Nature & Recreational Destinations

Murree

murreeNestled in the Himalayan foothills, Murree – ‘The Queen of Mountains’ is the most developed and popular hill station of Punjab located at an hour drive from Capital city. Mountains covered with lush green trees, cold atmosphere, fresh air, beautiful valleys and most importantly clouds on the roads hugging you is what it offers to the tourists to escape from the sweltering heat.

The whole route to Murree is filled with awe-inspiring views. One can enjoy the sunset here feeling crisp pine breeze and soaking the gentle sunshine as the scenic, relaxing atmosphere awaits you here.

Soon Valley

sson valleyThe Soon Valley is in the northwest of Khushab extends from the village of Padhrar to Sakesar, which is the highest peak in the Salt Range. Home to stunningly beautiful waterfalls and rolling mountains, the valley is a magnificent piece of serene natural beauty which includes striking lakes, springs, forests and many archaeological places. There are many captivating sites for the tourists which include Uchali lake, Khabeki lake and Kanhatti Garden. These lakes attract thousands of seasonal birds each year as well as rare white-headed ducks from Central Asia. A diverse landscape, Soon Valley is a breathtaking vista and still a less discovered wonderland.

Kallar Kahar

kallar kaharSometimes referred to as the “Gateway to Soan Valley”, Kallar Kahar is a town in Punjab that has a lot to offer in terms of scenic views, historical landmarks, and archaeological wonders. Located 25 km to the east of Chakwal, and is surrounded by tall and majestic mountains, Kallar Kahar is well-known for its stunning lake, the rolling hills surrounding the area, and the large number of peacocks that you can find there. A museum with a remarkable collection of antiquities on display has recently been built in Kallar Kahar as well. Due to its direct approach and recent major uplifting, its popularity and tourists’ footfall has increased in the past few years.

Fort Munroe

fort munroeFort Munroe is not only a geological marvel but an open air museum of Paleontology. This hill station, standing at a height of 6,470 above sea level, is part of the Sulaiman Range and one of the few places in Punjab which receives snowfall every now and then. It connects Punjab with Balochistan and was originally known as ‘Anari Mol’ (Hilltop with pomegranates in the Balochi language). The site attracts a number of tourists every year, particularly those who wish to escape from hot plains of southern Punjab to enjoy mild and pleasant weather for a day or two. Offering you a retreat during Summer waves, enjoy leisure walks and starry nights at Fort Munroe.

Khewra Salt Mines

khewra minesThe Khewra Mines (Salt Range), which are famous for the production of pink Himalayan salt, is situated at an altitude of 288 meters and comprise more than 40 kilometres of tunnels near Pind Dadan Khan (Jhelum). The place is a geologist’s dream with a rich variety of minerals and rocks. Moreover, the site has 19 levels, with only seven located above the ground and the rest below the surface. Along with being the largest reserve of edible salt in Pakistan, it also enjoys the status of being the oldest as well as the second-largest salt mine in the world and attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors every year.

Hiran Minar

hiran minarOne of the most popular picnic places in Punjab, the spectacular Hiran Minar is located in the suburbs of Sheikhupura. Also known as the ‘Deer Tower,’ this vast complex was once served as a hunting retreat for Mughal Emperor Jahangir. It was constructed in 1606 in the memory of the king’s favorite pet antelope, Mansraj. The tower itself is about 100 feet tall with 214 holes on its outer surface, where the king’s hunting trophies once used to hang. The outer walls of the structure also bear intricate calligraphy praising the pet antelope.  To this day, Hiran Minar is one of the most peaceful tourist destinations in Punjab owing to its landscape and the thinly populated area.

Changa Manga Forest

changa mangaChanga Manga is the first man-made irrigated forest not only in Punjab, but also in Pakistan. It was established in 1866 initially for the production of firewood for railway steam locomotives. It covers an area of 12,510 acres, situated about 75 km west of Lahore near Chunian Town of District Kasur. In Changa Manga, a tramway was established in 1921. At present, it is a recreational source to the tourists due to its forest / wildlife park. The Forest Park was established in 1961-62 and further enhanced through a development scheme from 1995-96 to 1997-98. The total area of the park is 134 acres. The existing facilities in the forest park for tourists are hanging bridges, cafeteria, swimming pool, lake pagoda, log huts, mosjid, toilets, boating, tramline, motel and rest house.

Cholistan

cholistanOccupying the far south of Punjab, Cholistan is the largest desert in Pakistan, covering over 25,000 sq. kms area. The culture of this place is a combination of Islamic religious norms and regional mores of Sindh and Punjab. There are several forts in Cholistan region including Derawar Fort, Islamgarh Fort, Jamgarh Fort, Nawankot Fort and the list goes on. The desert also hosts an annual Jeep rally, known as Cholistan Desert Jeep Rally which is the biggest motor sports event in Pakistan. As a gateway of adventure, Cholistan attracts a number of tourists and spectators annually who used to explore the other charms of the Cholistan.