Things to do when visit Islamabad

 

Islamabad is the capital city of Pakistan, and one of the most beautiful and modern cities in the country. It is located at the foothills of the Margalla Hills, and offers a variety of attractions and activities for visitors of all ages and interests. Whether you are looking for culture, nature, adventure, or shopping, Islamabad has something for you. Here are some of the things you should try when you visit Islamabad:

Hiking at Margalla Hills

If you love nature and hiking, you should not miss the opportunity to explore the Margalla Hills National Park, which covers an area of 17,386 hectares and has more than 50 trails of different difficulty levels. You can enjoy scenic views of the city and the surrounding valleys, as well as encounter diverse wildlife and plants. Some of the popular trails are Trail 3, Trail 5, and Trail 6. You can also visit the Pir Sohawa viewpoint, which has a restaurant and a picnic spot.

Boating at Lake View Park

Another way to enjoy nature and have fun is to visit Lake View Park, which is located on the banks of Rawal Lake. This park offers various recreational facilities, such as boating, fishing, birdwatching, cycling, paintball, rock climbing, and more. You can rent a boat or a pedal boat and cruise around the lake, or enjoy a picnic on the grassy lawns. The park also has a zoo, a playground, and a museum.

Sightseeing and long walks

Islamabad has many landmarks and monuments that showcase its history and culture. You can take a sightseeing tour or a long walk around the city and admire its architecture and beauty. Some of the places you should visit are:

• Pakistan Monument: This is a national monument that symbolizes the unity and diversity of Pakistan. It has four petals that represent the four provinces and three territories of Pakistan, and a central platform that represents Islam. The monument also has a museum that displays the history and culture of Pakistan.
• Faisal Mosque: This is the largest mosque in Pakistan and one of the largest in the world. It was designed by a Turkish architect and has a unique shape that resembles a desert tent. It can accommodate up to 300,000 worshippers and has four minarets that are 90 meters high.
• Lok Virsa Museum: This is a museum that showcases the folk heritage and art of Pakistan. It has various galleries that display costumes, jewelry, pottery, musical instruments, paintings, and more from different regions and communities of Pakistan. It also has a library, an auditorium, and a craft village.

Visit museums, an old mandir (temple), or a cave

If you are interested in learning more about the history and culture of Islamabad and Pakistan, you should visit some of the museums in the city. Some of the museums you can visit are:

• Islamabad Museum: This is a museum that displays archaeological artifacts from different periods of Pakistan’s history, such as the Indus Valley Civilization, the Gandhara Civilization, the Mughal Empire, and more. It also has exhibits on Islamic art and calligraphy.
• The Museum of Natural History: This is a museum that displays specimens of animals, plants, fossils, minerals, rocks, and more from Pakistan and other countries. It also has exhibits on environmental issues and conservation.
• Golra Sharif Railway Museum: This is a museum that displays railway memorabilia from the British colonial era to the present day. It has locomotives, carriages, signals, tools, maps, photographs, and more.

You can also visit some other attractions in Islamabad that are not museums but still have historical or cultural significance. For example:

• Saidpur Village: This is an old village that dates back to the Mughal era. It has been preserved as a heritage site and has many attractions such as an old Hindu temple (mandir), a Sikh gurdwara (place of worship), mosques (places of worship for Muslims), shrines (places where people worship saints), restaurants (places where people eat), art galleries (places where people display art), and shops (places where people sell things).
• Buddha Cave: This is a cave that was discovered in 2012 by local villagers. It has a statue of Buddha that is believed to be from the 3rd century AD. It also has paintings and inscriptions on its walls that are related to Buddhism.

Pray at the beautiful Faisal Mosque

As mentioned earlier, Faisal Mosque is one of the most iconic and impressive landmarks in Islamabad. It is not only a place of worship, but also a place of peace and tranquility. You can visit the mosque and admire its architecture and design, or join the prayers that are held five times a day. You can also learn more about Islam and its teachings from the guides and scholars who are available at the mosque.

Bowling, swimming, and horse riding

If you are looking for some fun and entertainment, you can try some of the activities that are available in Islamabad. Some of the activities you can try are:

• Bowling: You can go bowling at one of the bowling alleys in Islamabad, such as Fun City, Mega Zone, or Arena. Bowling is a game where you roll a ball down a lane and try to knock down pins at the end of the lane. It is a fun and competitive game that you can play with your friends or family.
• Swimming: You can go swimming at one of the swimming pools in Islamabad, such as Islamabad Club, Serena Hotel, or Marriott Hotel. Swimming is an activity where you move through water using your arms and legs. It is a good exercise and a way to cool off in the hot weather.
• Horse riding: You can go horse riding at one of the horse riding clubs in Islamabad, such as Rawal Lake Riding Club, Margalla Riding Club, or Islamabad Riding Club. Horse riding is an activity where you ride on a horse and control its movements. It is a fun and adventurous activity that you can enjoy with nature.

Enjoy bike rides

Another way to have fun and explore Islamabad is to enjoy bike rides. You can rent a bike or bring your own and ride around the city or the countryside. You can enjoy the scenery, the fresh air, and the thrill of riding on two wheels. Some of the places where you can rent bikes are:

• Trail 5: This is one of the most popular trails for hiking and biking in Islamabad. It is located in Margalla Hills National Park and has a length of 5 km (3 mi). It has a moderate difficulty level and offers scenic views of the city and the hills.
• Lake View Park: This is one of the most popular parks for boating and biking in Islamabad. It is located on Rawal Lake and has a bike track that goes around the lake. It has a length of 8 km (5 mi) and offers scenic views of the lake and the park.
• Jinnah Avenue: This is one of the main avenues in Islamabad that connects different sectors of the city. It has a bike lane that runs along its length. It has a length of 14 km (9 mi) and offers views of different landmarks and buildings in the city.

Shopping

If you love shopping, you will love Islamabad. The city has many shopping malls, markets, and bazaars where you can find everything from clothes, shoes, jewelry, electronics, books, handicrafts, souvenirs, and more. Some of the places where you can shop are:

• Centaurus Mall: This is one of the largest and most modern shopping malls in Islamabad. It has more than 250 shops, a food court, a cinema, a fun city, and more. It has local and international brands.
• Jinnah Super Market: This is one of the oldest and most popular markets in Islamabad. It has more than 100 shops, restaurants, cafes, bakeries, bookstores, etc. It has local and international brands.
• Sunday Bazaar: This is one of the most crowded and lively bazaars in Islamabad. It is held every Sunday from morning till evening at H-9 sector. It has hundreds of stalls that sell everything from clothes, shoes, jewelry, electronics, books, handicrafts, souvenirs, etc. You can bargain with the sellers and get good deals.

I hope this blog has given you some ideas on what to try when you visit Islamabad. Islamabad is a city that has some