Islamabad is a governmental center of Pakistan, a large cultural region and an attractive destination for rest. The building of the city started in 1960 in the middle of an absolute desert. It took just several decades to turn a lifeless steppe into a modern megalopolis. A famous Greek architect worked over the creation of the city. Islamabad was thoroughly planned and so it doesn’t look like the majority of Middle East towns with their narrow labyrinth like streets.
Besides the internationally famous Faisal Mosque, Rohtas Fort, and Taxila Ruins, Islamabad and surrounding regions have many interesting places that definitely deserve a visit. For example, …
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There is a large number of wonderful places in Islamabad. Shah Faisal Mosque is the most interesting sight from architectural and religious points of view. The walls of this building have enough space for up to 70 thousand of people. Garden of Roses and Jasmine remains the most beautiful place of the city. Besides flower beds the park is decorated by wonderful fountains, statues and decorative bushes.
On the territory of the city are also located several lakes. The biggest ones of them are Lotus Lake, Raval and Simli. Just like any Middle East city, Islamabad has rich choice of trading squares and markets – Abpara Market, Melody Market, Covered Market, Juma Bazar, and Jinnah Market. Among cultural facilities of the city the most notable ones are Lok Virsa Museum, Pakistan Museum of Natural History and Islamabad Museum. Copyright www.orangesmile.com
Islamabad is a city located at the foot of a mountain. It attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists with its numerous landmarks and the activities it offers, rock-climbing included. …
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In the immediate vicinity of Islamabad, there is an interesting historical landmark - the Rohtas Fort. Its construction began in 1541 and lasted for two years. The fortress was built to protect the lands from the Mongol conquerors. The defensive structure is now striking in its scale; the perimeter of the fortress walls is about 4,000 meters and the height about 18 meters. The entrance to the fortress is a gate made of sandstone. The fortress lost its strategic importance in the 18th century, and several years ago it was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
An equally interesting historical site is the archaeological district of Taxila. It was named after the eponymous town, the ruins of which were discovered by researchers in these places. This ancient Buddhist city was founded in the times of Alexander of Macedon. On its territory, there were many unique examples of architecture and sculptures, including a statue of Buddha of impressive size. Visitors of the archaeological region will have the opportunity to see fragments of an ancient monastery, and many more defensive structures that were used to protect the city.
1. In general, the capital of Pakistan is quite a safe city, but it is still better not to take valuables when heading to local markets and shops. Don’t leave your belongings …
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Guests of Islamabad will have the opportunity to get to the nearby Buddhist monastery of Takht-i-Bahi, built in the 1st century BC. This monastery remained active until the 7th century. It represents a large and incredibly interesting complex of structures. Here tourists will have the opportunity to look into the old cells, see the halls in which important meetings were held, and also visit the refectory. The monastery is located on the top of the mountain. From these places, a magnificent panoramic view of the surroundings opens.
Fans of natural attractions will not be bored either as they will be able to visit the Margalla Hills National Park. The park is big and incredibly beautiful. It is home to many rare species of animals. The luckiest travelers will have an opportunity to see graceful deer during the tour. Pheasants also walk freely in the park. One day will not be enough to explore all the amazing sights of this reserve. There are several routes options for tourists. Some types of excursions are designed specifically for tourists with children.
Islamabad - guide chapters
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Sightseeing in Pakistan: things to see
Several interesting monuments and other places of interest can be found in Hyderabad, first mentions of which belong to the pre-islamic period. Qutb Shahi Fort and an old market, which is located nearby, are beautiful reminders of previous centuries. The so-called historical complex is surrounded by numerous small streets and quarters, which were also built several centuries ago. Another important landmark is located not far away from the city. This is Lake Manchar, the biggest lake in the country and the wintering ground for thousands of birds. One more ancient city that is also worth visiting is called Mohenjo-daro, which was founded more than 4,000 years ago. The city is very popular with tourists, so you will easily find a guide or an excursion that will show you old quarters of Mohenjo-daro. Ruins of an ancient citadel and a palace are among the most famous places of interest here. There is also a large exhibition hall, where visitors can see several collections dedicated to artworks and artifacts found during archaeological excavations. Within several decades the Museum of archaeology has added many precious items to its collection - ancient jewellery, ceramics, weapons and figurines.
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