Culture & Heritage · Silk Road
Thalpan Rocks (Chilas)
The World's Largest Open-Air Rock Art Gallery — Chilas's 7,000-Year Story
Location
Thalpan & Chilas, Diamer District
From Gilgit
~90 km south on KKH
Best Season
October – April
Duration
Half to full day
Entry
Free
Type
Silk Road Heritage
Overview
The Thalpan Rock Art Complex near Chilas, in Diamer District of Gilgit-Baltistan, is one of the most extraordinary concentrations of prehistoric and historical rock carvings (petroglyphs) in the world. Along a 50-km stretch of the Karakoram Highway following the Indus River from Chilas, over 50,000 individual carvings have been documented on thousands of rock surfaces — spanning from the Bronze Age (circa 5,000 BCE) to the Islamic period (10th century CE).
Day Trip from Gilgit or KKH Stopover
Morning
Depart Gilgit on the KKH southbound. Arrive Thalpan area. Begin exploration of the main rock art panels along the river bank — guided tour strongly recommended.
Midday
Continue to Chilas town. Visit Chilas Museum for context and artefact displays. Lunch in Chilas.
Afternoon
Explore more Chilas-area rock art panels across the river. Option to drive further to see Oshibat rock carvings. Return to Gilgit or continue south on KKH.
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