Thread: 6 Best Places to Visit in Pakistan for Your First Trip

2. Gilgit-Baltistan

Image credit: Johannes Zielcke | Hunza Valley

Image credit: Joseph Bautista | Karimabad, Hunza Valley

Immensely adored for its geographical landscape that boasts unforgiving scenic beauty, Gilgit-Baltistan is well-loved by mountaineers, trekkers and anglers. You can’t get enough of the valleys in Gilgit-Baltistan! But one of the most highly sought after is the Hunza Valley, which some have called the Shangri-La of Pakistan.

Image credit: Choudhry Khawar | Hunza Valley

The local atmosphere, topped with jaw-dropping sceneries of mountainous peaks, magnificent forts, a colourful medley of flora, and splendid cuisines, has made Hunza increasingly popular among travellers, who have continuously claimed that the area is actually very safe.

Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons | Sukh Nallah, Skardu

Another popular destination is the Skardu district that lies in the centre of Gilgit-Baltistan. Its stunning views of crystal clear lakes, deserts, picture-perfect roadways and villages make up Skardu’s fascinating yet unique beauty. Avid mountaineers will be happy to learn that the district is the base camp for some of the world’s highest mountains such as the K2, K3 and Gasherbrum.

Other valleys in the Gilgit-Baltistan region which you can explore include Astore, Diamir, Gilgit and Ghizer.

While you could get to Gilgit-Baltistan via the KKH, you can also fly on Pakistan International Airlines from Islamabad to Gilgit Airport.

4. Lahore

Image credit: Umair Khan | Badshahi Mosque

Lahore is a wondrous mix of cultural, artistic and heritage-filled attractions that boast the legacies of the Mughal Empire and the British Raj, enchanting gardens, parks, and forts, majestic mosques, and scrumptious food. A couple of days at Lahore may not suffice to explore this beloved city.

Image credit: Saad Mahmood | Minar-e-Pakistan

There are tons to see — from the beautiful Shahi Qila or Lahore Fort, historic Minar-e-Pakistan and the captivating scenery of the Shalimar Gardens to the shopping spaces of Anarkali Bazaar, Liberty Market and the Mall of Lahore. You should also pay a visit to the mosques in Lahore — they have been beautifully and elegantly constructed with charming architecture. Oh, and how could we forget the multitude of restaurants on Food Street and M M Alam Road for you to satisfy your appetite.

Image credit: Montgomery Lion | Wagah Border, Pakistan

Image credit: lukezmartin | Wagah Border, Pakistan

Please don’t forget to make your way out to the outskirts of Lahore to witness the Guard Ceremony at the Wagah Border with India just in the background

6. Karachi

Image credit: Wikimedia Commons | Quaid-e-Azam Mausoleum

Despite Karachi losing its crown as the capital of Pakistan, it still remains the largest and most populated city of the country, and also its economic heartbeat. With this, Karachi has become one of the most cosmopolitan cities of Pakistan, home to large numbers of ethnic Sindhis, Punjabis, Pashtuns and other nationalities.

Karachi is one place where you can see the love and admiration of Pakistan’s founder, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, in many landmarks, monuments and buildings, such as the Quaid-e-Azam Museum, the Quaid-e-Azam Mausoleum, the Wazir Mansion (the founder’s birthplace) and the Bagh-e-Jinnah, also known as the Frere Hall Garden.

Image credit: Benny Lin | Mohatta Palace

Be sure to check out the architectural splendour and luxurious interior of the Mohatta Palace in the wealthy district of Clifton. The palace was constructed during the 1920s by a Marwari businessman who wanted to save his wife from dying from a serious illness. After doctors told him that refreshing sea breeze could cure his wife’s illness, he decided to build this mansion, which, during that time, received immense winds from the nearby sea. Now, due to the surrounding high-rise residential areas, winds barely reach the palace, although you could still catch a view of the sea if you head up to the rooftop.

Unfortunately, the partition messed up the businessman’s ownership of the palace, which was then given to the Pakistani government. Yet, this crucial history of the palace still survives, especially with its name retained as “Mohatta Palace” despite it being conferred the official name of Qasr-e-Fatima, after the palace was handed over to Fatimah Jinnah, the sister of Muhammad Ali Jinnah.

Image credit: Mustafa Mohsin | Port Grand

Apart from that, you can also visit the State Bank Museum, National Museum of Pakistan and the Pakistan Air Force Museum.  For those looking for some entertainment, you can hang out at the Port Grand where you can enjoy a great variety of food and drinks from the many restaurants available. You can also enjoy the view of the 19th century Native Jetty Bridge and the Karachi Harbour.

With Courtsey: Tripzilla