DESTINATIONS

Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, means ‘the city of Islam’ or ‘the abode of Islam.’ It is a noise-free city with a lot of greenery and scenic views. There are many sights to see, including the Rose and Jasmine Garden, Murghzar Mini Zoo and Children’s Park, Fatima Jinna Park and the Islamabad Sports Complex. If you would like to try your hand at peaceful mountaineering, you should visit the Shakarparian Hills that has terraced gardens that has attention-grabbing views of Margallah and Murree hills.

Karachi, the capital of the province of Sindh, is the largest financial capital of Pakistan and its largest city. Locally known as the ‘City of Lights,’ ‘the City of the Quaid,’ and ‘the City that Never Sleeps,’ it is the financial and commercial center of the nation, as well as its largest port, making it a bumbling and busy city. Sitting on the coast of the Arabian Sea allows for sweeping views and adventure activities. One should see its mosques and mansions.

Lahore, Situated in Punjab, the capital city of that province. Lahore ranks second in terms of population and is one of Pakistan's wealthiest cities. Home to Lahore Fort, Rohtas Fort, and Jehengar’s Tomb, and Lahore museum and Faquir Khana museum, your archeological appetite is sure to be satisfied. It is considered Pakistan’s cultural capital. It has mythological relevance of being founded by the son of Rama over four thousand years ago. Its colonial heritage consists of beautiful buildings built during the British rule.

Gilgit is a major tourist destination in Pakistan, and one that should be at the top of your list, it acts as a hub for mountaineering expeditions in the beautiful, sprawling Karakoram Range. Gilgit-Balistan is where the world’s most famous mountain ranges meet: the himalayas, the karakorams, the Hindukush and the Pamirs. The tallest peaks found here as well, K2 (Mount Godwin-Austen) and Nanga Parbat, one of the most feared peaks. It is an important junction along the Karakoram highway.

Peshawar is a beautiful city and also the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. It is not only the largest city of Pakhtunkhwa but also one of the more prosperous ones. It is the seat of culture and economy of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The city is well-known for its exceptional delicacies and tourism services, since it ranks amongst the oldest cities in the country. However beautiful and appealing it may be, you must exercise caution when approaching this city. It is home to several ethnic and religious groups, and has been prone to terrorist attacks because of that.

Karakoram Highway, another popular attraction for tourists in Pakistan is the Karakoram highway. It is also known as National Highway 35 or the China-Pakistan Friendship Highway. The highway plays the connection between the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan as well as the Pakistani provinces in Punjab, thus making it a convenient tourist and travel roadway. The road has given mountaineers and cyclists easy access to Pakistan’s high mountains, glaciers, and lakes. It passes through the Karakoram mountain range as one of the highest paved roads in the world.

The Indus River is one of the most important waterways in all of South Asia. The river flows through India, then southward into Pakistan, and out into the Arabian Sea. It cleanly bisects the country. This is the home of the Indus Valley civilization and offers many sights for flora and fauna lovers. The river served historical importance well into the colonial period, hence there are many historically significant sites along the river course. There is still some political conflict surrounding this area so travel with caution.

Muzaffarabad, the capital of independent or ‘Azad Kashmir’ is also a notable location. It is settled on the banks of Neelam and Jhelam rivers. It is worth visiting for its historical monuments. With fertile, green and scenic mountain valleys, it is the most beautiful region in Pakistan. There are two historical forts on both sides of the Neelum River: the Red Fort and the Black Fort. The construction of the Red Fort was completed by Sultan Muzaffar Khan, the founder of Muzaffarabad.