Pakistan ― a tourist’s paradise with natural beauty

Pakistan lies at the cross-roads of Central, West and South Asia, which makes it a meeting point of ancient civilizations and cultures. The region encompassed by modern day Pakistan is home to the oldest Asian civilization and one of the oldest civilizations in the world after Mesopotamia and Egypt ― the Indus Valley Civilization (B.C. 2500-B.C. 1500). Pakistan was a part of an epicenter of great cultures and religions.

Pakistan is a tourist’s paradise blessed with abundant natural resources and unmatched beauty. It is a country which caters to all tastes. Many foreigners visit Pakistan for trekking and mountaineering. Pakistan’s north is a region where three of the world’s most famous mountain ranges meet ― the Himalayas, the Karakorums and the Hindukush. Of the fourteen over-8,000-meter peaks on earth, four are in Pakistan.

In 2009, Pakistan was ranked in the top 25 percent of tourist destinations for its World Heritage sites by the World Economic Forum’s Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report. These sites include the 5,000-year old cities of the Indus Valley Civilization including the historic cities of Mohenjadaro and Harrapa.

Taxilla, another historic city in Pakistan, is the birthplace of Buddhism in the Indo sub continent. Buddhist archaeological sites from the Gandhara civilization era are a source of great attraction for Buddhist followers. The government of Pakistan has preserved these sites with great care and respect. In the 4th century, Reverend Maranantha came to Korea from the region of present day Pakistan and spread Buddhism in Korea.

The breathtaking architectural wonders of the Mughal era, which include the majestic Badshahi mosque, the splendid Shalimar gardens, the amazing Sheesh Mahal (palace of mirrors) and the famous Lahore fort, are found in almost every major city of Pakistan.
 

For nature lovers, Pakistan is a place where they will never get bored. The country is abundant with diverse natural beauty. While the north is blessed with rugged mountains, the south is an attractive desert and in between one can find meandering rivers, lush green valleys and rich alluvial plains, the endangered Juniper forests, the beaches of Makran coast, the hilly resorts of Murree and Burband, only to name a few attractions. The oldest salt mines in South Asia, the Khewara mines, can also be visited by tourists.

For those who like to fish, trout can be fished in the northern areas with the necessary permits, which are easily available after paying a small fee. Huge lakes can be found in Pakistan. Lake Saif ul Muluk, Lake Lulusar and Lake Dodipatsar are only a few of many. All these lakes have a spellbinding effect on the viewer. Ski facilities are also available at Malam Jabba (Swat Valley), Gilgit and Natiagali. All these resorts are situated at different locations, giving tourists a chance to avail of these facilities at the place of their choice.

Pakistan also has the highest polo ground in the world. The famous Shandar polo festival is visited by many visitors in July every year who want to witness a traditional polo tournament between local teams.

The great Karakorum Highway which connects China and Pakistan follows the track of the old Silk Route and offers an opportunity to visit some of the old sites lost to time, once visited by Marco Polo and Al-Beruni. This highway is being considered to become part of the New Silk Route. The Karakorum Highway is considered to be the Ninth Wonder of the World due to the marvel of its civil engineering and its panoramic view.

Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) is a regulatory body of tourism in Pakistan and has established hotels, motels and resort stations in the most far flung areas of Pakistan equipped with all the necessities of life. PTDC provides information to tourists and offers very attractive packages at affordable prices.

Pakistan is a multiethnic and multicultural society. The official language of the country is English. English is widely understood and spoken by the tourist guides and in the urban areas. A foreigner visiting Pakistan is treated like an honored and respected guest. We have great regard for our guests and go out of our way to make their visit as comfortable and safe as possible.