Marghazar White Palace

The White Palace, known locally as Sufed Mahal, was built in 1941 by the first Wali of Swat, Miangul Abdul Wadud, as a summer residence. The palace is constructed entirely of white marble quarried from the nearby mountains, giving it a luminous quality that glows against the green backdrop of Mount Elum.

The palace was designed to blend Islamic architectural aesthetics with the natural beauty of Marghazar valley. The Wali used the palace to host dignitaries, including the Queen of England's representatives. The surrounding gardens were laid out in the Mughal style, with water channels, fruit trees, and flower beds that remain partially intact today.

After the merger of Swat State with Pakistan in 1969, the palace was taken over by the provincial government and used as a rest house. While some portions have deteriorated over the decades, the main structure remains impressive. The KPK government has announced plans for restoration. The palace, with Elum mountain rising dramatically behind it, remains one of the most photographed landmarks in Swat.