Pakistan — Where to Go
Top Things to See
• Observe the wonders of Karachi, Pakistan’s former capital and its largest city, situated on the shores of the Arabian Sea. The magnificent Quaid-e-Azam’s Mazar, the mausoleum of the founder of Pakistan, is made entirely of white marble with impressive north African arches. Other places to visit are the National Museum and the beach at Clifton.
• Witness the Shah Faisal Masjid (mosque) in Islamabad, which can accommodate 10,000 worshippers. The majestic white building comprises four 88m (288ft) minarets and a desert tent-like structure, which is the main prayer chamber.
• See some of the highest mountains in the world in Kashmir, including the famous Nanga Parbat and the second-highest mountain in the world, K2. The Baltoro Glacier and the Batura Glacier are the largest outside the polar regions.
• Visit Peshawar, the capital of the North West Frontier Province. The city is surrounded by high walls with 20 entry gates. Much of the surrounding area is still under the jurisdiction of tribal law. These areas can only be visited with a permit from the relevant authorities.
• In the land of the Afridis, view the Khyber Pass, the 1,067m- (3,501ft-) high break in the sheer rock wall separating Afghanistan and Pakistan.
• See the wild and beautiful area of Chitral in the Hindu Kush Mountains north of Peshawar. It is inhabited by the Kalash people, the last of the non-Islamic tribes of Kafiristan. This valley is noted for its hot springs and trout-filled rivers.
• Discover the beautiful Swat Valley, east of Chitral, an area of wild mountains and fantastic alpine scenery. In ancient times, it was home to the famous Gandhara school of sculpture, a manifestation of Greek-influenced Buddhist forms. The ruins of great Buddhist stupas, monasteries and statues remain. It also boasts popular mountain retreats such as Miandam and Mingora.
• Watch a cricket or polo match. Polo is particularly popular in the northern towns of Gilgit and Chitral.
Top Things to Do
• Tour the Sindh region, known for the remarkable quality of its light. The two main places of interest are Mohenjodaro, a settlement dating back 5,000 years, and Thatta, notable for its mausoleums and mosques. There are sporting facilities on Lake Haleji.
• Explore Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan since 1963. It has an air of spaciousness, with parks, gardens and fountains below the silhouette of the Margalla Hills. In the midst of these lies Daman-e-Koh, a terraced garden with an excellent view over the city.
• Also located on the Pothowar Plain, Rawalpindi lies waiting to be discovered. The old part boasts fine examples of local architecture and bazaars crammed into the narrow streets where craftspeople still use traditional methods.
• Take a day trip to Rawal Lake. Situated about 8km (5 miles) from the capital, the lake has an abundance of leisure facilities for watersports and a picnic area.
• Discover The Punjab. Lahore is a historic, bustling city with buildings of pink and white marble. Visit the Badshahi Mosque (one of the largest mosques in the world, and an example of Moghul architecture rivalled only by the Taj Mahal), the beautiful Shalimar Gardens and the Gate of Chauburji.
• Near Taxila, explore Jaulian and Sirkap, two excavated sites that date back to the Buddhist Gandhara period.
• Follow the Karakoram Highway, which follows the ancient Silk Road over a breathtaking knot of mountain ranges that incorporates the Himalaya mountains, Hindukush and Pamir. The trail runs along the Indus River and to the beautiful Gilgit and Hunza valleys.
• Go trekking and mountaineering. Pakistan contains five of the world’s highest peaks and several of the world’s largest glaciers. The northern areas are the most popular for trekking, with Gilgit and Skardu being good starting points for trips.
• Ski at the Malam Jabba resort in the Karakoram range.
• Go white-water rafting or canoeing. Both are increasingly popular on the rivers of the north of the country.
