Mangla, HUB of Entertainment, Golf- 360 Views, Dam and Fort

Описание: 1. Overview of Mangla Town
• Mangla (منگلا) is a town in the Mirpur District of Azad Jammu & Kashmir, Pakistan. 
• It lies near the bank of the Jhelum River, and much of the town is surrounded on three sides by a semi-curving reservoir created by the Mangla Dam. 
• The name “Mangla” traces back to Mangal Devi. 
• There is a cantonment (Mangla Cantonment) nearby, under Pakistan Army administration. 

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2. How to Get There: Routes from Lahore and Islamabad

From Islamabad:
• Mangla is about 110 km from Islamabad. 
• One common route: take the GT (Grand Trunk) Road / national highways toward Jhelum, then branch off toward Dina and then to Mangla Dam. 
• According to travel guides, after about 101 km on GT Road, you turn left from Dina for the remaining ~14 km. 

From Lahore:
• While less frequently written about in tourism guides, you’d generally take motorway/highway from Lahore toward Jhelum or Gujrat, then follow local roads toward the Mangla Dam area.
• (Note: because Mangla sits near the border of Azad Kashmir and Punjab, and given the road infrastructure, travel time may be several hours depending on traffic.)

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3. Mangla Dam
• Mangla Dam is a major multipurpose dam on the Jhelum River. 
• Construction started in 1961 and was completed in 1967. 
• It’s quite large: dam length ~ 3,140 m, height ~ 147 m. 
• The reservoir (“Mangla Lake”) is used for hydroelectric power (Mangla Power Station), flood control, and irrigation. 
• It’s also a recreational spot, with boating, fishing, jet-skiing, para-sailing, etc. 

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4. Mangla Fort
• Mangla Fort (also called Mangla Devi Fort) is on a hill overlooking the Jhelum River. 
• Historically very old; parts date to before the Common Era, though later rebuilt / reinforced. 
• During construction of the dam, a large portion of the fort got submerged. 
• Only about 5–6 acres of the fort remains above water. 
• Access: Unfortunately, it is under the control of the Pakistan Army and is not generally open to the public. 
• There have been calls to preserve and open it up as a heritage site. 

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5. Golf Club
• Mangla has an 18-hole golf course: the Mangla View Golf Resort / Mangla Golf Club. 
• Details: 7060 yards; par 72; slope rating ~123. 
• Amenities include a clubhouse, driving range, putting green, pro shop. 
• The golf course is part of the Mangla View Resort development, which is managed jointly by Mangla Tourist Resorts and the Army Water Sports Association. 

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6. Parks and Recreation
• Mangla Water Resort: Right by the dam/reservoir, the resort offers boating, fishing, jet-skiing, para-sailing, and other water-sports. 
• Mangla View Park (or viewpoint): According to the Kashmir Welfare Foundation, there’s a park in the Mangla View area offering landscaped gardens, horse riding, mini-golf, and boating. 
• Jari Khas Park: Mentioned as a scenic recreational area near Mangla Dam / Mirpur. 
• Poonch River Mahaseer National Park: While not in the town itself, this aquatic national park spans parts of Mirpur district and includes riverine habitats connected to the Mangla reservoir area. 

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7. Other Notable Nearby Sites
• Ramkot Fort: Another historic fort in the Mirpur area, on a hill near Mangla Lake. 
• Dhan Galli Bridge: A bridge across the Jhelum in the Mangla area, offering scenic views. 
• Upper Jhelum Canal: The canal originates at Mangla Dam and is important for irrigation. 

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8. Significance & Tourism
• Mangla is sometimes called the “Gateway to Kashmir” because of its strategic geography and the river boundary. 
• It is a tourist destination: the dam reservoir, water sports, scenic hills, fort ruins, and the golf resort all make it attractive. 
• According to the AJ&K Tourism Policy, Mangla’s proximity to both Islamabad and Lahore is seen as an advantage to bring in short-trip tourists. 

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