| Banjosa Lake | |
| Location: | Rawalakot, Poonch District, Azad Kashmir |
| Pushpin Map: | Azad Kashmir #Pakistan |
| Coords: | 33.8106°N 73.8164°W |
| Type: | Artificial lake |
| Basin Countries: | Pakistan |
| Elevation: | 1981m (6,499feet) |
Banjosa Lake (Urdu: {{Nastaliq|بنجوسہ جھیل ) is a man-made lake and a tourist resort 18km (11miles) from the city of Rawalakot in Poonch District of Azad Kashmir, Pakistan. It is located at an altitude of 1981m (6,499feet). This lake is 160 kilometers away from Rawalpindi.[1] [2] [3]
Banjosa Lake was rebuilt by Shoukat Hussain, a well-known contractor of Poonch District.
The lake, which is surrounded by dense pine forest and mountains, is accessible by a metalled road from Rawalakot.The lake freezes over in winter and people walk on it and also skate on its frozen surface. [4]
The weather in the area remains cool in summer and cold in the winter. There is cold season in summer and very cold in winter. In December and January, snowfall also occurs here, and the temperature falls to -5 °C. During summer, the temperature remains 16C to 25C.[2]
Some rest houses and huts of AJK Tourism and Archeology Department, Pakistan Public Works Department (PWD) and Pearl Development Authority are located here. A few hotels, guest houses and tuck shops also exist near the lake. A market is located 1km (01miles) away in Chotta Gala Bazaar and Banjosa Bazaar. A few hotels and rest houses are also located in this town.[4]