'''North-West Frontier Province''' [http://www.nwfp.gov.pk/] is a region in Pakistan.

Regions

The NWFP offers invitation to a spectacular landscape and cultural diversity. Peshawar is the business and administrative hub of province though other cities have their places. Some of the tourist_fs hotspots include Khyber pass, old interior city, industrial estate famous for smuggled goods, Islamia College, Peshawar fort, (KisaKhawani) story teller bazaar. Its food street is famous for barbecued sheep meat as well as karahi meat.

The Khyber Pass leads into Afghanistan. Travelled to NWFP in July 2008 with my 16 year old son. Had a splendid time, especially as we could stand the dust and lack of 'western' food. Very amenable people, especially in the mountains in Shandoor, Kalash regions.

Cities

  • Peshawar
  • Many of the people in the NWFP are of Turkish descent and do not look at all as we imagined. There are a number of young girls and boys with spectacular blue eyes. Very photogenic and mostly willing to have their photo taken.

    Towns

  • Abbottabad
  • Balakot
  • Chitral
  • Dera Ismail Khan
  • Hangu
  • Kohat
  • Mansehra
  • Mardan
  • '''Takht Bhai'''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Takht_Bhai]
  • Other destinations

  • '''Kalasha Valleys''' in Chitral District
  • '''Shogran''' in Kaghan Valley
  • '''Malam Jabba Ski resort''' in Swat Valley
  • '''Khyber Safari train''' from Peshawar to Khyber Pass
  • Dir Civilization
  • Kohat tunnel
  • Understand

    Talk

    Pashtu and Hindko are the predominant languages in the region. Pashtu is mostly spoken in rural areas and Hindko in urban areas. Many people also speak Urdu & English.

    Get in

    By air

    Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad are the main gateways to Pakistan by air.

    '''Peshawar International Airport (PEW)''' is located about a 25 minute drive from the center of Peshawar, it is the 4th busiest airport in Pakistan. It is served by all Pakistan carriers including national flag carrier "PIA". Moreover, many Middle East airlines also serve this airport, such as Emirates, Etihad, Gulf, Kuwait and Qatar airlines.

    Peshawar airport has international direct flights to Al Ain, Bahrain, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha , Jeddah, Kabul, Muscat, Kuwait and Riyadh. The connections to/from other Asian, European and American cities are available VIA Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad airports. The domestic flights to/from Peshawar Airport are Chitral, Islamabad, Karachi and Lahore.

    By train

    You can reach Peshawar by train with '''Pak Rail''' [http://pakrail.com] from Karachi (36 hours) and Quetta (25 hours), both are via Lahore and Rawalpindi.

    There are currently no passenger trains from Landi Kotal in the Khyber Pass.

    By bus

    '''Buses''' and '''minibuses''' run to many parts of the country from here.

  • '''Daewoo''', [http://www.sammi.com.pk], operates the most luxurious services to Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Multan, Faisalabad, Abbottabad and Lahore (Rs 600, 6.5 hours).
  • By Road

    Peshawer is connected with Islamabad via Motorway '''M-1''' and via national highway '''N-5'''

    Get around

    By Bus, Car, Train

    See

  • Bala Hisar Fort
  • Burj Hari Singh - Sikh fort founded by Sikh General Sardar Hari Singh Nalwa (no longer exists)
  • Panch Tirath - An ancient Hindu site now converted into a park
  • Sikh Temple at Jogan Shah
  • Gor Khuttree - An ancient site of Buddha's alms or begging bowl. Headquarter of Syed Ahmad Shaheed, Governor Avitabile
  • Pakhtu Academy - The site of an ancient Buddhist University
  • Shah Ji Ki Dheri - The site of Kanishka's famous Buddhist monastery.
  • Chowk Yadgar - Formerly Hastings memorial
  • Cunningham clock tower built in 1900. Called Ghanta Ghar
  • Avitabile's Pavilion
  • Victoria memorial Hall
  • Itineraries

    Bazar of Peshawer Beauty of Swat & Kaghan Valley & Chitral

    Do

    In the summertime hiking tours to the mountains are offered. Ask at Green Tours in front of the Greens Hotel, Peshawar Cantt, and Pearl Tours of the Pearl Continental Hotels. This can also be done by hiring a car, jeep or pickup from local 'Rent-a-Car' servicing private agencies at a very cheap rate ranging from US$20-US$60 per day, depending upton the condition of the vehicle. (the prices r correct as at June 30, 2006-maslampsh)

    Eat

  • Chappal Kabab, a beef kebab shaped like the sole of a sandal is most famous dish of Peshawar. Several famous kabab selling shops are around. Information about them can be obtained from the travel agents or local hotels and guides.
  • The restaurants in *Namak Mandi serve marvellous tikka and karai. Meat is ordered by the kilogram, and then prepared according to your preference, either as tikka (barbecued) or as karai (an oil-rich stew with tomato and chili).
  • Faluda, a sweet dish mainly found on the Peshawar markets and bazaars especially Qisa-Khwani Bazaar.
  • Drink

  • Peshawar is known for its Kawa (Green Tea) which has a unique flavor, and is usually served sweet.
  • Sharbat-e-Sandal is a sweet, non-carbonated drink unusually found in markets in summer. It has a good taste and a yellowish-green transparent colour - look out for the black seeds. Served ice cold.
  • Stay safe

    Security wise, some parts of NWFP are not considered to be the safest areas in Pakistan, mainly the towns bordering Tribal areas, you should always seek advice about off-limits areas before coming.

    Stay away from towns near tribal areas and the sensitive Afghan border regions as the Pakistan government has little to no authority in these areas and cannot aid you in an emergency.

    Get out