Points of Interest in Pakistan

1. Badshahi Masjid

The Badshahi Mosque (بادشاھی مسجد) or "Emperor's Mosque" was built in 1673 by the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb in Lahore, Pakistan. It is one of the city's best known landmarks and a major tourist attraction epitomising the beauty and grandeur of the Mughal era.

Capable of accommodating over 55,000 worshippers, Badshahi is the second largest mosque in Pakistan, after the Faisal Mosque in Islamabad. The design of the Badshahi Masjid is closely related to the Jama Masjid in Delhi, India, which was built in 1648 by Aurangzeb's father, Emperor Shah Jahan.

2. MUREE:

Muree is a wonderful place to visit during the winters.

Best Time to Visit:

April to October

Murree is located along Islamabad-Kohala highway N75, some 30 km (19 mi) northeast of Islamabad.Murree belongs to a sub-tropical continental highlands climatic type, situated in the outer Himalayas. This type of area has cold, snowy winters, relatively cool summer and frequent fog. Precipitation is received year round, with two maximas, first one during winter and second one at summer, July-August.Total mean precipitation annually is 1,789 mm.

During the clear spring and autumn, the snow-capped mountains of Kashmir can be seen. Dazzling twilight and cloud effects are a daily feature during the July and August rains. Most of the familiar fruits of Britain, including cherries, raspberries, and strawberries, thrive locally, and the hill station still has a distinct flavor of British times.

The railway connection with Lahore, the capital of the Punjab Province, made this a place of frequent resort for Punjab officials. The villas and other houses erected for the accommodation of English families gave it a European aspect.

3. TOMB OF MOHAMMAD ALI JINNAH

The monumental tomb of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, is situated on a natural plateau within a 53 hectare park in the city of Karachi. The approach to the mausoleum is a terraced and landscaped avenue emphasized by fifteen successive fountains. This leads to a platform measuring 75x75m and 4m high, with steps on three sides, which forms the base of the mausoleum. The edifice, square in plan with tapering walls, is surmounted by a dome rising to a height of 43m. Four pointed arches open into the mausoleum from each of the four façades. The interior space is an octagon with a ceremonial sarcophagus in the centre. The actual tomb is located in a subterranean chamber immediately underneath. All exteriors and interiors are finished with marble and the interior of the dome with stucco. The openings above the doorways are lattice work.

4. ZOO:

Family Days:

Every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Monday is observed family days, when only husbands accompanied by their wives and young daughters are allowed to visit the Karachi Zoo. No single male or female is permitted.

Ladies Days:
Every Wednesday is reserved for ladies & children below 12 years of age.

Mixed Days:
Sunday is Open to the visitors of all ages and Sexes.

5. Bagh Ibn Qasim -OR- Bin Qasim Park.

The Bagh Ibne Qasim (Urdu: باغ ابنِ قاسم‎ ) is located in Clifton, Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan. Inaugurated by President Pervez Musharraf on February 27, 2007, Pakistan's biggest park constructed underClifton Beach Development Project on 130 acres (0.53 km²) of land. The old Toyland Theme Park has been done away with and this park replaces it. The park cost PKR 600 million and has been completed in 300 working days. More than 10 million people visited the park per year. Is also the largest family park in South Asia.

6. SHAKAR PARIAN

Shakar Parian Hills are situated near Zero Point, up above the Loke Virsa Museum & Rose & Jasmine Garden. From here you can view the twin cities of Islamabad & Rawalpindi very clearly. Hills have two View Points. East View Point & West View Point.

7. PEER SOHAWA:

One of the most popular spots in Islamabad is "Peer Sohawa". You will get to this scenic location after crossing Daman-e-Koh, and close to the top of the prominent Margalla Hills. The view from here is spectacular, especially of the snow capped peaks of Murree. The weather here is pleasant in summer, and winter brings with it beautiful snowy views. You can also enjoy a great meal at the famous Sohawa Heights (Khokha Restaurant) with its great BBQ.

8. NATIONAL MONUMENT OF PAKISTAN:

National Monument or Pakistan Monument is built on the West View Point of Shakar Parrian Hills. The monument can be viewd from all vantage points of the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi. It is designed by an eminent architect Mr. Arif Masoud, completed in March 2007. There is a nice setup of fountains in front of monument and there are several patches of lush green grass around the Monument.

9. WORLDS SECOND LARGEST FOUNTAIN:

WORLDS SECOND LARGEST FOUNTAIN IN KARACHI

The Second Tallest Fountain of the World, "Port Fountain" in Karachi, Pakistan. Inaugurated by President of Pakistan, Pervaiz Musharraf, on 15 January 2006. The Port fountain is the worlds latest fountain and rises to height of 620 feet when operating at full force. The fountain is located next to the Northern rock of a series known as Oyster Rocks, off the Karachi harbour. The fountain structure and platform of 135 sq meters (15m x 9m) is on 16 piles 18 meters deep. Two 835-horsepower turbine pumps deliver nearly 2000 liters of sea water per second at a velocity of 70 meter per second through specially designed 8 inch nozzles. Because the fountain rises so high into the air, it is quite easily seen from many locations of the city. Many high rise apartments, buildings and surroundings overlook the fountain throughout the community at the beach. The column of water can be seen from miles at sea. The fountain is located 1.4 km away from the beach to avoid spraying neighborhood homes.

10. Lahore Fort:

The Lahore Fort, locally referred to as Shahi Qila is citadel of the city of Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan. It is located in the northwestern corner of the Walled City of Lahore in Iqbal Park which is one of the largest urban parks in Pakistan

11. The Shalimar Gardens:

The Shalimar Gardens (Punjabi, Urdu: شالیمار باغ‎), sometimes written as Shalamar Gardens, is a Mughal garden complex located in Lahore, Pakistan. Construction began in 1641 AD (1051 AH) and was completed the following year. The project management was carried out under the superintendence ofKhalilullah Khan, a noble of Shah Jahan's court, in cooperation with Ali Mardan Khan and Mulla Alaul Maulk Tuni. The meaning of the word 'Shalimar' remains a mystery, but it is probably of Arabic or Persian origin as asserted by Anna Suvorova in her book Lahore: Topophilia of Space and Place. The Shalimar Gardens are located near Baghbanpura along the Grand Trunk Road some 5 kilometers northeast of the main Lahore city. Shalimar Gardens draws inspiration from Central Asia, Kashmir,Punjab, Persia, and the Delhi Sultanate.

12. Minar-e-Pakistan:

Minar-e-Pakistan (Urdu: مینارِ پاکستان‎ / ALA-LC: Mīnār-i Pākistān, literally "Tower of Pakistan") is a public monument located in Iqbal Park which is one of the largest urban parks in Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan. The tower was constructed during the 1960s on the site where, on 23 March 1940, the All-India Muslim League passed the Lahore Resolution, the first official call for a separate homeland for the Muslims living in the South Asia, in accordance with the two nation theory.

13. The Tomb Of Jahangir:

The Tomb of Jahangir (Urdu: مقبرہُ جہانگیر‎, Punjabi: جہانگير دا مقبرہ) is amausoleum built for Jahangir, who ruled the Mughal Empire from 1605 to 1627. The mausoleum is located in Shahdara Bagh in Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan.

13. The Faisal Mosque -OR- Shah Faisal Masjid:

The Faisal Mosque (Urdu: فیصل مسجد‎) is the largest mosque in Pakistan, located in the national capital city of Islamabad. Completed in 1986, it was designed by Turkish architect Vedat Dalokay, shaped like a desert Bedouin's tent, is an iconic symbol of Islamabad throughout the world.

It is situated at the north end of Faisal Avenue, putting it at the northernmost end of the city and at the foot of Margalla Hills, the westernmost foothills of the Himalayas. It is located on an elevated area of land against a picturesque backdrop of the Margalla Hills. This enviable location represents the mosque's great importance and allows it to be seen from miles around day and night.

The Faisal Mosque was conceived as the National Mosque of Pakistan and named after the late King Faisal bin Abdul-Aziz of Saudi Arabia, who supported and financed the project.^[2]

The largest mosque in South Asia, the Faisal Mosque was the largest mosque in the world from 1986 until 1993, when it was overtaken in size by the newly completed Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca, Morocco. Subsequent expansions of the Masjid al-Haram (Grand Mosque) of Mecca and the Al-Masjid al-Nabawi (Prophet's Mosque) in Medina, Saudi Arabia, during the 1990s relegated Faisal Mosque to fourth place in terms of size.

Other Landmarks[edit]

Furthermore, there are several landmarks and structures that have not yet made the UNESCO Tentative List. Long before the creation of Pakistan in 1947, there were plenty of cultures and religions that existed before theindependence. Pakistan being the center of various wars led to several dynasties and tribes ruling its lands. They left various landmarks behind which some have become national icons whilst others needing the attention of concerned authorities. Some of these include:

• Faisalabad Clock Tower and the Eight Bazaars
• Altit Fort in Hunza Valley
• 17th and 18th century Tombs of Talpur Mirs
• Faiz Mahal of the Talpur Mirs
• Samadhi of Ranjit Singh
• Mughal built tomb of Asaf Khan
• Empress Market built during the rule of the British Empire
• The tomb of Qutb-ud-din Aibak the first Sultan of Delhi and founder of the Slave dynasty.
• Mohatta Palace (built in 1927)
• 18th century Omar Hayat Mahal
• 19th Century Italian chateau Noor Palace
• Derawar Fort
• Mughal-built Hiran Minar
• One of the oldest salt mines in Asia, Khewra Salt Mines
• The 3000BC built fort of Kot Diji and Faiz Mahal in Khairpur
• 16th century built fort at Skardu

Post-independence Pakistan retained its heritage by constructing various sites to commemorate its independence by blending various styles and influences from the past. Some of these include:

• Minar-e-Pakistan in Lahore.
• Faisal Mosque in Islamabad.
• The mausoleum of the founder of Pakistan, Mohammad Ali Jinnah.
• Bab-e-Pakistan a memorial site for the victims of the independence.
• Pakistan Monument in Islamabad.
• The mausoleum of Allama Muhammad Iqbal.

Now, I've tired and have much more to say but for now it is enough. Just last sentece

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