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Pakistan - Melting Pot Of The Traditional & Contemporary

Pakistan is blessed with immensely rich geographical features and historical background which makes Pakistan/Punjab the future tourist destination of the world.

The Tourism Development Corporation of Punjab (TDCP) is a Public Limited Company owned by the Government of Punjab.

Its main objective is to promote and develop the tourism industry in Pakistan. TDCP runs several resorts and motels throughout Punjab. The Transport Wing of TDCP provides a comfortable transport system to different tourist destinations in Punjab as well as Northern Areas and KPK on regular and seasonal basta.

The transport system operates from Tourist Information Centers located in the heart of major cities of Punjab. Advance booking is available round the cock at the terminals as well as on telephone.

TDCP has continued to work for the development of tourism.I has been working on different projects over the years for the infrastructure development in order to facilitate local/interna-tional tourists visiting historical and cultural heritage of Punjab.

Cholistan Desert Jeep Rally

Tourism Development Corporation of Punjab's Cholistan Jeep Rally event began in the majestic desert of Cholistan, in 2005, with a resolution to promote southern Punjab as a winter tourist destination and a way to introduce motor sports in Pakistan.

Cholistan is locally known as Rohi. This famous desert is 30 Km from Bahawalpur, and comprises an area of approximately 16,000 sq.km, which extends up to the Thar Desert, and over to Sindh. Camel and Jeep Safaris and Tours in the Cholistan Desert give tourists the opportunity to learn and experience a nomadic life and culture having experienced guides and modern facilities at their disposal. The Jeep Rally affords an opportunity to visit Derawar Fort, the most famous among the many ancient forts that are located in the Cholistan Desert.

Derawar Fort

On the edge of the desert, 100 km from Bahawalpur stands the majestic Derawar Fort. It is the largest and the most superlatively preserved fort of Cholistan. The powerful fort towers over the surrounding semi-desert and is visible from miles around. It is a square fort measuring 672 feet in length on each side, with a gate on its southern side approached by means of a winding ramp. Most of the bastions show geometric designs made by burnt bricks. A number of buildings in the fort provided quarters for Nawab's army. The retiring quarters of the royal family still stand deserted inside the fort.

Four shrines of pious Muslims are located near Derawar Fort.

Having built in 1844, the Derawar Mosque, having 3 domes and 4 minarets, is an exact replica of Moti Masjid at Red Fort, Delhi.

Getting There:

Derawar Fort is located in the cholistan desert about 100 Km from Bahawalpur. Derawar can be termed as the Gateway of Cholistan. Trips to other forts can be arranged from here in the form of Camel Safaris or Jeep Safaries.

Murree - Queen of the Hills

The most popular hill station in Pakistan is Murree, at an elevation of 7,500 feet, it is only an hour drive from Islamabad along a good quality, winding alpine road. The scenery is superb, the climate is cool in summer and crispy cold in winter, nice hotels and a comfortable drive. The long summer days are ideal for lazy strolls or riding ponies along shady path on the Mall, between Kashmir and Pindi Points. In the winter the charming chalets, covered with snow, set amidst fragrant pines are jewels of the hill station for a romantic visit, nestled in the shadow of snow clad peaks.

Getting There:

The Murree and the Gallies offer lively holidays at moderate costs. The chain of hill stations is easily accessible from any place in Pakistan. PIA operates a number of daily flights to Rawalpindi from Karachi and Lahore. Rawalpindi is also connected by rail with rest of the country and lies on the section of G.T. Road from Lahore to Peshawar. Murree which is the starting point for the Gallies is only 64 Km from Rawalpindi.

There are regular bus, wagon, taxi and rent a car services.

Transport for Murree from Rawalpindi is available almost every half an hour. One can even drive a car over an excellent road snaking through pine covered hills. Transport is also available from Murree to all other hill stations up to Abbottabad, particularly during the tourist season.

High Points:

Murree is called "the Queen of the Hills" for its scenic beauty and fascinating greenery. Nature in its full bounty is found scattered over every inch of graceful hills and lovely valleys.

Beautiful verdant mountains overhung by pines and oaks, bubbling with gurgling springs, crisscrossed by rivulets, dotted with sprawling velvet-carpeted lawns and orchards with fruit-laden trees, present the spectacle of a paradise on earth.

Kalash Festivals

One of the major attractions of Pakistan Cultural Festivals are Kalash Valley Festivals. The Kalash Valleys of Rumbur, Bunbo-ret and Birir are within Chitral in the North-West Frontier Province, near Nuristan in Afghanistan. The people here are some of the only non-Muslims for hundreds of miles. The home of kafir Kalash or wearers of the black rose, a primitive pagan tribe. The Kalash are ancient tribe and have a religion and culture of their own, their culture is unique and amazing. A legend says that one General Salik Shah, who was called by the Greek as General Sulfurous with five soldiers of the legions of Alexander of Macedon, settled in Chitral and is the progenitors of the Kafir Kalash. The Kalash people are famous for their festivals; these folks know how to let their hair down in style.

There is much dancing where the elders chant legends with drum accompaniment and the women dance round outside. Locally brewed mulberry wine is drunk in copious quantities. The Kalash people celebrate three main festivals in year.