Tired of the same old vacations every year? It’s time to shake things up and go somewhere new! If you’re looking for a holiday destination that has it all, Pakistan is the perfect country to visit.
It is one of the most beautiful and underestimated places that tourists should visit. From the gorgeous scenery to the welcoming people, Pakistan is a country that will leave you with pleasant memories to last a lifetime. Here are just a few of the reasons why should put it on your travel bucket list.
- The hospitality of its people
Pakistanis are well known for their hospitality and welcoming attitude towards visitors. Most people will welcome you with open arms, and many will even insist on feeding you food and chai (The tea that is a must for a quintessentially Pakistani experience). Whether you’re in one of the large cities like Lahore or way up in the mountains, the locals will make sure you have a pleasant experience.
- Affordable accomodation
Once you’ve got the visa and tickets out of the way, you’ll find that traveling in Pakistan is actually quite cheap. You can easily manage with a budget of a $100 per week, as long as you’re not staying in high-end accommodations.
In addition, may people will be willing to host you for free, so do some online research and get in touch with locals before you leave from home. Local resthouses are also quite affordable, so you won’t have to spend much on accommodation. If you plan to stay for long, check out websites such as Prop.pk to find property for rent, as that will be more viable for you.
- The rich culture
One of the most beautiful things about Pakistan is the culture and traditions you will get to experience. Pakistan is home to a wide variety of people, with diverse cultural practices. From the Kalash tribe in the north to the Sheedi people in the very south, you will get to see a number of interesting practices.
- The historical importance
Pakistan’s history goes back for centuries, much before it became an independent state in 1947. It has been home to a number of civilisations and has been invaded by many others. From the Buddhist history of Taxila, to the Mughal and British history of Lahore, you will find influences of a large number of civilisations here.
Fun fact, Pakistan is also where Alexander the Great died, after conquering a large chunk of the ancient world.
- Ample opportunities for adventure tourism
For all you adventurers out there, Pakistan is the perfect destination! It is home to five of the world’s fourteen tallest peaks and has numerous first-summit peaks for mountaineering enthusiasts to conquer. Pakistan’s many glaciers are also worth the trek.
In addition, you can also find activities like cliff-diving, paragliding, and tobogganing here. So, it is an ideal destination for adventure tourism.
- The delicious food
Even with all the traveling and trekking, you will gain a few pounds when you visit Pakistan. The food here is unbelievably delicious and highly affordable. You must try the regional specialties of every area you visit, such as karahi, nihari, haleem, tikkas, samosas etc. Lahore’s food street next to the Badshahi Mosque is worth experiencing and has some scrumptious options for you.
You’ll be spoiled for choice, whether you have street food or go to high-end restaurants. Often, you’ll find that your hosts won’t even let you pay the bill! So, you can eat to your heart’s content even if your budget is very limited.
- The diverse terrain
You’ll find everything from craggy mountains to sandy beaches in Pakistan. The landscape is quite varied and you’ll see it change drastically the further you go north or south. Pakistan is a study in geography, and you can even see three different types of mountains in one spot. Such are the wonders of this country.
The beautiful landscape enthrals visitors, no matter which part of the country they are in. Whether it’s the golden wheat fields of Punjab or the stark beauty of Balochistan, every part of the country presents a beautiful picture.
- Ease of language
You’ll be glad to know that almost everyone you’ll meet in Pakistan understands and speaks a smattering of English, and many people are fluent in it as well. Official documentation and signage are also in English, so you won’t be stuck asking people to translate for you.
Pakistan was a British colony right until 1947, so the education system is still largely in English. If you travel with a group, then it’ll be even easier for you.
- The quality of hash
Alcohol is not openly consumed in Pakistan and is only legal for foreigners and local Christians. So, you won’t be able to find it everywhere. However, hashish is easily available, albeit not in stores etc. Especially in urban areas and up north, you can find quality hash quite cheaply. Many bloggers swear by it and call Pakistan’s hashish one of its many attractive features.
- Beautiful architecture
As discussed before, Pakistan has been home to a myriad of cultures across multiple historic eras. Therefore, the architecture here is just as diverse. Lahore, the capital city of Punjab, is a major example of this. It has Sikh gurdwaras, Mughal mosques, and British academic buildings all within walking distance of one another. You will see a variety of architectural styles in Pakistan.
Notable pieces of modern architecture are the Minar-e-Pakistan (Lahore), the mausoleum of Quaid-e–Azam (Karachi), and the Faisal Mosque (Islamabad).
- The intricate handicrafts
The small & medium enterprises in Pakistan are quite efficient, especially when it comes to handicrafts. The hand-knotted carpets, embroidered clothes, and intricately painted and carved decoration pieces the local handicraft industry has to offer are unbelievably gorgeous and affordable.
You can also find colourful truck art and glazed blue pottery here. You can take a bit of Pakistan home with you by and get some gifts for your loved ones as well!
- The bustling bazaars
Whether it’s Zainab Market in Karachi or Anarkali Bazaar in Lahore, the markets in Pakistan are an experience in themselves. Vendors will have gorgeous jewellery, shoes, shawls, and clothes on display, and you can bargain to get the best price.
You’ll experience shopping like never before, with shopkeepers rolling out swathes of cloth for you to inspect and recommending the best bangles to suit your wrists. The clamour and activity in one of these bazaars will leave you with some fun memories for sure.
- Don’t believe the naysayers
Don’t believe everything you see in the popular media. Many naysayers may have you believing that Pakistan is an extremely conservative and dangerous country with backward values. However, that is so not the case!
You’d be surprised how laidback the people here can be. In urban centres, you can even experience raves and concerts, just like in Western countries. You’ll also see that Western wear is pretty common for both men and women, depending on the areas you go to. So, don’t worry, you can have the time of your life in Pakistan, with a variety of experiences. From trekking to raves, from history to mega-malls, Pakistan has it all.
So, what are you waiting for? Plan your trip to one of the most underrated and beautiful countries in the world.