The area of present-day Pakistan was home to the Indus Valley Civilization, which is regarded as one of the oldest civilizations in the world. Pakistan is one of the countries that has all types of topography including sea, desert, green, dry and snow-capped mountains.
Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan is a relatively newly planned city. The city has a serene atmosphere despite the fact that it houses a number of government offices and buildings. Taxis are plentiful in the city; car rentals are also a good way to navigate in the city. Travellers should definitely visit the Lok Virsa Museum that has 25 galleries spanning over four blocks. The National Art Gallery is also a charming place to visit. The Daman-e-Koh is a stunning viewpoint.
Also visit the Japanese Park and the Islamabad Zoo. The Faisal Masjid is the most prominent landmark of the city. Shakarparian is lovely place to enjoy an evening walk. Close to this is the National Monument. Other interesting sites include Fatima Jinnah Park and the Lake View Park. The Margalla Hills are excellent for paragliding. The city is divided into sectors and each sector has its main market giving travellers with lots of opportunities to shop.
Karachi is a wonderful city and the financial hub of the country. It is a bustling city with lots of activities and attractions. The city has a wonderful coastline with some nice beaches like the Clifton Beach, Sandspit Beach, French Beach and Russian Beach. The Bagh-e-Ibn-e-Qasim is one of the most famous parks in the city. When in Karachi, visitors should definitely plan a trip to the islands around the city. The Quaid-e-Azam's Mausoleum and Museum is an important landmark in the city. Other museums are Pakistan Air Force Museum, Pakistan Maritime Museum, Mohatta Palace Museum of Regional History, National Museum of Pakistan and Koocha-e-Saqafat. The Saddar district of the city has a number of colonial buildings. The city also has a number of amusement parks and water parks. Karachi has several shopping malls and bazaars like Millennium Mall, Dolmen Mall, Jumeirah Mall, Atrium Mall, etc.
Lahore is the capital of the north-eastern Punjab province and is considered as the cultural capital of Pakistan. The heart of Lahore is a walled city where travellers can see the Lahore Fort, Badshahi Masjid and several tombs and shrines. The Minar-e-Pakistan is a striking monument. The majestic gates of the inner walled city are worth seeing; there are a total 13 gates. The Mall Road houses the Lahore Museum, Toolinton Market and the Lahore Art Gallery. Throughout the city there are numerous green spaces and amusement parks. Enjoy shopping at the Anarkali Bazaar, Mozang Bazaar, Ichra Bazaar, etc.
Multan is popular for its blue pottery and is called as the City of Saints. On the other hand Faisalabad is famous for the textile industry. Peshawar serves as the gateway to the Khyber Pass. Sialkot on the other hand is known for sports goods and exports industry. Quetta is a beautiful city in Balochistan.
Pakistan offers a variety of kebabs and several flatbreads. Other delicacies include haleem, nihari, biryani and roasted chicken. For sweet lovers there are a number of dishes like falooda, shirini and kulfi. All food served in Pakistan is halal.
Travelling from Kabul, Ibn Battuta started his journey towards the Indus Valley along with other travellers with an intention of the meeting the Sultan in Delhi. On his route towards the river, he crossed the city of Hashtnagar close to Peshawar (in northern Parkistan). Ibn Battuta also visited the city of Multan and the province of Sindh in modern-day Pakistan.
