What to See in Pakistan - Top Sights and Attractions

Walled 17th-century Mughal garden. The Shalimar Gardens (Urdu: شالامار باغ, romanized: Shālāmār Bāgh are a Mughal garden complex located in Lahore, Pakistan. The gardens date from the period when the Mughal Empire was at its artistic and aesthetic zenith, and are now one of Pakistan's most popular tourist destinations.

The Shalimar Gardens were laid out as a Persian paradise garden intended to create a representation of an earthly utopia in which humans co-exist in perfect harmony with all elements of nature. Construction of the gardens began in 1641 during the reign of Emperor Shah Jahan, and was completed in 1642. In 1981 the Shalimar Gardens were inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as they embody Mughal garden design at the apogee of its development.^[1]

Historical landmark in Lahore, Pakistan. The Lahore Fort is a citadel in the city of Lahore, Pakistan. The fortress is located at the northern end of walled city Lahore, and spreads over an area greater than 20 hectares. It contains 21 notable monuments, some of which date to the era of Emperor Akbar. The Lahore Fort is notable for having been almost entirely rebuilt in the 17th century, when the Mughal Empire was at the height of its splendour and opulence.

Though the site of the Lahore Fort has been inhabited for millennia, the first record of a fortified structure at the site was regarding an 11th-century mud-brick fort. The foundations of the modern Lahore Fort date to 1566 during the reign of Emperor Akbar, who bestowed the fort with a syncretic architectural style that featured both Islamic and Hindu motifs. Additions from the Shah Jahan period are characterized by luxurious marble with inlaid Persian floral designs, while the fort's grand and iconic Alamgiri Gate was constructed by the last of the great Mughal Emperors, Aurangzeb, and faces the renowned Badshahi Mosque.

After the fall of the Mughal Empire, Lahore Fort was used as the residence of Emperor Ranjit Singh, founder of the Sikh Empire. The Sikhs made several additions to the fort. It then passed to the control of the East India Company after they annexed Punjab following their victory over the Sikhs at the Battle of Gujrat in February 1849. In 1981, the fort was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its "outstanding repertoire" of Mughal monuments dating from the era when the empire was at its artistic and aesthetic zenith.^[3]

Mosque in Islamabad, Pakistan. The Faisal Mosque is a national mosque of Pakistan, located in capital Islamabad. It is the sixth-largest mosque in the world and the largest within South Asia, located on the foothills of Margalla Hills in Pakistan's capital city of Islamabad. The mosque features a contemporary design consisting of eight sides of concrete shell and is inspired by the design of a typical Bedouin tent.

A major tourist attraction in Pakistan, the mosque is a contemporary and influential piece of Islamic architecture.

Construction of the mosque began in 1976 after a $28 million grant from Saudi King Faisal, whose name the mosque bears. The unconventional design by Turkish architect Vedat Dalokay was selected after an international competition. Without a typical dome, the mosque is shaped like a Bedouin tent, surrounded by four 260 feet (79 m) tall minarets. The design features eight-sided shell shaped sloping roofs forming a triangular worship hall which can hold 10,000 worshippers.

Combined the structure covers an area of 33 acres (130,000 m2; 1,400,000 sq ft), the mosque dominates the landscape of Islamabad. It is situated at the north end of Faisal Avenue, putting it at the northernmost end of the city and at the foot of Margalla Hills, the westernmost foothills of the Himalayas. It is located on an elevated area of land against a picturesque backdrop of the national park. Faisal Mosque was the largest mosque in the world from 1986 until 1993 when it was overtaken by the mosques in Saudi Arabia. Faisal Mosque is now the sixth largest mosque in the world in terms of capacity.^[4]

Beach in Pakistan. Clifton Beach, also known as Sea View in Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan, is located on the Arabian Sea. It stretches from Karachi to Ormara. The beach is very popular in Pakistan. It is open 24/7 for the general public.

Karachi is the most prominent coastal city of Pakistan and beach lovers here have many opportunities to visit different beaches bordering the Arabian Sea. Clifton Beach is purported to give the best value in leisure and recreational opportunities for fun seekers and beach lovers.

In recent times, the area surrounding the beach has seen massive commercial activity as it is located in one of the most sought after localities in Karachi. The beach is now home to multiple local leisure activities including camel rides, buggy rides, horse rides, plastic plane flying among others. The Seaview Apartments across from the beach is a gated residential area which is rated among the top properties in the city. Other apartments and villas which can be seen along the Clifton beach coasts are becoming popular as well.^[6]

Museum in Karachi, Pakistan. Pakistan Air Force Museum Faisal is an Air Force museum and park situated near Karsaz Flyover on Shahrah-e-Faisal in Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan.

A majority of the aircraft, weapons and radar are displayed outside in the park but the main museum features all major fighter aircraft that have been used by the Pakistan Air Force. The museum also houses the Vickers VC.1 Viking aircraft used by Mohammed Ali Jinnah, founder of Pakistan, and a Folland Gnat of the Indian Air Force, that landed in Pasrur town, Pakistan in the Indo-Pakistani war of 1965. Also on display are the scale models of some World War I, World War II and some more modern aircraft and photo galleries of almost all the squadrons of Pakistan Air Force.^[11]

Museum in Bahawalpur, Pakistan. The Bahawalpur Museum, established in 1976, is a museum of archaeology, art, heritage, modern history and religion located in Bahawalpur, Punjab, Pakistan. It comes under the control of Bahawalpur district government. The current director of the museum is Hussain Ahmed Madni.

The Bahawalpur Museum was established in 1974. It is a museum of archaeology, ethnology, art, heritage, of traditional and modern history. It is supervised by the local government of Bahawalpur district. It has eight galleries.

Collection

• Pakistan Movement Gallery, which comprises the Modern history of Pakistan.
• Archaeological Gallery which represents the archaeological history of the region.
• Islamic gallery which exhibits manuscripts, inscription and Quranic documents.
• Cultural heritage of the Bahawalpur region.
• Art and coin gallery
• Cholistan Art and Heritage.

Historical landmark in Faisalabad, Pakistan. The Faisalabad Clock Tower is a clock tower in Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan, and is one of the oldest monuments still standing in its original state from the period of the British Raj. It was built in 1905 by the British, when they ruled much of the South Asia during the nineteenth century.

The decision to build the clock tower on this spot was taken by the then Jhang deputy commissioner Sir James Lyall. The foundation of the majestic Clock Tower was laid on 14 November 1905 by the British lieutenant governor of Punjab Sir Charles Riwaz and the biggest local landlord belonging to the Mian Family of Abdullahpur Mian Abdul Raheem, Faisalabad (then known as Lyallpur). A water well formerly existed at the exact location of the Clock Tower which was filled with earth. The red sandstone used in its construction was brought from Sangla Hill Tehsil, about 50 kilometres from here.The fund was collected at a rate of Rs. 18 per square of land. The fund thus raised was handed over to the Municipal Committee which undertook to complete the project. It took two years to complete the construction at a cost of Rs.40,000.

The locals refer to it as "Ghanta Ghar" (Urdu: گھنٹہ گھر) which translates into Hour House in English. It is located in the older part of the city. The clock is placed at the center of the eight markets that, from a bird's-eye view, look like the Union Jack flag of the United Kingdom. This special layout still exists today and can be viewed using the latest software from Google Maps. The eight markets (bazaars) each has unique product types for sale. The bazaars are named for the directions these open towards i.e. Katchery bazaar, Chiniot bazaar, Aminpur bazaar, Bhawana Bazaar, Jhang Bazaar, Montgomery bazaar, Karkhana bazaar and Rail bazaar. All these eight bazaars are also connected with each other through another round-shaped bazaar, which is called 'Gole Bazaar'.

During festivals of Eid and Independence Day of Pakistan, the mayor (nazim) of Faisalabad delivers a speech at this site and hangs the flag at full mast.^[17]

Jungle World is an animal theme park and zoological garden located in Ayub National Park, Rawalpindi District, Pakistan. The visitor spot is spread over about 50 acres.

Jungle World Rides & Zoo. The Jungle World Theme Park consists of two inter connected facilities - family Amusement Park and Zoo.

Family Amusement Park. The Family Amusement Park provide an environment where complete family get involved, whether it is 18 hole Mini Golf Course or thrilling rides like Time Shift Machine, Simba Tower, Giant Wheel, Dodgem Cars, Tea Cups, Hully Gully, Miami Ride, Paddle Boats and MonoTrain etc. In addition; “Mystery House” takes you through a mysterious and frightful exploration 10 mins walk / trip. Besides; children can enjoy riding on miniature horses apart from having photography with tamed Macaws and colorful Parrots.

Zoo. The Jungle World has the biggest Zoo in the twin cities of Rawalpindi-Islamabad where wildlife species are kept in large and open air enclosures close to nature. Some of the prominent animals are White Tiger, Bengal Tigers, African Lions, Bears, Puma, Monkeys, Baboons, Vervet, Zebras and variety of Deers. In addition; variety of birds brought from all over the world like Pheasants, Peacocks, Parrots, Ostriches, Emus, Black Swans, Pelicans, Ducks etc. adds beauty to zoo and interest of the visitors.

Jungle World is also the primary setting for the critically acclaimed music video for "The Great Unraveling" by internationally renowned rapper and music producer Adil Omar who chose the location based on childhood memories.^[27]

Zoological garden with animals and rides. The Rani Bagh, previously Das Garden, is a zoological garden located in Hyderabad City, Sindh, Pakistan. The garden was re-christened in honour of Queen Victoria. It was established as a botanical garden in 1861 by the then Agro-horticultural Society and later animals were moved in.

Rani Bagh is spread over 58 acres (23 ha) of land, divided into four parts. The four parts included Eidgah, the Abbas Bhai Park, zoo and lawns, children parks, jogging tracks, artificial lake on 50,000-square-feet for boating purposes and parking area.

Apart from approximately 21 species of mammals, 41 species of birds and 10 species of reptiles, Rani Bagh is home to 3,177 trees of 227 species.^[30]

The Tombs of Talpur Mirs are a complex of tombs of the ruling Talpur Mirs of Sindh who reigned from 1784 to 1843. The tombs are also known as Cubbas. These tombs are located in Hirabad, Hyderabad in the Sindh province of Pakistan.

The tombs complex hosts large mausoleums for Talpur rulers while they are several smaller mausoleums for their wives, consorts and infant children. There are several graves in the external area that are uncovered and unmarked, apart from a few exceptions. The graves are mostly made out of marble and usually have Quranic verses inscribed on their surfaces.

Once a magnificent burial ground for the Talpur rulers, this place now has several preservation concerns. As of 30 March 2011, the Culture Department, Government of Sindh retained the charge for these monuments, following a devolution of the government to provinces. Since then, there has been slow and steady restoration work on preserving these monuments.^[31]

Bloody Bastion, also called Khooni Burj or Bloody Tower, is a bastion in the old City Wall of Multan, between Pak Gate and Delhi Gate on Alang Road in Multan. The tower is a remnant of the city's fortifications that were destroyed by the British in 1849.

Alexander the Great is traditionally believed to have been injured at the site of the modern bastion during his invasion of the Indus Valley.

The bastion is notable for having been the site where two British emissaries were buried following their murder by Sikh rebels. The bastion was site of fierce fighting between Sikh forces and the 1st Bombay Fusiliers on the British side during the Siege of Multan in 1849, earning the structure its current name. Following the capture of the bastion, the graves of the two British emissaries were removed, and the bodies re-buried at the site of the Multan Fort.^[32]

Church in Jhelum, Pakistan. St. John's Church is an Anglican church, now under the Church of Pakistan, located in Jhelum cantonment, Pakistan, beside the river Jhelum. It was built in 1860 and is a landmark of the city. It is a Protestant church and was in use during the British colonial period. For forty years it remained closed, but has been renovated and reopened.

On 7 July 1857, 35 British soldiers of the 24th Regiment of Foot were killed by mutineers in Jhelum during the Indian Rebellion of 1857. Among the dead was Captain Francis Spring, the eldest son of Colonel William Spring. The church was built to commemorate the eventual British victory in the rebellion, and a lectern now stands in the church as a memorial to the dead British soldiers.^[33]

Bridge in Sukkur, Pakistan. Ayub Bridge, named after Field Marshal Mohammad Ayub Khan, is a railway bridge over the Indus river between Rohri and Sukkur in Sindh province, Pakistan. The bridge is about 806 feet long, 247 feet high and cost Rs21.6 million. It has served the city for 50 years by providing a strong link for rail traffic between Sukkur and Rohri. Before this, Lansdowne Bridge was the railway link between Sukkur and Rohri. The foundation stone of this steel arch bridge was laid on 9 December 1960 and inaugurated by President Muhammad Ayub Khan on 6 May 1962. The consulting engineer was David B. Steinman. The Ayub Bridge became the world's third longest railway arch span and the first railway bridge in the world to be slung on coiled wire rope suspenders.^[43]

Soaring mountain with a prominent peak. Gasherbrum I, surveyed as K5 and also known as Hidden Peak, is the 11th highest mountain in the world at 8,080 metres above sea level. It is located in Shigar District in the Gilgit–Baltistan region of Pakistan-administered Kashmir. Gasherbrum I is part of the Gasherbrum Massif, located in the Karakoram region of the Himalaya. Gasherbrum is often claimed to mean "Shining Wall", presumably a reference to the highly visible face of the neighbouring peak Gasherbrum IV; but in fact it comes from "rgasha" + "brum" in Balti, hence it actually means "beautiful mountain."

Gasherbrum I was designated K5 (meaning the 5th peak of the Karakoram) by T.G. Montgomerie in 1856 when he first spotted the peaks of the Karakoram from more than 200 km away during the Great Trigonometric Survey of India. In 1892, William Martin Conway provided the alternate name, Hidden Peak, in reference to its extreme remoteness.

Gasherbrum I was first climbed on July 5, 1958, by Pete Schoening and Andy Kauffman of an eight-man American expedition led by Nicholas B. Clinch, Richard K. Irvin, Tom Nevison, Tom McCormack, Bob Swift and Gil Roberts were also members of the team.^[48]