Dr. Charles Metelka - University of Wisconsin-Stout

houses, elegant public buildings and well organized markets. The decision to replace
Karachi with a new capital city prompted the planning and construction of Islamabad in
1958. It was designed by a Greek architect firm Doxiadis Associates that planned and
divide the city in to eight zones .The main attractions of the capital include Margalla hills
from trekking and hiking, Rose and Jasmin garden, Shakarparian Hills, Rawallake,
Daman-e-koh, Lok Virsa museum, Islamabad museum, Pakistan museum of Natural
history, art galleries, Shah Faisal Mosque, Chattar Bagh, Murghzar zoo and Islamabad
sports complex. The places of interest near Islamabad include Margalla pass and Wah
gardens, Murree Hillstation, Thandiani and Abbottabad with lot of natural scenery.
(Pakistan tourism and travel guide, n.d)
Hasan Abdal and Taxila
Hasan Abdal is 48 km from Rawalpindi and is a beautiful, quiet place and a
convenient stopping point ofG.T. Road enroute to Peshawar or Abbottabad. This town
has a particular association with Moghuls and Sikhs and the main attraction is the 15
century shrine of Muslim Saint Baba Wali Qandhari, also known as Baba Hassan Abdal,
situated on hilltop at the altitude of 714 meters .It is also a magnet for pilgrims due
to the Sikh Gurdwara (temple) known as Panja Sahib which has a sacred rock with the
handprint of their religious leader, Guru Nanak and twice a year, Sikh pilgrims visit
Gurdwara from all over the world. Plus, two other historical buildings of Mughal era
(Muqbara Hakeeman and so-called tomb of Lala Rukh) are located just opposite the
Gurdwara. Taxila, on the other hand is, lays 35 km north-west of Rawalpindi and is the
one of the ancient cities famous for its archeological sites of historic Buddhist relics and
monasteries. The tour of Taxila is a multi-dimensional experience by the richness and
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