Mount K2
Also referred as Mount Godwin Austin, K2 is the world's second tallest mountain and roof top of the world. The view from the mountain is absolutely breathe taking making you feel in a paradise. The mountain is also the most challenging compared to the world's tallest Mount Everist. A Hollywood movie K2, based on a play written by Patrick Meyers and presented as a senior-thesis at Stanford University, was also shot at this fabulous location.
Karakoram Highway
Part of the historic silk route which connect Europe to Asia, Karakoram highway is highest paved international road in the world. The road is also called the Eight Wonder of the World as it was built after carving several mountains on its route. The road connects Pakistan to China through the Khunerjab Pass at an elevation of 4693 meters. Its construction began in 1959 during Ayub Khan tenure and was completed in 1979 and open to the public in 1986. About 810 Pakistanis and 200 Chinese workers lost their lives, mostly in landslides and falls, while building the highway. The Chinese workers who died during the construction are buried in the Chinese cemetery in Gilgit. There are several touristic sites along the highway including uprising memorial, baltit fort, ganish village, kharpochu fort, ashoka rocks, queen victoria monument, mir's palace, fong khar, lake saif ul mulk, buddha carved rocks, khaplu palace, italian K2 museum and illyasi mosque.
Baltit Fort
The impressive Baltit Fort is located in Karimabad in Hunza Valley of Pakistan. The foundations of the fort date back to 700 years ago, with rebuilds and alterations over the centuries. In the 16th century the local prince married a princess from Baltistan who brought master Balti craftsmen to renovate the building as part of her dowry. The architectural style is a clear indication of buddhist Tibetan influence in Baltistan at the time. Following a survey by the Royal Geographical Society of London a restoration programme was initiated that was supported by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture Historic Cities Support Programme. The programme was completed in 1996 and the fort is now a museum run by the Baltit Heritage Trust.
Taxila
It is an archaelogical site near Islamabad. The city dates back to the Gandhara period and contains the ruins of the Gandhāran city of Takṣaśilā which was an important Buddhist centre, and is still considered a place of religious and historical sanctity in those traditions. In 1980, Taxila was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site with multiple locations. In 2006 it was ranked as the top tourist destination in Pakistan by The Guardian newspaper. By some accounts, Taxila was considered to be amongst the earliest universities in the world. Others do not consider it a university in the modern sense, in that the teachers living there may not have had official membership of particular colleges, and there did not seem to have existed purpose-built lecture halls and residential quarters in Takshashila, in contrast to the later Nalanda University. The Taxila Museum is also worth a visit.
Khyber Pass
It
is a mountain pass connecting Afghanistan and Pakistan, cutting through the northeastern part of the Spin Ghar mountains. An integral part of the ancient Silk Road, it is one of the oldest known passes in the world. Throughout history it has been an important trade route between Central Asia and South Asia and a strategic military location. The summit of the pass is 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) inside Pakistan at Landi Kotal. For strategic reasons, after the First World War the British built a heavily engineered railway through the Pass. The Khyber Pass Railway from Jamrud, near Peshawar, to the Afghan border near Landi Kotal was opened in 1925.
During World War II concrete "dragon’s teeth" (tank obstacles) were erected on the valley floor due to British fears of a German tank invasion of British India (India and Pakistan). The pass has a reputation in the country as a gateway to gun culture and drugs. Currently the pass is a major route for supply of military armament to NATO troops in landlocked Afghanistan. Khyber train safari is a tourist train that runs through the pasa from Peshawer to Landi Kotal.
Gurdwara Panja Sahib
Situated in Hasan Abdal. Gurdwara Panja Sahib is one of Sikh's most holiest places. The palace has a rock believed to have the hand print of Guru Nanak imprinted on it. Several Sikhs pilgrims from around the world mainly UK and Indian state of Punjab visit Hasan Abdal twice a year to perform their religious rituals.
Khewra Salt Mine
Khewra Salt Mine is the world's second largest salt mine and also a major tourist attraction in Pakistan drawing upto 250,000 tourists every year. Visitors are taken into the mine on a train. There are numerous pools of salty water inside. The Badshahi Mosque was built in the mining tunnels with multi-colored salt bricks about fifty years ago. Other artistic carvings in the mine include a replica of Minar-e-Pakistan, a statue of Allama Iqbal, an accumulation of crystals that form the name of Muhammad in Urdu script, a model of the Great Wall of China and another of the Mall Road of Murree. In 2003 two phases of development of tourist facilities and attractions were carried out, at a total cost of 9 million rupees. A clinical ward with 20 beds was established in 2007 for the treatment of asthma and other respiratory diseases using salt therapy.
The Lahore Fort
Also called Shahi Qilla, the Lahore Fort is the citadel of the city of Lahore built by Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb between 1556-1605. The fort is located inside Lahore Wall City which also house other palaces including Sheesh Mahal (the palace of mirrors) and Sikhs Gurdwara. In 1981, the fort was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site along with the Shalimar Gardens.The origins of Lahore Fort are obscure and are traditionally based on various myths. However, during the excavation carried out in 1959 by the Department of Archaeology, in front of Diwan-e-Aam, a gold coin of Mahmood of Ghazni dated AH 416 (1025 AD) was found at a depth of 7.62 metres from the level of the lawns. Replicas of the Lahore Fort are also built in China and United Arab Emirates to represent Pakistan Pavillion.
Shalimar Gardens
Built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in Lahore in 1641 AD, Shalimar Gardens is a huge Royal Garden built on main Grand Trunk Road. The garden is 658 meters north to south and 258 meters east to west. In 1981, Shalimar Gardens was included as a UNESCO World Heritage Site along with the Lahore Fort, under the UNESCO Convention concerning the protection of the world's cultural and natural heritage sites in 1972. The are three terraces in the garden named Bestower of Pleasure, Bestower of Goodness and Bestower of life. From this basin and from the canal rise 410 fountains, which discharge into wide marble pools.It is a credit to the creativity of Mughal engineers that even today scientists are unable to fully comprehend the water systems and thermal engineering from architectural blueprints.
Badshahi Mosque
Also called 'Royal Mosque' built by the sixth Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb in 1671 and completed in 1673. Badshahi Mosque is the second largest mosque in Pakistan and South Asia and the fifth largest mosque in the world. Epitomising the beauty, passion and grandeur of the Mughal era, it is Lahore's most famous landmark and a major tourist attraction. Capable of accommodating 55,000 worshippers in its main prayer hall and a further 95,000 in its courtyard and porticoes, it remained the largest mosque in the world from 1673 to 1986 (a period of 313 years), when overtaken in size by the completion of the Faisal Mosque in Islamabad. Today, it remains the second largest mosque in Pakistan and South Asia and the fifth largest mosque in the world after the Masjid al-Haram (Grand Mosque) of Mecca, the Al-Masjid al-Nabawi (Prophet's Mosque) in Medina, the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca and the Faisal Mosque in Islamabad. Four minarets of the Badshahi Mosque are 13.9 ft (4.2 m) taller than those of the Taj Mahal and the main platform of the Taj Mahal can fit inside the 278,784 sq ft (25,899.9 m2) courtyard of the Badshahi Mosque, which is the largest mosque courtyard in the world.
Minar-e-Pakistan
Also called the Eiffel tower of Pakistan, Minar-e-Pakistan is the most recognizable landmark of Lahore built to commemorate creation of Pakistan. The tower rises about 62 meters, the total height of minaret is about 92 meters above the ground. The unfolding petals of the flower-like base are 9 meters high. The diameter of the tower is about 9.75 meters. The rostrum is built of patterned tiles, and faces the Badshahi Mosque. The base comprises four platforms. To symbolise humble beginnings of the freedom struggle, first platform is built with uncut Taxila stones, second platform is made of hammer-dressed stones, whereas third platform is of chiselled stones. Polished white marble at the fourth and final platform depicts the success of the Pakistan Movement. Today, the monument provides a panoramic view to visitors who can climb up the stairs or through an elevator. The park around the monument include marble fountains and an artificial lake.
Jinnah Library
Built during British Raj, the Jinnah Library building is almost the replica of Washington's famous White House. The home of US President. The library is situated inside Bagh-e-Jinnah (also called Lawrence Gardens) which is located next to Lahore Zoo and Governor's House on The Mall Road. Other attractions in the garden includes a Botanical Garden and Masjid Dar-ul-Islam. There are also entertainment and sports facilities within the park including an open-air theatre, a restaurant, tennis courts and the Gymkhana Cricket Ground.
Wagah Border
It is the road border crossing between Pakistan and India. It is particularly known for the Wagah border ceremony that happens at the border gate before sunset each day.
Nankana Sahib
Noor Mahal
Located in Bahawalpur
Rukn-e-Alam Mausoleum
Located in Multan
Pakistan Truck Art
Dont miss out following lakes in Northern Pakistan:
Lake Saif ul Mulk
Banjosa Lake
Satpara Lake
Aansoo Lake
Attabad Lake
Pakistan's most Recognizable Landmarks to the World (Part 1 of 2 covering North Pakistan)
Port Grand is an extensive food street and entertainment complex located at Port of Karachi near Native Jetty Bridge in downtown Karachi. It has a pedestrian friendly pier, housing different restaurants on one side and views of Karachi Harbor on the other side. The center of the attraction is 150 years old Banyan tree and an iconic tavern building known as the Napier’s tavern that sits at the edge of the Napier Mole Bridge. The Port Grand also has shops, port bazaar, bookstore, florist, Art lane, 6D Cinema, ATMs and a Hindu temple. You can also take boat ride from here to the adjoining creek for Rs. 500. There is an entry fee of Rs. 300 per person out of which Rs. 200 is redeemable at different food outlets and shops inside the facility. Entry fee is waived for Saffron and UBL card holders, selected university students, children below 12 years and adults above 65 years. Some restaurants also offer free entry on advanced reservation. Also entrance is "strictly for families & couples" and single males are not allowed inside except for Wednesday evenings. Opens daily from 6:00PM to Mid night, the facility is accessible from M.T. Khan Road for visitors coming via cars/taxis and from Jinnah Bridge for visitors coming through buses. Parking is free with a complimentary valet service.
Located in Pakistan's tallest building The Ocean tower in Clifton, is one of the brand new malls of the city. It is home to Farids, one of the country's most sophisticated retail shop which houses popular brands such as Liberty books, United Mobile, Scentsation, Pharmacy, MARS Currency Exchange, Mong Chow, OPTP etc all under one roof. It also has a wide-ranging Grocery Section that houses everything including gluten free food, soy milk, organic fruit and vegetables, diet and low fat food, pro-biotics and a fresh deli selection (catered by the best restaurateurs in town) and the famed Rahat Bakery. Other famous shops in the mall include Bonanza, BabyShop, Ego and Krude. The mall is also home to several restaurants including Turkey's most famous Solen Istanbul, Cafe Zouk and Shoko latte. Cinepax Movie Complex and Children's Play Area are located on fourth floor of the mall.
Dolmen Mall is the place to shop in Karachi, especially if you're looking for big shopping malls and high street designer boutiques. There are currently 3 Dolmen Malls in Karachi at Clifton, Tariq Road and Hyderi. Each is equipped with big and budget brands, an indoor kids theme park and huge floor dedicated to food. The Clifton Dolmen Mall is the largest of all and is also featured on CNN news report. The mall is home to Debenhams, HBL Smart Branch with cash deposit machine, a huge Carrefour hyper market (locally called Hyperstar), Toni&Guy salon and the country's largest Sindbad (the kids amusement park). Wall Street Money Exchange company is also located inside Hyperstar in the mall.
Nueplex is Pakistan's largest Cinema Complex located inside The Place at Khayaban-e-Shaheen, DHA Phase VIII (Opposite Creek Vistas Apartments). The complex has five theatre halls – 270 seats in cinema 1, 360 seats in cinema 2, 275 seats in cinema 3, 148 seats in cinema 4 and cinema 5, which is a luxury cinema, has 48 seats.
