GOVERNMENT OF GILGIT BALTISTAN
Tourism, Sports, Culture, Archaeology & Museums Department

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Tourist Detail

Bireno Suspension Bridge

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The Bireno Suspension Bridge is one of the oldest suspension bridges, which is located in Gilgit city which connects Danyor valley to the premises of the existing Karakoram University across the Hunza River. It is total length is 510 feet and width is 8 feet. The Bireno Suspension Bridge Danyore was not just a passage connecting the small town of Danyore with the Karakoram International University; it also served as a gateway to the neighboring country, the Republic of China, via the picturesque and breathtaking landscapes of Hunza-Nagar in Gilgit-Baltistan. Additionally, the bridge led to the Skardu District in the east, crossing the scenic and stunning valleys of Bagrote, Jalalabad, and Chamogarh along the way. Its connection through a 10-meter curved, non-cemented tunnel enhances its enigmatic allure, directing travelers towards the Karakoram Highway. Above this tunnel rests the shrine of Saint Shah Sultan Ali Arif, adding profound cultural and spiritual significance to the site. Syed Sultan Ali Arif, a revered religious and spiritual leader among Muslims in Gilgit-Baltistan, further embellishes the historical and cultural aura surrounding the bridge and its environs. The construction of the Danyore Suspension Bridge commenced in 1957 and was completed in 1960. The project was spearheaded by Ahmed Ali, affectionately known as “Thakedar Bereno,” a self-taught engineer and esteemed contractor from Hunza. Renowned for his significant contributions to bridge construction throughout Gilgit-Baltistan, Thakedar Bereno secured the contract for this bridge with a modest bid of Rs 80,000, according to local sources. According to residents of the Danyore, Oshikhandas, and Sultabad valleys, the construction of the non-cemented tunnel was entrusted to a local cleric affectionately known as “Kaikabad” or “Chunno Molvi” for a sum of Rs 3,000. In 2017, the Bireno Suspension Bridge Danyore was acknowledged for its cultural significance and tourism potential, prompting extensive renovations. The access roads to both ends of the bridge modernized and aesthetically enhanced, greatly improving the visitor experience. On the Gilgit side of the bridge, adjacent to Karakoram International University, a prominent Buddhist rock carving site has been preserved, offering visitors profound historical and educational insights. Today the bridge is closed for vehicles: only to pedestrians are allowed to pass through, serving as a vital passageway for hundreds of university students and emerging as a major tourist attraction. Really Its construction is a testament to the ingenuity of its builders who, without proper engineering equipment, managed to erect a structure that has stood the test of time.

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