Pakistan's Northern Areas

 

 Introduction to Pakistan's Northern Areas

The northern areas of Pakistan are a beautiful and diverse region. The landscape varies from snow-capped mountain peaks to lush valleys and exotic animals like the markhor, ibex and urial. There are also many historical sites including Buddhist monasteries, Hindu temples and forts dating back thousands of years.
History and Culture

The history of the Northern Areas begins with the Indus Valley Civilization, which was one of the world's first civilizations. It existed from 2600 BC to 1900 BC and covered an area that included parts of modern-day Pakistan, India and Afghanistan. The people who lived there were called Harappans because they built their cities at sites with springs or wells (Hara).
The first known invaders were Alexander's troops in 327 BC; they conquered parts of Punjab but couldn't conquer these mountains because they were too difficult to pass through. Next came Mahmud Ghaznavi who invaded Punjab in 1001 AD and then Muhammad Ghori invaded it again in 1191 AD after defeating Prithvi Raj Chauhan at Tarain near Delhi during his second invasion into India which led him all the way up till Kashmir where he was defeated by Sultan Shahabuddin Aibak (1206-1210) at Battle Of Kailashahar near Gilgit while trying to cross over into Tibet via this route after having been defeated twice before by Aibak himself earlier on both occasions being forced back down south towards Lahore where he finally surrendered his army after finding himself surrounded by enemies from all sides who had come out against him following news about what happened earlier between them two armies fighting each other at Kailashahar - see link below for more details about this battle:
Must-See Attractions 

Badshahi Mosque: Built by Emperor Aurangzeb in 1671, this mosque is located in Lahore and is one of the largest mosques in South Asia. It can accommodate up to 40,000 people at once!

Minar-e-Pakistan: This monument was built to commemorate Pakistan's independence from British rule on 14th August 1947. It stands tall at an impressive height of 523 feet (160m), making it one of the tallest structures in Pakistan.

Shalimar Gardens: Located outside Lahore city center, these gardens were built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as part of an elaborate water system called "Wah Taj" which means "crowning glory". The gardens are famous for their fountains and lush green vegetation including lotus ponds that attract many tourists every year during spring season when they bloom beautifully!

Taxila Museum: This museum showcases some artifacts found during excavations carried out over many years by archaeologists from various countries around world including USA & UK among others; so if you're interested learning more about ancient history then this place should definitely be on your list too :)

Accommodation and Dining

•     Five-star hotels
•     Budget guesthouses
•     Local delicacies

Adventure Activities 

Trekking: The Northern Areas offer some of the best trekking in Pakistan, with trails leading through some of the most beautiful scenery you'll ever see. There are also options for multi-day treks that take you through remote villages and over mountain passes.

Rock climbing: If you're looking for something more challenging than hiking but still want to get out into nature, rock climbing is an excellent option. There are plenty of cliffs around Gilgit-Baltistan where you can practice your skills on some steep routes or just enjoy being up high on a mountain face.

White water rafting: The Hunza River is one of Pakistan's premier white water rafting spots--and it's also one of the best ways to experience nature in this part of Gilgit-Baltistan! You'll pass by lush green valleys filled with trees as well as colorful flowers along your journey downriver (or upriver if you choose).

Shopping

•     Traditional souvenirs
•     Carpets
•     Jewelry
•     Fabrics and handicrafts (handmade fabrics, wood carvings, pottery)

Nightlife: Nightlife in Pakistan's Northern Areas is a far cry from what you may be used to. There aren't many nightclubs or bars, but there are some lounges where you can enjoy drinks and live music.

The best place for nightlife in Skardu is the Old Bus Stand (also known as "Chandni Chowk"). It has several restaurants, including ones that serve Chinese food and pizza, as well as two bars: one called Barista Lounge & Restaurant and another called Cafe Coffee Day. Both places serve alcohol--a rarity in Pakistan--and have indoor seating areas that are air-conditioned during summer months when temperatures can reach 50 degrees Celsius (122 degrees Fahrenheit). 

Festivals

Basant: The spring festival of Basant is celebrated in the last week of February or first week of March. It marks the beginning of spring and is a time when people celebrate with music, dance and food. The festival also marks the end of winter in Pakistan's northern areas.
Tips for Visiting Pakistan 

Dress appropriately. Pakistan is a conservative country, so it's important to dress modestly and respectfully when visiting the Northern Areas.

Interact with locals. The people of Gilgit-Baltistan are generally friendly and welcoming to visitors, so take time to get to know them! You might even make some new friends during your trip!

Be aware of safety concerns. While there are no major safety concerns in the region (other than those that apply anywhere), it's always good practice not to wander off alone into unknown areas or go out late at night by yourself; both could put you at risk of theft or assault by local criminals who may be looking for an easy target on which they can prey upon without being caught by police officers patrolling nearby streets at nightfall each evening before going home themselves after their shifts end early morning hours later next morning when daylight returns again after sunrise comes back again following sunset yesterday evening last night

Conclusion: Pakistan's Northern Areas are a region of the country that is often overlooked by tourists. The history of this region is rich, and it has many cultural traditions that are worth exploring. The area also has many beautiful tourist destinations that can be visited by those who want to experience something different from what they would find in other parts of Pakistan.
The government should promote tourism in this part of the country so that more people will come here and learn about its culture and history!