Nature and beautiful sites around the world soothe the spirits of people who visit them regularly. In Pakistan, there are many beautiful spots to visit. Abottabad falls somewhere on the top of the list. The famous places of Murree are known to everyone, but a city like Abbottabad goes unexplored often at times. It is an attractive city of Pakistan with ancient history and exquisite scenic beauty. The refreshing sights are the reason why tourists have multiple options and several places to visit in Abbottabad. Abottabad, also known as the “City of Pines,” is located in the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The reason behind the name is that the pine trees cover the city from everywhere.
With a total size of 1,967 square kilometers, Abottabad is one of the best tourist attractions in Pakistan. Abbottabad was the Hazara District’s headquarters during the British Raj. Major James Abbott, the city’s founder, gave it the name. He served as the Hazara district’s first Deputy Commissioner from 1849 until 1853. Most importantly, he penned a poem titled “Abbottabad,” where he expressed his love for the city and how sad he felt when leaving it.
Becoming a tourist in the city, one might want to explore the best places to visit in Abottabad. For the ease of our readers, we have come up with a guide for tourists to follow. This guide will shed light on the majestic spots of Abbottabad to visit without wasting your time. These are the places where you can experience a brisk breeze and aesthetic landscapes. The valleys of Nathiagali, Naran, Kaghan, Kaghan, and Ayubia also fall near Abbottabad. Abbottabad provides access to the Karakoram, Himalayas, and Hindu Kush mountains. Tourists prefer staying in Abbottabad on their route to any of these destinations.
Harnoi River
Harnoi is a beautiful village on the main Nathiagali Road, 10 kilometers east of Abbottabad. It’s counts on top of Abbottabad tourist places. Along with being the center of tourist activity, it is surrounded by mountains and blessed with favorable weather. The settlement lies at the confluence of two minor rivers, the Harnoi and the Barengali. It is supposed to be the gateway to Galiyat and an ideal tourist destination for a picnic. Nestled in the Hindu Kush mountains, the town attracts many visitors because of its scenic terrain and icy waterfalls.
The Harnoi River is the ideal setting for a relaxing holiday. A short off-road route runs down to the river on the way to Nathiagali, where families stop by the river’s side to eat a delicious lunch and relish in the chilly water. If you have kids with you, the Harnoi picnic area is a great spot. The site is bustling with activity as children enjoy rides on the merry-go-round, slides, and other swings.
Another reason to visit the Harnoi river is the camel safari and horse riding. These two activities can lighten up anyone’s mood. All actions available at the Harnoi river are not expensive at all. You can enjoy to the max in such a place by keeping your budget as low as possible.
Thandiani Mountain – Famous Place to visit in Abbottabad
Thandiani Mountain is considered one of the oldest and famous places to visit in Abbottabad. It is one of the well-known Abbottabad visiting places for tourists. Few individuals are aware of its historical significance. Thandiani means ‘very cold’ in the local dialect, and it is! The lovely symmetry of clouds covers the high peaks of the area. This beauty creates a scene that feels straight out of some rom-com.
Thandiani is a hill station in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Galliyat. The path is very safe. The Pakistani government has maintained and managed a clean road to this hill station. If you follow the recommendations concerning wild animals and how to deal with them while traveling on this route, you will be safe; however, do not let your children hang out the car windows.
Thandiani comes under the Abbottabad District, some 37.5 kilometers northeast of Abbottabad, in the Himalayan foothills. The Pir Panjal mountain range in Kashmir, Kohistan, and Kaghan and the snowy hills of Swat and Chitral are visible along this road. It takes approximately 40-60 minutes to reach Thandiani from Abbottabad by car.
The weather over there is lovely, which attracts people. It is lush green during the summer, while the snow covers the area during the winter. Both seasons offer radically distinct views of the exact location. The astonishing thing is that, compared to most other hill stations in the area, the mountains near Thandiani are relatively densely forested. A lot of things are there for a nature lover to explore. I bet you will fall in love with the landscapes all around.
Kala Pani
If you are not visiting Thandiani Mountain for whatever reason, do it for the sake of Kala Pani. Kala Pani is in Abbottabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, on Thandiani Road. It is only 15 kilometers from Abbottabad city. Travel time from Abbottabad is almost 50 minutes. It’s one of Abbottabad’s beautiful places.
The elevation of Kala Pani is nearly 6656 feet above sea level. The distance of 12 kilometers from Thandiani Top and Kala Pani makes the journey of around 35 minutes approximately. It is one of Abbottabad’s most beautiful picnic spots. In the summer, the majority of tourists visit Kala Pani and Thandiani Top. However, hardly anyone visits in the winter.
Between Thandiani Mountain and Mera Rehmat Khan Mountain, one can see the captivating Kala Pani. The fountain water that surrounds the Kala Pani is considered clean. The natives use that water for drinking. Fountain waterfalls into the Harnoi River. This location is one of the best places to visit in Abbottabad in the summer. Places like these help you connect with nature.
Ilyasi Mosque Abbottabad
If you are into imposing structure and architectural beauty, this is your place. It’s one of the most popular Abbottabad places to visit. The glittering magnificence will make you fall in love with the Ilyasi Mosque. A small gateway leads you to its entrance. You will see people sitting on the ground with their eyes on the white facade. All you can do there is pray and praise God Almighty. If you plan on visiting the Mosque during the winter, you will see the high peaks of surrounding areas covered with snow. In the middle lies an intricately designed Ilyasi Mosque. The exquisite carvings reflect the antique exterior of this place.
The Ilyasi Masjid, which spans five kanals, was constructed between 1927 and 1932. It consumes an area on a water stream that runs from a nearby mountain. According to elderly locals, before the partition of Pakistan, the Mosque was built. Its elegance and luxury have only grown over time due to the people’s dedication and spiritual affinity. The Mosque has a spring that provides fresh mineral water all year long.
The residents in the surrounding districts bring water from the natural spring home with them. Tourists who come here in search of spiritual comfort drink water from the spring. The natives believe that the spring’s water possesses curative properties, especially for skin, muscle, and bone diseases. Because of its historical and spiritual importance, Ilyasi Mosque should be your top visiting place in Abbottabad.
Shimla Peak – Top Place to visit in Abbottabad
This peak comes from the Hindko or Punjabi term Shamla or Shumla, which means turban crest. Another name for Shimla Hill is Shimla Pahari. The hill is located in the western section of Abbottabad and is part of the Sherwan range. It is also the name given to the Sherwan range near Abbottabad because it takes the shape of a crest (peak).
Abbottabad city and Shimla hill are only 10 kilometers apart. It is a stunning tourist attraction in Abbottabad. Furthermore, from the mountain, one can look at the total views of Abbottabad valley. The presence of several pine trees in this area contributes to the beauty of this location. The mind and body relax by the cool breeze of the Shimla Hills, which gets its freshness from the pine trees.
Shimla Hill is the most incredible area to go hiking for an adventurous person. The hike is a bit steep, but it is worth it. However, if you are not willing to walk, you can always opt for passenger Suzuki from upper Pine View Road. The ideal to visit this place is in the summer. You can stay at local resorts and dine at nearby restaurants throughout the holiday. For hardcore fans of the winter and snow, visit this place in the upcoming winter months. The temperature is freezing, the snow fully covers the peaks, and the scenery is serene.
It is easy to get there. All you have to do is make a booking of a jeep for your journey. Or you can get tour guides with you. This place won’t be heavy on the budget, and you can enjoy it as well. If you are going with kids, it is advisable to hoard up warm clothes and winter essentials.
St. Luke’s Church – Best Historical Place to Visit in Abbottabad
If you want to ease off from the twisting roads of Abbotatabd, make a stop at St. Luke’s Church. Under the Church of Pakistan’s Peshawar Diocese’s administration, this Church was previously an Anglican dedicated to Saint Luke. It was established in 1864 when the British ruled the region. He was one of the Four Evangelists, the four authors of the canonical Gospels.
The Early Church Fathers attributed to his authorship of both the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles, making Luke the author of more than a quarter of the New Testament text, more than any other author. The Old Christian Cemetery at Abbottabad used to connect to this Church. It was founded in 1853, the same year that James Abbott founded Abbottabad. There are some fascinating old tombs and memorials in the cemetery.
The building of the Church consists of heavy stones. It depicts the power and dominance the Brishters had back in time. St. Luke’s Church is one of the most significant places to visit in Abbottabad. If you are a teacher planning a school trip or a parent who wants to take their kids out, nothing is better than this place. It has many hidden treasures of knowledge, history, and education that will blow away your mind, for sure one of the best places to visit in Abbottabad.
Lady Garden Public Park
As the name suggests, we are talking about a Park. An ideal place for children and ladies to unwind and relax. It is across the street from St. Luke’s Church. The people recognized it soon after Abbottabad came into being. As a result, it is one of Abbottabad’s oldest tourist attractions. Only European or White ladies, along with their families, were allowed to go here before partition. People now come to unwind after a long day at work.
This place is a must-visit for everyone who likes to experience nature closely. A fun fact about Lady Garden Public Park is that all the plants and trees planted are imported from England. This park is a fantastic place to take your kids to enjoy swings, food, and fresh air. Jogging on the tracks is also an option for ladies. A famous poem written by James Abbott on Abbottabad is carved on a huge stone. The stone sits at the entrance of the park. It is a must to photograph yourself with a poem by James Abbott and gorgeous flowers.
Places like Lady Garden Public Park are evergreen. Such places give you a chance to connect with history and live through it. The best part about visiting this park is that it is free of cost. Anyone can sit and relish for as long as they want to without paying a penny.
We would like to see you in one of these places to visit in Abbottabad soon. Apart from its beauty, the hospitality and kindness of the locals will also win your heart. Safe to say, Abbottabad is a travelers paradise. Such places to visit in Abbottabad can refresh the mind and souls of anyone. We hope that this guide played a part in making your trip memorable.
