The stupa court
Stone bases side by side.
Hidayat-ur-Rehman — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Asif Nawaz — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Muzamil Hassain Toori — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Ziegler175 — CC BY-SA 3.0
Takht-i-Bahi is an archaeological site of an ancient Buddhist monastery near Mardan in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, among the most important Buddhist remains of old Gandhara. UNESCO listed it in 1980, calling it exceptionally well preserved. It sits on top of a rocky hill looking over green plains, and the short climb repays you with both view and ruins. The monastery was founded in the 1st century AD and stayed in use until the 7th century. It is seen as particularly representative of Buddhist monastic architecture of its time. The origin of its name is uncertain, with a local belief tying it to two wells on the hill or nearby springs, giving the meaning throne of the water spring. You climb a stone stairway to a group of courts, including the court of stupas, the court of cells where monks lived and the meeting rooms, all in local stone. From the top you see the plain and villages, with the ruins stepping down the slope. The ground is uneven, so wear comfortable shoes. It is about 14 km in a straight line from Mardan and about 46 km from Mahabat Khan Mosque in Peshawar. Bring water and a hat and start in the morning, as summer heat is fierce. The UK Foreign Office currently advises against all but essential travel to this area, so check official guidance before planning.
Stone bases side by side.
Small rooms round a court.
From the hilltop.
Near Mardan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
It is a fairly short stone stairway, but heat can make it tiring, so start in the morning.
Check official guidance first, as the UK Foreign Office advises against all but essential travel to Mardan.