Tourist Attractions of Pakistan

Pakistan is a destination of special interest for travelers and tourists. Its main attractions include adventure tourism in the Northern Areas, cultural and archaeological tourism as found at Taxila, Moenjodaro, Harappa, Swat, along the Karakoram Highway and early Muslim and Mughal heritage of Multan, Lahore, Thatta and Peshawar. From the mighty Karakorams in the North to the vast alluvial delta of the Indus River in the South, Pakistan remains a land of high adventure and nature. Trekking, mountaineering, white water rafting, wild boar hunting, mountain and desert jeep, Camel and Yak safaris, trout fishing and bird watching, are among the few activities that entice the adventure and nature lovers to Pakistan.  

A tourist attraction is a place of interest where tourists visit. Some examples include historical places, monuments, zoos, museums and art galleries, botanical gardens, buildings and structures (e.g., castles, libraries, former prisons, skyscrapers, bridges), national parks and forests, theme parks and carnivals, ethnic enclave communities, historic trains and cultural events. Many tourist attractions are also landmarks.  

Pakistan's land of unique tourist attractions.

The Karakoram Highway has provided a great opportunity for international travelers to explore the unspoiled natural beauty, unique culture and traditions of northern Pakistan and other Silk Route destinations. The 805 km long Karakoram Highway spreads through mountains and valleys and is surrounded by towering snow-capped peaks.

Northern areas of Pakistan extend across 72,496 square kilometers and are as fascinating as its southern region. Amidst towering snow-clad peaks with heights varying from 1000 meters to higher than 8000 meters, the valleys of Gilgit, Hunza and Skardu bring to mind Shangri-La. The cultural patterns in this region are as interesting as its topography. Nowhere in the world is there such a great concentration of high mountains, peaks, glaciers and passes except in Pakistan. Of the 14 mountains higher than 8000 meters on earth, four occupy an amphitheater at the head of Baltoro glacier in the Karakoram range. These are K-2 (8,611 meters, the world's second highest), Gasherbrum I (8,068 meters) and Gasherbrum II (8,035 meters) and Nanga Parbat (8126 m) at the western-most end of the Himalayas.

Pakistan is endowed with a rich and varied flora and fauna. The Himalayas, Karakorams and Hindukush intertwine with alpine meadows and a permanent snow line, coniferous forests down the sub-mountain scrub, the vast Indus plain merging into the great desert, the coast line and the wetlands Each offers a remarkably rich variety of vegetation and associated wildlife including avifauna, both endemic and migratory. Ten of 18 mammalian orders are represented in Pakistan with species ranging from the world's smallest surviving mammals, the Mediterranean Pigmy shrew and one of the largest mammals ever known: the blue whale.

The Indus Valley Civilization was at its peak till the middle of the second millennium BC. Moenjodaro was once a metropolis of great importance, forming part of the Indus Valley Civilization together with Harrappa, Kot Diji and recently discovered in Mehr Garh. Moenjodaro is considered one of the most spectacular ancient cities of the world. It had mud-baked brick buildings, and elaborately covered drain system a larger state granary, a spacious pillared hall, a College of Priests, a palace and a citadel. Harrappa, another major city of the Indus Valley Civilization, was surrounded by a massive brick wall fortification. The Kot Diji culture is marked by well-made pottery and houses built out of mud bricks on stone foundations.

Gandhara had once been a hallowed center of Buddhism, the cradle of the world famous Gandhara sculpture, culture and learning. The archaeological remains found in Taxila, Peshawar, Charsadda, Takht Bhai, Swat Valley, and rock carvings and inscriptions along the ancient Silk Route have well documented the history of Gandhara. Taxila, the main center of Gandhara, is more than 3,000 years old, and it attracted the attention of the great conqueror, Alexander the Great in 327 BC. Taxila, Peshawar and Swat became renowned centers of learning, philosophy, art and trade. Pilgrims and travelers from as far as Korea, China and Japan were attracted to Gandhara.

Pakistan is a treasure trove of Muslim architecture.

Lahore, the cultural heart of Pakistan is situated along the bank of Ravi River. The city was conquered by Babur of Ferghana (now Uzbekistan), the founder of the Mughal dynasty (1524-1764). All the important monuments of Lahore like the Royal Fort, Badshahi Mosque, Wazir Khan's Mosque, tombs of Jahangir, Asif Khan, Noor Jehan and Anarkali, the Shalimar Gardens and Hiran Minar etc. were constructed during this period.

Pakistan has well defined seasons that suit tourists from all regions of the world. A wide range of accommodations from modern well-equipped hotel chains to rest houses, comfortable road travel within the country, a comfortable atmosphere traditional culinary delights, are added attractions that combine with the warmth and simplicity of its people. Pakistan is a destination full of adventure and enjoyment. The wide variety of landscapes and climates in Pakistan allows for a wide variety of wild animals and birds. The forests range from coniferous alpine and subalpine trees such as spruce, pine, and deodar cedar in the northern mountains to deciduous trees such as the mulberry-type Shisham in the Sulaiman range in the south. The western hills have juniper and tamarisk as well as coarse grasses and scrub plants. Along the coast are mangrove forests which form much of the coastal wetlands.

In the south, there are crocodiles in the murky waters at the mouth of the Indus River whilst on the banks of the river, there are boars, deer, porcupines, and small rodents. In the sandy scrublands of central Pakistan are found jackals, hyenas, wild cats, panthers, and leopards while the clear blue skies abound with hawks, falcons, and eagles. In the southwestern deserts are rare Asiatic cheetahs. In the northern mountains are a variety of endangered animals including Marco Polo sheep, Urial sheep, Markhor and Ibex goats, black and brown Himalayan bears, and the rare Snow Leopard. During August 2006, Pakistan donated an orphaned snow leopard cub called Leo to USA. Another rare species is the blind Indus River Dolphin of which there are believed to be about 1,000 remaining, protected in two major sanctuaries. In recent years the number of wild animals being killed for fur and leather trading led to a new law banning the hunting of wild animals and birds and the establishment of several wildlife sanctuaries and game reserves.