Situated on the crossroads of
South Asia, the Middle East and Central Asia, Pakistan is a beautiful
country with a unique history and cultural heritage. Pakistan was the
site for one of the world's earliest human settlements: the great
prehistoric Indus Valley Civilization, the crucible of ancient empires,
religions and cultures. The land of Pakistan ranges from lofty mountains
in the north, the Karakoram and the Himalayas, through dissected
plateaus to the rich alluvial plains of the Punjab. Then follows the
desolate barrenness of Baluchistan and the hot, dry deserts of Sindh
blending into miles and miles of golden beaches of Makran coast.
Pakistan A Tourist’s Paradise
Pakistan’s main attractions include adventure
tourism in the Northern Areas, cultural and archaeological tourism as
found in Taxila, Moenjodaro, Harrappa, and early Muslim and Mughal
heritage at Multan, Lahore, Thatta, Peshawar and Swat
Provinces of Pakistan
Pakistan has four Provinces and they are : 1) Punjab 2) Sindh 3) NWFP 4) Balochistan
Islamabad the capital of Pakistan is a Federal Capital Area
Punjab
Punjab, its name meaning 'Land of
Five Rivers', is the richest, most fertile and most heavily populated
province of Pakistan. (The five rivers referred to the Jhelum, Chenab,
Ravi, Sutlej and Beas)
The best time to visit northern Punjab is in the spring, from February
to April, and in the autumn, from September to November. Southern Punjab
is extremely hot in summer, so Multan is at its best in winter, from
November to February
Lahore
Situated on the east bank of the Ravi
River, Lahore is a very old city. Legend traces its origin to Loh, the
son of Rama Chandra, the hero of the Ramayana, but history records that
it began as a dependency of the 8th century AD Hindu ruler, Lalitiditya.
In the early 11th century it came under Muslim rule and evolved as a
centre of Islamic culture and learning as well as trade and commerce. In
the 13th century it was depopulated and razed to the ground by the
Tartar-Mongol hordes of Genghis Khan. Lahore was a cultural and
intellectual centre during both the Mughal and British eras, but it is
the diversity and contrast of the different sections of the city which
make Lahore interesting.
Badshahi Mosque
The Imperial or the
Badshahi Mosque is across the courtyard from Alamgiri Gate of the Lahore
Fort. The Mosque, which is made up entirely of red sand-stone, was built
by Emperor Aurangzeb, the last of the great Mughals, in a record time of
two and-a-half years.
Minar-e-Pakistan
Minar-e-Pakistan is a
new landmark in Lahore and stands in the Iqbal Park to commemorate the
date when a resolution was passed there in 1940 demanding the creation
of separate homeland for the Muslims of South Asian sub-continent. The
Minar is a blend of Mughal and modern architecture. The Minar is about
60 meters tall.
Shalimar Gardens
Three miles east of Lahore are the
famous Shalimar Gardens laid out by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan in
1642 AD. The Gardens are spread out in typical Mughal style and are
surrounded by high walls with watch-towers at the four corners.
Originally, the gardens were spread over seven ascending terraces, but
only three remain now which cover an area of about 42 acres. The
brick-work of the floors of the three terraces have been repaired
according to their original designs which differ on all three terraces.
There is a marble pavilion underneath with water flows and cascades down
over a carved, marble slab creating a waterfall effect. Across the
waterfall is a marble throne. At the end of the second terrace is a
beautiful structure called Sawan Bhadon, a sunken tank niches on its
three sides. Water cascades down from it in sheets in front of the
niches, producing the sound of falling rain.
Shrines/Mausoleums
Shrine of Data Sahib
Allama Iqbal's Tomb
Mausoleum of Emperor Jehangir
Noor Jehan's Tomb
Museums
Lahore Museum
Bahawalpur
Bahawalpur is 889 km from Karachi. 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).
Noor Mehal is one of the three palaces that attracts tourists.
Bahawalpur is also known for its distinctly embroidered slippers and
shoes and the filigree pottery. It has a marble mosque in the Fawara
Chowk and a few British buildings like the Science College. Bahawalpur
has a modest museum 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. All the pieces date back to the Islamic and the
pre-Islamic period.
Uch Sharif
Uch Sharif, 75 km from Bahawalpur, is
a very old town. It is believed that it was founded in 500 BC. Some
historians believe that Uch was there even before the advent of
Bikramajit when Jains and Buddhist ruled over the sub-continent. At the
time of the invasion by Alexander the Great, Uch was under Hindu rule.
Uch Sharif has been described as a flourishing and beautiful town
perched upon the plateau near the confluence of the Chenab and Ravi
rivers. The famous shrines existing at Uch include those of Hazrat
Bahawal Haleem, Hazrat Jalaluddin Surkh Bukhari, Makhdoom Jahanian
Jahangasht, Shaikh Saifuddin Ghazrooni and Bibi Jawanadi. The shrine of
Bibi Jawandi is a central Asian design, titled in the blue faience.
Uch is a small town today and divided into three different parts known
as (i) Uch Bukhari, after Hazrat Syed Jalaluddin Bukhari Surkhposh, (ii)
Uch Jilani, after the name of Hazrat Shaikh Mohammad Ghaus Qadri Jilani
(Bandagi), who came from Halab in 887 AH, (iii) Uch Mughlan after the
Mughal rulers
Multan
About 966 km from Karachi, and more
or less right in the centre of the country, lies the ancient city of
Multan. Multan, the 'City of Pirs and Shrines,' is a prosperous city of
bazaars, mosques, shrines and superbly designed tombs. It is also a city
of dust, summer heat and beggars. It has a long history. Alexander the
Great added it to his list of Indus conquests. In 641 AD Xuang Tzang
found it 'agreeable and prosperous' - Mohammad Bin Qasim was the next to
conqueror Multan in 712 AD. Mahmud of Ghazni invaded in 1006, Timurlane
in 1398. In the 16th century it was the Moghuls turn, followed by the
Sikhs in 1752 and the British in 1849. The old city has narrow colorful
bazaars full of local handicrafts and narrow winding lanes. There are
many places of historical, cultural and recreational interest in the
city.
Shrines
Harappa
This was the first of the Indus
Valley Civilization sites to be discovered, but in size and condition it
is inferior to Moenjodaro. Located 186 km south-west of Lahore, Harappa
is reached via Sahiwal, formerly known as Montgomery. Situated beside an
earlier course of the Ravi River, Harappa was discovered in 1920-21, but
through the ages the site was quarried for bricks and most of the
buildings excavated so far are in poor condition.
The cemeteries discovered at Harappa confirm that the Indus Valley
people buried their dead, many of them wearing finger rings, necklaces
of steatite beads, anklets of paste bead, earnings and shell bangles.
Copper mirrors, antimony rods, sheer spoons and vessels and urns of
various shapes and size lay in the graves. Some of the female skeletons
had anklets of tiny beads and girdles studded with some-precious stones.
Excavations have recalled evidence of some pre-Harappa material which
shows strong affinity with the Kot Diji finds.
On display at the Museum are excavated materials, including terracotta
toys, gamesman, jewelry, animal figurines and bronze utensils statuettes
SINDH
Karachi
Karachi, the largest and the most
populous city of Pakistan, presents an interesting and colorful
combination of the old and new. The narrow twisting lanes and alleys of
the old city throb with life alongside the wide roads and elegant modern
buildings. Within the city, talented artisans with age-old skills
produce handicrafts of exquisite beauty.
Karachi offers a variety of pleasant attractions: wide sunny beaches,
deep-sea fishing, yachting, golf and horse racing all-year round. Its
restaurants provide a wide choice of Pakistani and Western cuisine. Its
markets and bazaar offer endless variety of exciting shopping including
indigenous handicrafts, rugs and carpets of rare design and beauty.
Hyderabad
Hyderabad, 164 km north of Karachi the second largest
city in Sindh and one of the largest in Pakistan
Kirthar National Park
A four hour drive north-east from
Karachi, of the Super Highway takes the visitor deep into the heart of
Kirthar National Park, a space that measures over 3,000 square
kilometers in the Kirthar hills and is a good destination for a three
day trip. October to February is the most comfortable...that is,
coolest...time to go but the flowers bloom during the (relatively) wet
monsoon in August.
Moenjodaro
At Moenjodaro (Mound of dead) in the west
bank of the Indus in Sindh one can see the remains of one of the
earliest and most developed urban civilizations of the ancient world.
Discovered in 1922, Moenjodaro was once metropolis of great importance,
forming part of the Indus Valley Civilization. Now one can find the
4,000 years old brick ruins.
The Indus Valley Civilization flourished from 3,000 to 1,500 BC, making
it contemporary with the ancient civilization of Egypt and Mesopotamia.
At its height it comprised at least 400 cities and towns along the Indus
and its tributaries, covering most of the present-day Pakistan and
stretching north-west as far as modern Kabul and east as far as modern
Delhi. The water ways were the main highways connecting the empire. Flat
bottomed barges almost identical to those still use today plied the
rivers from city to city. Few of the cities have been excavated
Sukkur
North of Larkana the landscape
becomes luxuriant. In Sukkur the railway line and the highway split up,
with a road and rail tracks leading north-west to Quetta via Sibi and
Jacobabad, while another highway and railway line go via Rahimyar Khan
and Sadiqabad straight to Multan. Sukkur is a sprawling town with
beautiful mosques, gardens, and shrines. As a desert oasis town, it
boasts many havelis which are decorated with geometric, floral designs
and painted in a variety of bright, contrasting colors.
North Western Frontier Province (NWFP)
runs for over 1,100 kilometres (680
miles) along the border with Afghanistan. Peshawar is its capital and
the Vale of Peshawar, fertile and well watered by the Kabul and Swat
rivers, is its heart. This was also the heart of the ancient kingdom of
Gandhara and is rich in archaeological remains. The northern half of the
province consists of five river valleys running roughly parallel, north
to south: Chitral, Dir, Swat, Indus and Kaghan. These valleys are on the
northern edge of the monsoon belt. They are fairly green and partly
wooded in their southern sections.
Peshawar
Peshawar, the capital city of
North-West Frontier Province, is a frontier town, the meeting place of
the sub-continent and Central Asia. It is also a place where ancient
traditions jostle with those of today, where the bazaar in the old city
has changed little in the past hundred years except to become the
neighbor of a modern university, some modern hotels, several
international banks and one of the best museums in Pakistan
Excursion from Peshawar
Warsak Dam
The gigantic, multi-purpose Warsak Dam is situated 30 kms
north-west of Peshawar in the heart of tribal territory.
The Museum
Situated on the Grand Trunk Road in
the cantonment area, the museum houses a rich treasure of art, sculpture
and historical relics, particularly of the Gandhara period (300 BC - 300
AD).
Takht-e-Bhai
Situated atop a 160 meter high hill
are the remains of a famous Buddhist monastery at Takht-e-Bhai, about 80
kms from Peshawar. This site has produced fragmentary sculptures in
stone and stucco that indicate the highly developed sculptural sense of
their creators. This site dates back from 2nd-3rd century AD.
Khyber Pass
The historic Khyber Pass is at a distance of 16 kms
west of Peshawar and extends up to the Pak-Afghanistan border at
Torkkam.
The Swat Valley
Swat is the most interesting valley
in Pakistan. It is also one of the most beautiful - certainly much
greener and more fertile than the valleys further north because it lies
within the monsoon belt. In Lower Swat, the valley is wide, the fields
on either side of the river are full of wheat and Lucerne, and the
villages are prosperous and surrounded by fruit trees. In Upper Swat,
the river tumbles through pine forests hemmed in by snow-capped
mountains
Lake Saif-ul-Muluk
10 kms from Naran, this lake is 3200
meters high, providing an awe-inspiring view of Malika Parbat (Queen of
the Mountains) 5,260 meters high. You can go boating on the lake and
hear the local legend about Prince Saif-ul-Muluk who fell in love with
fairy
Fishing:
The Kunhar River and the various
lakes offer plenty of fishing opportunities. Both the brown and rainbow
trout and the mahasheer can be found in abundance.
BALOCHISTAN
Situated west of the Indus Plains, the largest
province in Pakistan with an area about 343,000 square km. Though it's
bigger than the British Isles, it only has a population of about 6.5
million, due mainly to its daunting arid geography.
Baluchistan is outside the monsoon zone and has, with the exception of
the hilly and arid mountainous regions, a pleasant climate. In winter
the temperature falls to as low as - 30° C while in summer it ranges
from 18° to 30° C. The province has been influenced by the civilizations
in the Indus, Dir and Swat Valleys.
Quetta
Quetta, the capital of Baluchistan, is linked by air,
rail and road with all the major cities of Pakistan, particularly
Karachi, which has an international airport.
Hinna Lake
A little short of the place where the Urak valley
begins and ten kms. from Quetta sits the Hinna Lake. The greenish- blue
water of the lake provides a rich contrast to the sandy brown of the
hills in the back ground.
Ziarat
Pakistan has a number of beautiful
valleys, enchanting their spectators with enthralling beauty but Ziarat
is an important and an archaic treasure of Juniper forests.
The summers in the valley are always pleasant, attracting a number of
tourists, and the winters extremely harsh. Juniper forests, which are
one of the world oldest, are the main source of lush green vista of the
Ziarat valley. Some of the trees in Junipers forests had been sowed as
long as 5000 years ago, making Ziarat the second biggest Juniper valley
in the world.
ISLAMABAD
Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan,
is located against the backdrop of Margalla Hills at the northern edge
of Potohar Plateau. In contrast to its twin city Rawalpindi, it is lush
green, spacious and peaceful. Islamabad is a city of wide, tree-lined
streets, large houses, elegant public buildings and well-organized
bazaars. Traffic jams and crowds are rare, and narrow lanes and slums
are few and far between. Sidewalks are shaded and safe behind rows of
flame trees, jacaranda and hibiscus. Roses, jasmine and bougainvillaea
fill the many parks, and scenic view-points show the city to its best
advantage.
Excursions around Islamabad
Rose and Jasmine Garden
This 20,360 sq. meters garden is famous for its
roses. It has 250 different varieties of roses as well as a dozen types
of Jasmines. Flower shows are occasionally held here, particularly
during spring. Nearby is a Tourist Camping Site
Shakarparian Hills
Shakarparian hills are situated near Zero
Point, at a height of 609 meters. Its terraced garden offers pleasant
and sweeping vistas of Margalla and Murree hills, Rawal Lake and
Rawalpindi and Islamabad.
Rawal Lake
This glistening man-made lake covers an area
of 8.8 sq. km. The terraced garden and the lake are ideal for picnics
fishing and boating. The highest point in the garden commands a
panoramic view of the lake, Margalla and Murree hills, Rawalpindi and
Islamabad
Daman-e-Koh
This low hill over looking
Islamabad, known as Daman-e-Koh, offers panoramic view of Islamabad.
Snack bar facilities are available at PTDC's Daman-e-Koh Restaurant. The
place is ideal for afternoon and evening outings with family and
friends.
Pakistan Museum of Natural History
The Museum depicts early human history, geology, and wildlife
of Pakistan. The exhibits are particular interest to students and
children.
Islamabad Museum
Islamabad museum presents the history of the land where Pakistan is
situated today. Pakistan has been a seat of the world’s leading
civilizations from time immemorial.
Shah Faisal Mosque
This beautiful mosque was designed by a renowned
Turkish Architect, Vedat Dalokay and named after late King Faisal of
Saudi Arabia. It is spread over 1,89,705 sq, meters with 88 meters high
minarets and 40 meters high main prayer hall. The main prayer hall can
accommodate 10,000 persons, while the covered porticoes and verandahs
can take over 24,000 worshipers. The main courtyard has space for 40,000
people.
Mountaineering in Pakistan
Northern Pakistan has the greatest concentration of
the highest peaks in the world. It has 05 peaks over 8,000 metres
including the world’s second highest, K-2 (Chogori, 8611 m), 29 peaks of
over 7,500 metres and 121 of over 7,000 metres. Hundreds of peaks have
yet to be climbed. This, is a great challenge for the mountaineers and
mountain climbers the world over.
All peaks/routes for mountaineering have been designated as open zone or
restricted zone.
S.No
Peak
Height (m)
International. Ranking
Range
1
K-2
8611
2
Karakoram
2
Nanga Parbat
8125
9
Karakoram
3
Gasherbrun I
8068
11
Karakoram
4
Broad Peak
8047
12
Karakoram
5
Gasherbrum II
8035
14
Karakoram
6
Gasherbrum III
7952
15
Karakoram
7
Gasherbrum IV
7885
20
Karakoram
8
Distaghil Sar
7885
20
Karakoram
9
Kunyang Chhish
7852
22
Karakoram
10
Masherbrum NE
7821
24
Karakoram
11
Rakaposhi
7788
27
Karakoram
12
Batura
7785
25
Karakoram
13
Kanjut Sar
7760
29
Karakoram
14
Saltro Kagri
7760
29
Karakoram
15
Trivor
7720
6
Karakoram
16
Tirichmir
7708
41
Karakoram
17
Chogolisa
7654
46
Karakoram
18
Shispare
7619
49
Karakoram
19
Skyang Kangri
7544
58
Karakoram
20
Pamuri Chhish
7492
67
Karakoram
21
Noshaq
7492
68
Karakoram
22
Tirichmir NW
7487
69
Karakoram
23
K-12
7468
73
Karakoram
24
Teram Kangri
7468
73
Karakoram
25
Malubiting W
7452
76
Karakoram
26
Sia Kingri
7422
79
Karakoram
27
Skilbrum
7420
80
Karakoram
28
Teram Kangri II
7406
84
Karakoram
29
Haramosh
7406
84
Karakoram
30
Istro-o-nal
7403
85
Karakoram
31
Mt Ghent 7400
7400
86
Karakoram
32
Yukshin Gardan
7400
87
Karakoram
33
Ultar Sar I & II
7388
88
Karakoram
Trekking in Pakistan
Pakistan is a paradise for trekkers. Most of the
trekking routes lies in the northern mountains of the Hindukush, the
Karakorams and the Himalayas. For most of the treks, trekking season is
between May to October. The Ministry of Tourism, Government of Pakistan,
has defined trekking as walking below 6000 m. It has designated three
zones for trekking; open, restricted and closed. Foreigners may trek
anywhere in open zone without a permit or services of a licensed
mountain guide.
What to buy
Pakistan is a treasure house of
exquisite handicrafts, made by people who grew up weaving, creating
pottery, working with metals wood and stone,decorating and building
things small and great. Pottery here is a living history, a traditional
craft that became an art, with its origins going back to 3,000 years
B.C. Today, each region of Pakistan claims its own special jars and
jugs, from sturdy terracotta to paper-thin ceramics. In vivid colours of
mustard yellow, deep green, brick red and sky blue. For those keen on
shopping, the prices are still quite reasonable. You will find yourself
returning home with hand-woven carpets, copper and brass items,
woodwork, embroidered “Kurtas” (shirts) and “Khussas”(shoes) and
countless objects d’art.
Events and Festivals
::
Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi
Birth Annniversary of
Prophet Hazrat Mohammad (P.B.U.H), on 12th of Rabi-ul-Awwal - the
3rd month of Islamic Calendar.
:: Joshi or
Chilimjust: (14-15 May)
Kalash festival of
welcomming spring, held in Kalash Valleys near Chitral. Folk dances,
music and exchange of dishes.
:: Shandur Polo Festival (7-9 July)
A regular traditional polo tournament is
held every year on the highest polo ground of the world. The
Shandur Pass (Chitral district), with allied activites including
folk music, folk dances and other competitions.
:: Utchal:
(15-16 July)
A harvest
Festival,Celebrated by Kalash people in Kalash Valleys, Chitral.
:: Jubilee
Celebrations of High Mountains: From July 10 -14
Jubilee Celebrations of
High Mountains: Golden Anniversary of K-2 and 51st Anniversary of
Nanga Parbat
::
Independence Day (August 14) *
Celebration of 57th
Year of Independence from British Rule
:: Death
Anniversary of Quaid-i-Azam (September 11) *
Death Anniversary of
the Founder of Islamic Republic of Pakistan Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad
Ali Jinnah
Month
"Shawal" celebrated after the Holy Month of "Ramadan"
Birth Day of
Quaid-e-Azam *
the Holy Prophet
"Christ" and as a national day for Pakistanis due to Birth Day of
Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah
Tourist Information Centers
ABBOTTABAD
Club
Annexe, Jinnah Road.Tel: 0992-334399
BAHAWALPUR
PTDC Motel, Club Road,
Near DC Office.Tel: 0621-82835 Fax: 0621-85362
