Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, or KPK, is the northwestern provincial territory of Pakistan. Although it is the smallest province in the country in terms of area, it is the richest one with tourist destinations. The varied landscape of this province includes valleys, rugged mountains, hills, and rich agricultural farms. Another reason for the popularity of this region is the presence of several Buddhist archeological sites, including TakhtBhai and Pushkalavati. A mix of Buddhist and Hindu archeological sites include BalaHisar Fort, ButkaraStupa, KanishkaStupa, Chakdara, SehriBehlol, and Panjkora Valley. So we will discuss the best places to visit in KPK.
Peshawar:
It will be unjust to begin the discussion about KPK tourism from a city other than Peshawar. This provincial capital has a 2000-year old history. This city offers everything from traditional bazaars to state-of-the-art shopping malls to eateries. You will get to taste the best cuisine of KPK, and perhaps Pakistan, in this city. On top of everything, the people of this city welcome their guests according to their hospitality traditions.
Some famous Peshawar places are The Old City Center, BalaHisar Fort, Masjid Mahabat Khan, Islamia College, Peshawar Museum, and the University of Peshawar.
Up in the north is NaranKaghan, which is a valley in the Mansehra District of KPK. This place is a tourist attraction for people across the country as well as around the globe. There are numerous reasons why NaranKaghan is a famous tourist destination. For instance, the pleasant weather in summers attracts a lot of visitors every year. And, the top tourist places to visit in this area include Lake Saif-ul-Malook, Lalusar Lake, Babusar Top, Lalazar, Ansoo Lake, and Dudipatsar Lake. All these are among the most beautiful places in KPK and Pakistan.
Chitral:
Situated on the majestic Hindu Kush range near the Chitralriver, this town is located in northern KPK. This region, and the entire Chitral district itself, had been under the governance of the Chitral Princely state until its direct incorporation into Pakistan in 1969. Since then, it has been one of the best KPK tourist places.
This region is home to some of the most captivating and enchanting places in the world. Deep harsh mountains, beautiful meadows, lush green valleys, and glaciers make this place a perfect tourism spot. This place is an attraction for local and foreign tourists due to its precious stones and handicrafts. People here are also welcoming and cooperative.
The top three places to visit in Chitral include Chitral Valley, Kalash Valley, and Tirich Mir. Other tourist attractions of Chitral are Chitral Museum, Shahi Masjid, Polo Ground, ShahiQila, Barmoghlast, Governer Cottage, Ayun Valley, GaramChashma, and Mastuj.
Swat Valley:
This high-altitude tourist destination in the northwest is one of the best places to visit in KPK. Although this region has earned a reputation of being one of the most beautiful tourist attractions in Pakistan, about 5,337 km2 of its area remains undiscovered. This entire region attracts tourists interested in natural landscapes, hills, valleys, and archeology. Some of the archeological materials found from this region are believed to be over 5000 years old.
As for the natural beauty of Swat Valley, it is widely reputed as the Switzerland of Asia. The landscape similarities and scenic beauty make this valley look a lot like the most beautiful regions of Switzerland. On top of everything, this valley is home to the most hospitable people in the world.
Kalam:
Right next to Swat Valley is Kalam, which is a place of mountains and rivers. It is undoubtedly one of the best KPK tourist places to visit. The pine-covered mountains and rivers make this place ideal for camping and hiking. There are also a few surrounding lakes that get water from rivers in the region.
Kundal Lake, which is surrounded by mountains, is one of the best tourist destinations in the region. It is located in the Laddu Valley.
About 30km north of Kalam is a beautiful lake called Mahodand. This lake is brimming with fish. This lake is located in a large field surrounded by high mountains.
A riverside resort in the south of Kalam is the city of Behrain, which is much like a marketplace for locals. A majority of shops in the resort’s bazaar offers handicrafts prepared by the locals. Another place to consider staying at is the Miandam, which is a peaceful and calm hill resort.
Abbottabad:
Abbottabad consists of diverse landscapes, with each one uniquely attracting tourism enthusiasts. This district is home to a lot of tourist destinations, rural areas, and city life. The tourist destinations, a lot of which are situated on the hilltops and mountains, are among the best places to visit in KPK. The most beautiful natural spots of this city include NathiaGali, Miranjani Top, Mukeshpuri (Mushkpuri) Top, Thandiani, Shimla Hill, Harnoi River, and Sajikot Waterfall. Other attractions for tourists include Ilyasi Masjid, Jalal Baba Auditorium, and Lady Garden Public Park.
Malam Jabba:
There are a few places for ice skiing in Asia, and MalamJabba is one of them. Located on the mountain top, MalamJabba is an officially-declared ski resort. Apart from this feature, MalamJabba is also an attraction for nature-loving tourists. During summers, this place becomes a trekking attraction for tourists all around Pakistan and overseas. The pine-covered green mountains and landscape of this region offer a spectacular view, making it a worth visiting place.
Dir:
Located in the foothills of the Himalayas, Dir is a northwestern district of KPK, Pakistan. This place borders Chitral and Swat. The two main divisions of this region are Upper Dir and Lower Dir. While some tourist-friendly places of this region have recently attracted some attention from the government and subsequently the tourism enthusiasts, the majority of its places remain untouched. However, this place still welcomes tourists, thanks to its hospitable inhabitants. The best places to visit in Dir are the Lajbouk village, River Panjkora, KalkotKumrat valley, Laram top, and Jakar Baba Top.
Conclusion
Above mentioned are very few of numerous places to visit in KPK. This province has a long list of landscapes that prove to be among the best tourist destinations in the world.