Shandur Top

Did you know?

The oldest royal polo square is the 16th century Gilgit Polo Field, Pakistan, while the highest polo ground in the world, Shandur, located in district Chitral, Pakistan at 4,307 meters (14,000 ft)

Shandur Pass is the highest mountain pass at 3,800 meters from sea level between Chitral and Gilgit towns in Gilgit-Biltistan, Pakistan. Shandur Top situated beside Shandur Pass hold the Highest Polo Ground in the world at 4,307 meters from sea level with flat surface, gradual grade & a host of annual "Gilgit Polo Festival". The festival also includes Folk music, dancing and a camping village is set up.

Gilgit, Chitral and Skardu have always played the game of polo closest to its original form. Polo is an equestrian sport with its origin embedded in Central Asia dating back to 6th century BC. At first it was a training game for cavalry units for the King's Guards or other Elite troops. To the warlike tribesmen who played polo with as many as 100 players to a side, it was a miniature battle. It became a Persian national game in the 6th century AD. From Persia, the game spread to Arabia, then to Tibet, China and Japan. In China, in the year 910, death of a favourite relative in a game prompted Emperor Apaochi to order beheading of all players.