BALOCHISTAN-RECREATIONAL-AREAS

Share now

Recreational Areas/ Tourist Attractions Balochistan

The main assets and tourist attractions of the province are its scenic beauty, golden beaches, hill stations, mineral wealth, orchards, deserts, marine life, diverse and globally significant flora and fauna, archeological sites, architectural resources and historical forts, pre-historic caves, and rock shelter dwellings, mud eruption volcanoes, and its rich cultural heritage. There are excellent trekking, hiking, and caving opportunities. The province hosts the second largest Juniper forest in the world, located in Ziarat, as well as Harboi Hills, and Zarghoon. The following table shows some of the important sites of interest to tourists:[1]

Place Significance Location
Quetta City Situated at the mouth of Bolan Pass, the city is famous for its carpets, mirror work, and other Balochi Handicrafts. There are many archeological sites within and around the city
Hanna Lake and Spin Karez Hanna lake is a picnic spot where boating and chair lift rides can be enjoyed 10 km east of Quetta
Khojak Pass This pass is 2,308.9 m (7,575 ft) above sea level and leads to the border of Afghanistan 135 km west from Quetta
Ziarat Scenic holiday resort; one of the largest Juniper forests in the world is located here, at 2,438.4 m (8,000 ft). The city houses Quaid-e Azam’s Residency 122 km from Quetta
Sandeman Tangi A small waterfall, ideal for picnics 10 km south of Ziarat
Prospect Point Located at a height of 2,590.8 m (8,500 ft); one can visit Baba Kharwari’s shrine, located in the valley below Prospect Point 6 km south of Ziarat
Bolan Pass Along Bolan Pass, the road winds through scenic mountains; the train tracks pass through 21 tunnels, all of which are a great architectural resource 40 km east of Quetta
Pir Ghaib Near the shrine of Pir Ghaib (a saint who disappeared without a clue) there are waterfalls and green pools surrounded by palm trees 80 km east of Quetta
Sibi A historically important city and district due to fort Chakar Khan and Jirga Hall. The annual Sibi festival marks the famous horse and cattle show and other festivities, held in the month of February
Chagai/Khaisar The Khaisar is the only perennial water river in Chagai 20 km south of Nushki
Zangi Nawar This lake is important for migratory wintering and breeding waterfowl; it forms an oasis among high sand dunes. The sandy desert has many endemic reptile species 15 km south of Nushki
Kalat This is a historically important seat for the noble dynasty of Khans. There are 3 archeological sites near Kalat and a religious site 140 km southeast of Quetta
Harboi Hills Harboi is at a height of 2,440 m above sea level. Important for Juniper forests and associated wild plants and animals 30 km south of Kalat
Takht-e-Suleman Highest point of Suleiman Range. Excellent for trekking and mountaineering. Famous for chilghoza pine, blue pine trees, and wildlife Northwest of Zhob
Shinghar A well wooded hill with chilghoza pine and ash trees. There is a holiday resort to the northeast of Zhob at 2,650 m on the Suleiman Range 48 km from Zhob, west of Takht-e-Suleiman
Lasbela A historical town with historically significant architecture, and date palms
Hinglaj The abode of a Hindu Goddess, Hinglaj. The mud volcanoes of Hingol River can be seen enroute 130 km west of Karachi
Makran Coast The coast has pristine sandy beaches. The culture is distinct; Astola Island, turtle nesting beaches, migratory water fowl, the peregrine falcon, mangrove forests, and archeological remains are its attractions. Worth visiting places include Ormara, Pasni, Gwadar, and Jiwani. All these are served via air links
Astola Island Also called “Jazera Haft Talar” or “Island of seven hills.” There is a small mosque dedicated to the Muslim saint, Khawaja Khizr, which is used by the mainland fishermen during the fishing season. Ruins of an ancient Hindu temple of the Hindu Goddess Kali are located on the island. The island was also known to the Hindus as Satadip 39 km southeast of the fishing port of Pasni

Table 2.12 Balochistan Tourist Sites

Figure 1.30 Quaid-e-Azam’s Residency Ziarat

Figure 1.31 Astola Islands

Figure 1.32 Makran Coast

Figure 1.33 Hinglaj Temple, Balochistan[2]

[1] Balochistan Conservation Strategy by IUCN

[2] The approach to the temple is through a rocky, and mostly dry, River bed.