Islamic Republic of Pakistan is one of the most strategic countries in the lovely planet. Reason for posting this article is to showcase and speak for Pakistan in its genuine fashion. Pakistan is located in South Asia who was born out of the partition of the Indian sub-continent in 1947. The country was founded by the then one of the greatest Muslim politician ‘Mohammad Ali Jinnah‘. The current capital is Islamabad which is rated top in the most beautiful cities of the world. Pakistan has an area of approximately 796,095 sq km (307,374 sq miles) and is the sixth largest populous country of the lovely planet. Similarly, Pakistan is the second-most populous Muslim-majority country. Pakistan has one of the world’s largest deep sea port ‘Gwadar‘. Pakistan has sixth largest military force in the world and is the only Islamic and the world’s seventh nuclear power. Pakistani rupee is the official currency of the country and Urdu is the national language, while English is the official language. The country possesses significant portions of the largest mountain ranges like Himalaya, Karakorum and Hindukush. K2 (which is also known as the Mount Goodwin Austin) is located in Pakistan which the second highest mountain peak in the world. Pakistan is also home to the most ancient and prominent civilizations ‘Indus, Harappa, Mohenjo Daro, Gandghara“. The country has world’s largest irrigation system. Astonishing Karakoram Highway is also existed in Pakistan which is considered as the modern man-made wonder of the world. Khewra salt mines are also located in Pakistan which is the second largest salt mine in the world. The country has almost 800 km long coast line along the Arabian Sea. World’s highest Polo ground known as ‘Shandoor Top’ is located in Pakistan. Amazing and stunning landscapes of the barren but fantastic Baluchistan filled with astounding mineral treasures are also dazzling features of country’s geography. The canal system of Pakistan is the world’s largest and best system. Pakistan is well known for production of dates, mangoes, oranges, rice, cotton and wheat. It has glorious and colorful culture with brilliant heritage. Pakistan owes substantial architectural remains and many world heritage sites. It has amazing Thar and Cholistan deserts.

There are countless amazing facts about Pakistan which will blow your minds. This article is about the 100 top recreation places, best leisure spots and the most popular tourist destinations of Pakistan which are also well-known in the recreation and leisure arena of the world. Although tourism industry is affected by the worst situation of terrorism for the last few years but the Pakistani security forces and people are countering the extremist and terrorist organizations. Pakistanis have unfortunately presented sacrifices of 50,000 precious lives to counter this anarchism and chaos and also beard the economic loss of trillions of dollars for the destruction caused by this brutality. Recent efforts of Pakistani government and army are really admirable and seem fruitful and positively, this turbulence will be eliminated soon. Before this situation, Pakistan was ideal destination for world tourists, who visited in large numbers every year to see the dazzling spots of the country. Pakistan has greatest potential to attract the visitors for its phenomenal locations and spots. This is our humble effort for not only our global friends, but also for Pakistanis to give them knowledge, what this striking country actually possesses. So let’s start with the one hundred most popular tourists destinations of Pakistan. The list is arranged in alphabetical order and also includes necessary details about the site.

The Anarkali Bazaar of Lahore

The unprecedented Anarkali Bazaar is an important bazaar of Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan. It is one of the oldest surviving markets in South Asia, dating back at least 200 years. It has been divided in two portions. New Anarkali is a pure market while the Old Anarkali Bazaar is also used as Food Street in the evenings till late night.

The Astola Island

The mesmerizing Astola Island, ‘Island of the Seven Hills’, is a small uninhabited Pakistani island in the Arabian Sea approximately 25 km south of the nearest part of the coast and 39 km (24 mi) southeast of the fishing port of Pasni. Astola is Pakistan’s largest offshore island at approximately 6.7 km (4.2 mi) long with a maximum width of 2.3 km (1.4 mi) and an area of approximately 6.7 km²(2.6 sq mi). (Source: Wikipedia).

The Astore Valley

The astonishing Astore Valley (Astore district) is located in the GIlgit-Baltistan, Pakistan having it’s headquarter at Eidgah/Gorikot. It is well-known for numerous breathtaking valleys and villages like Rama, Gorikot, Rehmanpur, Rattu. Bunji, Dashkin and Chilim, amongst others. Of particular note in the District are Nanga Parbat (Rupal Face) Rama Lake, Chilim, Kala Pani, Minimerg, Dambabaho, Domail and Deosai Plains. Shina is local Language while Urdu and English is widely spoken in Astore district.

See also: RAMA LAKE OF ASTORE: A STUNNING LAGOON OF PAKISTAN

The Ayubia National Park

The stunning Ayubia National Park is a small national park in the Murree hills. The park supports one of the best remaining examples of moist Himalayan temperate forest in Pakistan and is surrounded by seven major villages and three small towns (Nathiagali, Ayubia and Khanspur). The scenery is superb with huge pine forests covering the hills and providing shelter to the larger and smaller mammals. Ayubia National Park is a major recreation area visited by large numbers of local tourists, mostly from Islamabad and Abottabad.

The Ayun Valley of Chitral

The spell-binding Ayun valley of Chitral is just situated on a large alluvial fan of the Kunar River. A fast-flowing river from the Kalash Valleys passes through its heart and issues into the Kunar River. That river is the lifeblood of the village because the whole village is dependent on it for irrigation, drinking and hydro-electricity. So much water is useful in paddy-fields.

The Badshahi Mosque of Lahore

The imperial Badshahi Mosque in Lahore, commissioned by the sixth Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb in 1671 and completed in 1673, is the second largest mosque in Pakistan. Epitomizing the beauty, passion and grandeur of the Mughal era, it is Lahore’s most famous landmark and a major tourist attraction.  The courtyard which spreads over 276,000 square feet, can accommodate one hundred thousand worshippers and ten thousand worshippers can be accommodated inside the mosque. The minarets are 196 feet (60 m) tall. In 1993, the Government of Pakistan included the Badshahi Mosque in the tentative list for UNESCO World Heritage Site. (Source: Wikipedia)

Bagh Ibn-e-Qasim in Clifton

The opulent Bagh Ibn-e-Qasim Park is located in Clifton near Abdullah Shah Gazi Mazar, Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan. It’s a biggest park created on 130 acres of land. The old Clifton park was replaced by this Bin Qasim Park. Its attractions include a rose bushes, green lawns, tall plants, wonderfully imprinted fountains, good wood and marble benches, clean paved paths, play areas for kids, a large dinosaur statues, a turtle pond with turtles and exist food courts and memento shops. Many families comes on beach also visit this park enjoy green garden, fast food & rides for fun and entertainment.

The Bagh-e-Jinnah of Lahore

The fabulous Bagh-e-Jinnah of Lahore (Formerly known as Lawrence Garden) originally covered 176 acres but some land was given for the Lahore Zoo and some of the roads nearby which are also planted with trees. Nowadays, Bagh-e-Jinnah (Jinnah’s Garden) has a botanical garden, a mosque and a library which is housed in a large Victorian building which used to be for assembly rooms and theatrical performances in former years. It is now the Qaid-e-Azam Library named after Mohammed Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan. The botanical garden has many hundreds of varieties of trees and shrubs, there are also almost all varieties of flowers to be found in Pakistan in the park.

Shrine of Bahauddin Zakariya in Multan

The glorious shrine of Hazrat Bahauddin Zakariya (A famous Sufi Saint of this region) is situated in Multan on an area of 15.77 square meters. The mausoleum was constructed in 1268 after the death of Hazrat Bahauddin Zakariya. Although, the area outside the primary shrine locality is expanded to hundreds of meters. The shrine is a square formed mausoleum with an octagon overhead the square. TheUrs or annual festival of Hazrat Bahauddin Zakariya is celebrated with passion and enthusiasm every year.

The Bala Hisar Fort

The tantalizing Bala Hisar is one of the most historic places of Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,Pakistan. The word Bala Hisar is from Dari Persian, meaning, “elevated or high fort”. The name was given by the Pashtun King Timur Shah Durrani (1773–1793), who used the fort as the winter capital of the Afghan Durrani Empire, with the summer capital being in Kabul. The Sikh empire who conquered Peshawarin the early 19th century. The fort stands on a high mound in the northwestern corner of Peshawar City. (Source: Wikipedia)

The Baltit Fort of Hunza

The delicate Baltit Fort is situated in the valley of Hunza in Pakistan. Erected on top of a hill it overlooks the whole valley. The fort was built some 600 years ago. It is entirely made of stones, supported by timber beams and plastered over with sun-dried mud. Elders of Hunza tell that a Balti princess was married with the King of Hunza. She brought Balti masons and artisans to build this fort as a dowry item. The fort remained the palace and family home of the Kings until 1960 when a witch came to reside in it. The royal family shifted to a new granite palace. The fort has been well kept. It maintains a museum, library and a nice restaurant. The credit goes to the Agha Khan Trust for Culture.

See also: THE BALTIT FORT OF HUNZA

The Ancient City of Bhambore

The mind-blowing Banbhore or Bhambore is an ancient city dating to the 1st century BC located in Sindh, Pakistan. It dates back to the Scytho-Parthian era and was later controlled by Muslims from 8th to 13th century after which it was abandoned. Remains of one of the earliest known mosques in the region dating back to 727 AD are still preserved in the city. In 2004, Department of Archaeology and Museums Pakistan submitted the site for UNESCO World Heritage Sites. (Source: Wikipedia)

See also: THE RUINS OF BHANBHORE, PAKISTAN

The Banjosa Lake of Kashmir

The gorgeous Banjosa Lake is situated 20 kilometers from Rawlakot at an altitude of 1981 meters in Pakistani administered Kashmir. Its picturesque beauty and impressive surrounding is compelling and attract tourists to reach here and enjoy the nature. Amidst the captivating beauty of Banjosa, the artificial lake reflects the dense forests standing along the surroundings of the resting calm waters of Banjosa Lake.

Lasbela

Like other districts of Balochistan, Lasbela is host to a number of historical and archaeological sites among which, the necropolis of the Jams of Lasbela is quite prominent. Located some eight kilometers away from Lasbela at Bara Bagh, there are tombs of the former rulers of Lasbela. This necropolis contains more than 100 tombs of which 40 belong to the royal family of the Koreja Jams.

Bhurban

The chilling Bhurban is located 9 km from the city of Murree in the heights of Murree Hills. At Bhurban you can enjoy fun filled activities where you can experience the per stein scenery from a panoramic view while playing golf, dining out, or listening to musicians. There are many beautiful hotels with terraces where you can enjoy breathtaking views after which you can relish exquisite cuisine at its finest. In Bhurban you will find first class five star hotel known as PC Bhurban (Pearl Continental) , located on the Golf Club premises.

The Charna Island

The scintillating Charna Island is a small uninhabited Pakistani island located in the Arabian Sea, about 9 km (5.6 mi) west of the mouth of the Hub river, at the boundary between the provinces of Balochistan and Sindh. Charna is approximately 1.2 km (0.75 mi) long and 0.5 km (0.31 mi) wide. Charna is also locally known “Cheerno”. The area surrounding Charna is popular for scuba diving because of the presence of widely varied marine life and different kinds of coral reef. (Source: Wikipedia)

Tombs at Chaukandi

The awe-inspiring Chaukhandi tombs comprise of beautifully carved sandstone tombs created by Baluchi tribes-people starting in the 15th Century. Chaukhandi Tombs are located in Karachi and the site is part of the Tentative List in order to qualify for inclusion in the World Heritage List. Most are “body sized” rectangular tombs though a few are larger with pillars and even a covering dome. They are worth a stopover on the road out to Banbhore and Makli – they are around 25kms out from Karachi centre just past the airport.

The Kalash Museum

The dazzling Kalash Museum located in Kafristan, Chitral is a real masterpiece of art and reflects the true picture of the lifestyle of almost 300-year-old Kalash civilisation which is losing its cultural identity gradually, due to rapid socio-economic changes worldwide. The museum supports about 3,500 Kalash who are one of the world’s endangered minority communities. The construction of the Kalasha Dur museum started in 2002 and was completed in 2004. It is an earthquake-proof structure that meets Greek Some 60 to 100 years old daily use items, wedding dresses, ornaments, bathroom items etc, collected from Kalash households, are exhibited in the museum.

See also: CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS OF KALASH TRIBE

The Clifton Beach

The popular Clifton Beach, on the Arabian Sea, is a beach in Clifton, Karachi, Pakistan. The beach has attractions for families and tourists, including beachside horse and camel rides, amusement parks, restaurants, and swimming in the Arabian Sea. The whole beach area of Clifton and Sea view is considered safe and peaceful. A gated residential area called Sea view Apartments lies close to a section of Clifton beach known as Seaview beach or simply “Seaview”.

Daman-e-Koh

Located in the mid of the Margalla Hills of Islamabad, capital of Pakistan, the hypnotic Daman-e-Koh is one of the breath-taking and picturesque places of the Pakistan. The place is famous because it provides the visitors to take a stunning and panoramic view of whole Islamabad City in a single glance. The visitor can take a stunning view of Faisal Mosque and Seventh Avenue.

Data Darbar

The sacred Data Darbar Complex, which is actually the shrine of Hazrat Ali Hajvery(Data Gunj Bux) is the most talked about and phenomenal feature of Bhati Gate, Lahore. This place attracts millions of pilgrims and devotees every year, who come here in search of benediction and blessings. On special occasions, the shrine is decorated with lights, dinner is prepared for hundreds of people and visitors dance while musicians play Sufi music and Qawwalis for hours.

See also: BHATI GATE: THE GEM OF WALLED CITY OF LAHORE

Deosai National Park

The second highest plateau of the world is spread over an area of 1200 Sq Mi. and it is located in the Astore district of the Gilgit Baltistan province of Pakistan. The territory is known as Deosai National Park, the land of giants which remains a snow-bound bailiwick in the chilling winters. The trailblazers love to explore the heavenly and astounding plains of outlandish Deosai in summer when they are accessible. The land of giants comes across the western massif of the great Himalayas and the middlemost of the inordinate Karakoram.

See also: DEOSAI NATIONAL PARK: THE LAND OF GIANTS

The Derawar Fort

The amazing Derawar Fort is a fortified structure in Cholistan which is famous for the tourists for its magnificent location. This glorified fort stands erected with its amazing towers in the golden sand of Cholistan but some parts of Derawar Fort are decaying rapidly due to negligence of authorities.

See also: COLORS OF CHOLISTAN

Fairy Meadows

The attractive Fairy Meadows is a lush green plateau, at 3300 m, offering a breath taking view of Majestic Nanga Parbat (The Killer Mountain). Many people have called it the “Heaven on Earth”. These lush, green meadows and forests lie at the base of Nanga Parbat at the western edge of the Himalayan range in Pakistan. Fairy Meadows is a very peaceful and relaxing place to enjoy the mountain atmosphere and hospitality of the local people. Fairy Meadows is in the heart of exotic Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan, It is located at the base of Nanga Parbat, which, at 8126 m, is the 9th highest mountain in the world and second in Pakistan after K2.

Shah Faisal Mosque of Islamabad

The eye-popping Shah Faisal Mosque, nestled at the foot of the Margalla Hills, Islamabad is one of Asia’s largest and reflects an eclectic blend of ultramodern and traditional architectural design styles. Topped by sloping roofs (a stark contrast to the traditional domes found on most mosques), the main prayer hall and courtyard is said to hold around 100,000 people. Most of its cost (pegged at about US$120 million today) was a gift from King Faisal of Saudi Arabia. The mausoleum of the late President, Zia ul-Haq, is adjacent to the mosque.

The Clock Tower of Faisalabad

The Faisalabad Clock Tower is also a prime example of British architecture which is locally known as Ghanta Gharor Clock tower of Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan. Faisalabad Clock Tower was erected in the period of the British Raj over the undivided Indian Sub Continent by the British. This monument which is the most prominent historic monument of the second largest industrial city of Pakistan is preserved in its original form till today.

Read in detail : CLOCK TOWER OF FAISALABAD, PAKISTAN

Fort Munro

The engaging Fort Munro also known as Tuman Leghari , is a hill station, located at a height of 6,470 feet above sea level in Dera Ghazi Khan. It attracts many people for short stays during the hot summer. It is around 85 kilometres from Dera Ghazi Khan city, Punjab, Pakistan and about 185 kilometres from Multan in Sulaiman Mountain range.

Food Street by the Fort

The mouth-watering Fort Road Food Street is a food street located on the Fort Road, Lahore. The food street is famous for its authentic Lahori food. It is located near the Roshnai Gate in the Walled City of Lahore, from where views of the Badshahi Mosque and the historic district of Lahore can be seen. (Source: Wikipedia)

The Frere Hall of Karachi

The resplendent Frere Hall is one of the many remnant buildings of the British colonial era that still exist in Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan. Built in the Venetian Gothic style with yellowish Karachi limestone and red and grey sandstones from Jungshahi. Frere Hall, houses a library as well as a gallery full of paintings by Pakistan’s iconic artist Sadequain (home to the famous Sadequain mural called “Arz-o-Samawat”). The Hall is located between Abdullah Haroon Road (formerly Victoria Road) and Fatima Jinnah Road (formerly Bonus Road) in the middle of two lawns which extended till the roads.

See also: SADEQUAIN: THE MASTER OF CALLIGRAPHIC ART

Food Street at Gawalmandi

The exceptional Gawalmandi Food Street, Lahore is a centre of traditional Pakistani food. The site is surrounded by centuries-old buildings and places like landa bazaar, Mayo Hospital and Baansan-wala Bazaar. The food street is open to traffic in the morning but as the sun sets, the street is closed to motorized vehicles. Hungry visitors arrive and stay till very late at night, enjoying some of the best local food available in Lahore. The traditional Kashmiri-Persian architecture can still be seen, used extensively in buildings surrounding that place, as seen in the pictures below. (Source: Wikipedia)

Gondrani

The historic Gondrani is a unique place in the province of Balochistan ,Pakistan where traces of ancient cave civilizations are existed. It is popular with the name of Shehr-e-Roghan. This place is indeed a real archaeological treasure which is unfortunately hidden from the world. There is no exact information that who constructed these mysterious cave dwellings but one thing is for sure that this place is extremely fabulous. Some historians relate Shehr-e-Roghan with the Buddists of 7^th century AD. Shehr-e-Roghan of Gondrani is located at 18 KM north west of  Bela which was previously known as Lasbela.

See also SHEHR-E-ROGHAN OF BELA IN BALOCHISTAN

Gawadar

Gawadar district of Baluchistan, with its 600 kilometres long coast line and un-irrigated tracts of Kulanch and Dasht valleys, has always been an important chapter of Makran’s history. The newly constructed city Gawadar has the most speckles beaches in Pakistan. Attempts are underway to develop the city so that a large number of tourists are attracted. Gawadar bay is a haven for the beach lovers around.

See also: PRINCESS OF HOPE 

The Haleji Lake of Thatta

Haleji Lake is situated 70 kilometers (43 miles) from Karachi in District Thatta of Sindh, Pakistan. Being Asia’s largest bird sanctuary the lake is a paradise for bird lovers. Every winter between November to February thousands of migratory birds come from as far as Siberia to this lake to find refuge. It is regarded as one of the most important wintering areas of migratory waterfowl in Eurasia. Total area of Lake Haleji is about 19 kilometers (12 miles). The main water reservoir covers an area of 10.59 square kilometers (6.58 square miles) and maximum depth being 5.18 meters (17 feet).

See also DRIGH LAKE OF SINDH, PAKISTAN:A MAGNIFICENT WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

Harappa

The magnificent Harappa is one of the two sites of the Indus Valley Civilization. Harappa is located in the Punjab Province of Pakistan and the site lies some 35 kilometres southwest of Sahiwal. Harappa is the first site of the Indus Valley Civilization that was discovered in the 1920s. Harappa is located about 250 kilometres from Lahore. Harappais well connected by road and by train with the rest of the country by Sahiwal  and Lahore cities with a distance of 35 and 250 kilometers respectively. A tour to Harappa takes you close to one of the largest civilizations in the world.

Hindu Gymkhana of Karachi

The marvelous Hindu Gymkhana was the first public building in Karachi to boldly adopt the Mughal-Revival style. The building established in 1925, It is located at Sarwar Shaheed Road in Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan. The Hindu Gymkhanawas a club for the Hindu upper classes, who formed a strong commercial elite in Karachi in the years before Independence in 1947. Source – Wikipedia

The Hingol National Park

The interesting Hingol National Park covers about 610,043 ha, and is the largest National Park in Pakistan, lies on the Makran coast. The area was for the first time declared reservedin 1988. The park area covers parts of the three districts, namely; Lasbela, Gawader and Owaran of Baluchistan province containing a variety of topographical features and vegetation, varying from arid sub tropical forest in the north to arid montane in the west. Hingol is known to support threatened invertebrates in addition to a variety of bird species.

Jehangir’s Tomb

The tomb of Jehangir (Mughal Emperor who ruled from 1605 to 1627) is built inside the walled garden of Empress Noor Jehan Bagh-e-Dil Kusha at Shahdra, on the bank of Ravi in Lahore. His son Shah Jahan built the mausoleum 10 years after his father’s death. The tomb has state of the art architecture and is the finest ornament of historical Lahore also considered the most magnificent Mughal edifice after the Taj Mahal at Agra. The interior is embellished with floral frescos, delicate inlay work, pietra dura and brilliant marble intarsia of various colors.

Juniper Forest of Ziarat

A living fossils of Ziarat, Junipers forests, which are also found in Zarghoon mount and some other mounted areas of Balochistan and famous for being the second largest Juniper forest in the world, which covers an area of about 999.60 hectares. There are trees in the valley which are more than 5000 to 7000 years old. This is the second biosphere reserve in Pakistan with the first one being the Lal Sohanara National Park in Bahawalpur. The forest also contains a rich diversity of plant species of medicinal significance. When the snow falls in Ziarat during winter, the juniper valley is at its most beautiful.

The K2

The sensational base camp of K2 attracts climbers from all over the world who come with full equipment and logistics for this expedition. The trekking permits are obtained from the capital city Islamabad, from where the flights are available to Skardu in good weather conditions. By road, the base camp of K2 can be reached via the famous Karakorum Highway ( the old Silk Route ). K2 is no doubt a savage mountain due to its unpredictable and ruthless weather but this is also one of the most captivating natural wonders of the world.

See Also: K2 ( MOUNT GOODWIN AUSTIN ): THE SAVAGE MOUNTAIN

The Kalam Valley

The miraculous Kalam valley is known for its waterfalls, lakes and lush green hills, and is a 270 km drive from Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan. It is a popular destination for tourists. Kalam, is the most beautiful part of the Swat valley. The galaxy of about 150 hotels, land of waterfalls, lakes, pastures, site of hiking and glaciers, having all the latest facilities of the modren age. Surrounded by lush green mountains, covered with forests and vegetation, diverse and old cultural values to witness and above all, friendly and hospitable people. Strawberries are found everywhere in the forests of Kalam.

The Kelash Valley

The exquisite Kelash Valley is situated in District Chitral of province Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Three valleys are named Bumburet, Rumbur and Birir. These valleys are famous for Kelash people which are oldest tribe of South Asia and well known throughout the world for their unique culture, religion, language  festivals and way of living. These three valleys with these indigenous people are one of the main reasons for Chitral to be very famous for tourism. The language of Kelash people is Kalasha.

See also: COLORS OF KALASH: 5 LOVELY IMAGES OF BEAUTIFUL KALASH GIRLS

Karimabad

The splendid Karimabad is the capital of Hunza which offers an awe-inspiring view of Rakaposhi(7,788 meters). The snows of Rakaposhi glitter in the moonlight, producing an atmosphere at once ethereal and sublime. Karimabad is also known as Baltit. It is named after Prince Karim Aga Khan, the spiritual head of Shia IsmailiNizari community. The Guardian ranked it as the 12th Best Tourist Site in Pakistan.

See also: COLORS OF HUNZA: JUST MAGNIFICENT AND AWESOME

The Neelum Valley

19 kilometers journey from Sharda upstream takes one to Kel valley in Pakistani administered Kashmir. It is a small valley at a height of 2097 meters. This is another picturesque place in the Neelum Valley. The Shounter Nallah joins river Neelum at this place and leads to Gilgit Agency over the Shandur Pass (4420 meters above sea level). Buses ply daily on this route in good weather. It is advisable to hire a jeep from Authmuqam for a trip into the Valley. Horses and ponies can also be hired locally for travel to the interior of the Neelum Valley.

The Ketas Temple

The charismatic Ketas is a clump of old buildings situated on the road to Kallar Kahar near the town of Choa Saidan Shah in Pakistan. The site overlooks a shallow pond. Legends tell us that the pond was formed by the tears of Lord Shiva when his beloved wife Sati left this mortal world. Ketas is a short form of a Sanskrit word Ketaksha which means ‘Raining Eyes’. Thus, Ketas got its name from raining eyes of Shiva. However, the famous historian and Chinese pilgrim Hiuen Tsiang has mentioned this site with the name of Singhapura.

Read in detail: KETAS & THE POND OF TEARS

Khanaspur

The enthralling Khanspur is one of the tourist mountain resort towns of the Galyat area of Hazara region of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Khanspur is a settlement in the Ayubia area and is located in Abbottabad District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan.

The Salt Mines of Khewra

The Precambrian of Khewra salt mines is determined by the geologists as 600 million years.Khewra salt mines remained under the control of the local Janjua Rajas until these were taken over by the British government in 1849. Finally at the time of the partition of India, the mines were come under the authority of Pakistani government. Khewra Salt Mines are located at a distance of 160 km from Islamabad and 260 km from Lahore in Tehsil Pind Dadan Khan District Jhelum, Punjab. The whole area is famous as Salt range.

See in detail: KHEWRA SALT MINES OF JHELUM, PAKISTAN

The Khunjerab Pass

The tremendous Khunjerab Pass is 4,733 meters (15,528 feet) high, which is the highest border-crossing in the world. It is also the highest point on the Karakoram highway. On the Pakistani side, the pass is 42 km (26 mi) from the National Park station and checkpoint in Dih, 75 km (47 mi) from the customs and immigration post in Sost, 270 km (170 mi) from Gilgit, and 870 km (540 mi) from Islamabad. The long, relatively flat pass is often snow-covered during the winter season and as a consequence is generally closed from November 30 to May 1. (Source: Wikipedia)

The Kohala Bridge

The Kohala Bridge across the Jhelum River, a tributary of the Indus River, forms part of one of the land routes from the Azad Kashmir to the rest of Pakistan. Food place on a water stream, joining the Jhelum River near Kohala Bridge, is a popular tourist attraction. The bridge is located at the town of Kohala, 38 kilometres (24 mi) north of Murree and 35 km south of Muzaffarabad. Kohala is a place where caravans from Kashmir stayed after crossing Jhelum River and their horses and donkeys were tied there in antiquity.

The Lahore Fort

The remarkable Lahore Fort is locally known as Shahi Qila is one of the most popular tourist attractions of Lahore in Pakistan. The fort is located in the northwestern corner of Lahore, adjacent to the Walled City. Some of the famous sites worth seeing in the Shahi Qila are Sheesh Mahal, Alamgiri Gate, Naulakha pavilion, and Moti Masjid. The fort is 1,400 feet in length and 1,115 feet in width. The fort was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site along with the Shalimar Gardens in 1981.

The Lahore Museum

The matchless Lahore Museum, which was established in 1894 is an ideal place which showcases many historic items from the great Indo-Pak heritage and archaeology. The museum is located on the Mall, which is the most famous road of Lahore. The Museum displays archaeological material from pre-historic times to the Hindu Shahi period. It has one of the largest collections of archaeology, history, arts, fine arts, applied arts, ethnology, and craft objects in Pakistan. It also has an extensive collection of Hellenistic and Mughal coins. A photo gallery is dedicated to the emerging of Pakistan as a state.

Also see: THE ZAMZAMA GUN AT LAHORE MUSEUM

The Lahore Zoo

Near Bagh-i-Jinnah, Lahore, behind a large gateway adorned with a colourful animal mural, the wonderful Lahore Zoo is one of the oldest zoos on the subcontinent. It was founded in 1872 and includes a variety of bird species along with lions, elephants, monkeys, leopards, giraffes, tigers and more. It is currently managed by the Wildlife and Parks department of the Government of Pakistan. Today the zoo houses a collection of about 1380 animals of 136 species.

The Lulusar Lake

The unique Lulusar Lake is located approximately 48 kilometers away from Naran having an altitude of 10,910 feet (3,330 m). Lulusar lake is considered the largest source of the fresh waters of the River Kunharof the Kaghan valley. This lake is surrounded by huge and snowy mountain peaks those are also reflected in the clean and greenish blue waters of the Lulusar lake.

Read in detail: LULUSAR LAKE: THE SPARKLER OF KAGHAN VALLEY

The Leepa Valley

52. The stupefying Leepa Valley is located 45 kilometres (28 miles) from Muzaffarabad. A fair-weather road leads towards Leepa from Nail [about 45 kilometers (28 miles) from Muzaffarabad] which inclines over Reshian Gali 10500 feet (3200 meters) high and then it descends to 5500 feet (1677 meters) into the Leepa Valley. The valley has many wonderful touristic scenes. Leepa is the most fascinating and charming place for tourists in Azad Kashmir.

The Lok Virsa Museum of Islamabad

Lok Virsa Museum is situated in Islamabad, Pakistan. It displays the cultural heritage of Pakistani people. The living style of the different areas of Pakistan is exhibited here in statues, pictures, pottery, music and textile work. Lok Virsa is the finest cultural museum in Pakistan. Adjacent to the Lok Virsa Museum, the Lok Virsa Heritage Reference Library is well equipped with resource data on ethnography, anthropology, folk music, art, history and crafts. (Source: Wikipedia)

The Mahodand Valley

Mahodand valley, which lies in the north of Kalam, is famous not only among nature lovers, and escapists but also among trout fishers. The valley can be accessed through an un-metalled road from Kalam in a 4×4 vehicle. The road is bumpy and tricky, with small hamlets scattered in the mountains. The Mahodand Lake lies at the foothills of Hindu kush mountains at an elevation of (9,400 ft), surrounded by the lush green meadows, snow clad mountains and lush green dense forests, the banks of the mahodand lake serve as the camping site during the summers season for the visitors & trekkers.

See also: COLORS OF SWAT VALLEY: SO BRILLIANT, SO GLORIOUS

Makli

Located in the outskirts of Thatta, Makli is a huge burial complex spread over an area 10 Sq. KM consisting of shrines, tombs and graves of hundreds of sovereigns and regal personals, thousands of soldiers and scholars and countless others. Furthermore, according to an estimate over 125,000 saints are also believed to be buried here as well. The Makli Necropolis is situated on a raised ground so it is also known as Makli Hill.

Read in detail: MAKLI: THE LARGEST NECROPOLIS OF THE WORLD

Malam Jabba

The unbelievable Malam Jabba is situated 314 km from Islamabadand 51 km from Saidu Sharif Malam Jabba is surrounded by the incredible scenic views. This is truly a fairytale land filled with lush green meadows and amazing slopes. The fragrance of pine trees which are thickly grown here adds to the beauty of this area. The mighty peaks of the Hindu Kush mountains create a magical atmosphere in Malam Jabba.

Read in detail: MALAM JABBA SKI RESORT OF PAKISTAN

The Manchar Lake

The gigantic Lake Manchar is located at a distance of 18 kilometers from Sehwan Sharif on west side of the River Indus, in district Dadu, Sindh. It is the largest shallow and fresh water lake of Pakistan and one of the biggest of Asia. Water in the lake is collected by small water streams in Kirthar Mountains and empties into River Indus. The total area of lake varies between 350 square kilometers to 520 square kilometers with seasons. Lake Manchar and surrounding areas are great spots for spending a holiday. People from near and far areas come to visit this lake and enjoy boating and fishing.

The Margalla Hills

The Margalla Hills are also called as the ‘Margalla Mountain Range’ is a hill range part of the lesser Himalaya located north of Islamabad, Pakistan. Margalla Range has an area of 12,605 hectares. The hills are a part of Murree hills. It is a range with many valleys as well as high mountains. The plant species on Margalla hills belong to various families of trees, shrubs, herbs, climbers, grasses and fodder crops. The Margalla Hills are home to various species of wildlife, including monkeys, exotic birds and carnivores.

Mazar-e-Quaid

The largest city of the Pakistan, Karachi,is also the last resting place of the founder of this country, Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah. The place is famous as Mazar-e-Quaid in the local language, Urdu and it is also referred as Jinnah Mausoleum or the National Mausoleum which is located in the heart of Karachi. There are also the graves of Liaqat Ali Khan who was the first Prime Minister of Pakistan andFatima Jinnah ( Mother of the Nation ) who was the real sister of Mohammad Ali Jinnah in the vicinity of Mazar-e-Quaid, Karachi , Pakistan. Every year on the occasion of national importance, official and military ceremonies are conducted on this venue especially on 23 March, 14 August, 11 September and 25 December which are attended by the local as well as foreign VIP’s.

Read in detail: MAZAR-E-QUAID, KARACHI, PAKISTAN

Mehrgarh

The extraordinary ruins of Mehrgarh are located near the capital of the Kachi District Dadhar, which are one of the most important Neolithic(6500 BCE to c. 2500 BCE) sites in archaeology.  It lies on the Kacchi Plain of Balochistan, Pakistan. It is one of the earliest sites with evidence of farming and herding in South Asia. Mehrgarh is located near the Bolan Pass, to the west of the Indus River valley and between the Pakistani cities of Quetta, Kalat and Sibi. (Source: Wikipedia)

Minar-e-Pakistan

The peerless Minar-e-Pakistan is a monument which keeps tremendous significance in the political history of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. This tall and star shaped monument was constructed to commemorate the Pakistan Resolutionof 23^rd March , 1940 in Iqbal Park This impressive monument is situated in the most attractive area of Lahore which grabs the attention of the most of the visitors of this historic city.

Read in detail: MINAR-E-PAKISTAN: A MEMORIAL OF THE PAKISTAN RESOLUTION

The Mohatta Palace

It is a museum bestowed to the Pakistani arts which has become the center of creative activities and where tremendous collection of the antiquates are also displayed to showcase the marvelous history of the largest city of Pakistan.  Mohatta Palace, the pride of Karachi was constructed in 1927 by Shivratan Chandraratan Mohatta who was a renowned entrepreneur from Marwar. The structure comprises of nine domes with a spectacular central dome.

Read in detail: MOHATTA PALACE: THE PRIDE OF KARACHI

Mohenjodaro

The incomparable Mohenjodaro is the most ancient and best-preserved urban ruin on the Indian subcontinent, dating back to the beginning of the 3rd millennium BC, and exercised a considerable influence on the subsequent development of urbanization on the Indian peninsula. The archaeological site is located on the right bank of the Indus River, 400 km from Karachi, in Pakistan’s Sind Province. It flourished for about 800 years during the 3rd and 2nd millennia BC. Centre of the Indus Civilization, one of the largest in the Old World, this 5,000-year-old city is the earliest manifestation of urbanization in South Asia. Its urban planning surpasses that of many other sites of the oriental civilizations that were to follow. Of massive proportions, Mohenjodaro comprises two sectors: a stupa mound that rises in the western sector and, to the east, the lower city ruins spread out along the banks of the Indus.

Murree

Pakistan’s most popular hill station Murree is located along Islamabad-Kohala highway N75, some 30 km (19 mi) northeast of Pakistan’s capital Islamabad in the Himalayan foothills at 33 54′ 30″ north latitude and 73 26 east longitude as they ascend to the northeast towards Kashmir. For those who live downwards to it Murree is like a fantasy city. People from all over the country visit this beautiful hill resort to escape from the sweltering heat. Mountains covered with lush green trees, cold atmosphere, fresh air, beautiful valleys and most importantly clouds on the roads hugging you with full of happiness.

Muzaffarabad

The incredible Muzaffarabad is the capital of Azad Kashmir, Pakistan, situated at the confluence of the Jhelum and Neelum rivers. This city is located in Muzaffarabad District on the banks of the Jhelum and Neelum rivers. It is 138 kilometres from Rawalpindi and Islamabad and about 76 kilometres from Abbottabad. Muzaffarabad is also well known for its beautiful gardens, forests, valleys, river streams and mountains. It is a popular holiday spot in the country.

The Naltar Valley

The pleasing Naltar valley which is situated in Gilgit Baltistan, is a dense pine forest valley with magnificent landscapes and wildlife and is a true souvenir of nature to the inhabitants. Naltar is 40 km from Gilgit and can be reached by jeeps. The fauna of the Naltar valley contains exceptional wild life. The most famous is the Himalyan Yak and the amazing Golden Sparrow. This valley observes the average Rainfall of 410 millimeters per year that is why it is covered with thick woods of pine, spruces, rowan and juniper.

Read in detail: NALTAR VALLEY OF GILGIT BALTISTAN

The Nanga Parbat

For the climbers and mountaineers, the terrific Nanga Parbat is certainly a sensational destination that is no doubt monstrous in the sense of worlds the most dangerous summits. But for a naturalist, Nanga Parbat is a wonderful place to be visited once in a life. Nanga Parbat base is a half a day’s walk from fairy meadows and you follow the narrow path along the Raikot glacier and after turning the valley it is thought by the old hands to be the best view. This is the best view of this fantastic valley.

Read in detail: NANGA PARBAT : THE KILLER MOUNTAIN

Nankana Sahib

The prominent Nankana Sahib is a city and capital of Nankana Sahib District in the Punjab province of Pakistan. It is named after the first guru of the Sikhs, Guru Nanak. It is a popular pilgrimage site for Sikhs from all over the world. It is located about 80 kilometers south west of Lahore and about 75 kilometres east of Faisalabad. The development of Nankana Sahib, the birthplace of Guru Nanak in Pakistan is one of the numerous projects by Punjab Government. The work of development of Nankana Sahib Resort to host and entertain local and international visitors is almost complete.

The Naran Valley

The superb Naran valley is one of the most beautiful & picturesque valleys in Pakistani northern areas. The Naran Valley is accessible by road from Abbottabad. From Abbottabad, 72 km drive to Balakot, the gateway to Kaghan valley.  It is a place where you defiantly want to spend few days of your leisure. Naran has more than 100 hotels of various types ranging from high-end luxury hotels to very low priced motels.

Also read: DUDIPATSAR LAKE OF KAGHAN VALLEY, PAKISTAN

Nathiagali

The spectacular Nathiagali provides unspoiled natural beauty and breathtaking view of mountains. It is located at the doorsteps of 9779 feet Miranjani and 9258 feet Muskhpuri mountain. It is situated at equidistance of 35 kilometers from Murree as well as Abbottabad at an attitude of 8400 feet. There is quite large number of hotels and restaurants of various categories in the town along with rest houses of different departments. Other facilities like Banks, internet cafe, hospital, fuel station and workshops are available.

Noor Mahal

The fantastic Noor Palace or Noor Mahal was built on Italian construction style in Bahawalpur by Nawab Subah Sadiq the fourth who was well known for his construction passion in 1875. Noor Malahl comprises of an area of 44,600 square feet and it has 32 rooms including 14 in the basement, 6 verandas and 5 domes. Today Noor Mahal is under the possession of the Pakistan Army which is also open for general public and it is also declared as a protected monument by the Government of Pakistan’s Department of Archaeology.

Read in detail: NOOR MAHAL : THE GEM OF BAHAWALPUR

Patriata

The awful Patriata also known as New Murree is a hill station in northern Punjab, Pakistan. It is situated 15 km south-east of Murree hill. The hill station is a tourist location as the climate here is much cooler than further south. There is a chair lift and cable car system for going to the highest point. The area is heavily forested and there are many monkeys and leopards in the area.

The Peshawar Museum

The notable Peshawar Museum is a Museum situated in the historic city of Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, in Pakistan, which is renowned for its collection of Gandharan Art. The current collection has almost 14,000 items based on Gandhara, Greco-Buddhist, Kushan, Parthian and Indo-Scythian life. Its stunning gallery mainly consists of items displaying the culture and life of the major tribes of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, and the Kalasha Desh.

The Phandar Valley

The awesome Phandar Valley is situated 61 kilometers (38 miles) from the valley of Gupis, in District Ghizer of Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan. A twisting road passing through lush green fields and forests with a view of flowing river and icy peaks will lead you to this charming valley. From springs of crystal clear waters to lakes and rivers of deep blue water, there are all colors of nature’s beauty in Phandar Valley. The very first glance of this valley will eliminate all fatigue of journey and will reenergize you with its mesmerizing views. Peaceful deep blue waters of River Ghizer and surrounding lush green and golden fields are breathtaking.

Pir Chinasi

The bewildering Pir Chinasi is a tourist spot located 30 kilometers (19 mi) east of Muzaffarabad city on the top of hills at an elevation of 2,900 metres (9,500 ft). The mountain peak has gained large fame for its ziyarat of a famous Saint Pir. This place is also visited by tourists who can get a great view of Muzaffarabad and rural areas around the hidden city.

Pir Sohawa

The engrossing Pir Sohawa is a rapidly developing tourist resort located 17 kilometers (11 mi) from Islamabad on top of Margalla Hills. It has a 3000 plus ft elevation and located in Monal village which is geographically part of Haripur District.

The Qissa Khwani Bazaar of Peshawar

The Qissa / Kissa Khwani Bazaar or ‘Bazaar of The Story-tellers’ is a bazaar of Peshawar in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. It is the most famous and historic market of Peshawar. Tourists love to visit this place because it depicts the culture and tradition of the people of Peshawar. There are many old Inns in Qissa Khawani Bazaar. They provide the travelers and guests with delicious and tasty food and give them a relaxing place to live in and enjoy their journey in Peshawar. It has many colorful shops of fruits. It has many shops of Barbeque and the kababs, tikkas and chappal kababs are the very famous dishes of Peshawar.

See also: CHAPLI KEBAB OR CHAPPAL KABAB: A FATTY FOOD DELIGHT

Rakaposhi

Rakaposhi (Räkapoşi) is a mountain in the Karakoram mountai range in Pakistan. It is situated in the Nagar Valley approximately 100 km north of the city of Gilgit in the Gilgit District of the Gilgit–Baltistan province of Pakistan. The people of Nagar have dedicated the Rakaposhi range mountain area as a community park. It is a magical view point of this gorgeous mountain peak.

Also read: RUSH LAKE OF PAKISTAN: A PEARL OF KARAKORUM

The Ramkot Fort

The charming Ramkot Fort is an ancient fort situated in Azad Kashmir, Pakistan beside the Mangla Dam. It is accessible through boat, 13 kilometers away from Dina and 79 kilometers by road from Mirpur, Azad Kashmir to Dadyal village. The fort is a 30 minute walk from Dadyal.

The Ranikot Fort

The mysterious Ranikot Fort also known as Dewar-e-Sindh (Great Wall of Sindh), with a circumference of about 26 km or 16 miles, is reputed to be the largest unexplored fort in the world. Since 1993, it has been on the list of tentative UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It is located in the Kirthar Range, about 30 km southwest of Sann, in Jamshoro District, Sindh, Pakistan. The original purpose and architects of Ranikot Fort are unknown. Some archaeologists attribute it to Arabs, or possibly built by a Persian noble under the Abbasids by Imran Bin Musa Barmaki who was the Governor of Sindh in 836.

Samadhi of Ranjir Singh

The adorable Samadhi of Ranjit Singh is the mausoleum of the Sikh ruler Maharaja Ranjit Singh. It is located near the Lahore Fort and Badshahi Mosque in Lahore, Pakistan. Construction was started by his son, Kharak Singh on the spot where he was cremated, and was completed by his youngest son, Duleep Singh in 1848.

The Rawal Lake Dam

The captivating Rawal Lake / Dam is a very beautiful lake located in Islamabad Park Area. The lake is situated in the Margalla Hills National Park. A dam was built on this lake across Korang River in 1962 called Rawal Dam. It is an ideal place for picnic, fishing and boating. There is a terraced garden on the lake side. The highest point in the garden offers a great view of the lake, Margalla and Murree hills.

The Sacred Rock of Hunza

This sacred rock carving of Hunza in Pakistanis located on the left bank of the Hunza Riveron a hill top almost a mile away from Karimabad. This amazing cultural heritage is situated on the famous Karakorum Highway and it is a 200 yards long and 30 ft. The names and pictures of some of the Kushana emperors are also engraved on the sacred rocks of Hunza.

See in details: THE SACRED ROCK OF HUNZA IN PAKISTAN

The Rohtas Fort

The tempting Rohtas Fort is yet another masterpiece constructed by the great Afghan King who is known in the history as Sher Shah Suriand whose actual name was Farid Khan. The Rohtas Fort is a mega military architecture which is spread over a circumference of 4 kilometers. Rohtas fort was constructed in the Afghan-Persian architectural style. UNESCO declared the Rohtas Fort which is located in Jhelum, Punjab as the World Heritage Site in 1997.

Read in detail: ROHTAS FORT OF JHELUM, PAKISTAN

The Lake Saiful Muluk

The jewel of splendid valley of Kaghan is the majestic Lake Saiful Muluk which is located in the north of Kaghan. The crystal clear waters of this magical lake Saiful Muluk are fed by the fresh glaciers of the Malka Parbat Mountain. The unique thing is the greenish shade of the water of Lake Saful Muluk that occurs due to the lush green tops of surrounding mountains.

Read in detail: LAKE SAIFUL MULUK : THE JEWEL OF KAGHAN VALLEY

The Sandspit Beach of Karachi

The exotic Sandspit Beach is situated south west of Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan. It is a very famous tourist spot. The sea at Sandspit is very calm and quiet from October to March and very rough during the monsoon. Remarkable variety of marine life – algae and crabs are found here. The shallow water here is ideal for swimming and sunbathing.

The Satpara Lake

The bewitching Satpara Lake is a natural lake near Skardu, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan, which supplies water to Skardu Valley. It is fed by the Satpara Stream. Satpara Lake is situated at an elevation of 2,636 meters (8,650 ft) above sea level and is spread over an area of 2.5 km².

Sehwan Sharif

The holy Sehwan Sharif is a city located in Jamshoro District in the Sindh province of Pakistan. Sehwan town is of great antiquity and stands on the west bank of the Indus, 80 miles (130 km) north-west of Hyderabad (which is on the east bank). The city is known for its Sufi patron saint Hazrat Lal Shahbaz Qalandar who lived here in the 13th century. The famous mausoleum of Shahbaz Qalandar attracts hundreds of thousands of faithful every year.

The Tomb of Shah Rukn-e-Alam

The devotional Tomb of Shah Rukn-e-Alam is located in Multan, Punjab, which is the mausoleum of the Sufi saint Rukn-e-Alam. The tomb was built between 1320 and 1324 AD in the pre-Moghul architectural style. The tomb is on the tentative list as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The mausoleum has become an important site of pilgrimage.

Chitral

Chitral is one of the most beautiful, spectacular and famous places of Pakistan in the KPK province bordering Afghanistan and Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan at a distance of 365 kilometers from the Peshawar and 405 kilometers from the Gilgit city. Shahi Qila of Chitral is situated beside the Shahi Masjid of Chitral. This fort is definitely a place suitable for a kingly residence. Unfortunately, it is a private property and you’ll need to get special permission to visit it from inside.

The Shah Jahan Mosque

The Shah Jahan Mosque is located in Thatta, Sindh province, Pakistan. It was built during the reign of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. The mosque was built in 1647, during the reign of Mughal King Shah Jahan, as a gift to the people of Sindh for their hospitality. It has been on the tentative UNESCO World Heritage list since 1993.

Shakarparian

The alluring Shakarparian consists of a hill and a local park in Islamabad, Pakistan. Park is located near the Zero Point. The Pakistan Monumentis also located in the Shakarparian.

The Shalimar Gardens of Lahore

The fascinating Shalimar Gardens sometimes written as Shalamar Gardens, is a Mughal garden complex located in Lahore, Pakistan. Construction began in 1641 AD (1051 AH) and was completed the following year. The Shalimar Gardens are exactly located near Baghbanpura along the Grand Trunk Road some 5 kilometers northeast of the main Lahore city. The Shalimar Gardens are laid out in the form of an oblong parallelogram, surrounded by a high brick wall, which is famous for its intricate fretwork. This garden was made on the concept of Char Bhagh. Shalimar Gardens is included as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Read also: MELA CHIRAGHAN OF LAHORE: THE FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS

The Shandur Top of Chitral

The fetching Shandur Top, the roof of the world is one of the entrances to the splendid valley of Chitral in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. Shandur Top is world renowned pass which is located about 3740 meters above sea level exactly in the midway between Chitral and Gilgit and commonly known as “ The Roof of the World”. Covered with high snowy mountains in winter and lush green meadows in summer Shandur Top  is particularly known for its traditional Shandur Polo Festivalwhich is held annually in the month of July.

Read also: SHANDUR TOP: THE ROOF OF THE WORLD

Sharda Peeth

The enchanting Sharda Peeth temple of Neelam Valley is situated in the Pakistani administered Kashmir and this temple is located at a height of 11000 from the sea level and it is about 70 miles from Srinagar. The village, where the ancient Sharda Peeth temple of Neelam Valley, Pakistan is located is also named after this temple and is known as Sharda Village.

See details: THE ANCIENT SHARDA PEETH TEMPLE OF NEELAM VALLEY,PAKISTAN

Shogran

The lush green Shogran is only 10 km from Kiwai village and 34 km from Balakot in Kaghan valley. The road from Islamabad to Kiwai is metalled and measures 212 km. From Shogran, you can ride a jeep or horse or hike to several picturesque places like Siri, Paye and Makra Peak.

Also see: COLORS OF KAGHAN VALLEY: TRULY SPECTACULAR AND SENSATIONAL

The Shri Laxmi Narayan Mandir

The magnetic Shri Laxmi Narayan Mandir is a Hindu temple located in Karachi, Pakistan. According to the Pakistan Hindu Council, the temple was constructed around 200 years ago and is an important worshiping site for the Hindus of the local community. Narayan Mandir is located under the Native Jetty Bridge, a landmark in Karachi, in the Sindh province of Pakistan.

Takht Bhai

The enticing Takht Bhai or Takht Bahi is a Parthian archaeological site in Mardan, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. It was first a Zoroastrian complex which, after the later arrival of Buddhism, was then converted into a Buddhist monastic complex. It is dated to the 1st century BCE. The complex is regarded by archaeologists as being particularly representative of the architecture of Buddhist monastic centers from its era. It was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980.

Taxila

The mythical Taxila, located in the Rawalpindi district of Pakistan’s Punjab province, is a vast serial site that includes a Mesolithic cave and the archaeological remains of four early settlement sites, Buddhist monasteries, and a Muslim mosque and madrassa. Situated strategically on a branch of the Silk Road that linked China to the West, Taxila reached its apogee between the 1st and 5th centuries. It is now one of the most important archaeological sites in Asia.

Thandiani

The provocative Thandiani (literally meaning ‘Very Cold’) is a hill station in the Galyat area of Pakistan. Thandiani is characterized by excellent weather and lush greenery in the summer months, and snow-covered vistas and hills in the winter. It is about 31 kilometres from Abbottabad city in the foothills of the Himalayas.

Tilla Jogian

Tilla Jogian is the highest peak in the Eastern Salt Range in Punjab, Pakistan. At 975 meters (3200 ft) above sea level, it is about 25 km to the west of Jhelum city and 10 km west of the model village of Khukha\. The view from the top of Tilla is highly rewarding. Tilla Jogian comprises a complex of Hindu mandirs housing at least three baths and a network of waterworks with at least two minor dams.

Tirich Mir

The glamorous Tirich Mir is the highest mountain of the Hindu Kush range, and the highest mountain in the world outside of the Himalayas-Karakoram range, located in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. The last village in Chitral before reaching Tirich Mir is Village Tirich. It is located in Mulkow. Tirich Mir overlooks Chitral town, and can be easily seen from the main bazaar. It can also be seen from Afghanistan.

The Trango Towers

The great Trango Towers of Pakistanare across the Baltoro Glacier and are deemed to be the most arduous vertical falls for climbers. These towers featuring spiky elevations are surrounded by Lupsand tower, Uhli Beaho Tower, Muztagh Tower Biange Tower and Paiyu Peak. Trango are comprised of of three main summits, all over 6000 meters. The highest of them is the summit of Great Trango Tower, 6,286 m (20,608 ft).

Read in detail: THE GREAT TRANGO TOWERS OF PAKISTAN

Uch Sharif

The spiritual Uchor Uch Sharif is 73 kilometres (45 mi) from Bahawalpur in Bahawalpur District, South Punjab, Pakistan. Uch is an important historical city, having been founded by Alexander the Great. Formerly located at the confluence of the Indus and Chenab rivers, it is now 100 kilometres (62 mi) from that confluence, which has moved to Mithankot.  Uch Sharif contains the tombs of Bibi Jawindi, Baha’al-Halim, Ustad Nuriya and Jalaluddin Bukhari which are considered masterpieces of Islamic architecture and are on the UNESCO World Heritage Site tentative list.

The Walled City of Lahore

The extraordinary Walled City of Lahore, also known as the “Old City“, or “Androon Shehr” is the section of Lahore, Punjab in Pakistan, that was fortified by a city wall during the Mughal era. It is located in the northwestern part of the city. Walled City of Lahore had 13 gates. There are many havelis inside the Walled City of Lahore, some in good condition while others need urgent attention. Many of these havlis are fine examples of Mughal and Sikh Architecture.

The Wazir Khan Mosque

The memorable Wazir Khan Mosque of Lahore is truly admired as epitome of architectural excellence. The majestic building reflects the gorgeous culture of the region. The phenomenal calligraphic work and the amazing floral patterns are just magnificent. Wazir Khan Mosque of Lahore is located in the walled city ( ancient Lahore ) and it can be accessible through the momentous Delhi Gate.

Read in detail: WAZIR KHAN MOSQUE OF LAHORE

Quaid-e-Azam Residency

One of the most notable tourist destinations in Balochistan, Pakistanis the Quaid-e-Azam Residency which is located in Ziarat and it is a fabulous tourist resort in Balochistan. The Quaid-e-Azam Residency of Ziarat has the important distinction that Muhammad Ali Jinnah spent his last 70 days of life over here.  The Quaid-e-Azam Residency is today declared as a national monument.

Read in detail: QUAID-E-AZAM RESIDENCY IN ZIARAT, BALOCHISTAN:A SYMBOLIC BUILDING