Top 5 Tourist Attractions in Pakistan

There is a certain rustic charm to Pakistan’s lush green landscapes, majestic mountain peaks and rich historical sites. Every corner of its landscape is dotted with beautiful destinations that are worth visiting over and over. Although it might be a little unfair to list only a few of such beautiful sites, these are our top five picks (in no particular order of ranking)

Swat Valley

Nestled upon the upper portion of the Swat River, the valley is known as the “Switzerland of the East”. Rightfully so, as the scenery in Swat Valley is right out of a fairy tale. The valley is home to lush green forests and quaint villages. The glorious Swat River runs below the valley with its mesmerising shades of blue and green. The region has a tragic past due to the Taliban invasion and destruction. However, it has long since been cleared of all terrorist activities and has become one of Pakistan’s most attractive tourist destination once again. Travellers have a number of places to visit when exploring Swat including Kalam, Malam Jabba, Mahodand Lake, Swat Waterfall, Ushu Forest and Saidgai Lake.

Deosai Plains

Located at an elevation of 4,114 meters above sea level, Deosai Plains and National Park is a breathtaking plateau. It is the second-highest plateau in the world located between the Kharmang Valley, Astore and Skardu in Gilgit-Baltistan. The Plain is only accessible during the summer. Deosai National Park is home to the Himalayan brown bear and was established for the sole purpose of protecting its population from poachers and hunters. The Park also houses a number of other flora and fauna that only add to its beauty. The Sheosar lake is located in the western part of the Plain and is breathtaking in its serenity. Over the years Deosai Plains have become one of the hottest tourist destinations in Pakistan.

Hunza Valley

Hunza is another precious jewel in the crown of Pakistan’s northern areas. The Valley must not be confused for a single valley when it consists of a number of different villages and districts. Hunza is comprised of Upper (Gojal), Central (Hunza Valley) and Lower (Shinkai) Hunza. It is located in Gilgit Baltistan and borders the Xinjiang region of China. Tourists find a number of reasons to visit and explore Hunza. The Baltit Fort, which was once the residence of the Mirs of Hunza, is ancient and holds a charm for history buffs. The serenity of Attabad lake and the extravagant sunsets at Eagle’s Nest are a huge attraction for travellers looking to enjoy nature in its purest form.

Lahore

This mention may very well be off the beaten path but for tourists visiting Pakistan for the first time, Lahore city is a must-see. The busy metropolitan is huge both in its size and soul. For a traveller obsessed with history Lahore is simply a treasure chest, as it was once a thriving centre of the Mughal Empire. The city is dotted with the remains of the creations of Mughal rulers all over. Some of the most popular of these destinations are the Lahore Fort, Badshahi Mosque and Wazir Khan Mosque. The ruins of old Havelis and shrines of different saints make Lahore the cultural capital of Pakistan. On top of that, the city is simply a treat for a food traveller. The city offers some of the best food that is part of Pakistani cuisine.

Fairy Meadows

Our last, but certainly not the least, pick for this list is the famous Fairy Meadows. It is basically a vast grassland located near the base campsite of Nanga Parbat. Nanga Parbat itself is the ninth-largest peak in the world and is known to be extremely difficult and dangerous to climb. The Fairy Meadows offers a majestic view of the mountain and is actually a National Park. Although it is approach is a bit challenging but the views are absolutely worth it. Fairy Meadows can be approached through a 15-kilometre jeep ride and a further 5-kilometre trek. The camping site in the area is nearly 800 hectares where tourists can camp out to enjoy the views. The tourist season usually starts in April and ends in September as the harsh winters usually make the are inaccessible.

These five tourist attractions are just the tip of the iceberg of what Pakistan actually has to offer when it comes to tourism. A few honourable mentions include Karachi, Chitral, Khunjerab Pass, Multan, Kalash Valley, Azad Jammu and Kashmir and much much more.