Pakistan is an undiscovered and large South Asian country that is rich in history and archaeological sites, hosting a myriad of cultures and religions and has a long tradition of hospitality. Known today mainly for political violence and Islamic fundamentalism, Pakistan is definitely not the safest Asian destination, but has yet much to explore, offering amazing historic cities, scenic mountain valleys, and activities such as trekking and mountain climbing.
Large and multicultural Pakistan is located in South Asia between India, Iran, Afghanistan, and China. It is home to diverse landscapes from its southern beaches and deserts to the mighty snow-covered peaks of the Himalayas and Hindu Kush Mountains in the north. Pakistan is a multilingual, predominantly Muslim country with the sixth largest population in the world. The major ethnic groups in Pakistan include Punjabis that account almost half of the population, Pashtuns, Sindhis, Seraikis, Muhajirs from India, and several other groups. There are also approximately three million Afghan refugees in Pakistan.
Cultural treasures. Pakistan has an old and rich culture with many traditions, monuments, and dishes inherited from the rule of Mughal and Afghan emperors or from Central Asia. Traditional religious and family values are still highly regarded in Pakistan. Tourism in Pakistan is yet undeveloped, but the numbers of foreign visitors have been growing steadily.
Inexpensive shopping paradise. Pakistan is also an affordable destination for shopping. Leather goods, carpets, garments, handicrafts, and jewelry can be found in many bazaars and markets around the country, and the major Pakistani cities also have large, modern shopping malls.
City destinations. Islamabad is the modern capital of Pakistan. It is a well-planned and organized city with interesting architecture, museums and monuments, and popular trekking in nearby hills. The historic capital of Pakistan, Lahore is a large, bustling city with plenty of historic and architectural sights as well as a great variety of restaurants and cultural attractions. In the south, the largest city and financial center of Pakistan, Karachi is a bustling metropolis with plenty of sights and entertainment options, whereas Peshawar in the northwest is a market city with an outlaw feel and a gateway to Afghanistan.
The northern mountains of Himalaya, Karakoram and Hindu Kush attract fairly large amount of tourism with their interesting mix of cultures, historic sites, and excellent opportunities for mountain climbing and trekking. Especially Hunza and Chitral Valleys are renowned for their scenic natural beauty, and the high mountain peaks of K2, Rakaposhi, and Nanga Parbat are challenging climbing destinations.
How to get there. You can travel to Pakistan by air, road or rail. Flights to Pakistan’s eight international airports can be found from many Asian and European cities. The biggest city of the country, Karachi receives most of the international flights to Pakistan. Islamabad and Lahore also receive many international flights. Inland routes into Pakistan include railway links from India to Lahore and from Iran to Quetta. However, trains are slower than buses that link Pakistan to China, India and Iran.
Large and multicultural Pakistan is located in South Asia between India, Iran, Afghanistan, and China. It is home to diverse landscapes from its southern beaches and deserts to the mighty snow-covered peaks of the Himalayas and Hindu Kush Mountains in the north. Pakistan is a multilingual, predominantly Muslim country with the sixth largest population in the world. The major ethnic groups in Pakistan include Punjabis that account almost half of the population, Pashtuns, Sindhis, Seraikis, Muhajirs from India, and several other groups. There are also approximately three million Afghan refugees in Pakistan.
Cultural treasures. Pakistan has an old and rich culture with many traditions, monuments, and dishes inherited from the rule of Mughal and Afghan emperors or from Central Asia. Traditional religious and family values are still highly regarded in Pakistan. Tourism in Pakistan is yet undeveloped, but the numbers of foreign visitors have been growing steadily.
Tourism attractions in Pakistan: from climbing mountains to buying carpets
Pakistan is home to a wide variety of historic, cultural, and natural attractions and activities. The varied landscapes of the country range from the sandy beaches of the south coast to the western deserts, fertile river plains in Central Pakistan and the high mountains of the north. There are over 100 mountain peaks in Pakistan that are above 7,000 meters / 23,000 feet high, including the famous K2 that makes Pakistan a favorite destination for mountain climbers. Archaeological attractions in Pakistan include the ruins of the ancient civilizations in Moenjodaro, Harappa, and Taxila, and historic sites range from the great Mughal architecture of Lahore to old fortresses and grand mosques, as well as Buddhist shrines and Himalayan hill stations.Inexpensive shopping paradise. Pakistan is also an affordable destination for shopping. Leather goods, carpets, garments, handicrafts, and jewelry can be found in many bazaars and markets around the country, and the major Pakistani cities also have large, modern shopping malls.
City destinations. Islamabad is the modern capital of Pakistan. It is a well-planned and organized city with interesting architecture, museums and monuments, and popular trekking in nearby hills. The historic capital of Pakistan, Lahore is a large, bustling city with plenty of historic and architectural sights as well as a great variety of restaurants and cultural attractions. In the south, the largest city and financial center of Pakistan, Karachi is a bustling metropolis with plenty of sights and entertainment options, whereas Peshawar in the northwest is a market city with an outlaw feel and a gateway to Afghanistan.
The northern mountains of Himalaya, Karakoram and Hindu Kush attract fairly large amount of tourism with their interesting mix of cultures, historic sites, and excellent opportunities for mountain climbing and trekking. Especially Hunza and Chitral Valleys are renowned for their scenic natural beauty, and the high mountain peaks of K2, Rakaposhi, and Nanga Parbat are challenging climbing destinations.
Pakistan travel information and practical tips
The climate in Pakistan varies as much as the landscapes in this large country. While the climate is dry in most parts of the country, Central Pakistan has extremely hot summers and cooler winters from November to February, whereas the southern coast of Arabian Sea enjoys a milder maritime climate with less extreme changes in temperature. Northern Pakistan has a cooler climate from temperate forest areas to snow-covered mountains and glaciers, depending largely on altitude. The northern regions have warm summers and very cold winters. Rainfall is rare and is mostly brought by the south-westerly monsoon during July and August, when there can be flooding along the Indus River plains.How to get there. You can travel to Pakistan by air, road or rail. Flights to Pakistan’s eight international airports can be found from many Asian and European cities. The biggest city of the country, Karachi receives most of the international flights to Pakistan. Islamabad and Lahore also receive many international flights. Inland routes into Pakistan include railway links from India to Lahore and from Iran to Quetta. However, trains are slower than buses that link Pakistan to China, India and Iran.
Photo: babasteve, used under Creative Commons License (By 2.0)
You can also travel to Pakistan by road from Afghanistan, but an armed escort is needed for the journey. Most nationalities require visas to enter Pakistan, available on arrival for citizens of many countries in case traveling on an organized trip through a local tour operator.
Safety. Unfortunately, Pakistan is not a safe country to travel. The local political situation is turbulent and terrorism is a major threat. Visitors should exercise caution at all times and avoid all large gatherings and political demonstrations. All major cities in Pakistan suffer from political violence, and the Swat region in Punjab and the tribal areas in Northwest Pakistan are especially dangerous with regular armed fighting and suicide bomb attacks. Always seek local advice about possible off-limits areas before going. Earthquakes and floods are also possible in Pakistan. In general, Pakistanis are hospitable and welcoming people, but they are also often conservative, so it is important to respect their traditions and religion.
Getting around. Pakistan has a decent road network with many new highways connecting the main cities, and some very scenic roads such as the high Karakoram Highway into China. There are frequent, cheap, and often slow train connections between major cities in Pakistan. Plenty of frequent, very cheap buses also ply the roads, and minibuses and pick-up trucks are other forms of public transportation. Car rental in Pakistan and domestic flights are well available in the main cities. Public transportation in cities is handled by buses, taxis, auto rickshaws and horse-drawn carriages.
Visitor services. Pakistan has a large amount of hotels and guesthouses. Cheap hotels can be found around transportation hubs such as bus and train stations. The standard of the local hotels varies a lot, but there are reputable luxury hotels available in the major cities and tourist destinations in Pakistan. However, it is good to know that in Pakistan, the places named hotel are often more basic than the ones named guesthouse. More confusingly, some restaurants in Pakistan are also called hotel. There are plenty of restaurants in all cities, towns and tourist destinations in Pakistan, serving both local and international cuisine. Nightlife in Pakistan is very limited because of the strict rules on alcohol consumption, but Pakistan offers great opportunities for cheap shopping. Bargaining is essential, especially in local bazaars.
English is an official language in Pakistan, and you will find many people who can speak it. However, if you plan to travel outside the Pakistani cities or tourist areas, it is very useful to learn some basic phrases in Urdu.
Short history of Pakistan
Pakistan is home to some of the earliest human settlements as well as ancient civilizations as old as those in Egypt or Mesopotamia. The sophisticated Indus Valley civilization flourished in the fertile river valley from 23rd to 18th centuries BC. Semi-nomadic Indo-Aryan people ruled Pakistan in the 9th century BC and developed the caste system. The area of Pakistan was later invaded by Persians, Greeks, Arabs, Afghans, and Turks. The Islamic Mughal Empire ruled the area in the 16th and 17th centuries, after which it fell under British domination in the 18th century.More recent times. In 1947, British India was divided into two independent states: the areas with Hindu majority became India and the ones with Muslim majority became Pakistan. However, the partition was not satisfactory for both parties, and India and Pakistan fought two wars over the disputed Kashmir territory, an Islamic state that was ruled by a Hindu monarch and therefore joined to India instead of Pakistan. In a third war in 1971, the smaller East Pakistan became a separate nation of Bangladesh. The relations between Pakistan and India remain tense and both countries have developed their own nuclear weapons.
