#buddha caves islamabad

[tabileaks]

Lets Visit Buddha Caves famous as Shah Allah Ditta Caves Islamabad

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Taxila

Taxila (Urdu: ٹيکسلا‎), is a city in Rawalpindi District of the Punjab, Pakistan. Taxila is situated about 32 km (20 mi) north-west of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, along the historic Grand Trunk Road, near the important Sikh pilgrimage centre of Hasan Abdal, and the Mughal-era Wah Gardens.

Ancient Taxila was historically referred to as Takshashila in Sanskrit, and Takkasila in Pali. The earliest settlement at Taxila was founded around 1000 BCE at the Hathial site. The Hindu epic poem Mahābhārata is believed to have been first recited at Taxila, by the sage Vaiśampāyana. By some accounts, Taxila was home to one of the earliest, if not the first, universities in the world.

Taxila’s ruins are internationally renowned, and function as a series of interrelated sites, including a Mesolithic cave, the remains of 4 ancient cities, and Buddhist monasteries and stupas. The ancient ruins of Taxila were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980.

Etymology

Taxila was in ancient times known in Pali as Takkasila, and in Sanskrit as Takshashila (IAST: Takṣaśilā). The city’s Sanskrit name means “City of Cut Stone”. The city’s ancient Sanskrit name alternately means “Rock of Taksha” – in reference to the Ramayana story that states the city was founded by Bharata, younger brother of the central Hindu deity Rama, and named in honour of Bharata’s son, Taksha.

The city’s modern name, however, is derived from the ancient Greek recording of the ancient city’s name, noted in Ptolemy’s Geography. The Greek transcription of Taxila became universally favoured over time, while the Pali and Sanskrit versions fell out of use.

History

Early settlement

The region around Taxila was settled by the neolithic era, with some ruins at Taxila dating to 3360 BCE. Ruins dating from the Early Harappan period around 2900 BCE have also been discovered in the Taxila area, though the area was eventually abandoned after the collapse of the Indus Valley Civilisation.

The first major settlement at Taxila was established around 1000 BCE. By 900 BCE, the city was already involved in regional commerce, as discovered pottery shards reveal trading ties between the city and Puṣkalāvatī.

Taxila was founded in a strategic location along the ancient “Royal Highway” that connected the capital at Pataliputra in Bihar, with ancient Peshawar, Puṣkalāvatī, and onwards towards Central Asia via Kashmir, Bactria, and Kāpiśa. Taxila thus changed hands many times over the centuries, with many empires vying for its control.

Achaemenid

Archaeological excavations show that the city may have grown significantly during the rule of the Persian Achaemenid Empire in the 6th century BCE. In 516 BCE, Darius I embarked on a campaign to conquer Central Asia, Ariana, and Bactria, before marching onto what is now Afghanistan and northern Pakistan. Emperor Darius spent the winter of 516–515 BCE in the Gandhara region surrounding Taxila and prepared to conquer the Indus Valley, which he did in 515 BCE, after which he appointed Scylax of Caryanda to explore the Indian Ocean from the mouth of the Indus to the Suez. Darius then returned to Persia via the Bolan Pass. The region continued under Achaemenid suzerainty under the reign of Xerxes I and continued under the Achaemenid rule for over a century.

Hellenistic and Mauryan

Alexander the Great invaded Taxila in 326 BCE, after the city was surrendered by its ruler, king Omphis. Greek historians accompanying Alexander described Taxila as “wealthy, prosperous, and well governed.” His troops were said to have found a university in Taxila, the like of which had not been seen in Greece.

After Alexander’s departure, Taxila came under the influence of Chandragupta Maurya, who turned Taxila into a regional capital. His advisor, Chanakya, was said to have taught at Taxila’s university. Under the reign of Ashoka, the city was made a great seat of Buddhist learning, though the city was home to a minor rebellion during this time.

Indo-Greek

In the 2nd century BCE, Taxila was annexed by the Indo-Greek kingdom of Bactria. Indo-Greeks build new capital, Sirkap, on the opposite bank of the river from Taxila. During this new period of Bactrian Greek rule, several dynasties (like Antialcidas) likely ruled from the city as their capital. During lulls in Greek rule, the city managed profitably on its own, to independently control several local trade guilds, who also minted most of the city’s autonomous coinage. In about the 1st century BCE or 1st century CE, an Indo-Scythian king named Azilises had three mints, one of which was at Taxila, and struck coins with obverse legends in Greek and Kharoṣṭhī. The last Greek king of Taxila was overthrown by the Indo-Scythian chief Maues around 90 BCE. Gondophares, founder of the Indo-Parthian Kingdom, conquered Taxila around 20 BCE, and made Taxila his capital. According to early Christian legend, Thomas the Apostle visits king Gondophares IV around 46 CE, possibly at Taxila given that that city was Gondophares’ capital city.

Kushan

In the first century CE, the Greek Neopythagorean philosopher Apollonius of Tyana visited Taxila, which his team described as a fortified city laid out on a symmetrical plan, similar in size to Nineveh. Inscriptions dating to 76 CE demonstrate that the city had come under Kushan rule by this time after the city was captured from the Parthians by Kujula Kadphises, founder of the Kushan Empire. The great Kushan ruler Kanishka later founded Sirsukh, the most recent of the ancient settlement at Taxila.

Decline

By the 300s CE, the Sasanian king Shapur II seems to have conquered Taxila, as evidenced by the numerous Sasanian copper coins found there. Taxila’s ancient university remained in existence during the travels of Chinese pilgrim Faxian, who visited Taxila around 400 CE. He wrote that ancient Taxila’s name translated as “the Severed Head”, and was the site of a story in the life of Buddha “where he gave his head to a man”.

The White Huns swept over Gandhāra and Punjab around 470 CE, causing widespread devastation and destruction of Taxila’s famous Buddhist monasteries and stupas, a blow from which the city would never recover. Xuanzang visited Taxila in 630 and 643 CE, and wrote that the city had already fallen into ruin by the time of his arrival.

Modern

The renowned archaeologist Sir Alexander Cunningham rediscovered the ruins of Taxila in the mid-19th century by identifying a local site known as Sarai Kala (or Sarai Khola) with ancient Taxila. Prior to that, the location of the ancient city of Taxila, known from literary texts, was uncertain.

Geography

Taxila is located 32 km (20 mi) north-west of the Pakistani capital Islamabad. The city is located approximately 549 meters (1,801 ft) above sea level.

Climate

Taxila features a humid subtropical climate (Köppen: Cwa)

Economy

Tourism

Taxila’s ruins, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, date from as early as 1000 BCE, and are a major tourist draw.

Taxila is one of northern Pakistan’s most important tourist destinations, and is home to the Taxila Museum which holds a large number of artifacts from Taxila’s excavations. Though the number of foreign visitors to the site drastically declined following the start of an Islamist insurgency in Pakistan in 2007, visitor numbers began to noticeably improve by 2017, after the law and order situation in the region had greatly improved following the start of the 2014 Zarb-e-Azb campaign launched by the Pakistani Army against radical Islamist militants.

In 2017, the Pakistani government announced its intention to develop Taxila into a site for Buddhist religious pilgrimage. As part of the efforts, it announced that an exhibition on the Buddhist heritage of the region would be held in Thailand, and that the Thai government would assist in conservation efforts at the site. Relics from Taxila were also sent to Sri Lanka for the 2017 Vesak holiday as part of an effort to showcase the region’s Buddhist heritage. The Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation also announced in 2017 that a tour bus service would be launched between the Taxila Museum and Islamabad.

In addition to the ruins of ancient Taxila, relics of Mughal gardens and vestiges of historical Grand Trunk Road are also found in Taxila. Nicholson’s Obelisk, named in honour of Brigadier John Nicholson who died in during the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857, is a monument from the British era that welcomes travelers arriving from Rawalpindi/Islamabad.

Industry

Taxila is home to Heavy Industries Taxila, a major Pakistani defence, military contractor, engineering conglomerate. The city’s economy is also closely linked to the large Pakistan Ordnance Factories at nearby Wah Cantt, which employs 27,000 people. Cottage and household industries include stoneware, pottery and footwear.

Transportation

Rail

Taxila is served by the Taxila Cantonment Junction railway station. Taxila Junction is served by the Karachi–Peshawar Railway Line, and is the southern terminus of the Khunjerab Railway, which connects Taxila to the Havelian railway station. A planned extension of the railway will eventually connect Taxila to China’s Southern Xinjiang Railway in Kashgar, as part of the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor.

Road

The M-1 Motorway, pictured near Taxila, links the city to Islamabad and Peshawar.

The ancient Grand Trunk Road is designated as N-5 National Highway, and connects the city to the Afghan border, and northern Punjab. The Karakoram Highway’s southern terminus is in nearby Hasan Abdal, and connects Taxila to the Chinese border near the Hunza Valley.

The city is linked to Peshawar and Islamabad by the M-1 Motorway, which in turn offers wider motorway access to Lahore via the M-2 Motorway, and Faisalabad via the M-4 Motorway.

Air

The nearest airport to Taxila is Islamabad International Airport located 36.5 kilometers away. Peshawar’s Bacha Khan International Airport is 155 kilometers away.

Education

University of Engineering and Technology, Taxila is a local branch of the University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore.

Taxila is home to many secondary educational institutes including CIIT Wah Campus, and HITEC University. The University of Engineering and Technology, Taxila was established in 1975 as a campus of the University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore, and offers bachelor, master, and doctoral degrees in engineering.

Ancient ruins

The Ruins of Taxila include four major cities, each belonging to a distinct time period, at three different sites. The earliest settlement at Taxila is found in the Hathial section, which yielded pottery shards that date from as early as the late 2nd millennium BCE to the 6th century BCE. The Bhir Mound ruins at the site date from the 6th century BCE, and are adjacent to Hathial. The ruins of Sirkap date to the 2nd century BCE, and were built by the region’s Greco-Bactrian kings who ruled in the region following Alexander the Great’s invasion of the region in 326 BCE. The third and most recent settlement is that of Sirsukh, which was built by rulers of the Kushan empire, who ruled from nearby Purushapura (modern Peshawar).

Culture

Modern Taxila is a mix of relatively wealthy urban, and poorer rural environs. Urban residential areas are general in the form of planned housing colonies populated by workers of the heavy mechanical complex & heavy industries, educational institutes and hospitals that are located in the area.

Museums

Taxila Museum has one of the most significant and comprehensive collections of stone Buddhist sculptures from the first to the seventh centuries in Pakistan (known as Gandharan art. The core of the collection comes from excavated sites in the Taxila Valley, particularly the excavations of Sir John Marshall. Other objects come from excavated sites elsewhere in Gandhara, from donations such as the Ram Das Collection, or from material confiscated by the police and customs authorities.

[altitudetravels]

Campnight | Yoga | Hike And much more, all the perfect elements to make your experience most memorable. Join us in our two days, one night camping trip, taking place on the 30/31st of January at Bhamala for some epic level dhamal. Cost per head: RS 4,800/- Bhamala is a village near Khanpur Dam behind Margallas. This village has an archeological significance because of a Buddha Stupa there. It provides awesome views for a campsite with the turquoise-colored water of Khanpur Dam. An old Cave (known to be the meditation site of monks) is also located there. So, we are planning a one night camping trip to explore Bhamala. The unique weekend camping trip offers you an opportunity to immerse yourself in nature even further, promoting a deeper connection with your body, mind and spirit. A 75 minutes of beginner friendly, Yoga and Meditation practice with @yogawithumar , surrounded by scenic beauty of Bhamala, will leave you relaxed and energized. Umar is a yoga instructor, trained under various teachers in Thailand, Indonesia and India, has been teaching yoga in Lahore for the last 6 years. (Tents will be provided, participants should bring their own sleeping bag. Itinerary: Day 1: - Leave Islamabad around 8am. - Breakfast on the way - Reach Bhamala around 11am - Hike to the cave and stupas - Hike back to the camping site - Set up the tents - Bonfire, BBQ and musical night Day 2: - Breakfast - 75 minutes yoga practice with Umar - Go hiking - Come back, pack stuff - Short stop on the way back to Islamabad for tea - Back to Islamabad (at Bhamala, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan) https://www.instagram.com/p/CKZFr3BBGmA/?igshid=auwhskfet7rv

[terrytoon]

11 Natural Wonders in Pakistan That Should Be On Your Bucket List

Pakistan

has an extraordinary and magnificent variety of landscapes ranging from five of the highest mountain peaks in the world to some of the largest and unique plateaus in the west and finally, awe-inspiring flat Indus plains in the east. It is a land in which the entire canvas of its topography is coloured with picturesque valleys, treacherous mountaintops, serene bodies of water and lush green meadows.

K2 Mountain Range

K2 is a magnificent snow-covered mountain that reflects the powerful might of nature in all of its glory, making it marvellous and terrifying at the same time. It is the second-highest mountain in the entire world reaching an unfathomable height of 28,253 feet (8,612 metres). K2 is often referred to as the ‘Savage Mountain’ because it is an excruciatingly difficult ascent with one of the highest prevailing fatality rates for all climbers who dare to climb it. Despite its unconquerable terrain and unpredictable weather patterns, it appeals to climbers from all over the world. Even though it is located on the Pakistan-China border, climbers prefer to climb it from Pakistan’s side as it is more conducive to the activity. Even if you don’t aspire to join its summit, just the mere spectacle of this mighty mountain is a perspective-altering experience that allows you to completely become immersed in the all-encompassing magnificence of mother nature.

K2 Mountain Range in Pakistan © Waqas Anees/Flickr

Trango Tower

The Trango tower, located in the Baltoro Glacier region present in the Gilgit-Baltistan territory, is the most spectacular vertical alpine climb in the entire world. It has intrigued and inspired alpine climbers from all over the world to achieve its nearly impossible ascent to the top. Against the backdrop of the mighty mountain ranges of the Karakorum, the Trango Tower stands erect with all the unfaltering pride and greatness of a Greek God. It is a mesmerizing sight and an arduous climb as it is completely vertical and its sheer magnificence makes it stand out amidst the entire range of peaks that surround it.

Trango Towers © Wiki Commons

Deosai Plains

The breathtaking Deosai plateau enjoys the status of one of the highest plateaus in the world. Reaching 13,497 feet above sea level, it is approximately 30 kilometres away from the town of Skardu (Baltistan region). It is given all sorts of magical names, such as ‘fairyland,’ and this is because it constitutes one of the richest biodiversity, in the form of flora and fauna, in the entire world. Its beauty is absolutely mind-blowing in the summer months when millions of wildflowers paint the valley a multitude of bright colours that give it the effect of a mystical paradise. The locals believe that the beauty of the land is conducive to magical supernatural fairies that wander about freely taking inspiration from the landscape. There are crystal blue rivers and streams that cleanse the soul of all stress and anxiety against the backdrop of lime green hills and meadows. The Deosai plains make it hard to believe that heaven is not a place on earth.

Deosai © M.Awais/WikiCommons

Ansoo Lake

A marvel rests amidst towering peaks in the Kaghan Valley called Ansoo Lake, which is shaped exactly like a teardrop at the tantalizing height of 13, 927 feet. The trek that leads to this exotic location is slightly difficult but anyone who has made the journey has returned both gratified and stunned. The reason Ansoo Lake is so special is because the entire lake is so accurately shaped like a teardrop while simultaneously existing at a height at which water bodies do not usually exist, making it a miracle in more ways than one. It is one of the most famous and mesmerizing natural wonders that exist in the north, making it the crown jewel of the Kaghan Valley.

Ansoo Lake in Kaghan Valley© Wiki Commons

Saif-ul-Malook

Saif-ul-Malook is a crystal clear lake engulfed by gigantic glaciers and immersed in some of the most intriguing folklore in Pakistan. It is at an altitude of 10,578 feet and is one of the most majestic tourist spots in the Kaghan Valley, attracting people from all over the world to contemplate its beauty and revel in its glory. The lake is shrouded in mystery because up until today, no one has ever been able to determine its depth and it is believed that anyone who dares to swim in it drowns almost immediately. Its beauty is so intense that it sometimes becomes terrifying under the radiance of a starlit sky that is immaculately reflected by the crystal clear water. It is believed to have fairies living in the glaciers that surround it and is the backdrop against which the famous fable of the prince of Egypt, Saif-ul-Malook, and the fairy queen, Badi-ul-Jamal, took place.

Saif-ul-Malook © Afaq Mansoor Khan/WikiCommons

Attabad Lake

Attabad Lake is a glorious and pristine body of water located in the middle of nowhere and surrounded by the mountainous terrain of the Hunza Valley region. It is as still as an ancient tree and the blue of the water puts the sky to shame. Its creation is wrapped in tragedy and loss as it is the result of a landslide that drowned an entire village by the name of Gojal Village. However, although people feel sombre for this loss of life, the creation of this divine body of water inspires them with the utmost reverence and awe.

Attabad Lake © Muhammad Khurram Shahzad/WikiCommons

Princess Of Hope

Along the Makran Coast Highway, there is a dazzling sculpture carved out of natural rock and mud that has been marvellously sculpted out of the skilled hands of nature itself. Due to the strong winds emanating from the Arabian Sea in the Balochistan region, this masterpiece stands as tall and proud as a princess of a great kingdom. The name ‘Princess of Hope’ was given to this magnificent natural sculpture by Angelina Jolie on her visit to Pakistan.

Princess of Hope © Furqanlw/WikiCommons

Shah Allah Ditta Caves

These glorious caves of antiquity are located in an area called D12 in the capital city of Islamabad. These caves will transport you back to the golden age of the Buddha as they have been archaeologically defined as belonging to an era that goes back at least two thousand years. The trees have roots that stretch hundreds of feet into the ground and some of the trees are so old that extravagant bundles of roots hanging from the branches themselves. Walking through these ancient caves and standing under these ancient trees evokes a strange nostalgia for the world of antiquity and a feeling of utter connectivity with bygone eras.

Baltoro Glacier

Pakistan is famous for its monumental glaciers made purely out of ice located at the core of some of the most extreme mountain ranges in the country These white castles of nature are inspiring as well as extremely difficult to reach even though the magnificent view is worth every hardship you may encounter to get there. The Baltoro Glacier is located in the Karakorum Range at an elevation of 13,895 feet and is 63 kilometres long, making it the second-longest non-polar glacier in the entire world. Trekking through it is like experiencing an ice age – you’ll be completely overwhelmed by every aspect of the glacier on a physical, mental and emotional level.

Baltoro Glacier © Wiki Commons

Thar Desert

The Thar Desert is said to be the heart of Pakistan, due to the rich cultural heritage that is possessed in the form of folk songs, art, rituals and traditions, making it the country’s cultural treasury. It is the largest desert in the country and is a picturesque land of rolling hills of sand, endless sand dunes and mesmerizing sunsets. Due to its large size that covers about 77,000 square miles, it is located partly in the province of Punjab and Sindh and stretches out to northwestern India. It is a desert of unparalleled beauty. Its rich cultural traditions, dresses and dances of the people against the backdrop of an ocean of glittering sand make it a destination worth visiting and experiencing.

Thar Desert in Pakistan © Honza Soukup/Flickr

Neelum Valley

Neelum Valley is located in Azad Kashmir and being there is like jumping into a bright coloured painting with a marvel waiting at every corner. It contains a mind-altering beauty as it is a valley interspersed with natural wonders every few kilometres. Neelum Valley is filled with lush green hills, dense forests, glorious waterfalls and freshwater streams that glisten under the sun. Walking through the valley, travellers will encounter bright smiles from the locals and against a backdrop of the beautiful green valley, it is easy to believe you have walked straight into heaven.

Neelum Valley © Wiki Commons

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[yesroyalrumble]

🕉 🚩 🇵🇰⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ Shah Allah Ditta is a centuries-old village and a union council located at the foothills of the Margalla Hills in the Islamabad Capital Territory.⠀ ⠀ The village is named after a Mughal period Dervi.⠀ ⠀ The village is believed to be more than seven hundred years old and was used as route from Kabul to the Gandharan city of Taxila by Alexander the Great and Sher Shah Suri while Mughal rulers and other emperors often passed through while traveling from Afghanistan to the Hindustan.⠀ ⠀ Relics of the Buddhist era dating back to the 8th century can be found here along with burnt diyas and trees with amulets tied to them.⠀ ⠀ Shah Allah Ditta caves are located on the route leading towards Khanpur. The caves, known locally as Sadhu ka Bagh, are located next to the to the shrine and tomb of Shah Allah Ditta, a Mughal-era dervish, in the Margalla Hills—part of the Himalayan foothills—located just north of Islamabad. ⠀ ⠀ 2,400-year-old Buddhist era murals of Buddha appear on the walls of caves at Shah Allah Ditta.⠀ ⠀ Archaeological evidence indicates that the caves and the platform-like formations surrounding the area were first used for meditation by Buddhist monks and later by Hindu sadhus before Muslim ascetics took over during the Mughal period.⠀ ⠀ Marked on the ground close to the caves the location where Alexander arrived and was received by Raja Ambi, King of Taxila. The road next to the caves that leads to the main top of the mountain, Shah Allah Ditta road, is said to be built on the exact path followed by Pashtun emperor Sher Shah Suri during his visit.⠀ ⠀ Moving up the mountain from the caves, there is a stepwell called Losar Baoli and a mosque built by Shahāb-ud-Din Ghori. The mosque has broken walls and the road leading to it is dilapidated.⠀ ⠀ Embassy of Japan in Pakistan, reportedly offered to provide funds for the preservation of Shah Allah Ditta caves.⠀ ⠀ ⠀ If someone ever gets to know the original name of the Caves, do comment. ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ 📸 @Umer_w33⠀ (at Caves of Shah Allah Ditta) https://www.instagram.com/p/CBQgEdMFADF/?igshid=1nqsh4ucvrkcg

[topofany-blog]

TOP 71 Popular Tourist Destinations in Pakistan MAP

If you wanted to know the most famous and attractive destinations map of Pakistan so here it is HD Picture made by Assam Artist Pakistani Traveler These are the 71 Top Pakistan Tourist Attractions Map 1 - Khanjrab Pass ( Pak - China Border ) 2 - Attabad Lake ( Hunza KKH ) 3 - Baltit Fort - Hunza Valley ( 8th CE ) 4 - K2 ( 2nd Highest Mountain in The World ) 5 - K2 Base Camp

HD MAP With location and Details Since Childhood to my Adult age i use to haired from different people that Pakistan have potential Pakistan have everything including all natural resources, mountains, agriculture land, desert, 5 kind of weathers, beautiful beaches, hidden waterfalls, old heritages, different cultures and long history. thats why i decide to create complete picture of my childhood imagination to help myself and others travellers like me to easily room around my country. I created this tourist map in 8 Consecutive Days - ASSAMARTIST 6 - Shangrila Skardu 7 - Deosai Plains - Roof of The World 8 - Sharda Peeth Tample - ( 724 CE ) 9 - Neelum Valley Kashmir 10 - Saif ul Mulook & Ansoo ( Tear ) Lake 11 - Shandur Polo Festival 12 - Nanga Parbat - ( 9th Highest Mountain ) 13 - Kalash Valley 14 - Ski Resort Malam Jaba 15 - Tea Plantation Shinkiari 16 - Buddha Swat - ( 7th Century ) 17 - Khanpur Dam - Sajikot Waterfalls 18 - Khayber Pass - Peshawar 19 - Texila Stupa ( 2nd Century CE ) 20 - Pakistan Monument 21 - Muzaffarabad - Kashmir 22 - Naluchi Bridge 23 - Centaurus Mall - Islamabad 24 - Faisal Mosque - Islamabad 25 - Katas Raj Temple - Potohar Plateau 26 - Khewra Sal Mines 27 - Qila Rohatas Jehlum ( 16th Century ) 28 - Hiram Minar Sheikhupura ( 17th CE ) 29 - Kartarpur Sahib Temple 30 - Shahi Qila & Badshahi Mosque 31 - Minar - e - Pakistan Lahore 32 - -Clock Tower - Faislabad 33 - Amb Sharif Temple - Khushab 34 - Power Plant 35 - Harappa Civilization ( 3300 BCE ) 36 - The Cathedral of the Holy Redeemer 37 - Shah Rukn e Alam Tomb ( 1320 CE ) 38 - Noor Palace Bahawalpur 39 - Uch Sharif Bahawalpur ( 12 CE ) 40 - Qila Derawar ( 9th Century ) 41 - Cholistan Desert 42 - Mohenjo Daro ( Built in 2500 BCE ) 43 - Ziarat - Quaid e Azam's Residency 44 - Hanna Lake - Quetta 45 - Pir Ghaib Waterfalls 46 - Quetta City 47 - Riqo Diq Copper Mines 48 - Mud Volcanos 49 - Golden Desert 50 - Moola Chotok - Khuzdar District 51 - Ranikot Qila ( Fort ) - ( 8th CE ) 52 - Clock Tower Hyderabad 53 - Bootar Laker 54 - Makli Graveyard ( 400 Years Old ) 55 - Gori Temple ( 1376 CE ) 56 - Nagarparkar Tample ( 1376 CE ) 57 - Coal Mines 58 - Frere Hall Karachi 59 - Kimari Fish Harbour 60 - Clifton Beach 61 -Hawksbay Beach 62 - Paradise Point & French Beach 63 - Princes of Hope 64 - Sphinix of Pakistan 65 - Hangol National Park 66 - Cave City Balochistan 67 - Gwader City 68 - Astola Island Gwadar 69 - Churna Island - Karachi 70 - Bolan Pass 71 - Parachnar Share with All Pakistani Friends and Family members around the Globe Read the full article

[mainhoonpakistan]

Ban Faqiran, Islamabad’s oldest historical site at the top of the #margallahills has been opened to visitors again after six months of conservation work. The archaeological remains of Ban Faqiran, dating back to the 2nd to 5th century, were destroyed by heavy rainfall soon after they were excavated by the Department of Archaeology and Museums in 2015-16. Around two kilometres from the #Buddhist caves in Shah Allah Ditta, the Ban Faqiran complex was thought to be a watchtower. But the late archaeologist and historian Dr Ahmad Hassan Dani argued that the Ban Faqiran stupa served as a milestone for travellers, mostly pilgrims, on the way to the 3 BC #Dharmarajika monastery that housed some remains of Lord #buddha . Built by the #Maurayan King #Ashoka , Dharmarajika is a world #heritage site that can be seen from Ban Faqiran, about two and a half kilometres away in the Taxila valley. Courtesy #dawntoday (at Shah Allahditta Caves) https://www.instagram.com/p/B2I7iiUJFyE/?igshid=1a2fvca5wtgsr

[everydaypakistan-blog]

Interviewing a local musician(Mahmood Ali Qual) near the Buddha Caves. Great talent that runs in the family. His two sons accompany him. Shah Allah Ditta village, Pakistan. Photo by: @wsyedfineartphotography . . . #everydaypakistan #islamabad #pakistan #mysticism #mystic #mysticsinger #traditionalmusic #folksinger #Buddhist #Buddha #buddhacaves #travel #travelgram #travelphotography #natgeotravelpics#natgeo #artofvisuals #adventuretravel #everydayislamabad #everydayeverywhere (at Shah Allahditta, Punjab, Pakistan)

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[terrytoon]

11 Natural Wonders in Pakistan That Should Be On Your Bucket List © Imranmlk623/WikiCommons © Imranmlk623/WikiCommons Photo of Mominah Zahid Mominah Zahid 17 January 2018 Add to Plan Add travel ideas to a Plan and see them on a map Got it! Pakistan has an extraordinary and magnificent variety of landscapes ranging from five of the highest mountain peaks in the world to some of the largest and unique plateaus in the west and finally, awe-inspiring flat Indus plains in the east. It is a land in which the entire canvas of its topography is coloured with picturesque valleys, treacherous mountaintops, serene bodies of water and lush green meadows. K2 Mountain Range K2 is a magnificent snow-covered mountain that reflects the powerful might of nature in all of its glory, making it marvellous and terrifying at the same time. It is the second-highest mountain in the entire world reaching an unfathomable height of 28,253 feet (8,612 metres). K2 is often referred to as the ‘Savage Mountain’ because it is an excruciatingly difficult ascent with one of the highest prevailing fatality rates for all climbers who dare to climb it. Despite its unconquerable terrain and unpredictable weather patterns, it appeals to climbers from all over the world. Even though it is located on the Pakistan-China border, climbers prefer to climb it from Pakistan’s side as it is more conducive to the activity. Even if you don’t aspire to join its summit, just the mere spectacle of this mighty mountain is a perspective-altering experience that allows you to completely become immersed in the all-encompassing magnificence of mother nature. K2 Mountain Range in Pakistan © Waqas Anees/Flickr 19127600868_b80eb4d132_z Trango Tower The Trango tower, located in the Baltoro Glacier region present in the Gilgit-Baltistan territory, is the most spectacular vertical alpine climb in the entire world. It has intrigued and inspired alpine climbers from all over the world to achieve its nearly impossible ascent to the top. Against the backdrop of the mighty mountain ranges of the Karakorum, the Trango Tower stands erect with all the unfaltering pride and greatness of a Greek God. It is a mesmerizing sight and an arduous climb as it is completely vertical and its sheer magnificence makes it stand out amidst the entire range of peaks that surround it. Trango Towers © Wiki Commons Deosai Plains The breathtaking Deosai plateau enjoys the status of one of the highest plateaus in the world. Reaching 13,497 feet above sea level, it is approximately 30 kilometres away from the town of Skardu (Baltistan region). It is given all sorts of magical names, such as ‘fairyland,’ and this is because it constitutes one of the richest biodiversity, in the form of flora and fauna, in the entire world. Its beauty is absolutely mind-blowing in the summer months when millions of wildflowers paint the valley a multitude of bright colours that give it the effect of a mystical paradise. The locals believe that the beauty of the land is conducive to magical supernatural fairies that wander about freely taking inspiration from the landscape. There are crystal blue rivers and streams that cleanse the soul of all stress and anxiety against the backdrop of lime green hills and meadows. The Deosai plains make it hard to believe that heaven is not a place on earth. Deosai © M.Awais/WikiCommons Ansoo Lake A marvel rests amidst towering peaks in the Kaghan Valley called Ansoo Lake, which is shaped exactly like a teardrop at the tantalizing height of 13, 927 feet. The trek that leads to this exotic location is slightly difficult but anyone who has made the journey has returned both gratified and stunned. The reason Ansoo Lake is so special is because the entire lake is so accurately shaped like a teardrop while simultaneously existing at a height at which water bodies do not usually exist, making it a miracle in more ways than one. It is one of the most famous and mesmerizing natural wonders that exist in the north, making it the crown jewel of the Kaghan Valley. Ansoo Lake in Kaghan Valley © Wiki Commons Saif-ul-Malook Saif-ul-Malook is a crystal clear lake engulfed by gigantic glaciers and immersed in some of the most intriguing folklore in Pakistan. It is at an altitude of 10,578 feet and is one of the most majestic tourist spots in the Kaghan Valley, attracting people from all over the world to contemplate its beauty and revel in its glory. The lake is shrouded in mystery because up until today, no one has ever been able to determine its depth and it is believed that anyone who dares to swim in it drowns almost immediately. Its beauty is so intense that it sometimes becomes terrifying under the radiance of a starlit sky that is immaculately reflected by the crystal clear water. It is believed to have fairies living in the glaciers that surround it and is the backdrop against which the famous fable of the prince of Egypt, Saif-ul-Malook, and the fairy queen, Badi-ul-Jamal, took place. Saif-ul-Malook © Afaq Mansoor Khan/WikiCommons Attabad Lake Attabad Lake is a glorious and pristine body of water located in the middle of nowhere and surrounded by the mountainous terrain of the Hunza Valley region. It is as still as an ancient tree and the blue of the water puts the sky to shame. Its creation is wrapped in tragedy and loss as it is the result of a landslide that drowned an entire village by the name of Gojal Village. However, although people feel sombre for this loss of life, the creation of this divine body of water inspires them with the utmost reverence and awe. Attabad Lake © Muhammad Khurram Shahzad/WikiCommons Princess Of Hope Along the Makran Coast Highway, there is a dazzling sculpture carved out of natural rock and mud that has been marvellously sculpted out of the skilled hands of nature itself. Due to the strong winds emanating from the Arabian Sea in the Balochistan region, this masterpiece stands as tall and proud as a princess of a great kingdom. The name ‘Princess of Hope’ was given to this magnificent natural sculpture by Angelina Jolie on her visit to Pakistan. Princess of Hope © Furqanlw/WikiCommons Shah Allah Ditta Caves These glorious caves of antiquity are located in an area called D12 in the capital city of Islamabad. These caves will transport you back to the golden age of the Buddha as they have been archaeologically defined as belonging to an era that goes back at least two thousand years. The trees have roots that stretch hundreds of feet into the ground and some of the trees are so old that extravagant bundles of roots hanging from the branches themselves. Walking through these ancient caves and standing under these ancient trees evokes a strange nostalgia for the world of antiquity and a feeling of utter connectivity with bygone eras. Baltoro Glacier Pakistan is famous for its monumental glaciers made purely out of ice located at the core of some of the most extreme mountain ranges in the country These white castles of nature are inspiring as well as extremely difficult to reach even though the magnificent view is worth every hardship you may encounter to get there. The Baltoro Glacier is located in the Karakorum Range at an elevation of 13,895 feet and is 63 kilometres long, making it the second-longest non-polar glacier in the entire world. Trekking through it is like experiencing an ice age – you’ll be completely overwhelmed by every aspect of the glacier on a physical, mental and emotional level. Baltoro Glacier © Wiki Commons Thar Desert The Thar Desert is said to be the heart of Pakistan, due to the rich cultural heritage that is possessed in the form of folk songs, art, rituals and traditions, making it the country’s cultural treasury. It is the largest desert in the country and is a picturesque land of rolling hills of sand, endless sand dunes and mesmerizing sunsets. Due to its large size that covers about 77,000 square miles, it is located partly in the province of Punjab and Sindh and stretches out to northwestern India. It is a desert of unparalleled beauty. Its rich cultural traditions, dresses and dances of the people against the backdrop of an ocean of glittering sand make it a destination worth visiting and experiencing. Thar Desert in Pakistan © Honza Soukup/Flickr Neelum Valley Neelum Valley is located in Azad Kashmir and being there is like jumping into a bright coloured painting with a marvel waiting at every corner. It contains a mind-altering beauty as it is a valley interspersed with natural wonders every few kilometres. Neelum Valley is filled with lush green hills, dense forests, glorious waterfalls and freshwater streams that glisten under the sun. Walking through the valley, travellers will encounter bright smiles from the locals and against a backdrop of the beautiful green valley, it is easy to believe you have walked straight into heaven. Neelum Valley © Wiki Commons Add to Plan THE COMPANY About Us The Team The Content Team Press Office Our App Newsletter Sitemap CONTACT US Get in Touch Advertise & Partner Careers Freelance Jobs LEGAL Privacy Policy Terms of Use Cookie Policy Branded Content Policy Booking Terms and Conditions FOLLOW US Facebook Twitter Pinterest Instagram Youtube Linkedin © 2020 The Culture Trip Ltd. All Rights Reserved.

11 Natural Wonders in Pakistan That Should Be On Your Bucket List

© Imranmlk623/WikiCommons

Mominah Zahid

17 January 2018

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Pakistan

has an extraordinary and magnificent variety of landscapes ranging from five of the highest mountain peaks in the world to some of the largest and unique plateaus in the west and finally, awe-inspiring flat Indus plains in the east. It is a land in which the entire canvas of its topography is coloured with picturesque valleys, treacherous mountaintops, serene bodies of water and lush green meadows.

K2 Mountain Range

K2 is a magnificent snow-covered mountain that reflects the powerful might of nature in all of its glory, making it marvellous and terrifying at the same time. It is the second-highest mountain in the entire world reaching an unfathomable height of 28,253 feet (8,612 metres). K2 is often referred to as the ‘Savage Mountain’ because it is an excruciatingly difficult ascent with one of the highest prevailing fatality rates for all climbers who dare to climb it. Despite its unconquerable terrain and unpredictable weather patterns, it appeals to climbers from all over the world. Even though it is located on the Pakistan-China border, climbers prefer to climb it from Pakistan’s side as it is more conducive to the activity. Even if you don’t aspire to join its summit, just the mere spectacle of this mighty mountain is a perspective-altering experience that allows you to completely become immersed in the all-encompassing magnificence of mother nature.

K2 Mountain Range in Pakistan © Waqas Anees/Flickr

Trango Tower

The Trango tower, located in the Baltoro Glacier region present in the Gilgit-Baltistan territory, is the most spectacular vertical alpine climb in the entire world. It has intrigued and inspired alpine climbers from all over the world to achieve its nearly impossible ascent to the top. Against the backdrop of the mighty mountain ranges of the Karakorum, the Trango Tower stands erect with all the unfaltering pride and greatness of a Greek God. It is a mesmerizing sight and an arduous climb as it is completely vertical and its sheer magnificence makes it stand out amidst the entire range of peaks that surround it.

Trango Towers © Wiki Commons

Deosai Plains

The breathtaking Deosai plateau enjoys the status of one of the highest plateaus in the world. Reaching 13,497 feet above sea level, it is approximately 30 kilometres away from the town of Skardu (Baltistan region). It is given all sorts of magical names, such as ‘fairyland,’ and this is because it constitutes one of the richest biodiversity, in the form of flora and fauna, in the entire world. Its beauty is absolutely mind-blowing in the summer months when millions of wildflowers paint the valley a multitude of bright colours that give it the effect of a mystical paradise. The locals believe that the beauty of the land is conducive to magical supernatural fairies that wander about freely taking inspiration from the landscape. There are crystal blue rivers and streams that cleanse the soul of all stress and anxiety against the backdrop of lime green hills and meadows. The Deosai plains make it hard to believe that heaven is not a place on earth.

Deosai © M.Awais/WikiCommons

Ansoo Lake

A marvel rests amidst towering peaks in the Kaghan Valley called Ansoo Lake, which is shaped exactly like a teardrop at the tantalizing height of 13, 927 feet. The trek that leads to this exotic location is slightly difficult but anyone who has made the journey has returned both gratified and stunned. The reason Ansoo Lake is so special is because the entire lake is so accurately shaped like a teardrop while simultaneously existing at a height at which water bodies do not usually exist, making it a miracle in more ways than one. It is one of the most famous and mesmerizing natural wonders that exist in the north, making it the crown jewel of the Kaghan Valley.

Ansoo Lake in Kaghan Valley© Wiki Commons

Saif-ul-Malook

Saif-ul-Malook is a crystal clear lake engulfed by gigantic glaciers and immersed in some of the most intriguing folklore in Pakistan. It is at an altitude of 10,578 feet and is one of the most majestic tourist spots in the Kaghan Valley, attracting people from all over the world to contemplate its beauty and revel in its glory. The lake is shrouded in mystery because up until today, no one has ever been able to determine its depth and it is believed that anyone who dares to swim in it drowns almost immediately. Its beauty is so intense that it sometimes becomes terrifying under the radiance of a starlit sky that is immaculately reflected by the crystal clear water. It is believed to have fairies living in the glaciers that surround it and is the backdrop against which the famous fable of the prince of Egypt, Saif-ul-Malook, and the fairy queen, Badi-ul-Jamal, took place.

Saif-ul-Malook © Afaq Mansoor Khan/WikiCommons

Attabad Lake

Attabad Lake is a glorious and pristine body of water located in the middle of nowhere and surrounded by the mountainous terrain of the Hunza Valley region. It is as still as an ancient tree and the blue of the water puts the sky to shame. Its creation is wrapped in tragedy and loss as it is the result of a landslide that drowned an entire village by the name of Gojal Village. However, although people feel sombre for this loss of life, the creation of this divine body of water inspires them with the utmost reverence and awe.

Attabad Lake © Muhammad Khurram Shahzad/WikiCommons

Princess Of Hope

Along the Makran Coast Highway, there is a dazzling sculpture carved out of natural rock and mud that has been marvellously sculpted out of the skilled hands of nature itself. Due to the strong winds emanating from the Arabian Sea in the Balochistan region, this masterpiece stands as tall and proud as a princess of a great kingdom. The name ‘Princess of Hope’ was given to this magnificent natural sculpture by Angelina Jolie on her visit to Pakistan.

Princess of Hope © Furqanlw/WikiCommons

Shah Allah Ditta Caves

These glorious caves of antiquity are located in an area called D12 in the capital city of Islamabad. These caves will transport you back to the golden age of the Buddha as they have been archaeologically defined as belonging to an era that goes back at least two thousand years. The trees have roots that stretch hundreds of feet into the ground and some of the trees are so old that extravagant bundles of roots hanging from the branches themselves. Walking through these ancient caves and standing under these ancient trees evokes a strange nostalgia for the world of antiquity and a feeling of utter connectivity with bygone eras.

Baltoro Glacier

Pakistan is famous for its monumental glaciers made purely out of ice located at the core of some of the most extreme mountain ranges in the country These white castles of nature are inspiring as well as extremely difficult to reach even though the magnificent view is worth every hardship you may encounter to get there. The Baltoro Glacier is located in the Karakorum Range at an elevation of 13,895 feet and is 63 kilometres long, making it the second-longest non-polar glacier in the entire world. Trekking through it is like experiencing an ice age – you’ll be completely overwhelmed by every aspect of the glacier on a physical, mental and emotional level.

Baltoro Glacier © Wiki Commons

Thar Desert

The Thar Desert is said to be the heart of Pakistan, due to the rich cultural heritage that is possessed in the form of folk songs, art, rituals and traditions, making it the country’s cultural treasury. It is the largest desert in the country and is a picturesque land of rolling hills of sand, endless sand dunes and mesmerizing sunsets. Due to its large size that covers about 77,000 square miles, it is located partly in the province of Punjab and Sindh and stretches out to northwestern India. It is a desert of unparalleled beauty. Its rich cultural traditions, dresses and dances of the people against the backdrop of an ocean of glittering sand make it a destination worth visiting and experiencing.

Thar Desert in Pakistan © Honza Soukup/Flickr

Neelum Valley

Neelum Valley is located in Azad Kashmir and being there is like jumping into a bright coloured painting with a marvel waiting at every corner. It contains a mind-altering beauty as it is a valley interspersed with natural wonders every few kilometres. Neelum Valley is filled with lush green hills, dense forests, glorious waterfalls and freshwater streams that glisten under the sun. Walking through the valley, travellers will encounter bright smiles from the locals and against a backdrop of the beautiful green valley, it is easy to believe you have walked straight into heaven.

Neelum Valley © Wiki Commons

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