Karimabad, formerly known as Baltit, is the capital of Hunza District, in the Gilgit-Baltistan province of Pakistan. The Guardian ranked it as one of the five “Best Tourist Sites” in Pakistan.
Karimabad, then known as Baltit, was originally ruled by a monarch, the Mir of Hunza.The Baltit Fort was built at that time to function as the Mir’s palace. The location was known as a caravan resting stop, and for its slave trade.
Baltit served as the capital of Hunza valley for over 750 years, until the middle of the 20th century. After Pakistan became an independent country in 1947, the Hunza province controlled by the Mir voluntarily joined Pakistan. Earlier, the capital had been shifted from the area around Balit down to the lower part of the hills where new buildings were erected, which became the new capital, Karimabad. The new town has developed into a tourist place, following the development of the Karakoram Highway, with a number of shopping complexes dealing in handicrafts, hotels, restaurants, and travel agencies.
Both Baltit Fort and Karimabad village received the World Award of Tourism in 2000 when Indonesia, Australia, India, and Britain and other countries competed.