The best places to visit in Pakistan - Asia - 2020

The Best Places to Visit in Pakistan - Asia - 2020

Home to a multitude of landscapes, Pakistan has mountains and rivers for the adventurous, archaeological sites for the curious and unspoilt beaches for those who want to escape the crowds. In a country with so many options to choose from, here are some of the best places to visit in Pakistan.

Gilgit-Baltistan

Travel north for some of the best views and adventure activities that the country has to offer. Begin your journey in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), a popular choice for those who have different experiences while sticking to just one region. GB, the northernmost administrative area of Pakistan, is home to a number of mountain tops of more than 20,000 feet, including the famous K-2 and Nanga Parbat. Shandur, the world's highest polo terrain, is also located here, as is the turquoise-adorned Lake Attabad in Hunzaval, which arose after a landslide in 2010. The treeless Deosai National Park, largely located in the Skardu district, is a 4, 114-meter wonderland rich in flora and fauna that is only accessible in the summer. Ski enthusiasts can visit the Naltar ski resort and enthusiastic campers can head to the picturesque Fairy Meadows.

Multan

The city of Multan is an interesting mix of memories of old warfare, trade, dynastic rule and Sufism. The seventh most populated city in Pakistan has changed hands since 3300 BCE, allegedly starting with the Hindu occupation, witnessing the Greek invasion and eventually hosting a long era of Islamic rule, strongly influenced by Sufism in the 11th and 12th century. Multan is now an important part of South Punjab and devotees from all over the country and abroad visit the countless shrines, tombs and mosques all year round. That is the respect for the deceased Sufi mystics who were remembered or buried here as being called the "City of Saints."

Tharparkar

Interest in the Tharparkar as a tourist spot is a relatively recent development. The gradual increase in the number of tourists every year is an encouraging sign for the region, which consists of a jumble of towns and villages, ranging from slightly developed to fully rural settlements. Most visitors flock to the district during or after the monsoon rains to experience the short period in which the desert is transformed into an oasis. This short season is also a source of joy for the residents, because the soil of this specific desert is extremely fertile and supports rainfall farming.

Kalash Valleys

Pakistan is an ethnically diverse country and the Kalasha form what is perhaps the most distinguished indigenous group. The Kalash valleys - Bumburet, Rumbur and Birir - are part of Chitral, the largest district in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province in Pakistan, and are surrounded by the famous Hindu Kush Mountains. The remote location of the valleys has helped them to retain their uniqueness over the centuries. The Kalasha people with predominantly pale blue eyes are known for their colorful clothing and polytheistic religion. This religion, allegedly endorsing some form of animism or ancient Hinduism, is a world apart from that of their Muslim neighbors. They love to dance, brew their own wine and play traditional musical instruments. The best time to visit these valleys is at each of their three annual festivals - Chilam Joshi in May, Uchau in September and Chawmos around the time of the winter solstice.

Mohenjodaro

History enthusiasts will find it hard to get a chance to visit Mohenjo-daro in Sindh, an archaeological site dating back to 2500 BC. An extensive study and excavation of the area led to the conclusion that the hills and ruins were once part of the Indus Valley civilization, a contemporary of ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia. Mohenjo-daro was built according to a timetable plan, had an efficient water management system and contained public baths - all this is considered advanced city planning and civil engineering that is far ahead of its time. The city was eventually abandoned around 1900 BC for obscure reasons and was only rediscovered in the 1920s. Detailed excavation lasted until 1966, after which all in-depth archaeological work was stopped due to damage caused by the weather. Mohenjo-daro was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980 and can be visited via private transport, public bus or weekly flights from Karachi.

Khewra Salt Mine

A trip to the second largest salt mine in the world may not be a standard list of buckets in conventional vacation plans, but it is certainly a great educational experience. The salt mine of Khewra lies at the foot of the Salt Range (in the province of Punjab) and is almost 184 kilometers away from Islamabad, the capital. Not only is it the main source of salt in the country, but the site is also a major tourist attraction, with up to 250,000 visitors driving to the mine every year. Once transported by carts, tourists can witness caves made entirely of salt, a number of salt-water basins, and some miniature salt structures from major sights of the country. The salt reserves were reportedly discovered by the troops of Alexander the Great in 326 BC.

Makran Coast

Pakistan still has to change its beaches into dream holiday resorts, but if exploring an unspoilt coastline with natural beaches is for you, then the Makran coast is definitely worth a visit. The breathtaking scenery in Balochistan province is a pleasant surprise in what is otherwise a rugged terrain that largely consists of bare mountains. The coast itself is a 1000-kilometer stretch along the Gulf of Oman and is interspersed with pristine beaches accessible via the 650-kilometer Makran Coastal Highway, which starts at Karachi in Sindh, runs along the towns of Ormara and Pasni, and ends in Gwadar. It is advisable to start with the crack of the day from Karachi, so that you can optimally enjoy the long drive. Notable beaches on the coastline include Kund Malir beach, Astola island, Ormara beach, Sonmiani beach, Gwadar beach and Pasni beach.

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