Peshawar – The Essence of Pakistan

Peshawar is the capital city of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which is one of the four provinces in Pakistan. It has been listed as the fifth largest city in Pakistan, with a population of over 3.5 million, situated in the Northwestern region. Peshawar is one of the oldest surviving cities in South Asia, since its historical value and heritage date back to 539 BC. This city is located in a large valley near the eastern end of the Khyber Pass, and is irrigated by the canals of the Kabul River and the Bara River.

Jovago’s top 3 in Peshawar

1. Mahabat Khan Mosque

The Mahabat Khan Mosque was built in 1630, and is the city’s most renowned mosque, which is located West of ChowkYadgar. The view within the mosque is surreal, offering an amazing view of the Minarets, an Ancient Caravanserai and the Plaza. Its interior is decorated beautifully with tiles, and the open courtyard circles around an ablution pool, which is surrounded by rooms. The prayer hall is veiled under three domes, which are embellished with geometric designs and a variety of colors.

2. Qissa Khawani Bazaar

The Qissa Khawani Bazaar is Peshawar’s most famous bazaar, commonly known as the ‘Street of Storytellers’. During the reign of Kanishka, the traders would swap merchandise during the day, and at night they would exchange stories and tales. Today, the Bazaar is a rustic compilation of teashops, clothing boutiques, electrical stores, a bird market and brass/copperware outlets. The famous Indian actor, Dilip Kumar, was born in this Bazaar on 11^th December 1922.

3. Peshawar Museum

This treasury is located near the Old City, and is contained in a glorious Victorian Mughal-Gothic hall. The Peshawar Museum houses 14,000 items, having the largest collection of Gandharan art in the world. This assortment ranges from statues depicting the life of Buddha to Herculean heroes riding a two-headed horse and wooden effigies taken from a Kalasha cemetery. Other ancient artifacts include early forms of the Holy Quran, Mughal paintings and Persian handicrafts.

TIPS
Restaurants:

There are different eateries located in Peshawar. Tourists can get everything from international to local food. There is a restaurant names Celeste which offers its customers with a variety of cuisines, consisting of exquisite dishes from Italy, Mongolia, Thailand, Lebanon, Japan and Mexico. Habibi is famous in Peshawar for its delectable, savory and succulent barbecue, sold at affordable prices. Of course, to satisfy your sweet tooth craving here is Café Crunch, which has mouth-watering fresh cakes, pastries, and cookies you will not be able to resist the guilty pleasures served to you.

Shopping:

When shopping for women’s clothing, inexpensive fabrics, cosmetics, and luggage, Meena Bazaar is the place to be! The products sold at this market are of a very high quality and are marketed at very reasonable prices that can be further reduced by bargaining! For jewelry there is Bazaar of the Goldsmiths and Silversmiths. While shopping here, it’s important that you lookout for the traditionally designed jewelry as these pieces are one of a kind. A hidden gem, positioned towards the end of the QissaKhawani Bazaar, is the home of the Coppersmiths. They are skilled men who are internationally famous for their work. Here you will find traditionally made copper plates & glasses which are available at cheap prices, that can be further discounted by bargaining.

Hotels

Visit the Jovago.com website for information on the top hotels located in the Peshawar District. These include the VIP House, Shelton House, Shelton Garden, Luxury Palace and Shiraz Inn!

Money

Pakistan Rupees, All International Credit Cards (Visa/MasterCard) are accepted by the ATM.

Exchange rate

http://www.xe.com/currency/pkr-pakistani-rupee

Airport

The Bacha Khan International Airport is a 10-minute drive from the centre of Peshawar.

Country code

+9291