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Things to Do in Islamabad

Islamabad, the capital city of Pakistan is a very well planned city with beautiful green belts and nestles at the foot of the Margalla Hills. There are three artificial lakes that have been built close to Islamabad to supply water to the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi.

Pir Sohawa Viewpoint
Pir Sohawa is a small viewpoint located on top of the Margalla Hills from where on a clear day you get a bird's eye view of Islamabad and Rawalpindi. You can drive up to Pir Sohawa and you may spot some monkeys on the road or on the trees as you wind your way up. There are two restaurants, one at Daman -a-Koh and the other at Margazar on your way to Pir Sohawa. If you have the strength and the inclination, you can also climb a trail up to Margazar from where you get a scenic view of Islamabad.

Lotus Lake
One of the first tourist site's that was built in Islamabad was the Lotus Lake. You can drive and park on the edge of the road close to the walking path on the Shakarparian Road. The walk is pine tree lined and leads to the lake. The Lotus Lake is best viewed during late summers and monsoons.

Lok Virsa  
Again located on the winding Shakarparian road is the Lok Virsa. Visitors get a glimpse of Pakistan's art and culture over here. Cultures and handicrafts through the ages are displayed in the museum. You can admire a typically colorful truck parked on the grounds. There are souvenir shops close to the entrance. Local cultural shows are hosted periodically at the Lok Virsa.

Shakarparian
The Shakarparian hillocks are at a short distance from the Lok Virsa. The Pakistan Monument at Shakarparian was constructed recently and resembles an opening flower. The four reddish brown walls shaped like flower petals represent the four provinces of Pakistan; Sindh, Punjab, Balochistan and NWFP now renamed as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. There are well laid out gardens here and you can view Islamabad and Rawalpindi from here. The spring season is the best time to visit here when the flowers are in bloom.

Shah Faisal Mosque
Nestled at the foot of the Margalla Hills stands the glimmering white Shah Faisal Mosque. The tall minarets and the angular roof of the mosque can be viewed from afar on a clear day. It is one of the biggest mosques in Asia. The mosque does not have the traditional domes, but has an angular roof that resembles a desert tent. The mosque can hold around 100,000 worshippers.

Taxila
Close to Islamabad is the historic city of Taxila, which is a forty minute drive from Islamabad. Here you will get to see the ruins of one of the oldest cities in the world. The museum is full of statues of Buddha, and other artifacts, and pottery items recovered from the ruins of cities that line the Taxila-Khanpur road. You can also visit a Buddhist monastery located on a hillock on this road.