Shakarparian

Islamabad

Copyright: Ahmed Sajjad Zaidi

DESTINATIONS pakistan islamabad Do & See Shakarparian

Shakarparian

This huge national park located just south of the city's main urban area is a lush expanse of gardens and trees that provide a welcome escape from the city streets for both locals and visitors. The area also houses many monuments and museums, and has hill lookouts just a 20-minute walk uphill.

Useful Information

Address: Shakarparian Rd, Islamabad

Do & See

The Faisal Mosque is, naturally, Islamabad's most iconic and instantly recognisable landmark, but this is a city rich in historical sights, impressive monuments, fascinating museums, tons of green spaces for outdoor activities, and even some great entertainment options for children and families. There are also enough nearby sights and places of interest to warrant a few day-trips, including some fantastic archeological excavations.

Shah Faisal Mosque

Shah Faisal Mosque

The stunning national mosque of Pakistan, designed to look like a Bedouin tent, is a beautiful mix of traditional and modern architecture that symbolises the aspirations of the country. It is one of the largest in the world, and can hold up to 100,000 in the hall and courtyard. Visitors are allowed, but non-Muslims should…

Pakistan Monument

Pakistan Monument

This massive and breathtaking monument symbolises the country's cultural diversity and national unity. It is shaped like a blooming flower with four main petals, each representing the four majour provinces, and three smaller ones, meant to represent smaller regions, such as Kashmir.

Lok Virsa Museum

Lok Virsa Museum

This fantastic ethnographic museum showcases a large collection of traditional Pakistani handicrafts, including wood carvings, jewellery and textiles. It offers a unique glimpse into the artistic and artisanal past of the country. Be sure to visit the gift shop and pick up a souvenir.

Shakarparian

This huge national park located just south of the city's main urban area is a lush expanse of gardens and trees that provide a welcome escape from the city streets for both locals and visitors. The area also houses many monuments and museums, and has hill lookouts just a 20-minute walk uphill.

Daman-e-Koh

The city is surrounded by the beautiful and lush Margalla Hills, and the citizens of Islamabad like to enjoy them. Daman-e-Koh is a splendid picnic spot about a 30-minute walk up the hills just north of the zoo that offers breathtaking views of the city, and specifically of the Faisal Mosque.

Taxila Excavations

Taxila Excavations

The archeological excavations in Taxila make for a great day-trip from Islamabad. The sites can be thoroughly explored in about 6 hours of walking, if the oppressive heat allows. The sites and museum display Buddhist sculptures, metal artifacts and coins, and other interesting finds from times gone by.

Pakistan Army Museum

One of the more unique museums found in Islamabad, the Pakistan Army Museum offers a historical tour through military development in the region, displaying arms and weapons through the ages, from prehistoric axes, to swords and rifles, to modern-day missile systems.

Saidpur

For a whirlwind tour of the cultural history of Pakistan, a visit to Saidpur, located just one kilometre from the city, is in order. This former Hindu village was famous for its skill in pottery, and it now holds a Model Village which shows off handicrafts from different regions in the country.

Islamabad Zoo

The Islamabad Zoo is a great place to spend an afternoon, especially for those traveling with children. The Zoo is home to a wide array of beautiful animals, including bears, elephants, baboons, and many more. Especially impressive is the huge collection of wild and exotic birds.