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Pakistan Travel and Tourism Guide |
| Welcome to the ultimate source
of authentic and reliable information about Pakistan Tourism on the net. The
links in this directory will guide you to the official tourism destinations
in Pakistan and will give you authentic information that you are looking
for. Just click on the respective destination to begin your search for
tourism in Pakistan. |
Tourism in Pakistan Sites Link |
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Pakistan Travel and Tourism Guide Rawalpindi |
Rawalpindi, often called the twin city to Islamabad, is a bustling city with a lot of activity. It is divided into an old city and a new one known as cantonment. During the English period, Rawalpindi was the garrison town and today also it is the head quarter of Pakistan Army. Its location on the grand trunk road and to the east beyond Lahore to India has always made it important to traders and soldiers. That is the reason why the town could not prosper and remained deserted. Later, Jahanda Khan, another Ghakkar Chief, resorted it and gave the name of Rawalpindi after the village Rawal in 1943 AD. Originally Rawalpindi was a village of Rawals, a tribe of Yogis. The British developed the new city during the last century by settling in Pindi and built a completely new town next to the existing city with colonial buildings and wider streets. Over the years, Rawalpindi has retained its traditional flavor. However, modern residential areas and buildings have come up all over the town since the creation of Pakistan. Still, Rawalpindi’s old bazaars (markets), buildings and mosques are in complete contrast to the ancient impression created by its self assured modernity. There are many exciting tourist spots and leisure places in Rawalpindi: Rawalpindi Bazaars : There are many bazaars in the Rawalpindi region that offer exciting bargains. The Raja Bazaar, Saddar Bazaar and Commercial Bazaar (Market) are some nice shopping areas. You can leisurely browse in the quaint old shops in Saddar bazaar, Moti bazaar, Raja bazaar and Kashmiri bazaar. Sarafa bazaar is famous for beaten gold and silver jewellery, brass and copperware. You can buy beautiful handicrafts such as inlaid sheesham and walnut furniture, Kashmiri silver, shawls and jackets, embroidered and woolen 'Kurtas' and household linen, Potohar Shoes and Chappals (slippers), cane baskets and furniture, walking sticks and hand-woven Kashmiri and Bokhara carpets. Historical Places : Lal Haveli tells tales of the unique architectural style of Rawalpindi especially in the old times. It is located in the neighborhood of the Purana Qilla, Sarafa Bazaar, Bohar Bazaar and Moti Bazaar. Both in the older quarters of the city and cantonment, it was considered fashionable to have wooden balconies with intricately designed motifs. Rawalpindi's Thandi Sarak, better known as The Mall - the glory of the cantonment - has row upon row of the senior Cypresses and seasonal flowerbeds. It was formally inaugurated in 1910 with the beautifully sculpted statue of Queen Victoria, which was shifted from the Mall to the British High Commission, after independence. |
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Pakistan Travel and Tourism Guide Lahore |
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Lahore, Pakistan’s city of gardens
is the second largest city in Pakistan with a population of nearly 4
million. It is also the provincial capital of Punjab. Apart from being the
cultural and academic center of the country, Lahore is the Mughal
"Show-Window" of Pakistan. Legend has it that son of Lord Ramachandra
founded Lahore about 4,000 years ago. Historical monuments and Shrines : The most important example of the Moghul's architecture in Lahore is the Royal Fort (Shahi Qila). Constructed initially by Mahmood of Ghazna and later by Akbar, it is dated around 1566 A.D. The structure of the Royal Fort is rectangular. The main gates are located alongside the center of the western and eastern walls. Interestingly, every succeeding Mughal Emperor as well as the Sikhs, and also the British, added a pavilion or wall to the Fort. Emperor Jehangir extended the gardens and constructed the palaces, while Shah-Jehan added Diwan-e-Khas, Moti Masjid. Aurangzeb built the impressive main gate between the Badshahi Mosque and the Fort. The Famous Sheesh Mahal or Palace of Mirrors, in the north-east corner of the Fort, is the most beautiful palace in the Fort and is decorated with small mirrors of different colours set. At the West side and across the courtyard from Alamgiri Gate of the Lahore Fort is the Badshahi Mosque. The Mosque, made up entirely of red sandstone, was built by Emperor Aurangzeb In old Lahore, Wazir Khan's Mosque, the most beautiful Mosque of South Asia, is located. It is a marvelous specimen of tile work and arabesque paintings. Parks and gardens : The famous Shalimar Gardens are located at a distance of just five kms east of old city. Set out in typical Mughal style, the gardens are laid out by Mughal Emperor ShahJehan in 1642 A.D.. the gardens are surrounded by high walls with watchtowers at the four corners. The Golden Mosque is also situated in the Kashmiri Bazaar. It was built in 1753 A.D. by Deputy Governor of Lahore, Nawab Syed Bhikari Khan. The enticing refuge of shady parks and gardens, blending contrast of Mughal and colonial architecture, and the exotic thrill of its congested streets and bazaars, are the few temptations of the gardens. |
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Pakistan Travel and Tourism Guide Karachi |
Karachi is the largest commercial capital and the most populated city of Pakistan. It presents an interesting and colourful combination of the old and new. The narrow twisting lanes and alleys of the old city throb with life alongside metallic roads and elegant modern buildings. Karachi `s recorded history dates back to the 18th century. During this time it was a small fishing village known as Kalachi-jo-Goth. Gradually with the development of its harbour, Karachi grew into a large city and an important centre of trade and industry. It was even selected as the capital of Pakistan in 1947, but the seat was later shifted to Islamabad. Karachi offers a variety of pleasant attractions, such as, strolling on wide sunny beaches, deep-sea fishing, yachting, golf and horseracing that continue all year round. There are many beautiful mosques, Mausoleums, Churches and Libraries here. Monuments and Mausoleums : TWazir Mansion, one of the foremost historic buildings is the birthplace of Quaid-e-Azam. This balconied, three-storied house on Newneham Road is located in Kharadar. Being declared a protected national monument, it is one of the oldest residential areas of the city. Quaid-E-Azam`s, the white marble Mausoleum with its curved Moorish arches and copper grills is set on an elevated 54 sq. meters platform. The cool inner sanctum reflects the green of a four-tiered crystal chandelier gifted by the peoples Republic of China. The memorial slab framed with silver railings draws people from far and wide who come to pay their respects to the father of the Nation and to watch the impressive changing of guards ceremony that takes place everyday. Today the Quaid-e-Azam`s Mausoleum is a prominent and impressive landmark of Karachi. The national museum of Pakistan is the most prestigious museums in Pakistan housing the artifacts from the old civilizations and the modern relics. The bazaars of Karachi : Bazaars of this city are the most attractive. A large variety of modern and colonial architecture, a few tall buildings and mature modern architecture are also to be seen in Karachi. The bazaars of Karachi are typical oriental style with colors and narrow streets. They offer an endless variety of exciting shopping, including indigenous handicrafts. Empress Market is the exquisite of all. Built by the British to commemorate the Silver Jubille of Queen Victoria`s reign, this historic market is designed in the domestic Gothic style. Its main attraction is the tall clock tower that rises from its center. the All Pakistan Women`s Association (APWA) are best for shopping for souvenirs of brassware carved silverware, gold and silver jewllery, embroidery, delicate mirror-work of Sindh, handloom tapestries, printed fabrics, lacquer-ware, camel skin articles and carved wood-work |
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Pakistan Travel and Tourism Guide Quetta |
Quetta is the provincial capital of Baluchistan. It is the divisional and district Headquarter and is considered to be an important marketing and communication center located at the north end of the Shal valley. The city is still locally known by its ancient name of Shal or Shalkot. Often called as Pakistan's fruit bowl, it has a dramatic setting with a mountainous backdrop on all sides, which can be easily walked in a day. Quetta’s climate is dry and well suited for the cultivation of different fruits like, grapes, peaches, plums, apricots, apples, almonds, pears, pomegranates and crops like, Wheat, barley and corn. Saffron grows very well on mountains around 5000 feet high. It is being cultivated on a commercial scale. Quetta is located at a hefty distance from any other major town, for example it is at a distance of whopping 1000km from Islamabad. In addition to the geographic obstacles, the frontier mentality thrives in the isolated conditions: general lawlessness, intertribal frictions and guns make for a volatile mixture. However, tourists are allowed to travel anywhere in Quetta, but in practice local authorities cannot guarantee your safety. Quetta is a planned city of Pakistan with places of tourist interest. Flora and Fauna : There are about 225 species of some pretty exotic plants, such as Pistachios, Juniper, wild Olives, wild Ash and wild Almonds. A wide range of shrubs is also found like, wild fig, barberry, wild cherry and herbs like, Ephedra intermadia, gerardiana etc. There is a splash of colours during springtime when most of the plants bloom. You can also meet a wide variety of mammals like Markhors, Wild Sheep, Leopards, Wolves, Hyena, Hares, Wild Cats And Porcupines, while birds may contain species of Partridge, Warblers, Shikras, Blue Rock Pigeon, Rock Nuthatch, Golden Eagle, Sparrows, Hawks, Falcons and Bearded Vultures etc. Markets and Handicrafts : For shoppers, Quetta offers some good markets as Shahrah-e-Iqbal (Kandahari Bazaar) and Shahrah-e-Liaquat (Liaquat Bazaar and Suraj Gang Bazaar). Here tourists can buy souvenirs like colorful handicrafts, particularly Balochi mirror work embroidery, famous all over the world. While Felts, Rugs, Silk Embroidery and Copper Vessels are Quetta's major handicrafts. Carpets, with their pleasing and intricate designs, fur coats, jackets, waistcoats, sandals and other creations of traditional Balochi skills. |
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Pakistan Travel and Tourism Guide Peshawar |
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Peshawar is the liveliest city of Pakistan, lying northwest of Rawalpindi at the edge of the Historic Khyber pass. The city is well known for its historic and cultural values. History is evident that Peshawar has seen many invaders and travellers passing by, from around the world. The city derives its name from a Sanskrit word "Pushpapura" meaning the city of flowers. Today, Peshawar is famous as the Frontier Town of Pakistan. People here get dressed in a free and easy style. Hefty handsome men in baggy trousers and long, loose shirts, wear bullet-studded bandoleers across their chests or pistols at their sides as a part of their daily attire. Peshawar is the great Pathan city, hoary with age and the passage of twenty-five centuries, redolent with the smell of luscious fruit and roasted meat and tobacco. North and south of Peshawar spreads the vast tribal area where lives the biggest tribal society of Pathans in the world, and the most well known. They themselves guard the Pakistan-Afghanistan border along the great passes of the Khyber. There are a number of things to do and see in Peshawar. Old Peshawar and New Peshawar : The ancient Peshawar was enclosed within a city wall with sixteen gates and remained so until the mid-fifties. The most famous is the Kabuli Gate that leads out to the Khyber and Kabul. The houses in the old city are two or three story, built mostly of unbaked bricks set in wooden frames, basically to guard against earthquakes. The attractions of the city are, a historical building, which houses the police offices, a Hindu temple and a Mughal Sarai. Across the railway line was built the new modern Peshawar, the Cantonment, much in the British way of making one near every major city for their administrative offices, military barracks, residences, parks, churches and shops. In contrast to the old city, the Peshawar "Sadder" (Cantonment) is a spaciously laid out, neat and clean township with greenery of tall trees, wide tarred roads, big single-storied houses with lawns and a pervading aura of rare shrubs and flowers that is Peshawar's own. The heart of the sadder is the Khalid bin Walid (Company) Bagh, which is an old Mughal Garden. Two other splendid old gardens are the Shahi Bagh in the northeast and the Wazir Bagh in the southeast, all of which give the character of a garden city to Peshawar. Monuments and Museums : The mighty Bala Hisaar Fort standing prominent on both eastern approaches to Peshawar city meets the eye when coming from Rawalpindi or Khyber. Originally built by Babar, the first of the Moghals in 1526-30, it is a massive frowning structure. It houses government offices at present. Peshawar Museum is housed in an imposing building of the British days. It was formerly the Victoria Memorial Hall built in 1905. The large hall, side galleries and the raised platform display the finest specimens of Gandhara sculptures, tribal life, the Muslim period and ethnography. In Sadder, there are the splendid modern state bank building, Governor's house, hotels, old missionary Edwards collage, archly stocked museum and a fine shopping area. The pride of Peshawar today is its university, a vast sprawling garden town of red brick buildings and velvet lawns, which comprises a dozen departments and colleges of law, medicine, engineering and forestry. The Peshawar Bazaars : As Peshawar is an important border city the bazaars of Peshawar are the most attractive. They are always busy with a lot of hustle-bustle. The Kissa Khawani Bazaar (Story tellers Bazaar) is the most interesting of all. There are merchandise from all over central Asia here. Oriental rugs, Afghan jewelry, tribal handicrafts, woodcarving, spices and all kinds of fabrics are available here.
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Pakistan Travel and Tourism Guide Bahawalpure |
Bahawalpur, the most southerly town in the Punjab, is situated at a distance of about 93 km from Multan. It was formerly the capital of Bahawalpur State, which has now integrated with Pakistan. Bahawalpur derives its name from Nawab Bahawal Khan, who founded the state in 1748 A.D. by raising a wall around a villa. It is an important marketing centre for the surrounding areas and is located on the crossroads between Peshawar, Lahore, Quetta and Karachi. Saraiki is the local language of the area. Urdu, Punjabi and English are also spoken and understood by most of the people. History shows evidences that the founder of the state of Bahawalpur was Nawab Bahawal Khan Abbasi I. The Abbasi family ruled over the State for more than 200 years (1748 to 1954). During the rule of the last Nawab Sir Sadiq Muhammad Khan Abbasi V, Bahawalpur State was merged with Pakistan in 1954. Bahawalpur was formerly the capital of the state and now is the District and Divisional Headquarters of Bahawalpur Division. Bahawalpur is noted for its delicate pottery and exquisite embroidery. Places to see in Bhawalpur : Central Library housed in a beautiful architecture building has a vast collection of books and rare manuscripts. It is regarded as one of the best libraries in Pakistan and visited by both native and foreign students and scholars. The foundation stone of this building was laid in 1924 to mark the installation of late Nawab of Bahawalpur Sir Sadiq Muhammad Khan Abbasi V. Bahawalpur Museum is a modest edifice with a fine collection of coins, medals, postage stamps of former State of Bahawalpur, manuscripts documents, inscriptions, wood carvings, camel skin paintings, historical models and stone carvings etc. of Islamic and pre-Islamic period. The Zoological Garden of Bahawalpur is considered to be one of the best in the country, with an interesting collection of 120 animals and 750 birds of tropical areas, particularly those found in this region. The Dring Stadium is one of the finest stadiums in the country having fine cricket grounds, two football grounds, one basketball court and six lawn tennis courts and a covered swimming pool. The Shrine of Muluk Shah, a popular saint of his time, is located in the city and visited by devotees on every Thursday, Ashura and Eid days. The Jamia Masjid Al-Sadiq is a well-reputed Mosque in Pakistan. It was made by the Nawab Sir Sadiq Muhammad Khan Abbasi V at the elevation of more than 12 feet from earth. It can house 50,000 to 60,000 people at a time, during the Eid Festivals. Excursions around Bhawalpur : From Bahawalpur, the tourists can journey into Cholistan, a sandy wasteland dotted with nomadic communities and wind-swept forts. You can also visit the Lal Suhanra National Park, 36 Km to the east of Bahawalpur, an important wildlife reserve. Further north is Harappa, which is after Moenjodaro, the second most important site of the Indus Valley civilisation. Among the places to visit are Sadiq Garh Palace and mighty Noor Mahal, which was once the State House. |
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Pakistan
Travel and Tourism Guide |
TAXILA : The most important archaeological site, a satrapy of modern empire, Taxila is 35 km north of Islamabad. For over one thousand years, Taxila remained famous as a centre of learning Gandhara art of sculpture, architecture, education and Buddhism in the days of Buddhist glory. There are the three distinct cities, which are nicely excavated and preserved in Taxila. Bhir Moundn was established around sixth century B.C; the Sirkap city, built around the 2nd century B.C., is on the opposite side of Tamara stream; and finally Sirsukh, built by Kushan kings in the first century A.D., is the most modern city of all. There are over 50 archaeological sites scattered in a radius of 30 kms around Taxila. Some of the most important sites are; Dhamarajika Stupa and Monastery (300 BC - 200 AD), Bhir Mound (600-200 BC), Sirkap (200 BC - 600 AD), Jandial Temple (c.250 BC) and Jaulian Monastery (200 - 600 AD). HARAPPA : Harappa is the site of an ancient and important settlement of the prehistoric Indus Valley civilization dating from 3rd to 2nd millennium B.C. Thus, it stands witness to the 5000-year-old cultural continuity of civilization in Pakistan. Harappa is located about 200 Km from Lahore and about 30 km from Sahiwal. Harappa was the cradle of one of the earliest civilizations known to man and conjures up images of fifty centuries ago, a period about which very little is known. The visitor can also visit the interesting and well-maintained museum at the Harappa site that houses artifacts found in the area. MOHENJO-DARO : Mohenjo-daro (Mound of the Dead) is one of the earliest and the most developed urban civilizations of ancient world. Discovered in 1922, it is situated on the West Bank of the river Indus. It forms a part of the Indus River civilization of Harappa. The Indus River civilization flourished from somewhere third till the middle of second millennium B.C. before it vanquished from the world. Mohenjo-daro looks like a planned, organized and master architecture of urban settlement. The city has a separate area for Administration/ state, a rich residential area, Industrial area and an area for poor or workers. All the streets present an excellent grid system and were maintained with covered drainage, dustbins and market places. Through the discovery of coins and potteries, archeologists believe that trade and cultural links existed between Mohenjo-daro and the contemporary civilizations of Mesopotamia and Egypt. HUND EXCAVATIONS : Hund, the ancient city of Embolima, is believed to be founded by Alexander the Great. Located 80 km away from Peshawar on the western bank of the Indus River, Hund is also famous for being the birthplace of the celebrated Sanskrit grammarian, Panini. In the 7th century A.D., many Chinese pilgrims visited Hund, as it was a revered place for the Buddhists of the period. Later in its history, it was made the capital of Gandhara by Hindu Shahi kings. In the beginning of the 11th century, Sultan Mahmud of Ghazni conquered Hund. One can visit the remnants of this once famous city; floods have washed some of it away. Among the remains numerous coins belonging to the Indo-Scythion and Hindu Shahi Rulers, jewelry and other articles of immense historical value have been found. TAKHT-I-BAHI : The Buddhist monastic complex of Takht-i-Bahi (Throne of Origins) was founded in the early 1st century. It is located about 80 kms from Peshawar and 16 kms northwest of the city of Mardan. Its position on the crest of a high hill, helped it to escape successive invasions and is still exceptionally well preserved. Nearby are the ruins of Sahr-i-Bahlol, a small fortified city of nearly the same period. The ruins of an ancient Buddhist monastery are situated on the top of a 500 feet high hill. This site has produced fragmentary sculptures in stone and stucco that indicate the highly developed sculptural sense of their creators. The design and arrangement of the range of small shrines, which surrounds the main stupa-court, is most remarkable. The group of buildings unearthed after archeological excavations at Takht-i-Bahi include; the court of many Stupas, the monastery, the main stupa, the assembly hall, the low-level chambers, the courtyard, the court of three stupas, the wall of colossi and the secular building. |
Pakistan
Travel and Tourism Guide |
The fascinating areas of Northern Pakistan are spread over 72,496 sq. km. Amidst towering snow-clad peaks with heights varying from 1,000 m to 8, 000 meters, the regions of Gilgit, Hunza and Baltistan recall Shangri-La. Pakistan has some of the world famous peaks, such as, K-2 (world’s second highest, 8,611 m), Gasherbrum-I (8,068 m), Broad Peak (8,047 m) and Gasherbrum-II (8,035 m). moreover, there are 68 peaks over 7,000 m and hundreds others over 6,000 meters. The Northern Pakistan has some of the longest glaciers outside Polar region; Siachen, Hispar, Biafo, Baltoro and Batura. Northern Areas : This unique little town of Gilgit is blessed with spectacular beauty. Though many tourists do not visit the region but still those who brave the unruly terrain prefer to visit Gilgit, the capital city, mostly. It is nearly 330km from Islamabad There is a bazaar, full of Central Asian traders, that is an excellent base for alpine walks, trout fishing and pottering about for historical ruins in the countryside. Other destination is Baltistan, which is today attracting tourists for world-class mountaineering, fine treks and pristine scenery. The peak tourist season is from May to mid-October nevertheless, though tourists keep pouring in throughout. Northwest Frontier Province : This region attracts both native and foreign tourists because of its impenetrable high mountains, intractable people and impossibly romantic cities. One of the most visited sites is Peshawar, the provincial capital. In the north of Peshawar is the district of Swat, considered to have the loveliest scenery in Pakistan's northern valleys. This lush-green valley, with its rushing torrents, icy-cold lakes, fruit-laden orchards and flower-decked slopes is an ideal place for tourists, who intent to relax and enjoy in the lap of nature. From Swat, one can move to Chitral, a relatively unspoilt area of lush valleys, hot springs and great walks. The Chitral Valley located at an elevation of 1,128 metres is one of the most popular spots amongst mountaineers, anglers, hunters, hikers, naturalists and anthropologists. The attractions of the city are Chitral fort and Palace of Mehtar. Most famous is the Kalash valley, the home of the Kafir, or "Wearers of the Black Robes", a primitive pagan tribe. |
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