Pakistan is portrayed as a country with terrorism, poverty, crimes, corruption, inflation, and numerous other things that reflect an impoverished country. What if we tell you that reality is poles apart from this picture of Pakistan? It is without any doubt an amazing piece of land with extremely stunning and mesmerizing places. Each place has its story and uniqueness.
There are other countries as well that are filled with some amazing places, so, what’s different in it for you? Pakistan is home to natural beauty. The exquisite landscape and narrow valleys with picturesque rivers flowing alongside make it unusual and immensely captivating to the tourists.
We have shortlisted ‘a must-visit’ places in Pakistan for you.
1. Fairy Meadows
As the name suggests, the spot is like a fairyland that is exceedingly soothing for your eyes. The place is locally known as Jaugth and is located in Diamir District, Gilgit Baltistan. It enables us to witness the beautiful scenery surrounded by snowcapped mountains. You will have the best view of Nanga Parbat which is one of the world’s tallest mountains and the highest peak of Himalayas. The grassland is encircled by alpine trees and tourists usually camp there to enjoy the breathtaking sight. The best time to visit this place is from May to September when the climate is pleasant. You will otherwise have to deal with quite low temperatures.
2. Swat
The district is located in the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Known as mini Switzerland, the Swat valley is one of the major tourist attractions as it is filled with outstanding archaeology, lush green sites, and beautiful running streams. It is located between the Hindu Kush mountain range. The location of the Swat valley has major strategic importance as it lies in the region where South Asia, Central Asia, and China meet. It has Malam Jabba nearby, which is a hill station surrounded by high-end restaurants and resorts including Malam Jabba skiing resort. Swat also has other astounding tourist spots such as Lake Mahodand which contains small lakes, tall cedar trees, and widespread pastures. It is also famous for its melodious small birds which adds to the glory of the place. The suitable time to visit Swat is from March till October.
3. Hunza
Hunza, a heaven on Earth, is a small town in Gilgit Baltistan. It is one of the most spectacular tourist places in Pakistan because of its diverse natural beauty. Attabad Lake is one of a kind magnificent spot in Hunza. The sight of its clear blue water feels like a fairy tale. Visitors can have a boat ride in the lake and can also enjoy skiing and other recreational activities around the lake. It also has a Sweet Tooth, a popular eatery. Besides the lake, Hunza has Altit and Baltit Forts that are an impressive piece of art of ancient times and have historical value. And that’s not it, the town has Khunjerab Pass nearby, that serves as a border between China and Pakistan. The pass gives you the view of the majestic Karakoram Mountain range. Hunza is packed in places that are among the most beautiful places on this planet. It is appropriate to visit Hunza between April and October.
4. Lake Saiful Muluk
Famous for the associated story of a Persian King, also known as the lake of fairies, Lake Saiful Muluk is one of the prime tourist attractions. The lake is located near Naran at the northern end of the Kaghan Valley, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. It is surrounded by mighty mountains covered with colossal glaciers giving the marvelous view of Malka Parbat Mountains. The greenish-blue water is so enthralling that the visitors get lost in its beauty. The lake looks even more captivating at night when the moon shines with billions of stars in the sky. Unfortunately, tourists are not welcomed at night because of the dangerous route. If you have not yet visited the lake then you are missing on a lot. The best time to go there is in summers as the lake freezes in winters and the road to the lake remains closed due to heavy snowfall.
5. Neelum Valley
Neelum Valley, a paradise of Kashmir, is located in the northernmost district of Azad Kashmir running parallel to Kaghan Valley. The valley is accompanied by rich alpine trees, streams, and rivers and its scenic beauty attract a great number of local and foreign tourists. The valley is widely spread and has around 370 small and large villages. The snowcapped mountains and swift Neelum river is a treat to eyes. It is also famous for some tasty local fruits like apples, apricots, and plums. Additionally, it also has Chitta Katha Lake located in Shonter valley, a sub valley of Neelum is another tremendous piece of nature. Some other popular spots within and near the valley include Shounter Pass, Ratti Gali, Baboon, Noori top, Sharda, Authmuqam, and Kel. The right time to visit the valley is from April till October.
6. Moola Chotok
Moola Chotok is a hidden gorge in the Khuzdar district, Balochistan. Although it takes around five to six hours to drive on a rough road to reach the destination it’s worth all your effort and time. It has a waterfall that you may also call nature’s water park, which is a therapy for your eyes. The crystal clear fast flowing water between the cliffs seems absolutely stunning and adventurous due to the difficult topography. The place has recently gained fame otherwise it was known by many. The distinctive feature of the waterfall is that it remains cold in summers and hot in winters. So, you may explore the place in the presence of stable weather.
7. Satpara Lake
Satpara Lake is another spectacular sight of nature. The lake is located near Skardu, Gilgit Baltistan, and provides water to the Skardu valley. The turquoise water encircled by tall mountains gives an extremely dramatic and breathtaking view to the tourists. The lake is fed by the Satpara Stream which is originated from the melted glaciers of deosai plains. You can do rowing, motor boating and fishing as it is well stocked with trout fishes. The best time to travel to the lake is in the spring when the lush vegetation near the lake has taken full form and the flowers have started to bloom.
8. Deosai National Park
Famous for its flora and fauna, also known as the roof of the world, Deosai is a high altitude alpine plateau situated in Northern Gilgit Baltistan. The place provides shelter to the rare Himalayan brown bears which is one of the most imperiled creatures in the world. These bears usually disappear in summers which is a peak time for tourists and return to the plain in winters that prevail for around six months. Shear Lake, the heart of Deosai, is surrounded by rich grass and wildflowers of various exquisite colors which add more beauty to the unbelievably stunning view of the plateau. The region looks even more astounding when approaching the sunset. It is a perfect place for nature lovers but is pleasant for humans only during the summers as the winters are extremely harsh.
9. Lower Kachura Lake
The Lower Kachura Lake is a nature’s perfection and is also located in Kachura village in Skardu, Gilgit Baltistan. It is well recognized as Shangrila Lake after the Shangrila resort was constructed in that area. The view is filled with greenery and a huge Karakoram mountain range. The resort has made it feasible for the tourist to stay and witness the exceptional panoramic view of the area. The resort is rich in fruit-laden orchards of sumptuous apples, cherries, pears with alluring floral displays. It is a hundred percent secure and highly rated place amongst the tourists. The perfect time to visit June, July, and August.
10. Phander Valley
A place where you would want to get lost on purpose is Phander Valley. It is located in district Ghizer of Gilgit Baltistan and is a hidden utopia that is not known by many. The valley provides an extraordinary scene to the viewers and is one of the most peaceful lands on earth. You can go for trout fishing and hiking or can have a peaceful walk around the valley. From springs of crystal clear waters to lakes and rivers of deep blue water, there are all colors of nature’s beauty in Phandar Valley. It encompasses massive bright greenfields, icy peaks, and Phander Lake which is a source of water to the residents. The ideal time to visit the valley is in summers (June and July to be specific) when the weather is pleasant with fairly warm days and chilly nights.
Pakistan is one of the most beautiful yet cheap countries in the world with incomparable tourist spots. You must take a break and experience these exceptional places. They are worth your time, money, and efforts. You should visit these places at least once in a lifetime.
