Shangrila Lake, Skardu, Pakistan
Shangrila Lake is also known as Lower Kachura Lake. It is a part of the Shangrila resort. Shangrilla Lake is located at a drive of about 20 minutes from Skardu. It is a popular tourist destination, and has a unique restaurant that is built on the fuselage of an aircraft that had crashed nearby.
Shangrila was established in 1983 with the opening of the first Resort Hotel in Skardu, Baltistan. It was named “heaven on earth” because of its spectacular beauty,and breathtaking view and peaceful atmosphere. Shangrila Resort Hotel was founded by the late Brig.(Retd) Muhammad Aslam Khan, the first commander of the Northern Scouts of the Pakistan Army.
Moving northwards from Harappa and Moenjodaro, come remains of another city that thrived between 518 BC to 600 AD. Around the present day Taxila and a little over 20 miles north of Islamabad, lie the remains of the an ancient city whose actual name varies from scripture to scripture and from one language to another. “Tashasila” as it was called in Sanskrit gives some idea of the meaning of this name. Sila in Sanskrit means rock or stone . The legend says that the Buddha gave his head in charity to a man at this place . The Chinese called it “Chu-cha-shi-lo”. The difficulty of Chinese phonetics with the sila and sira has led to this day to have names around Taxila such as Sirkap, Sirsukh and Margalla. Whatever its actual name. it was the most flourishing of all the cities between the Indus and Jhelum Rivers. Darius I formed it part of Achaemenid Empire of Persia. In 326 BC Alexander the Great and his armies encountered the charging elephants at battle against Hindu king Porus.
**Taxila Museum
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Construction of Taxila museum started in 1918, its foundation stone laid by Lord Chemsford, vicery of India in 1918. Construction was concluded in 1928 and the museum was opened for public by Sir Habibullah then the ministry for Education. Sir John Marshall who was going to be retired from the post of Director General of Archaeological survey of India in 1928, could not complete its original plan. The government of Pakistan constructed the northern gallery in 1998.
There are 4000 objects displayed, including stone, stucco, terracotta, silver, gold, iron and semiprecious stones. Mainly the display consists of objects from the period 600 B.C to 500 AD. Buddhist, Hindu and Jain religions are well represented through these objects discovered from three ancient cities and more than two dozen buddhist stupas and monasteries and Greek temples. Taxila Museum - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
**Chaukhandi Tombs…Karachi,Pakistan
** Chaukhanditombs are situated 29 km (18 mi) east of Karachi on N-5 National Highway near Landhi Town in Pakistan. The Chaukhandi tombs are remarkable for the elaborate and exquisite stone carving.
The style of architecture is typical only to the region of Sindh, and unique in that it is found nowhere else in the Islamic world. Generally, the elements are attributed to Jokhio (also spelt Jokhiya) also known as the family graveyard of Jokhio tribe, some people of Baluch tribe also buried were built between the 15th and 18th centuries.
Pir Sohawa** is a highland picturesque rural sight, at an altitude of 5000 feet (1524 meters), in District Haripur of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. The scenic place is praised for trips and holiday picnics in Islamabad and is sighted near Monal Village, which exist on the incline against Islamabad city.The place is linked to Islamabad by a road on which Daman-e-Koh (a viewing point and hill top garden) is located and it takes 35 minutes drive to reach it from the city. It is about 13 kilometers from Marghzar. The sight presents a fantastic and picturesque view of Islamabad city during day and night.The sight is an ideal place for enjoying picnics in forest while listening to singing birds and watching wildlife. After rains of monsoon forest in the hills of Pir Sohawa turns green. The sight is end point for hiking trips from the foot of Margla Hills, rising 3000 feet (914 meters) almost vertically upward from the Saidpur Village, Islamabad.
sunset view of Islamabad from Pir Suhawa
A restaurant called “Monal Resturant” is located at Pir Sohawa. Completed in 2006, the restaurant presents a breathtaking view of the city of Islamabad in day and amazingly beautiful show of the city lights during night. One can adore fragrance and breeze, especially in hot days of summer, with thick forest present all around. The place also attracts tourist during winter, as being a place sufficient for occasional snow fall due to an altitude of 5000 feet.Pir Sohawa is the most beloved place for picnics and tours among the citizens of Islamabad and also liked by foreign visitors and tourists.
Unfortunately I do not have any digital pics of the mines. Went there back in 2004 before I had a digital camera. It was a really nice place to visit though, especially because the temperature is so cool and some parts where the salt is all lit up are pretty. Its also really cool when I see salt lamps for sale here that are made of salt from Khewra.
Food Streets, Lahore Food Street in Gawalmandi, Lahore is a centre of traditional Pakistani food. The site is surrounded by centuries-old buildings and places like Landa Bazaar, Mayo Hospital and Baansan-wala Bazaar. The food street is open to traffic in the morning but as the sun sets, the street is closed to motorized vehicles. Hungry visitors arrive and stay till very late at night, enjoying some of the best local food available in Lahore. It is one of the unique tourist attractions in Lahore. It is open 24/7, except duringRamadan where food is not served during the day time. Food can be ordered from any shop while sitting at one place.
The traditional Kashmiri-Persian architecture can still be seen, used extensively in buildings surrounding that place.
Food Street, Gawalmandi was the most visited and preferred place for a food junkie for more than 50 years. More than 100 traditional food points were providing satisfaction to taste buds of Lahoris. Until, it was decided to relocate the old food street to some more convenient place in Lahore.
One January 22, 2012, Mr. Hamza Shahbaz inaugurated the revived** Food** **Street **alongside the wall of Shahi Qila Lahore. 1.2km long this V-Shaped food street was specially redesigned to fulfill the traditional look of Desi Food points. Many historical buildings were renovated to make the outlook of food street balanced. Architectures and interior designs put special efforts to enhance the environment with historical masterpieces and lighting.
The Shahi Qila Food Street is no doubt has become the most interesting place for food lovers. Thousands of visitors enjoy dining here with extraordinary outdoor dining experience. One can enjoy B.B.Q, Haleem, Lassi, Gool Gapay, Fried Fish, Biryani even every desi or Chinese dish one can wish.
After the dinner, people don’t forget to enjoy a walk inside the Shahi Qila. Entrance through Roshni Gate is open for visitors all day and night to enjoy the mesmerizing atmosphere in front of Shahi Qila, Badshah Masjid and Baradari. You can enjoy riding the Horse-Bagghi. Keep kids in special care, as these horses don’t understand human words.
Average cost of dining per person is around 750 PKR, and it will take not more than 15minutes for your order to be served. Don’t worry about which point to select among numerous. Every point has something good to offer.
Khyber Pass** from Pakistan is the main route between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Although there is an alternate route further south caller Bolan Pass, between Kandahar and Quetta, that one is more dangerous and is only for aid workers and locals.
The Pathans have a remarkable history, managing to stand up to great armies of their time. For example, Alexander the Great wanted to cross Khyber Pass, but the Pathans blocked him for weeks until one of the chieftains was bribed in assisting Alexander. Also, during Queen Victoria’s reign, the Khyber was the border of the Raj, and although the British fought several wars against the Pathans, they never completely subdued the area. The Pathans were very good soldiers when they were recruited by the British military.
Since the ‘80s, Pathans fought against Russians, other Afghans, the Pakistani army, each other, and today they still resist to US and allied forces or the Pakistani who control their area. Because of this, the Khyber Pass is like and adventure, and today it is too dangerous for most travelers.
(ok guys its not dangerous! just go on a jeep or pajero type cars with a driver who knows how to drive in this kind of place)
Shahdara is a Water Source / Fountain in the sub-urbs of Islamabad. It lies about 20 kms from mainland Islamabad and situated in the foothills of Margalla, whiling moving towards Murree. The approcah to this place is from Islamabad - Murree Highway. Short of Barakahoo Town, a road takes a diversion towards Left that lead to the point.
It takes about 20 - 30 minutes from Aabpara, Islamabad. This is a discreet, silent, Close-to-Nature Environ and relaxing place. If you are tired and looking for a place to unwind, then a day long trip to this place might help you. There a few street-food points that serve your needs. Recommended for tourists as well as families.
I have been to Lahore Food Street. I also went through the Khyber Pass all the way to Landi Kotal and the Afghanistan border back in 2004 before it got dangerous!
Simply a Fantastic post and beautiful pictures.I would love to visit all these places.Thanks for showing gorgeous places of Pakistan through this post. ^_^
Patriata is a quiet retreat at the highest point of Murree Hills which consequently is the highest point of Punjab as well. Patriata has a breathtaking landscape. High forested ridges and deep intersecting valleys with terraced slopes offer magnificent views of this naturally beautiful area. How to get there Patriata is located to the west of the Jhelum river, 59 kms south east of Islamabad and is less than 26 kms south east of Murree. Road access to Patriata from Islamabad/ Rawalpindi is along one of two routes via Karor and Ban, or murree expressway. Attractions Visitors to this area take pleasure in a breathtaking panoramic view in an area unmarred by over commercialization. At the same time fully equipped facilities for its visitors are provided. It was named during British rule ‘little England’ after which oak and chestnut trees were planted.
One of the thrilling features of Patriata is the** dual chair lift and cable car system** from Gulera Gali to Patriata ridge. This dual system incorporates a chair lift from Gulera Gali to Patriata Bazar, from here at the midpoint, pedestrians transfer from the chair lift to an enclosed cable car(gondola) from an elevated platform, traveling onward from Patriata ridge, a- distance of 3.1 km. Gondola cable cars made their appearance here, for the first time in Pakistan. Gondola cable cars are designed to give passengers a panoramic view without blind spots while incorporating all possible safety.
