World Tourism Day: PAKISTAN and TOURISM

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World Tourism Day is being celebrated all over the world including Pakistan today. Pakistan is a country rich in tourist attractions and natural landscapes and numerous steps are being taken to promote tourism in the country under the direction of Prime Minister Imran Khan.

The World Tourism Day is celebrated every year from September 27, 1970, after the resolution in the United Nations (UN) General Assembly on the recommendations of the Executive Council of the World Tourism Organization.

The purpose of the day is to promote tourism, search for new tourist destinations, preserve archaeological sites, create more and more modern facilities for tourists, promote tourist protection, give access to new tourist destinations and other related issues.

Pakistan, by its geographical location, is regarded as one of the very few countries of the world which consists of plains, mountain ranges, deserts and a coastal belt.

Today we are providing you information about selected tourist destinations in all four provinces of Pakistan so that you can choose the destination for your next vacation.

  • Gorakh Hill

Gorakh Hill Station, also known as the “Murree” of Sindh, is one of the most common and attractive tourist sites in Pakistan. Boundlessly beautiful and magical and full of history and events from the past, it has been one of the main spots for historians from all over the world.

It is the highest point of Sindh province and 5,688 feet above sea level. The region, around 400 km from Karachi, is an excellent and ideal prospect for bird watchers and photographers.

With an average temperature of 15ºC and known for its stunning sunsets, sunrises, peaceful nights, steep routes and on the cliff views, make it a once in a lifetime experience.

  • Desert Thar

The Thar Desert, also known as Great Indian Desert, is located partly in Rajasthan state, northwestern India, and partly in Punjab and Sindh provinces, eastern Pakistan. It covers some 200,000 square km of territory and is regarded as the ninth largest desert in the world.

The Thar’s desert sands overlie Archean gneiss (metamorphic rocks formed between 4 billion and 2.5 billion years ago), Proterozoic (sedimentary rocks formed about 2.5 billion to 541 million years ago), and more-recent alluvium (material deposited by rivers). The surface consists of aeolian (wind-deposited) sand that has accumulated over the past 1.8 million years.

In Thar, there are many notable places, including ancient Hindu temples.

  • Hingol National Park

Hingol National Park, the largest National Park in Pakistan, lies on the Makran coast in Balochistan on an area of 1650 square km. It is located approximately 190 km west of Karachi. The park covers three districts of Balochistan: Gwadar, Lasbela and Owaran.

Due to the Hingol River flowing in this area, it has been named Hingol National Park. It is one of the most exotic and hospitable places in the country. The famous Hindu Temple of Hindus is also located in this park.

If you are a widlife photographer, then this is the perfect place for you as this park not only contains scenic landscapes but is home to many types of wildlife creatures.

The noble bird Houbara, green marine turtles, marsh crocodiles, threatened species of fish including Mahasheer, Plumbeous, dolphins, ibexes, Urials and Chinkaras all add to the beauty of the park.

The approximately 850-year-old historic statue, also known as the Princess of Hope, is the epitome of the same national park.

  • Pir Ghaib Waterfall

Located 70 km from Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan, Pir Ghaib is a popular resort where the most beautiful waterfall of Balochistan is located.

The waterfall cascades down rocky mountain and accumulates in the form of small ponds with the palm trees create a breathtaking view.

  • Khewra Salt Mines

Khewra salt mine is located in Jhelum district of Pakistan. It is located 160 km from Islamabad and about 250 km from Lahore. The salt mine at Khewra is the oldest mine in South Asia and is the world’s second largest edible salt reserve.

It is said that when Alexander the Great came to this area in 322 BC, his horses were seen looting the stones here. A soldier licked the stone and found it salty. Thus a salt mine was discovered in this area.

After that the mine was purchased by the local Raja here and it remained in the possession of the local Janjua kings till the establishment of Pakistan.

  • Lake Saif-ul-Muluk

Natural beauty is scattered throughout Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit Baltistan in Pakistan. Lake Saif-ul-Muluk, ranked by The Guardian as the fifth best tourist destination in Pakistan, is one of them. The lake is located at an altitude of 10,578 feet about 8 kilometers north from the town of Naran and is considered one of the world’s most beautiful lakes.

The lake is completely frozen during winters due to heavy snowfall, therefore, the ideal time for tourists to visit in between June and September. Boating facilities are also available in the lake but remember the depth of the lake is still unknown, so better boat at your own risk! Horses and ponies are also available if one doesn’t want to travel on foot.

Lake Saif-ul-Muluk is highly recommended for those campers who who want to see the moon shining at its brightest among five billion stars in the sky.

  • Deosai

Deosai National Park is located 13,500 feet above sea level. The park spans approximately 3,000 square kilometers. From November to May, the park is covered with snow. In the spring season the park offers a unique view with flowers and a variety of butterflies.

Deosai is a combination of two words, ‘deo’ (giant) and ‘sai’ (shadow). Locals still believe that the place is haunted by giants, thus the name ‘The Land of the Giants’ came into being. The weather in Deosai is very unpredictable. Sunlight and clouds seem to play a game of hide and seek here, as the sun shines one minute and overcast in next. Sometimes it starts to snow in summers.

This area was inaccessible to humans for ages as it was filled with wildlife. The idea of ​​living here in icy winds, thunderstorms, and presence of wildlife is not possible even at this age. That is why Deosai is mostly uninhabited.

  • Shangrila Lake

Shangrila lake is a charming and fascinating tourist destination surrounded by mountains of Karakoram in the Skardu district of Gilgit-Baltistan. Shangrila, also known as ‘Heaven on Earth’, is situated at only 20 minutes drive from Skardu town.

The Shangrila resorts welcome their guests twelve months a year. During the spring season Shangrila valley is fully alive with attractive orchards and the fields, while the summer season is best for the trekkers. Moreover, in winter, this valley welcomes the snow-lovers and the autumn is also an enjoyable season.

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