Tourism Potential Investment Opportunities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (NWFP)
Nature has gifted Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with rich cultural
and tourism friendly environment. It has the potential
of becoming a big tourist attraction in the world, due
to its scenic beauty, geographical location, climate and
natural resources.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is
exceptionally rich in terms of multitudes of tourist
attraction. The essence of this attraction is visible
from the remarkable natural picturesque comprising beautiful
rivers, splendid water falls, spell-bound lakes mostly
in the mountainous region and green valleys in most
parts of the province. Due to its geographical location,
Khyber Pukhtoonkhwa has had been a confluence of different
civilizations which flourished and vanished with the
passage of time.
The quasi contiguity
of the province, with the Central Asian states and with
xiangiang province of China attracted many migrants,
businessmen, warriors and fortune seekers in different
ages for settlement. The interaction among different
races and their co-existence led to a rich cultural
heritage. The glimpses of such heritage are evident
from the Ghandhara archaeological sites at Gur Khattree
Peshawar, Takh-Bahi (Mardan), Seri Behlol (Mardan),
Shabaz Gari (Mardan) Nimo Gram Buddhist Stupa (Swat),
and collection of Ghandhara art preserved at Swat Museum,
Chakdara museum (Dir Lower) and Peshawar museum.
• The total area of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is
100200 sq.km
• Northern Zone: A mountainous
region full of natural picturesque having 5 small and
big rivers.
• Mid Part: It comprises of
Peshawar Valley, a seat of different civilizations.
• Southern Zone: Rugged dry
hills and vast gravelly plains with patches of alluvial
agri fields.
• North of province is exceptionally rich in
picturesque and alluring landscape, exotic valleys and
dense pine forest.
• The natural lakes and thick forests of the
province are safe heaven for eco tourism.
• Ghandhara remains testify the rich cultural
heritage of the province.
plete
with natural beauty. It was a favourite gateway from
the plains into Kashmir during Mughal, Durrani and Sikh
rules. It is a large area some 10,000 sq. km. The world
famous Karakoram Highway starts from Havelian, a town
in this region at a distance of 101 km from Islamabad.
The mighty "Lion River" Indus or Abasin flows
through the entire length of Hazara. It is strategically
located between the Northern Areas, Azad Kashmir, Punjab
and the rest of the KPK "North West Frontier Province". Hill
stations collectively known as the Gallis and the Kaghan
valley are the best known parts of Hazara. Pakistani
and foreign tourists throng its cool and serene valleys
during sizzling summer.
Abbottabad
is named after its founder James Abbot, Hazara's first
British Deputy Commissioner. It is at a distance of
121 km from Islamabad via Hasan Abdal. It is 1220 meters
above sea level and is situated at the crossroads of
most of the areas of tourist interest in Pakistan like
Nathiagali, Murree, Thandiani, Kaghan valley, Swat valley,
Skardu, Gilgit and Khunjrab. Taxila, one of the most
important archaeological treasures of the subcontinent
is not very far from here. There are two hills towering
above Abbottabad, Shimla Peak and Sarban Peak. There
are very fine panoramic views of the town and its surroundings
from Shimla Peak. The famous Pakistan Military Academy
is on the hill to the north-east side of the town. Shimla
Park located on a nearby hill with a pine forest is
well worth a visit. Abbottabad has still a very British
air with its European style bungalows, the club, the
church and the cemetery.
Nathiagali
clad in pine, walnut, oak and maple trees, is the prettiest
hill resort in the Galiyat region. It can be approached
both from Murree and Abbottabad. It is 34 km from Abbottabad
as well as from Murree. Nathiagali is 2501 meters above
sea level and is surrounded by lush green lofty mountains.
The British tried to create a little England here with
its small timbered churches, parks, bungalows and the
Governor's House. Breathtaking landscapes, spring water
and fresh air make it one of the most peaceful hill
stations in Pakistan.
Mansehra is named after Man Singh, its Governor General
under Ranjit Singh. This town is at a distance of 24
km to the north of Abbottabad. It has a very lively
bazaar. The major tourist attraction of Mansehra are
the three granite boulders on which edicts of Ashoka
the Great have been inscribed. This great Mauryan king
ruled this area in the 3rd century BC. After his conversion
to Buddhism he tried to dictate a new morality based
on piety, moderation, tolerance and respect for life.
Out
of the numerous beautiful valleys of Hazara, Kaghan
is the most attractive of all. A holiday retreat with
alluring scenic beauty, the Kaghan valley is about 160
km long and between two to four thousand meters above
sea level at various places. Towering peaks of Himalayan
Range, glaciers, water falls and crystal clear water
of the lakes are still in a pristine state and make
the valley an unspoiled paradise. Kunhar river with
plenty of trout fish flows through the valley and has
the villages of Balakot, Kaghan, Naran on its banks.
The nomads take their flocks of cattle to the high pastures
of the Kaghan valley in spring and bring them down again
in autumn. Their women are colourfully dressed.
Balakot is the gateway to Kaghan valley. Balakot itself
is 72 km from Abbottabad. This beautiful small town
is located on the banks of Kunhar river. Journey from
Abbottabad to Balakot is a charming experience. The
road passes through beautiful green hills and thick
forests. The views are spectacular especially between
Attarshisha and Garhi Habibullah. A famous battle was
fought here between the Sikh Army and Mujahideen in
1831. The Mujahideen leaders, Hazrat Syed Ahmed Shaheed
and Hazrat Shah Ismail Shaheed lie buried here along
with other martyrs.
Shogran,
one of, the most beautiful plateaus in the whole area
is situated at a distance of 33 km from Balakot via
Kawai. From there a jeep track leads to this tranquil
summer retreat of superb climate and spectacular views.
The air is impregnated with the scent of flowers and
the pine forest around. It is at an altitude of 2326
m and mighty peaks of Himalayan Ranges such as Musa
ka Masalla (4419 m) and Malika Parbat (5290 m) are visible
from here.
About
86 km from Balakot lies Naran, the main attraction of
the Kaghan valley. This town is situated on the banks
of Kunhar river at an altitude of 2498 m at a point
where the valley widens. The river is wider and quieter
here. There is a very good view downstream, with some
tree-covered islands in the foreground. It is a starting
point for lake Salful Muluk, Battakundi, Lalazar Plateau,
lake Lulusar and Babusar Pass. Outstanding attraction
of Naran is its air of peace and serenity.
It is situated at a distance of 10 km from Naran at
an altitude of 3500 m. It provides an excellent view
of the 5290 m high Malika Parbat (Queen of the Mountains).
The lake and its surroundings have a touch of unreal
about them and are breathtakingly lovely. There is a
charming legend about a prince called Saiful Muluk who
fell in love with a fairy of the lake. The lake is named
after the prince. The best way to reach the lake is
to walk but you may also take a pony or a jeep.
The
area has a reich history, covering thousands of yers.
Alexander the Great traveled through the region in 327
BC. The famous Gandhara Buddhist Civilization later
flourished in the valleys of Swat and Dir, There are
many stupas and Buddhist settlements in the region.
The Famous Chinese travllers Huein Tsang and Fa Hien
came here for learning and a great Buddhist missionary
Padma Sambhava, belonging to Swat traveled to Tibet
to spread Buddhism.
About three kilometres from Barikot, one gets a glance
of a magnificent Buddhist stupa on the right side. This
stupa is perhaps the only one, whose dome is complete.
The period of its construction is estimated between
third and fourth centuries AD. Just about one and a
half km away from this stupa, one can see large figures
of Buddha carved on the rock.
Mingora
has been an important trading centre for the last 2000
years. The bazaars are interesting to explore for semi
precious stones, hand-woven and embroiled clothes, shawls,
bedsheets, woodwork, tribal jewelry and antiques of
different kinds. The hills having the world famous "Emerald
Mines" are located to the north of the town.