Top Tourist Sites
Recreational Sites - Punjab
MURREE & GALLIES
Murree is Pakistan’s most advanced and popular mountain station located at an altitude of 6000 to 7000 feet height from sea level. At 1 hour drive from Islamabad along with the best quality, winding alpine road, it is crowded by visitors the whole year-round. The view is superb, weather cool in summers and crispy cold in the wintertime.
When the British joined Punjab in 1849, they soon decided to establish a mountain station at Murree, conveniently found near the important army cantonment of Rawalpindi. It was actually founded in 1851 on the pastureland of a ridge and developed fast. Today Murre is Punjab’s leading mountain station interesting domestic and international tourists. The long Vacation days are ideal for lazy strolls between Kashmir and Pindi points.
There are Gallies around Murree coated with thick pine forests. Gulehra Gali, also called Patriata, is a most enjoyable place about 22 km beyond Murre, where Tourism Development Corporation of Punjab Chairlift and Sky Ride provides a charming and memorable adventure among panoramic view and exciting rides.
KHEWRA SALT MINES – Nature’s Wonder Land
The world’s 2nd biggest Salt Mines are found in Punjab province, accessible via the M2 motorway about 270 km from Lahore and 170 km away from Islamabad. Khewra place is also known as The Kingdom of Salt because of stone salt, which is a 99% pure and natural source of Salt in Pakistan. The place is a geologist’s idea with a wide variety of minerals and rocks. The Salt Mines extends from River Jehlum to Indus, covering an area of around 260 square kilometers. Interestingly, salt existence was found by Alexander’s horses during 326 BC. Next, Mughals mined salt from here on a business scale, and the British further systemized the mining process by building a small railway line. Now we have many attractions for tourists inside, including Salt Minaret, salt Mosque, Salt Palace, Asthma Hospital. which are available either by foot or through a mini-train journey. Also, a souvenir shop houses stone salt objects for sale.
KALLAR KAHAR – Valley of Peacocks
Among Pakistan’s innumerable beauties is the Kallar Kahar Lake, located in the Chakwal district of Punjab, Pakistan. Situated on the brink of the M-2 motorway, it is an easily accessible visitor attraction both from Lahore (230 km) and from Islamabad (170 km). It is important for its original gardens, dancing peacocks, religious sites, and a salt-water lake.
If you want to watch dancing wild-peacocks, then you have to tour Kallar Kahar Lake. You will have to awake early in the morning – at least 1 hour before morning – and have to go to the great shrine of Sufi saints Ahoo Bahoo Syed Pir Muhammed Ishaq and Pir Muhammed Yaqoob in Kallar Kahar. There you can see dozens of Peacocks coming to the shrine showing their appreciation and moving before the visitors come. Peacocks rarely come in day time due to the rush of visitors there. The magnificent wild peacocks come to the shrine early morning and go back to the jungle for the day-time. From the shrine, you can watch the full Kallar Kahar valley as it is on the top of the mountains. The village is in the valley, and there is a beautiful salt-water lake in front of the mountain.
