Photo: Amanasad83 · CC BY-SA 4.0Field guides / Khyber Pakhtunkhwa / Swat Valley / Gumbatuna Stupa, Swat
Field guide · Heritage
Swat
Swat District · Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
Gumbatuna Stupa, Swat
A five-storey Buddhist stupa of the 1st–5th centuries CE in Swat, with a monastery on its north side.
Gumbatuna Stupa dates back to the 1st to 5th century CE, reflecting the Buddhist architecture of that era. The stupa consists of five storeys: the first storey is quadrangular, while the remaining four are circular. A monastery stands on the northern side of the site. The site is privately owned and lacks legal protection. It is featured in the publication "Buddhist Architecture in the Swat Valley, Pakistan" by Faccenna and Spagnesi, published in 2014. The site is vital for understanding Buddhist heritage in the Swat Valley. Its location, architecture, and historical significance make it an important cultural asset.
Why go
- ✦A five-storey stupa of the 1st–5th century CE near Barikot
- ✦A square first storey under four round ones
- ✦A monastery on the north side
Visiting today
The Gumbatuna Stupa is a protected archaeological site under Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Antiquities Act, managed by the Provincial Directorate of Archaeology & Museums.
Planning tip
Best Time to Visit, April–May or late September to November. The five-storey stupa in Swat is protected and accessible, with a monastery to the north now pressed by modern houses.
Getting there, In Swat valley near Barikot; accessible, with a monastery to the north now hemmed in by houses.
What to Do
Nearby
Straight-line distance from Gumbatuna Stupa, Swat, within 5 km.
