Hunza Valley
The Hunza Valley is the crown of Pakistan's north: a ribbon of apricot orchards and terraced fields beneath 7,000-meter Karakoram…
Explore cityPakistan
Pakistan is a land of staggering geographic range, from the Arabian Sea coast to the Karakoram, where K2 and the world's greatest concentration of high peaks rise above ancient Silk Road valleys. Its history runs from the 5,000-year-old Indus Valley cities of Mohenjo-daro and Harappa through Gandharan Buddhism and the splendor of the Mughal Empire, whose mosques and forts still…
Country overview
Pakistan is a land of staggering geographic range, from the Arabian Sea coast to the Karakoram, where K2 and the world's greatest concentration of high peaks rise above ancient Silk Road valleys. Its history runs from the 5,000-year-old Indus Valley cities of Mohenjo-daro and Harappa through Gandharan Buddhism and the splendor of the Mughal Empire, whose mosques and forts still crown Lahore. Islamabad offers leafy, planned-capital calm beneath the Margalla Hills, while Karachi pulses as the country's commercial engine. Travelers remember Pakistan above all for its hospitality: strangers are treated as honored guests, chai appears everywhere, and the northern valleys of Hunza, Skardu, and Swat deliver some of Asia's most dramatic mountain scenery. The cuisine is a journey in itself — smoky kebabs, fragrant biryanis, hearty nihari, and endless cups of doodh patti chai. Sufi shrines draw pilgrims and qawwali music lovers, while festivals like Basant fill Lahore's skies with kites. The north is best explored with local guides, who unlock remote valleys, homestays, and treks that few outsiders ever see.
- Capital
- Islamabad
- Languages
- Urdu, English
- Currency
- Pakistani rupee (PKR)
- Region
- Asia
- Best time to visit
- October to March for the plains and cities; May to October for the northern mountains
Cities in Pakistan
Islamabad Guide coming soon
Karachi Guide coming soon
Lahore
Lahore is Pakistan's cultural heart and one of the great historic cities of South Asia, a place where Mughal emperors…
Explore city
Multan Guide coming soon
Peshawar Guide coming soon
Quetta Guide coming soon
Skardu Guide coming soon
Weather
Live conditions, straight from the forecast — never estimated.
Top attractions
Badshahi Mosque
One of the world's largest mosques, built in 1673 by the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, facing Lahore Fort across a grand courtyard.
Lahore Fort (Shahi Qila)
A UNESCO-listed Mughal citadel with the dazzling Sheesh Mahal (Palace of Mirrors) and the Naulakha Pavilion.
Shalimar Gardens
Mughal terraced gardens laid out by Shah Jahan in 1641, with flowing fountains and marble pavilions.
Faisal Mosque
Pakistan's national mosque, a striking modernist tent-like structure set against the Margalla Hills.
Pakistan Monument
A blooming-flower-shaped national monument on Shakarparian Hill with panoramic city views and a museum.
Mohenjo-daro
The remarkably planned ruins of a 5,000-year-old Indus Valley city, among the world's earliest urban settlements.
Taxila
UNESCO-listed Gandharan ruins and museum tracing 2,500 years of Buddhist and classical history.
Baltit Fort
A 700-year-old fortified palace of the Mirs of Hunza, restored by the Aga Khan Trust, overlooking Karimabad.
Attabad Lake
A vivid turquoise lake formed by a 2010 landslide, now famous for boating beneath the Karakoram peaks.
Rohtas Fort
A massive 16th-century fortress built by Sher Shah Suri, one of the finest surviving examples of early Muslim military architecture.
Makli Necropolis
One of the world's largest cemeteries, with half a million ornate tombs spanning 400 years of Sindhi history.
Khunjerab Pass
The world's highest paved international border crossing (4,693 m) between Pakistan and China on the Karakoram Highway.
Where to stay
Live pricing and availability are not connected — check the property’s official site.
Islamabad Serena Hotel
The capital's landmark luxury hotel, set in landscaped gardens near the Margalla Hills with Mughal-inspired architecture.
Live pricing not connected
Pearl-Continental Hotel Lahore
A long-established five-star hotel on Mall Road, convenient for the city's Mughal sights.
Live pricing not connected
Marriott Hotel Karachi
A major business and leisure hotel in central Karachi with extensive dining options.
Live pricing not connected
Hunza Serena Inn
A comfortable mountain hotel with sweeping views over the Hunza Valley and Rakaposhi.
Live pricing not connected
Luxus Hunza
A lakeside resort on the turquoise Attabad Lake with panoramic Karakoram views.
Live pricing not connected
Eagle's Nest Hotel
A famous viewpoint hotel above Karimabad, known for sunrise over the Hunza peaks.
Live pricing not connected
Where to eat
Live pricing and availability are not connected — check the property’s official site.
Monal
Islamabad's iconic hilltop restaurant with sweeping city views and a broad desi and continental menu.
Cuckoo's Den
A beloved rooftop restaurant near Badshahi Mosque serving classic Lahori dishes with fort views.
Lal Qila
A long-running grand buffet restaurant known for its wide spread of desi dishes.
Andaaz Restaurant
A rooftop haveli restaurant beside the Badshahi Mosque, popular for traditional Lahori food at sunset.
Kolachi
A seaside restaurant on the Arabian Sea known for barbecue and seafood with ocean views.
Savours
A local favorite for Peshawari-style rice and kebabs, casual and consistently busy.
Practical information
The essentials for planning — always verify time-sensitive details with official sources before you travel.
Population
Approximately 255 million
Area
881913
Time zones
UTC+5 (PKT)
Driving side
left
Emergency numbers
15, 1122
Visa information
Most visitors need a visa; many nationalities can apply online for a tourist e-visa before travel.
Source: Editorial research · Last updated: 2026-10-10