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Pakistan

Crossroads of Asia

Stretching from the eternal snows of the high Himalayas and Karakorams, across the Indus plains and the rich agricultural land of the Punjab, the barren hills of Baluchistan, the deserts of Sindh and the beaches of the Mekran coast to the commercial capital Karachi on the Arabian Sea, Pakistan possesses an extraordinary range of landscapes, tremendous cultural diversity and warm welcoming people.

The modern state of Pakistan was established in 1947, but the region that it encompasses has a history that dates back more than five millennia and overlaps with that of ancient India, Iran and Afghanistan. The region was a crossroads of ancient trade routes, including the Silk Road and was settled over thousands of years by many people, including Dravidians, Indo-Aryans, Persians, Greeks, Scythians, Parthians, Kushans, White Huns, Afghans, Arabs, Turks, Mongols and British, all of whom brought new cultures and ideas that have been absorbed into the lifestyle of today’s Pakistanis.

This rich, diverse heritage permeates every aspect of life in 21st century Pakistan, most obviously manifesting itself in the hundreds of festivals and fairs -- varying from wrestling, folk dancing and music to camel racing, polo and ‘buzkashi’ -- held in cities, towns and villages all over the country.

History is everywhere in Pakistan. You can explore the excavated sites at Mohenjodaro, Harappa and Taxila – seats of the ancient Indus Valley and Gandhara civilisations; the architectural splendours of the Moghuls; the Khyber Pass, for centuries a conduit through which flowed invading armies and new cultures; and the Chitral Valley, where the Kafir Kalash maintain their ancient unchanging traditions.

For those with an affinity for the high country, Pakistan has the world’s greatest concentration of mountains. There are 68 peaks over 7,000 metres and hundreds over 6,000 metres – and of the 14 over 8,000 metres summits on earth, five are in Pakistan, including K-2, the world’s second highest peak. The valleys that lead up to them – Gilgit, Hunza, Swat, Kaghan, Chitral and Skardu are breathtakingly beautiful. 

But the attractions of Pakistan are not confined to the hills and valleys of the north. Visitors will be pleasantly surprised to discover the country’s cities – Islamabad, a well-planned, modern capital with broad roads and fine parks; Rawalpindi, an ancient, traditional, happy bustle of old buildings and bazaars; Lahore, Pakistan’s cultural, artistic and intellectual centre, with its astounding collection of Mughal palaces, mosques and gardens; Peshawar, commanding the Khyber Pass, where the bazaars are full of gold and silversmiths, carpets, pottery and artwork in wood, brass or semi-precious stones; and busy, progressive Karachi, a major seaport and the country’s economic hub.

 

Cities in Pakistan

Sightseeing

Snow-capped mountains; bustling bazaars; Mughal monuments and palaces; Islamabad Museum features interesting archaeological finds; and the marbled Shah Faisal Mosque, is one of the world’s largest.

Accommodation
City centre hotels, budget resorts in the mountains and smaller towns.

Shopping
What you can buy – Handicrafts, pottery, hand-woven carpets, marble pieces, copper and brass, leather goods, pashminas, shawls and intricately-carved furniture.
Where you can buy – Rawalpindi’s Mall; Islamabad’s shopping centres and hotel arcades; Moti, Rajah, Juma and Saddar Bazaar in Karachi.

Entertainment
Eating out is an adventure – from charcoal-grilled frontier dishes to the fruity, creamy Mughlai cuisine.

Sports and leisure
Spectator sports – Cricket, hockey, squash, horse racing and polo. Active sports – Fishing, hunting, birdwatching, white water rafting, mountaineering and trekking.

 

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Associate Hotels

Islamabad Serena Hotel

The Islamabad Serena Hotel stands at the foot of the northern hills in six acres of landscaped gardens at the centre of Islamabad.

Pearl-Continental Hotel Lahore

This hotel is located on the most prestigious shopping, entertainment and commercial avenues of Lahore, a city of mosques, imposing fortresses and historic bazaars.

Karachi Sheraton Hotel & Towers

This hotel with its Mughal-inspired décor is conveniently located in the downtown district of Karachi, a few minutes away from the museums, gardens and golf courses.

Pearl-Continental Hotel Peshawar

Surrounded by the greenery of Peshawar Golf Course on both sides, the hotel has a very fresh atmosphere.

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