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In recent years, Pakistan has become increasingly attractive and popular as a tourist destination. Pakistan was recently named the world’s best tourist destination in 2020 by the international travel magazine “Condé Nast” and is sought after by many foreigners and tourists.
Forbes magazine also named Pakistan one of the top 10 lesser-known travel destinations in 2020. That’s a big number for a country that was considered scary just a few years ago. Now that we have discussed some tourist places in Sindh, Punjab and Balochistan, it is time to explore the wonderful and historical province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
In addition to sharing a border with Afghanistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa incorporates Afghan culture heavily in its language, clothing, cuisine, and cultural activities. It is also home to stunning natural beauty, including clear blue lakes, pristine valleys, natural forests, and historical sites, some of which originate from the Gandhara culture.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was once the administrative center of the ancient Gandhara dynasty, and some relics of the Gandhara dynasty remain. The government is converting five Haripur, Kohat, Swabi, Nowshera and Abbottabad dams into picnic spots for domestic and international tourists. KP also has good dam reservoirs.
KPK seems to have everything, so you’ll never run out of ways to satisfy your inner sense of adventure. So, let’s look at the most beautiful places in KPK. Let’s take a look at the top 20 places in KPK.
The Swat region of Pakistan is amazing. The waves of the flowing Swat River swept over him. Many resorts surround the Swat River and offer stunning views during sunrise and sunset. You can travel to Swat at any time of the year, but most tourists go there during the summer to enjoy the cool river beds and tranquil waterfalls.
Best Places in KPK: Swat Valley
International visitors will appreciate eastern Switzerland’s free-flowing rivers, natural waterfalls, gushing river beds, and tall pine trees against the snow-capped Alps. From the Buddhist stupas, White House, and Takht Bashi that represent the rich history to the mesmerizing blue waters of Mahodan Lake, the snow-capped ski resort of Malamjabba, and the beautiful green meadows and pine forests of Kalam, everything seems just right—just straight out of a short story.
At the foot of the Hindu Kush Mountains, west of the Kunhar River, you’ll find this true slice of paradise. Chitral is famous for its beautiful meadows, fruit trees, snow-capped mountains and stunning views. During your visit in the summer, the valley is filled with cherry, almond, and pomegranate trees, which will help you make the most of your stay in Chitral.
The stunning Kalash Valley is an attraction in Chitral. Men in the Kalash Valley wear feathered hats, while women wear traditional embroidered clothing. Chitral is also worth a visit if you want to visit the beautiful Broghill, Golain and Ayun Valley.
Best Places in KPK: Chitral Valley
You can also Garam Chashma, a real gem in the valley. History buffs should not miss the Shahi Chitral Fort, also known as Chitral Fort. It was built before the Partition when Chitral was a princely kingdom. It is the headquarters of the Royal Guards and is known locally as Al-Muhtar.
The best time to visit the valley is from April to October. In winter, the valley is covered with a thick layer of snow. Chitral can be reached by air (flights from Islamabad to Chitral). Also, it is possible by road (from Islamabad to Chitral). Remember that if you drive to the valley, you can reach it in about 10 hours on the N-45 highway.
Tourists often visit Narran Valley, Shogran, and Kaghan, which are about 240 kilometres away from Islamabad. Siri Paye is the most picturesque tourist destination, a charming place with beautiful green meadows against a mountainous backdrop.
Best Places in KPK: Naran Kaghan Valley
In Siri Paye, the clouds hang low, allowing you to pass through them like a ghost. Malika Parbat’s image is also clearly visible in the waters of Saif-ul-Muluk Lake, located in Mansehra district, 9 km from Naran. Another popular tourist attraction in Naran is Babusar Top, a mountain pass connecting Taknala to Chilas, 70 km from Naran.
This has undoubtedly generated a lot of discussion. In short, this site is a maze of stunning beauty. Due to its impressive altitude, it offers a range of hiking options as well as beautiful, much cooler weather. It takes one hour from Abbottabad to Nadia Gali, the midpoint of Murree; if you are travelling from Islamabad, it takes two hours.
Best Places in KPK: Nathia Gali
It is recommended to travel in May, June, July, and August, as these months have the most tolerable temperatures for visitors to KPK. But when you hear it’s foggy here, step back because it’s only a few feet away.
The picturesque Malam Jabba Valley transforms into a ski resort during the winter. It is located in the Hindu Kush Mountains in the Swat Valley at an altitude of over 9,000 feet. Skiers of all skill levels will enjoy some of the largest terrain in the area here. In winter, when the snow is deep and hard, skiers can enjoy snow tubing, sledding and tobogganing on the snow-covered peaks.
Best Places in KPK: Malam Jabba
Some 800 meters of well-maintained pistes of varying difficulty are suitable for beginners and experts alike. The ski season in Malam Jabba lasts from January to March, and it is a popular resort for tourists in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The drive to the resort from Islamabad takes approximately 6 hours.
Kumrat Valley is one of the most beautiful spots in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. It is undiscovered and isolated from the outside world. It is surrounded by towering pine trees, thundering waterfalls, and cool streams.
Best Places in KPK: Kumrat Valley
You can find it on Dir-Chitral Road, which takes about four hours to reach Thal Town from Timergara. When you get there, you should stop and admire the beautiful sculptures and rich artwork inside this 19th-century wooden mosque. From Thar, it takes 30 to 60 minutes to reach your destination. From Kumrat Valley, tourists can trek to the meadows and waterfalls of Jahaz Banda, Lake Katura and Kala Chashma.
Tourists use Abbottabad as a transport hub to northern destinations like Nadia Gali and Narang. Abbottabad is an excellent tourist destination with many attractions and stopovers, such as Harnoi, about 11 km from the city centre.
It has calm streams flowing through it and is surrounded by majestic green mountains. Situated 31 km from Abbottabad and at an altitude of 2,700 meters above sea level, Thandiani is a must-visit place for those who are spending a day or two in Abbottabad. It gets its name because it is surrounded by beautiful green pine forests, and it is very cold there.
If you love history, you’ll love visiting St. Luke’s Church. The building was built in the 1860s during the colonial period. Upper-class British women used the Lady’s Garden to relax in the evenings long before Partition. Due to the park’s historical importance, many visitors to KPK come to explore it.
This area of KPK is home to migratory birds and endangered animal species. Its area is approximately 3,128 hectares. Black bears and leopards roamed in the open. Koklass pheasant and Kalij pheasant are two types of pheasant that can be found here. Extinction poses a threat to both. Your inner child and adventurous spirit kick in because seeing an animal like this here is astounding.
Best Places in KPK: Ayubia
If you like hiking, follow the pipeline to Donga Gali after passing through Ayubia National Park. However, care must be taken as the 45-minute trek can be exhausting, even though the Jhelum River is picturesque with its pine-clad hills.
There is a narrow strip of land between Abbottabad and Murree. Galiyat is a steep area with green grass, cool weather, and tall pine trees. Galiyat Gali, Nathia Gali, Changla Gali, and Dunga Gali are part of the KPK Galiyat district. In Pakistan, a number of fast-food restaurants and three-star resorts are being built as part of new tourism developments. In 2019, the number of visitors to the community increased by 139%.
Thandiani is a hill station in the foothills of the Himalayas, located in the southern part of Abbottabad district, 31 kilometres away from Abbottabad city. Thandiani means “extremely cold place” in Urdu.
Best Places in KPK : Thandiyani
The Pir Panjal range of Kashmir lies east of this hill town. The mountains of Kohistan and Kagan lie to the north and northeast, while the Chitral and Swat mountains lie to the northwest. This picturesque and green hill station receives many tourists throughout the year. The area’s dense forests are home to various species, including pine martens, flying squirrels, pheasants, and leopards.
Muskhpuri Top, an area in Abbottabad district, is only 40 kilometres from Abbottabad city and 30 kilometres from Murree. Muskhpuri is a dream place in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, located among one of the most beautiful summer resorts and hills of Pakistan. It attracts tourists with its breathtaking beauty all year round.
There are many things you can do in Mushkpuri, but the most popular and interesting activities are trekking and tracking. Muskhpuri Top is famous for its breathtaking and awe-inspiring landscapes, and you can reach it via a 2.5 km long trail starting from Dunga Gali.
Best Places in KPK: Mushkpuri Top
The road from Donga Gali to Muskhpuri Top passes through densely wooded mountains, where the lush vegetation and the scent of wildflowers provide an unforgettable and unique experience, especially in summer. The area is surrounded by dense forest with many conifer species, offering wonderful views and a great experience.
The provincial capital, Peshawar, is one of Pakistan’s oldest cities, inhabited since 539 BC. The people of Peshawar are friendly by nature, and the city streets are often crowded with people lazing around and shopping at roadside stalls. To learn more, check out our article on the most beautiful cities in Pakistan.
Given the city’s history, many historic buildings, artifacts, and archaeological sites evoke the fascinating history of the Mughal era. The most important tourist destinations in the city are Qissa Khawani Bazaar, Bala Hisar Fort, Mohabbat Khan Mosque, Sethi Houses, and Peshawar Museum.
Best Places in KPK: Peshawar
The Clock Tower, also known as Ghanta Ghar, was built in 1990 to celebrate Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee. The tower, also known as Cunningham’s Clock Tower, is named after Sir George Cunningham, a former British governor and political figure in the county.
Peshawar Museum displays Buddhist sculptures from the Gandhara era. This 1907 red brick building has a lobby with two side aisles on the first floor and two side aisles on the second floor. The main hall houses a stunning life-size Buddha statue and is a popular tourist destination.
Mohabbat Khan Mosque is a mosque from the Mughal era. It can still be bought at the Andar Shahr Bazaar in this historic city. It was built during the reign of Emperor Shah Jahan around 1670 AD. Some historians claim that the towering minaret of the Mohabbat Khan Mosque was sometimes used in place of the gallows to hang criminals. During the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, tribal leaders would gather in mosques to mobilize people against the Soviets. A large prayer area is accessible from the entrance of the mosque.
Best Places in KPK: Mahabat Khan Mosque
An ancient Buddhist monastery complex called Takht e Bahi is a popular tourist destination due to its historical importance. It was built around the beginning of the first century AD, and in 1980, UNESCO listed it as a World Heritage Site. This temple houses some of the most important artifacts of the Gandhara civilization.
Best Places in KPK: Takht i Bahi
Visitors will enjoy the building’s peaceful location, its fascinating history, and its beautiful surroundings. This place got its name from the two wells at the top of the mountain. Since Takht and Bahi signify mountain peaks, the idea of spring emerging from the peaks suggests this.
On the western side of the Chitral River stands an amazing structure called Chitral Fort. The area’s previous rulers lived there. The fort was built on the Lahore Fort model and reflects Mughal design.
The fort is divided into three parts and is built of mud bricks and large amounts of cedar wood. There are barracks for the army and the Secretariat and a block leading to a park overlooking the river. Previous rulers liked to have an open court within the SecretariatSecretariat and built an area with a unique seating arrangement under the towering Jinnar tree.
A hired tour guide can teach you some amazing tidbits about Chitral Fort. According to reports, a 400-man British Army unit was trapped inside the fort. In 1892, they assisted one prince in his struggle for the throne against Prince Aman Mulk, the son of another prince.
Peshawar established a park inside a Mughal-era caravanserai, where merchants and soldiers rested. Two doors, one facing east and one facing west, separate the walled complex. The Gol Khati Temple is under a well-maintained banyan tree in the Hindu Mission of Peshawar, in the heart of the Caravanserai.
The government built a museum in one of the buildings, which houses antiques and interesting objects. Additionally, there are small shops where artisans sell handmade Peshawari handicrafts and shawls.
The excavation of Ghor Khatri in 2007 took Peshawar’s history back several centuries, making it one of the oldest settlements in Southeast Asia. Archaeologists excavating the site found 13 layers from different civilizations, ranging from the colonial period to the Indo-Greek period around 200 BC.
Exiting from the west gate of Ghor Khatri, you reach Kalan Bazaar. This is one of the oldest neighbourhoods in Peshawar. Sethi Mohalla has 6-7 houses and a large haveli built by Karim Bakhsh Sethi located just next door. The main haveli features a central courtyard with a traditional fountain that has stood the test of time and vibrant windows in the living area that let in light from all directions. The building’s architectural design attracts visitors; many find its past fascinating.
Best Places in KPK: Sethi Haveli
The Khyber Pass, which connects Afghanistan and Pakistan, is considered the northernmost and one of the most important mountain passes. Through this corridor, Peshawar is connected to Kabul. Historically, this corridor served as a gateway for incursions into the Indian subcontinent from the northwest.
The dry, cracked hills that cross the pass are also known as Khyber. They form the last slopes of the Spin Ghar (Safeed Kuh) mountain range. The bottom of Khyber Pass forms the source of two small rivers, one on each side of the mountain.
Best Places in KPK: Khyber Pass
The Khyber Pass, a few miles from Jamrud, Pakistan, in the Shadi Baqir Gorge, is a small mountain pass between shale and limestone cliffs with an altitude of 600-1,000 ft (180-300 m). Then, drive northwest for 33 miles. It opens onto the barren plains of Dhaka, stretches beyond the former Afghan fortress of Sheikh Haftar, and ends at the Kabul River.
The ancient Gandhara region in northwestern Pakistan resembles the Peshawar and extends to the lower valleys of the Kabul and Suhanara rivers. Gandhara was an important trade route and cultural exchange center in ancient India, Central Asia, and the Middle East.
Best Places in KPK: Taxila
Its major sites are Takshashila, Varmayana and Purushapura, collectively known as the “City of Man” or Peshawar (modern Taxila) in contemporary parlance. This place has a lot of historical information.
It has been the royal residence of many local princes in the past and now serves as a sacred fort in Peshawar. Until the beginning of the 18th century, the royal residence of the Afghan kings was Bala Hisar Castle. The Pakistan Army Border Guard Force now occupies the fort. The provincial government allowed guests to stay at the hotel to increase tourism. Families are welcome on Saturdays, and everyone is welcome on Sundays. You must also bring your passport for security checks if you are a foreign tourist. It is recommended that you carry the CNIC with you.
Pakistan is now a popular tourist destination, and Forbes and other magazines have taken notice. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) is special because it blends Afghan culture and has amazing places. It is steeped in history, with crystal-clear lakes and ancient ruins. KPK, the center of the Gandhara dynasty, is now converting the dam into a picnic spot. There is a lot to explore in KPK. Check out its ten most beautiful places.
Deciding which place is “most beautiful” is subjective, but many consider the Swat Valley to be one of the most stunning destinations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), with its lush greenery, majestic mountains and peaceful scenery.
The Swat Valley is often considered one of the most beautiful valleys in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with its stunning scenery, diverse flora and fauna, and the Swat River flowing through its picturesque landscape And famous.
The most visited places in Pakistan are diverse, but Lahore is often considered a top tourist destination for its rich cultural heritage, historical sites like Badshahi Mosque and Lahore Fort, and vibrant atmosphere.
Peshawar is popularly known as the “Heart of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa” due to its importance as the provincial capital and its historical, cultural and economic importance in the region.
These are the top ten amazing places you must visit in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK). From the beautiful Swat Valley to the breathtaking views of Shogran to the unique ambience of the Kalash Valley, KPK has a lot to offer.
You can immerse yourself in the history of Taxila, admire the beauty of NathiaGali, explore the Mahodand Lake and experience the warmth of the people of Malam Jabba. Every place has its own charm. So, if you are planning a trip, don’t miss these amazing places in KPK where nature and culture come together to create something truly beautiful.
Since 2017, Saba Ghani has been serving as the talented and dedicated chief content writer for Pakistan Tour and Travel & EMHI Solutions. With her exceptional writing skills and in-depth knowledge of the travel industry, she has been instrumental in crafting engaging and informative content that captivates the audience. You can catch her at [email protected] or Twitter
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