Most Popular Places to Visit in Pakistan

Most popular touristic places to visit in Pakistan including all the provinces and the  territories.

When going to a new country or deciding to have a holiday within your own country one must shortlist know where he/she want to go. One can’t travel the whole country in limited days of our holidays so we have to pick and choose. The distance between Karachi to Khunjerab Pass (Mountain) is 2143 km. It takes approximately 23h 43m to drive from Karachi to Khunjerab Pass.

If you have wanted to come to Pakistan or finally decided to explore your own beautiful country – Pakistan, here are some tips and list of popular places to get you started.

What should you know about Pakistan?

Before diving to the places to visit in Pakistan lets get a general idea of what the country is like.

• Pakistan is stretched from the Arabian Sea (part of Indian Ocean) in South to the Himalayas in the North.
• Its elongated geography makes it easy to travel between regions.
• Most people know or understand English language especially in cities, town and touristic spot.
• Online payment is not available throughout the country and people prefer cash. ATMs and money exchangers are present in all major cities.
• Reservations are not confirmed until the some amount of payment has been received. (If you reserve/book a room in a hotel, make sure to call ahead before reaching the hotel to confirm availability of rooms. As most operate on first come first serve basis).
• Flights can be booked online and at the airport. Keep a copy of the ticket or show reservations on phone to enter the airport. All major cities have airports.
• Trains and Buses are commonly used to go between major cities and town and villages. But renting cars with drivers is an option.

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Pakistan is divided in four province, a capital city and two autonomous territories. All of these areas have beautiful places to visit.

• Islamabad is the capital city.

The four provinces include;

• Punjab
• KPK
• Sindh
• Balochistan

The two territories are:

• Gilgit Baltistan
• Azad Jammu Kashmir

Places to Visit in Pakistan:

Here are few of the most popular places to visit with Pakistan’s different provinces and territories.

Islamabad

Faisal Mosque

Islamabad is the capital of Pakistan. It is a planned city and is lined on one side with the Margallas and is located between KPK and Punjab Province. Rawalpindi is its twin city due to its proximity and connectedness. Islamabad has many sightseeing places including Faisal Mosque, Pakistan Monument, National Meusum, Lok Virsa, etc. But it also a central point to many places in its surrounding including Murree, Nathiagali, Taxila, Khanpur Dam, and many more.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK)

Ushu Valley – Swat Valley

• Swat Valley: Swat is a beautiful and historical valley in Pakistan, which is often referred to as the Switzerland of Pakistan. In lower Swat, the basin is broad, the fields on each side of the river are full of Wheat and Lucerne, and the towns are flourishing and enclosed by fruit trees. In Upper Swat, the river falls through pine forests edging in by snow-capped mountains. Swat presents several hundred archaeological places spanning 5,000 years of history.
• Naran Valley: Naran Kaghan is without a doubt is the most peaceful place on earth. The Kaghan region has some of the most beautiful lakes including Saif ul Muluk Lake, mountains, hilly areas, Meadows, rivers and streams, and the most amazing Lulusar- Dudipatsar National Park.
• Chitral: Chitral is a beautiful valley in the Hindukush range of Mountains. It has always been a very important route for many invaders to southeast Asia. At the end of the bazaar on the right (Riverside) there is the Chitral Fort and Palace of Mehtar (Mir Or King), In front of the Fort is the Jami Mosque of Chitral an impressive architecture with beautiful inlays and decorations. You can get to Chitral from Peshawar or Swat via Dir through the Lowari tunnel. Kalash Valley in Chitral is a popular for the Hindu Kush community known as Kalasha and their festivities.

Gilgit Baltistan

K2

Gilgit Baltistan is located along the China Pakistan border. Gilgit-Baltistan is famous for five of its  “eight-thousanders” and to more than fifty peaks above 7,000 metres (23,000 ft). it has a mountainous terrain.

• K2 and the Karakoram: The Karakoram is known for the highest mountains and K2 attracts many adventure seekers to visit.
• Hunza and Nagar Valley: Hunza and Nagar Valleys are both located in north most region of Pakistan. The region is popular among tourists due to its historical forts, glaciers, rivers, lakes, streams and its terrace villages.
• Skardu: Skardu is capital of tourism in Pakistan. It is a must see spots among people coming to Pakistan. It is staring point to many other valleys including the K2 region.
• Deosai: Deosai National Park is a habitant for the brown bears and snow leopard population in the region.
• Phander Valley: Phander valley is known for its bluish green river, green plains and peace and quiet. The region attract few tourists specially people who want to spend quiet time outside crowded areas.

Punjab

Punjab is the most populous province in Pakistan. It has remained an important area through out the history and thus has a rich history and vibrant culture.

• Lahore: Lahore is historical city. Mughal era building and architecture are popular sights and so is the cuisine and the culture. Famous places to see are;
  • Badshahi Mosque
  • Shahlimar Garden
  • Old Lahore (Delhi Gate)
  • Minar e Pakistan
  • Wazir Khan Mosque
  • Wagha Border
• Bahawalpur: Bahawalpur City was once a self-governing city state under Nawabs of Bahawalpur. The Nawabs constructed beautiful Mahals (Palaces) and many other such structures which still today are as fabulous as were in its heydays.
• Multan: Multan is known as the City of Saints. It has a long history of Muslim saints coming to the city to learn and preach Islam. The Saint Mausoleums and shrines are beautifully constructed with blue tiles which are called Kashikari and is a very popular art form of the city. Pottery and pots are to this day still made and adorned with Kashikari.

Azad Kashmir

Valleys of Kashmir are located alongside rivers and lakes and are mountainous and lush green. The weather is pleasant during the summer and is a perfect getaway. Muzaffarabad is the capital city.

• Neelum Valley: is the most popular destination among tourist as the valley has many lakes and lush green valleys. Ratti Gali Lake, Chitha Katha Lake, Leepa Valley, ArangKel, Taobat, etc.
• Mirpur: Mirpur Division has beautiful sites such as Ramkot Fort, Mangla Dam; which is the largest Dam in Paksitan, Saarda Point, Gulpur Waterfall and many more.
• Banjosa Lake, Toli Peer, Ganga Choti are located in Poocnh Valley.

Sindh 

Shah Jahan Mosque

• Karachi: Karachi is the former capital of Pakistan and the biggest metropolitan in the country. It is jammed packed with people and the bazars are always crowded. Located on the Arabian sea it has huge coast line. Some popular places to visit in Karachi are Mazar –e- Quaid, Mohatta palace, beaches, and areas just outside the main city. Food including Nihari, Sindhu Biryani and variety of Sea Food are very popular.
• Mohenje-daro: One of the earliest civilisations of the world is believed to be started in Sindh. Mohenjo-daro’s ruin is wealth of things to see and explore, for travel and history buffs.
• Thatta: Thatta is a city situated about 100 kilometres from Karachi, with a great historical importance and now, famous for its archaeological sites and centuries old monuments. One of the most famous site is Shah Jahan Mosque. The Shah Jahan Mosque, also known as the Jamia Masjid of Thatta, is a 17th century building that serves as the central mosque for the city of Thatta. Another then this Makli Necropolis resting place of nobles and saints,
• Ranikot Fort, Jamshoro: Also know as the “Great Wall of Sindh’, this fort is an unanswered riddle because no one knows who originally built the fort and for what purpose. It is also one of the largest forts in the world and for the sheer majesty of its fortification, this place is a must visit.

Balochistan

Makran – Balochistan

Balochistan is famous for its fruits, dry fruits and its serene untouched beaches. Gwadar the newly constructed Port has increased the influx of tourist from across the country to the beaches and the National Park.

• Quetta: Quetta is the Capital of Balochistan province and Quetta is one of the most significant and historic cities in Pakistan. The Hazarganji Chiltan National Park, Hanna Lake
• Hingol National Park: Hingol national park stretches out to approximately 1,650 km and is one of the largest national parks of Pakistan. It lies on the Makran coast in Balochistan and is situated about 190 km from Karachi. The coast line and the Mud Mountains give the region an out of the world look. It is gaining popularity among people who are looking for unique travel experience.
• Ziarat: Ziarat is a beautiful city and is famous for the Quaid-e-Azam Residency – also known as Ziarat Residency – is one of the most widely visited national monuments in Pakistan. The city is surrounded with Juniper forests and has cooler weather. In winters people from around the region visit to experience snowfall cover junipers tree which is a magical sight.