Amazing Places in Pakistan:
Faisal Mosque
Hingol National Park
Mohen-Jo-Daro
Minar-e-Pakistan
Northern Areas
Making plans for your next holiday? Looking for places you won’t find anywhere? Well, we have you covered with our rundown of amazing places in Pakistan that you must visit once in our lifetime.
While relaxing at home or hanging out with friends sounds like a great idea, you should also know December and January are the prime months to explore some of the most enchanting tourist destinations in the country. From historical monuments to natural sites, there is no shortage of amazing places in Pakistan.
List of Jaw-Dropping Places in Pakistan
Pakistan has a reputation of being full of surprises, especially to first time travellers. From hospitality of the locals to the picturesque landscapes – everything deserves admiration. If you’re on a journey to explore Pakistan, we’ve picked the five most mesmerising places including buildings, structures, and monuments the land of pure has to offer:
- Faisal Mosque
- Hingol National Park
- Moen-Jo-Daro
- Minar-e-Pakistan
- Northern Areas
Faisal Mosque
The first mention in our list of amazing places in Pakistan is highlighted among the country’s biggest mosques – Faisal Mosque. Located near the end of Islamabad Expressway boasting a beautiful backdrop of Margalla Hills, the mosque was built in 1673. The structure and design of the mosque is nothing short of splendid – with red sandstone panels, sculptured with dazzling marble inlays making up the exterior.
The mosque comprises 4 minarets covered in white marble and exhibit an astonishing contrast with the marvelous exterior. It is important to note that the interior of the mosque is no less beautiful – plethora of arches, frescoes, and sculptured textures add to the mosque’s grandeur.
As the title suggests, Faisal Masjid is named after the late King Faisal of Saudia Arabia who graciously financed the construction and other expenses of the project and presented it as a gift to the people of Pakistan.
How to get to Faisal Mosque?
As mentioned earlier the mosque is highly connected to Islamabad Expressway and it is accessible via a wide network of roads including Faisal Avenue, Karakoram Road, and Main Margalla Road. Not to mention, the roads around the area are well-paved, so you wouldn’t have any difficulty if you’re using your own vehicle. Most visitors prefer tagging along a local and renting a cab to get around the city. You can use app-based hailing services as well.
Hingol National Park
Hingol National Park is Pakistan’s largest national park which is situated along the Makran Coast. The place boasts some of the country’s exotic wildlife species including leopards, chinkaras, honey badgers, and Indian pangolins. There are several tourist attractions in this region – from beaches to mud volcanoes. Some mentions in this regard are:
- Princess of Hope
- Lion of Balochistan
- Hinglaj Devi Temple
- Natural Oases
- Kund Malir Beach
How to get to Hingol National Park?
If you plan to visit Hingol National Park, you will need to get to Karachi first if you’re coming anywhere from Pakistan or abroad. The park is located around 243 km from the City of Lights and it is accessible via Makran Coastal Highway once you’ve covered around 3.5 hours of drive.
Mohenjo Daro
Mohenjo Daro is the name of an old civilisation discovered in Sindh during the year 1911 and it means the ‘mound of the dead’. Often spelled as Moen Jo Daro, it is not really a happening place with bustling energy, but it holds great historical significance. Soon after its excavation, the site has captivated the attention of archaeologists, historians, and tourists alike.
From the sculpture of the ‘dancing girl’ to the ‘priest king’ – the site is magical and highly civilised, considering how old it is.
As per historians, Mohenjo Daro is counted among the first urban and planned socities of this region boasting residential blocks, drainage system, sweet water wells, and watertight pool. According to a publication on National Geographic, “Modesty, order, and cleanliness were apparently preferred. Pottery and tools of copper and stone were standardised. Seals and weights suggest a system of tightly controlled trade”.
How to get to Mohenjo Daro?
Mohenjo Daro is situated in Larkana and it is proximate to Mohenjo Daro-Radhan Road (N-155).
The place is connected with a domestic airport which was highly used before PIA suspended its operations in 2019. If you want to avoid the hassles of roads, you can fly to Sukkur and travel back to Larkana using a rental car to visit the archaeological site in Sindh.
Minar-e-Pakistan
We all know the historical significance of Minar-e-Pakistan, it stands as an evidence to the struggle for independence. The tower itself is 62 metres high and adorned with various symbols and elements. Another impressive feature about the Minar are stones, which get more refined and polished from bottom to the top – highlighting the hardships Muslims had to endure to make Pakistan a reality.
The tower is one of the most memorable structures in Pakistan and is modeled after a blossoming flower – another allegory alluding to the country’s progress.
How to Get to Minar-e-Pakistan?
Minar-e-Pakistan is situated in Lahore. It is highly connected to Circular Road and Data Darbar Road while the nearby area is dotted with major tourist attractions and landmarks. Some mentions are Lahore Fort, Fakir Khana Museum, Badshahi Mosque, and National History Museum.
Northern Areas
Stunning mountains, lush-green hill stations, staggering waterfalls, and forests dotted with exotic animals – Pakistan is a place with unmatchable splendor. While the country is bustling with natural beauty and amazing architecture, most of the attractions are sited in the northern areas. We have mentioned some of the popular places in the northern region that you should add to your bucket list:
- Naran Kaghan
- Hunza Valley
- Skardu Valley
- Fairy Meadows
- Naltar Valley
How to travel to Northern Areas of Pakistan?
Northern areas of Pakistan begin from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. So, it only makes sense that you will have to visit KPK first. All modes of transport are available in the region from airports to trains. It is best to tag along a group of travel agents to explore the area safely.