Paved on the orders of E. H. Cobb – the British administrator of Gilgit-Baltistan in 1935 – the Shandur Polo Field, at the elevation of 3700 meters, is now an important tourist attraction for the travelers across the world. Located in Chitral district of KPK province of Pakistan, the world’s highest polo field hosts a three-day ‘Shundur Polo Festival’ in July (annually) full of sports, entertainment, and cultural performance.

The festival is also a source of economic activity for the natives. More than a thousand stalls are set selling different items, mostly handmade by local artists. It brings fortune to this distant patch of territory. The most thrilling part of the festival is the polo match between the rival teams of Chitral and Gilgit-Baltistan.

The ground has also received several heads of the state of Pakistan as guests during the festival. This festival ensures a time to time interaction between the government and the masses of the Northern Areas. The challenges faced by this festival are mostly climatic. Floods as a result of heavy rain in the adjacent areas occasionally check the access of visitors. Previously the region was also threatened by terrorism that has been effectively curbed.

Also dubbed as ‘Roof of the World’ this polo pasture is the breeding ground for tourism, sports, and thrill.