Are you planning a crazy tour, one that will fill your mind and soul for the rest of your life? Are you tired of traveling to different places around the world and seeing the same kind of culture in the cities? Well, it’s time you give Pakistan a chance.
We know you might be wondering “What Pakistan? Is that safe? What’s over there? Is it worth the money and the effort?” To answer these questions, we’ve compiled a list of enough reasons that will convince you to travel to Pakistan.
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It’s different, it’s raw and genuine.
Pakistan is one of those few countries where different ethnicities, languages, and religions live together and that too in their raw form. It’s not westernized like the rest of the world. When you do travel to Pakistan, you’ll see most of the people in their cultural dresses and you’ll notice how they change as you travel to different parts of the country.
Witness the Indigenous Kalasha Tribe.
This is an expansion of the previous point as it proves how raw some of the cultures are in Pakistan. Kalasha tribe are people of unique culture, traditions, and religion. According to some theorists, they are the descendants of Alexander the Great. They live in the Chitral valley and their culture has been declared by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Today they are only 4000 of them left but recent governments have provided them protection and privileges to preserve their cultural heritage. Their annual festival known as the “Chillum Joshi” festival brings thousands of foreigners from around the world and is a thing to watch. When visiting Pakistan, you must see this phenomenal culture.
It’s safe.
Pakistan is not only safe for tourists; its people are one of the most welcoming. Not only will they invite you to their homes, but they’ll also assist you with any problem that you may encounter. The hospitality of Pakistani’s is one of the many reasons for traveling to Pakistan.
Besides this, the government will also provide you a few police guards, if you ask them. Thereby, ensuring your safety. The fact that so many foreign travelers, even female travelers, are solo traveling the country on their bikes is proof that this country is safe.
You can Witness the Shandur Festival.
Not far from the Kalasha people, in the same district, you’ll find the highest polo ground on Earth. Shandur polo ground has been hosting polo festivals for centuries. It’s such a site to see and be at, that you should consider going there if you visit Pakistan. You’ll stay in hotels with the most breath-taking views and feel the Enjoy the Natural Beauty of North Pakistan.like serenity. This is one of the places to see when visiting Pakistan.
Enjoy the Natural Beauty of North Pakistan.
Although this point can become a whole book because there are so many places to see in Pakistan’s northern areas. So, for the sake of the article, we’re going to summarize it. The north can be divided into three parts, Kashmir, Gilgit Baltistan, and KPK. Although only a quarter of Kashmir is in Pakistan, yet this part is peaceful and you’ll find some of the most jaw-dropping landscapes here like Arrang Kel, Taobat and Ratti Galli lake and many more. In KPK the Swat district, known as mini Switzerland. It used to be a princely state and still contains the royal houses. Besides this, this region has other valleys like the Kumrat and Naran.
Then last but not least is the province of Gilgit Baltistan, which contains so many must-visit places of which a few are the Deosai plains, Shangri La Lake, Fairy Meadows, and Concordia, where the three highest mountain ranges meet. Hunza Valley in Gilgit Baltistan is a whole other chapter.
Enjoy the Amazing Highways of the country.
Pakistan is connected by some of the most well build highways that pass through all kinds of beautiful landscapes. Pakistan is home to the 2500 years old silk route and the 500 years old Grand Trunk road. However, the recent governments have laid a mesh of motorways through the central part of the country to allow uninterrupted journey with rest and service stations at intervals.
The Karakorum highway is known as the highest road in the world and oversees some of the best sights in the country. Similarly, the Mehran Coastal highway passes through the coastal as well as dry areas of Sindh and Baluchistan.
Enjoy Pakistan´s Ancient History & Architecture.
This land was once home to pagan societies that were isolated from the world and vanished over time without leaving any account of their existence except for their architecture. Some of these are the Gandhara Civilization, Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa civilization. Their remains were found much later and therefore no account of their history is present. However, their remains are worth a visit.
Similarly, this region was also home to the earliest Hindu and Buddhist civilizations. Therefore, their temples and statues, dating as far as 2500 years can be found in a different part of the country. One of these is the Katasraj Temple in Chakwal district, which according to Hindu Mythology was dedicated to Lord Shiva. It’s a sight of impressive ancient architecture built around a lake and a Buddhist stupa. It’s one of the most impressive places to see when visiting Pakistan.
Admire The Magnificent Mughal Architecture.
The Mughals ruled this region for over three centuries and built some of the most magnificent forts, palaces, mosques, and parks. This region became the richest under their rule and became a hub of architecture, paintings, literature, music, and trade. While most of their belongings are in India, Pakistan still has enough that attracts tourists from all over the world.
These palaces and parks were not only built by the Kings but also by their nawabs in different regions of the country. The Lahore Fort, Badshahi Mosque and Shalimar Gardens are some of the places to see in Pakistan.
Visit The birthplace of the Sikhism.
The founder of Sikh Religion Baba Guru Nanak was born in Nankana Sahib near Lahore and started preaching his religion there. He spent his last years in Kartarpur near the Narowal district. Therefore, these two are regarded as the holiest places in the Sikh religion. Whereas other gurdwaras are present throughout the country notably the panja sahib and Gurwara Dera Sahib, which also houses the Samadhi of the ruler Raja Ranjit Singh who took this region from the stronghold of the Mughals.
Today the followers of the Sikh religion live in Pakistan with peace and freedom. This you’ll instantly notice on your visit to Pakistan.
Appreciate the British Architecture.
The British ruled the subcontinent for over two centuries and developed this region in terms of administration, education, and infrastructure. They were the ones to bring railways into this region and to this day it’s the only railway track functioning in Pakistan. They built schools, hospitals, Churches, and offices in every district of the country. Their bridges still survive to this day and they connected some of the remotest areas with the cities. Making their rest houses everywhere as they went, which are used by the public even today.
Admire the other Impressive Architectural Sites of Pakistan.
This includes the Minaret of Pakistan in Lahore, the Faisal Mosque in Islamabad and the tomb of Quaid in Karachi. Fort Derawer in southern Punjab and Rani Kot fort in the Sindh region are more than a thousand years old sites and therefore are worth a visit. However, they are in quite a dilapidated state. Fort Derawer also hosts the Cholistan desert Jeep Rally which has become an The tourist destinations of the country are not full…yet.for tourists from all over the world. These must on your list of places to see in Pakistan.
The tourist destinations of the country are not full…yet.
If you’re a traveler, you’ve probably been disappointed by a historical or natural site that is so filled with people that you can’t take a picture. Therefore, you’ve vowed to not visit places that are flocking with tourists all the time. Since it’s a less-traveled country than others, its history, as well as natural, sites, are not as busy as in other countries. You can sit in peace at these places and enjoy the serenity or you can make a vlog without any disturbance.
Pakistan is still Affordable.
Pakistan is quite affordable and it’s one of the most important reasons for traveling to Pakistan. You can dine and stay at its best restaurants and hotels without breaking your wallet. This is probably because its best restaurants are Desi, middle-class restaurants, not five-star western restaurants. If you’re visiting a country like Pakistan, why would you even have the same western type of food? However, in case you do feel like going to Burger King, McDonald or Papa John’s, you’ll find them all over the country and they too won’t break your bank.
Taste the exquisite cuisine of Pakistan.
Pakistani food is just too good. If you’ve known anything about Indian food, you’ve heard about Biryani. Karachi is home to some of the best Biryani houses in the world, whereas in Punjab and KPK you’ll find more Pulao than Biryani. Pulao is also as Yummy as Biryani, even better for those who don’t like spicy food. If you get to visit Peshawar, try Shinwari Pulao at university road. Baluchistan has its Sajji, which is rice with grilled beef, mutton, and sometimes chicken. Karahi is probably the best dish in all of Pakistan and is served throughout the country with different variants.
Of course, how can we forget Tikka Botti, all desi’s love Tikka Botti and you can find it in different variants throughout the country as well. A couple of unique dishes that we would like you to try would be Chapli Kabab in Nowshera and chap Shoro in Hunza valley. These are just some of the places to visit in Pakistan.
Listen to the different genres of Local Pakistani Music.
Pakistan is home to some of the biggest names in the music industry. Legends of qawwali like Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Ustad Ghulam Ali and Ustad Amanat Ali Khan have made a name for themselves that will never be forgotten in the history of Indian Subcontinent. However, music, literature, and dance were always at the heart of this region. Although it was greatly influenced by Sufi folklore.
The origins of the music instrument Rabab are in the Pushto speaking areas of Pakistan whereas other local instruments include Dhol, Sitar, and Sagar Veena. Today pop-culture is transforming it quite rapidly but even that is quite soothing to hear. The new generation of musicians is making a new name for itself around the world, sometimes in Urdu, Sindhi, and Pushto but mostly Punjabi.
Sufi shrines.
Being an amalgamation of different religions, sects, and cultures, it would’ve been impossible for all of them to exist together if it was not for the Sufis. These saints preached love, harmony, and inclusion which garnered feelings of brotherhood and tolerance among people of all religions and cultures. Their teachings and message of love for one another have been recorded in books. However, devotees gather to their beautifully constructed shrines every day. Famous ones among these are Data Gunj Baksh in Lahore, Shah Rukh-e-Alam in Multan, Baba Bhulley shah in Kasur and Lal Shehbaz Qalander in Sehwan Shareef. If you want to see raw culture and traditions, then these are some of the places to see in Pakistan.
Walk and discover The Local Bazars and Handicrafts.
The local bazaars are just so amazing, and you must have at least one experience of walking through them when you travel to Pakistan. Even though the cities have progressed a lot, every district has ancient bazaars with thing streets. The architecture in these bazaars especially the balcony’s are worth the view. The Qisa khwani Bazaar in Peshawer, the Raja Bazaar in Rawal Pindi and the Anarkali Bazar are estimated to be around 500 years old. You’ll find hand made crockery, furniture, toys and clothes with beautiful and traditional embroideries. If you visit these places, try buying one of these as a souvenir with you; the Ajrak, Peshawari topi, Sindhi Topi, Khusa (a type of shoe) or Peshawari Sandals.
Taste the sweet dishes of the Pakistani cuisine.
Desi people love their sweet dishes either be it Gulab Jamun, Ladu or the different kinds of Halwa. If you’re a foreigner, let us save you some trouble by warning you to not have too much of these because they are too sweet. Sweets like Jalebi, Gulab Jamuns, Barfi, and Kheer are found everywhere. However, if you do get a chance, try Sohan Halwa from Multan, Gulab Jamun from Sharakpur or Falooda from Kasur. Also, Pakistani’s love having Halwa Puri as a breakfast on Sundays. Do try that out as well, if you happen to visit Pakistan.
Visit the Diverse Topography and tribal culture of Baluchistan.
Baluchistan contains everything from dry plains to green fields, from deserts to hill stations, and from canyons to beautiful beaches. Ziarat, a beautiful hill station in the north of Quetta, is one of the most recommended and visited places in Baluchistan. The downside, however, is that there’s so much more to this province than just this one place. We would encourage you to visit is the Hangoi National Park, instead and see some of the most exotic mountains and blue waters along with Pakistan’s national animal, Marcher. Mulla Chatook is a must-visit place in this region.
In the south of this park, you’ll find a tall statue, named “The Princess of Hope” by Angeline Jolie and an Egyptian Sphinx like structure beside it. Nobody knows when and how they were made and by whom, but some estimates they came into being due to climate change as well as heavy winds blowing from the Arabian sea.
Visit the coastal beauty and the beaches of Pakistan.
By now you might think Pakistan is all about mountains and plans but not beaches and islands. Well, that’s where you’re wrong because Pakistan has 900 km of coastal areas that are just filled with beauty and serenity. The recently developed port of Gwadar is attracting tourists at an alarming pace whereas the beaches of Karachi have always been a tourist attraction. There are abundance and variety of fishes in these areas. You’ll also find restaurants cooking them in their traditional manner.
A recent discovery is that of Astola Island, an uninhabited and less visited island filled with mesmerizing landscapes. This is one of the best places to see in Pakistan.
Help millions of people overcome poverty.
No matter which part of the country you go to, you will find love and hospitality, but you’ll also notice poverty everywhere. Although people are not dying of hunger, their source of income is very low. Women are found working in the fields throughout Punjab, but their incomes are still too low to support their families. Some of the reasons for such poverty are lack of education, resources and the know-how of doing business in the modern age. Hundreds of NGOs are working to educate the children, the adults, and the entrepreneurs so they could earn a good living for themselves and thereby provide jobs and opportunities for others. If you want to contribute towards society, you should visit Pakistan and find how you can help the community or government here.
We hope these are enough reasons to get anyone off their couch and visit Pakistan. Such an amalgamation of history, culture and natural beauty is hard to find anywhere else. That too at such an affordable cost. If your still not sure about visiting Pakistan, then known that this will be the journey that will connect you to your soul.
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Wonderful Reasons for Visiting Pakistan
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