TOURISM PAKISTAN

The State of Azad Kashmir (Liberated Kashmir), is part of the Pakistani administered section of the state of Jammu and Kashmir, along with the Northern Areas; its official name is Azad Jammu and Kashmir. It covers an area of 13,300 km² (5,135 mi²), with its capital at Muzaffarabad, and has an estimated population of almost 4 million people. Azad Kashmir has been considered politically, constitutionally and geographically as part of a separate state, i.e. Jammu & Kashmir . The said state is disputed territory and has been controlled by both Pakistan and India, since their independence, 14 / 15th August 1947, respectively. Azad Kashmir is under the indirect control of Pakistan and its area is known as Azad Jammu & Kashmir. Its defence, foreign policy and currency are the matters, which are under the direct control of Pakistan. Consequently, the financial matter, i.e. budget and tax affairs have been dealt with Azad Jammu & Kashmir Council, instead of Central Board of Revenue

Capital of Baltistan is perched 2,438 metres above sea level in the backdrop of the great peaks of the Karakoram mountain range. Baltistan is known as the "Tibet-e-Khurd" or Little Tibet since its life-style reflects that of the roof of the World and Land of Lamas.It borders on the Chinese province of Xinjiang and Indian-occupied Kashmir. Places to Visit Apart from its incomparable cluster of mountain peaks and glaciers Baltistan's five valleys - Shigar, Skardu, Khaplu, Rondu and Kharmang are noted for their luscious peaches, apricots, apples and pears. Shigar valley, 32 kms by jeep from Skardu is the gateway to the mountain peaks of the Karakorams. Skardu has a historic Fort atop a ridge known as the Mindoq-Khar or Castle of Queen Mindoq and three lovely lakes. The two - Kachura Lake 29 kms and Stapra Lake 8 kms from Sakrdu are ideal for fishing. Deosai Plains: The Deosai Plains are 32 km south of Skardu. This plateau is the habitat of the greatly threatened Himalayan Br

Kaghan valley is one of the prime tourist attractions of Pakistan. Stretched over 160 km, it is abound with snow-clad mountains, flowery meadows, enchanting lakes, and dense forests. With so much to offer, it provides an exhilarating experience; seeked after by thousands of tourists who flock the valley each year. The altitude of the valley ranges from 3000 ft above sea level to it's peak height of 13,690 ft at Babusar Pass. The principle river is the Kunar River which originates from the 11,300 ft Lulusar Lake. Apart from the scenic beauties on offer, the valley is also an attraction for Trout fishing, albeit with a permit. Journey time from the rest of the country to Gilgit and the Northern Areas can be reduced by as much as 4 hours if travelled via Kaghan valley via Babusar instead of the Karakuram Highway via Kohistan. Public transport on this route, however, is scarce and expensive. The valley is reachable from Abbottabad and Mansehra via the Karakuram Highway until it forks o

The Chitral Valley at an elevation of 1,128 metres, is favourite with mountaineers, anglers, hunters, hikers, naturalists and anthropologists. The 7,705 metres Trichmir, the highest peak of the Hindukush range, dominates this 322 kms long exotic valley. Location Chitral district has Afghanistan on its north, south and west. A narrow strip of Afghan territory, Wakhan, separates it from Tajikistan. The tourist season in Chitral is from June to September. The maximum temperature in June is 35 C and the minimum 19 C. In September the maximum is 24 C and minimum 8C. Attractions Kalash Valleys One of the major attractions of Chitral are the Kalash valleys - the home of the Kafir-Kalash or "Wearers of the Black Robes", a primitive pagan tribe. Their ancestry is enveloped in mystery and is the subject of controversy. A legend says that five soldiers of the legions of Alexander of Macedonia settled in Chitral and are the progenitors of the Kafir-Kalash.Over 3,000-strong Kafir-Ka

At an elevation of 1,454 metres lies the Gilgit Valley. The quaint little town of Gilgit has spectacular scenic beauty. The peak tourist season is from May to mid-October though the tourist season is round the year. The maximum temperature in May is 33 C and minimum 16 C. In September, Maximum 28 C and minimum 11C. Places of Interests: 10 kms from Gilgit town is a beautiful rock engraving of Buddha of 7th century A.D.at the mouth of the Kargah Nullah. A victory monument of Taj Mughal, built 700 years ago, is 30 kms. Jeep drive from Gilgit town. The bridge over the fast flowing Gilgit river is the largest suspension bridge in Asia (182 metres long and 2 metres wide) permitting enough room for one jeep at a time to cross. Activities in the area: The favourite sport in Gilgit is polo which local folks claim originated here. It's more rugged, free-style version than the sedate variety known in the plains. The polo tournament held from 1st November to 7th November is a festive occasion

The Lush-green valley of Swat, with its rushing torrents, icy-cold lakes, fruit-laden orchards and flower-decked slopes is ideal for holiday-makers intent on relaxation. It has a rich historical past, too. This is "Udayana" (the "Garden") of the ancient Hindu epics; "the land of enthralling beauty" where Alexander of Macedonia fought and won some of his major battles before crossing over to the plains of Pakistan. This is "the valley of the hanging chains" described by the famous Chinese pilgrim-chroniclers, Huain Tsang and Fa-Hian in the fifth and sixth centuries. Swat was once the cradle of Buddhism of all its schools- Little Vehicle, Great Vehicle and the Esoteric sects where once 1,400 monasteries flourished. It was the home of the famous Gandhara School of Sculpture which was an expression of Graeco-Roman form in the local Buddhist tradition. Swat was also the historical land where the Muslim conquerors, Mahmud of Ghazni, Babur and Akbar fo

Northern Areas of Pakistan, spread over 72,496 sq. km are as fascinating as its southern region. Amidst towering snow-clad peaks with heights varying from 1,000 m to 8,000 meters, the regions of Gilgit, Hunza, Baltistan and Shangri-La. The cultural patterns of these regions are as interesting as its geography. The people with typical costumes, folk dances, music and sports like polo and buzkashi, provide the traveller an unforgettable experience. Out of 14 over 8,000 meters high peaks on earth, 4 occupy an amphitheater at the head of Baltoro glacier in the Karakoram range in Northern Pakistan. These are; K-2 or Mount Godowin Austin (8,611 m, world's second highest), Gasherbrum-I (8,068 m), Broad Peak (8,047 m) and Gasherbrum-II (8,035 m). There is yet another which is equally great, Nanga Parbat (8,126 m), located at the western most end of the Himalayas. In addition to these mountains, there are 68 peaks over 7,000 m and hundreds others of over 6,000 meters. The Northern Pakistan

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Gwadar is located on the southwestern coast of Pakistan, on the Arabian Sea. It is strategically located between three increasingly important regions: the oil-rich Middle East, heavily populated Pakistan and the economically emerging and resource-laden region of Central Asia. The Gwadar Port was built on a turnkey basis by China and signifies an enlarging Chinese footprint in a critically important area. Opened in spring 2007 by then Pakistani military ruler General Pervez Musharraf, in the presence of Chinese Communications Minister Li Shenglin, Gwadar Port is now being expanded into a naval base with Chinese technical and financial assistance. Gwadar Port became operational in 2008, with the first ship to dock bringing 52000 tonnes of wheat from Canada. Minister of Ports and Shipping Sardar Nabil Ahmed Khan Gabol officially inaugurated the port on 21 December 2008. China has acknowledged that Gwadar’s strategic value is no less than that of the Karakoram Highway, which helped cement

Jhelum or Jehlum is a city in northern Punjab Province, Jhelum District, Pakistan. Jhelum lies on the right bank of the Jhelum River. The 16th-century Grand Trunk Road passes through the city. According to the 1998 census of Pakistan the population of Jhelum was 293,000.The name of the city is derived from the words Jal (pure water) and Ham (snow), as the river that flows through the river originates in the Himalayas.There are numbers of industry in and around Jhelum city. Major industries include a tobacco factory, wood, marbel, glass and flour mills. History Jhelum is near the site of the famous Battle of the Hydaspes between the armies of Alexander the Great and Raja Porus This battle took place a few miles downstream from the city centre, along the river banks. The city was founded to commemorate the death of Alexander's horse, Bucephalus, and was originally called Bucephala. Nearby there is also the historic 16th century Rohtas Fort and Tilla Jogian. The main market area of th

Sahiwal is a growing city in the southeastern province of Punjab province of Pakistan and the administrative centre of Sahiwal District. Sahiwal has become a division headquarters in 2008. The districts of Okara and Pakpattan are under Sahiwal division. This city was a small village on the Karachi-Lahore railway line in 1865 when it was renamed Montgomery after Sir Robert Montgomery, then Lieutenant-Governor of Punjab. It took its current name in 1966. Sahiwal lies approximately 180 km from the major city of Lahore. And it is the biggest city between Lahore and Multan. The population is 207,388 (1998 Pakistan Census. Sahiwal District is included in the former Multan Division and lies between 30-39 north latitude and 73-06 longitude. The people of Sahiwal are known as Sahiwalians. Climate The climate of Sahiwal district is extreme, reaching 52 °C in summer, and down to -5 °C in winter. The soil of the district is very fertile. The average rainfall is about 2000 mm. Industry Sahiwal'

Taxila is an important archaeological site in the Punjab province of Pakistan. It dates back to the Ancient Indian period and contains the ruins of the Gandhāran city of Takshashila (also Takkasila or Taxila) an important Vedic/Hindu and Buddhist centre of learning from the 6th century BCE to the 5th century CE. In 1980, Taxila was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site with multiple locations. Historically, Taxila lay at the crossroads of three major trade routes: the royal highway from the north-western route through Bactria, and (Peshawar); and the route from Kashmir and Central Asia, via Śrinigar, Mansehra, and the Haripur valley across the Khunjerab pass to the Silk Road. Taxila is situated about 32 km to the north-west of Islamabad Capital Territory—and Rawalpindi in Punjab—just off the Grand Trunk Road. Its elevation above the sea-level is 549 meters. Present day Taxila is one of the seven Tehsils (sub-district) of Rawalpindi District. It is spread over an undulating land in the

Sialkot is the capital of Sialkot District, is a city situated in the north-east of the Punjab province in Pakistan at the feet of the snow-covered peaks of Kashmir near the Chenab river. Formerly, Sialkot has been the winter-capital of the State of Kashmir. The city is about 125 km (78 mi) north-west of Lahore and only a few kilometres from Jammu in India. Geography and Climate: Lying between 32°30′ North latitude and 74°31′ East longitude at an altitude of 256 m above sea level, Sialkot is bounded on the north by Jammu, north-west by Gujrat, on the west by Gujranwala and on the south by Narowal. The Chenab river flows on the northern side of Sialkot. There are three small seasonal streams flowing through the city, Aik, Bher and Palkhu. Sialkot is cold during winters and hot and humid during summers. May and June are the hottest months. The temperature during winter may drop to 0°C. The land is, generally, plain and fertile. Most of the rain falls during the Monsoon season in summer w

Gujranwala is a city in Punjab, Pakistan with a population of 1,132,509 (1998 census).Gujranwala is located at 32.16° North, 74.18° East and is 226 metres (744 feet) above sea-level. With a population of over 1.1 million Gujranwala is the seventh largest city in Pakistan, and is one of Pakistan's most industrialised cities. It borders with Ghakhar Mandi and some small towns and villages. Punjabi is the local language, however English and Urdu are also common, particularly in schools and offices, as is the case in almost all of Pakistan. Transport Gujranwala Railway Station The Gujranwala Railway Station was Built by the British before the independence of Pakistan. It is situated on the Grand Trunk Road in the middle of the city. Highway Highway and river transportation. It has a dry port for the export of local products to the rest of the world. The nearest airport are the Allama Iqbal International Airport Lahore -80 km, and Sialkot International Airport, Sialkot- 40 km. Education

Faislabad is a city located in the province of Punjab, Pakistan. It was formerly known as Lyallpur. Faisalabad is the third largest city in Pakistan after Karachi and Lahore with an estimated 2006 population of 2.6 million (city proper). The entire district had a population of about 5.4 million in 1998. It is an important industrial centre located in the Punjab province, west of Lahore. The city-district of Faisalabad is bound on the north by the districts of Gujranwala and Sheikhupura, on the east by Sahiwal, on the south by Toba Tek Singh and on the west by Jhang. Its located 1135Km from Karachi, 128 km from Lahore, 350 km from Islamabad/Rawalpindi, 187 km from Burewala and 70 km from Jhang. The city (formerly known as Lyallpur) is at a road and railway junction, which has played an influential role in the development of Faisalabad's trade and economy. The city lies in an area watered by the Lower Chenab River which has expanded the production of cotton, wheat, vegetables, and fr

Once the capital of the Sind province, Hyderabad, today, is the second largest city in Sind. The city was founded in 1768 by Ghulam Shah Kalhora, the ruler of Sind. The city derived its name from Haidar Ali, the son-in-law of Prophet Mohammed(PBUH). After the Kalhoras, the city came under the reign of Talpur rulers, who were at the helm till 1843. Later, Hyderabad came under the British, who shifted the capital to Karachi. If there is one thing that Hyderabad is quite popular for, is the Shahi Bazaar, which is the longest bazaar in Asia. The bazaar is a wonderful experience to get a feel of local life in Hyderabad. For a shopping enthusiast, Shahi Bazzar is an exciting experience as you get a different item at every corner of the bazzar. Interestingly, it is quite amazing, as you don't know what new thing you may come across at the next shop. It is just fun all the way at Shahi Bazaar. Some of the items that you can shop for include local handicrafts, glass tiles, ornamented silk i

Murree is one of the largest resort towns in the Galyat area of Pakistan, and is the capital city of Murree Tehsil (which is an administrative division of the Rawalpindi District). It is situated on the southern slopes of the Western Himalayan foothills as they ascend to the northeast towards Kashmir. During British Rule in the nineteenth century, its altitude was established at 7,000 feet (2,100 m), but its actual altitude has now been determined as 2,300 m (7,500 ft) above sea level. Murree acessible by road from the centre of the Islamabad and Rawalpindi areas. It is still associated with Britain; many British fruits (including cherries, raspberries and strawberries) thrive locally. There is a church, built in 1857, located at the centre of the town, which is still used as a place of worship. Many houses around the church are still standing, functioning mostly as hotels. Old traditional restaurants have been replaced by fast food shops and newer restaurants. Some old places of accom

Rawalpindi, Islamabad's Twin City, is located in North East Pakistan and has a population of 1,406,214. It occupies the site of an old village inhabited by the Rawals, a tribe of Yogis. A railroad junction and an important industrial and commercial center, the city has an oil refinery, gasworks, an iron foundry, railroad yards, a brewery, sawmills, and factories making tents, textiles, hosiery, pottery, and leather goods. Sikhs settled the area in 1765 and invited nearby traders to live in Rawalpindi. Rawalpindi city, also known as Pindi, has a history spread over several millenniums extending to the ancient times corresponding with the decaying period of Buddhism to the invasions of the Macedonians and then to the dawn of the Muslims era. The long spells of darkness overcast the history of the religion as well as the city before Muslims conquest. Archaeologists believe that a distinct culture flourished on this plateau as far back as 3000 years. The material remains found on the s

Quetta is the capital of Baluchistan. Quetta lies at the altitude of 1,675 meters. It is a small city of about 1 Million people. It is one of the few planned cities of Pakistan. The pleasantly tree-lined streets of Quetta are all rebuilt after the earthquake of 1935, The city offers little historical interest Except the Museum at Toghi Road which houses the artifacts from Mahargarh 9000 years old village culture of Pakistan, though the food and goods on sale in the bazaars give it a certain Central Asian feel and a reason to see it. Afghan refugees have brought with them fresh crafts like the distinctive Hazara rugs, to add to such traditional items as Balouch mirror work, wooden crafts from Sind & Punjab and many other merchandise from Iran & Afghanistan. Quetta Sukkur 400 KMs (9 Hours ) An excellent trip through the Bolan pass. On the way you can see many nomad camps and coal mines. The ruggedness of Sulemanki mountains is Just beyond description. after Bolan pass road is rat