A war airplane given to Orient airways in Pakistan that crash-landed on the banks of the Indus River, Oct 13, 1950, has become a draw for people who visit Shangrila. All aboard Orient airways survived, but the aircraft was abandoned and the plane lay in damaged state. That is until Retd. Col. Muhammad Aslam Khan, founder of Shangrila Resorts, near Skardu, bought the plane for just Pkr 150 . With the help of hundreds of locals the plane – reportedly used by the US during World War 11 – was transported over mountains, rivers, and narrow tracks, reaching the lake after three months. In 1983, it was transformed into one of the world’s most unique restaurants. Today, visitors from across the globe come not only to enjoy the tranquil, crystal clear waters of Lower Kachura Lake, Shangrila lake but also to step inside this airplane restaurant. Tourists who come to Shangrila are awed by its natural beauty. At the same time they learn history when they step inside the airplane. Shangrila now has a unique blend of natural surroundings, its heart shaped lake and the breathtaking mountain tops – topped by a whiff from the past.
