Chilas is a small town along the famous Karakorum Highway. It is located at a height of about 3000 feet above sea lever at the foot of Nanga Parbat which stands as a wall against the monsoon winds leaving no rain for Chilas. This fact make Chilas dry and rough very hot in Summer 52 degrees centigrades and very cold in winter -10 degrees with chill winds.
Chilas is the district headquarters of Diamer and is the main town as a crossing point of Karakoram Highway which further leads to Khunjerab Pass connecting Pakistan with China. It is a main point for travellers travelling to and from Islamabad. In Chilas there are archaeological sites in Thalpan which attract the attentions of most visitors. In the olden times it was called Vishiya. There exists an inscription pertaining to the sixth century of the Christian era. According to it the name of Chilas was termed as Silavata. In Sanskrit, Sila means a rock or stone; also the word Vata bears the same meaning. Here, the old name of Chilas is Samanagav (moon city); this name has been inscribed near Thalpan Bridge. It has been given the name as the "Heroic city of moon" pertaining to the fifth century of the Christian era. Chilas (Viva Soimanagar) is an ancient city. This stands for a historical fort, reconstructed in the Dogra age. From here, starts the Babusar Road to Kashan Ganga leading to Kashmir and Khagan Naran NWFP. Archaeology plays an important role in the investigation and exploration of the ancient history. The numerous archaeologies certainly attract the attention of researchers. Diamer district and the mountainous frontier of Kohistan are replete and full of archaeological remains. The distance between Shatiyal (Diamer District) and Thalpan is about forty miles; in between this lengthy distance there exist ancient carvings on both sides of the road. According to Dr. Hassan Dani, hardly there will be any place having so many archaeological monuments.