come from over including school groups and international tourists.

Is It Worth It?

If you're in Islamabad or Lahore with a day it's worth visiting. It's a trip, with a unique experience. The mine complex is set up for visitors. You can ride a train walk through a salt mosque and buy a souvenir in one afternoon.