Skardu

Not much heard but another beautiful place on earth like a small heaven hidden in Pakistani region Baltistan is the Skardu. It is located within the Skardu Valley with Indus River and Shigar River flowing peacefully nearby and covered by a beautiful mountain rage known as Karakoram range. Skardu is exceptional for trekking and exploring. The cool weather, beauty of the valley and the mountain tops are among the top to attract tourists. Also the Karakoram range includes four of the fourteen eight thousander peaks of the world. 

Tourism reaches its peak during April to October in every year as out of this time, one is welcome to experience very cold winters and hard freezing climates. The snow covered mountain tops include K2, the Gasherbrums, Broad Peak and the Trango Towers, Baltoro, Biafo and Trango. Also the second highest plains in the world is seen here; Deosai Plains. It is 4100m above sea level and spreads over 3000km2. The plains are home to numerous wild animals including snow leopards, ibex, Tibetan brown bears and wild horses.

Skardu Fort is located on the eastern side of the  Castle of Queen Mindoq hill which is about 15m above the town. Shigar fort is another relic situated on the path to the legendary mountain K2 which is absolutely worth a visit one. Kachura Lakes, Satpara Lake are the lakes at vicinity and add the colour to this beautiful town. 

Travellers' Guide

If you are planning to visit this beautiful valley for a vacation you definitely have to stay and enjoy the weather. So why not try one of these cool hotels???

Shigar Fort Residence
| Shigar, Baltistan, Northern Areas, Skardu, Pakistan
Shangrila Resort Hotel
Skardu, Pakistan Skardu, Pakistan
Hotel Snowland Palace
Hameed Gargh, Skardu 14100, Pakistan

Read More

Badshahi mosque at Lahore

The Badshahi mosque at Lahore in Punjab District, Pakistan is the world's fifth largest mosque and the mosque with the largest mosque courtyard. They say it is visible even at 15km away from it. Its construction began in 1671 under the guidance of Mogul emperor Aurangzeb and lasted for 2 years. The mosque is made of red sandstone tiles and white marble. The mosque also holds a record of being the world's largest mosque for 313 years until 1986. With a capacity of 5000 devotees inside and 95000 others in the courtyard, the Badshahi mosque has become one of the key important religious places in Pakistan. 

In 1799, Lahore was captured by Ranjit Sigh who used the Badshahi mosque's courtyard to park his military horses. Mosque was damaged to a great extent at that time. During his son's era, Sher Sigh's he used the four minarets of the mosque to hold light guns. Until the British rule till 1947 the mosque was under a dark shadow and was damaged a lot along with loosing some of its grandeur as an architectural masterpiece. However restoration programs took place since 1939 and by 1947 it was back in shape.

An exquisite feature, the large courtyard of the mosque covers an area of 25,899.9 m2. It also divided into two parts as lower and upper. The complex has 3 visible domes, one large and two small ones. The main prayer chamber is divided into 7 compartments which altogether covers an area of 2,120.5 m2. The four minarets are 53.75 m high and 20m in circumference.

Travellers' Guide

Badshahi mosque is a famous tourist attraction today. If you are planning to visit Lahore make sure you visit Badshahi mosque and take the chance to admire its beauty and architecture. The mosque was nominated for a UNESCO world heritage site too. Here are some of the hotels in the area, don't forget to visit them and enjoy a bite or two.

Avari Hotel Lahore
87 Shahrah-e-Quaid-e-Azam | (The Mall), Lahore 54000, Pakistan
The Residency Hotel
39-A, Gulberg-V | Off. Zafar Ali Road, Lahore 54000, Pakistan
Pearl Continental Lahore
Shahrah-e-Quaid-e-Azam, Lahore 54000, Pakistan
Mirage Hotel
21 Lake Rd, Lahore 54000, Pakistan

Read More