Fun things to do in Peshawar

Karkhano is known as the "Smuggler's Bazaar", or "Kabuli Bazaar" located on the very west end of Peshawar on the border of FATA (Federally Administered Tribal Areas). This is where you can get anything and everything imported, and sold at the cheapest price in the country. The stalls are run by Afghani refugee men that cross into Afghanistan via Khyber Pass regularily to smuggle goods without paying taxes.

If you are female, I would recommend bringing more than 1 male with you and wait in the car while they do the bargaining for you. This is because Afghani shopkeepers are very direct, sometimes rude, and it's been known for the guns to start firing every once in awhile.

You can't visit Peshawar and not pay a visit to Sher Khan Shaheed Stadium formerly known as Army Stadium (this is also its local name). It is a huge park with plenty of sights and smells. There is a large field that is great for picnics or family gatherings, amusement park rides, fast food, and local fabrics, handicrafts and souvenirs. Saturday is "Family Night" which means that men cannot enter the park without an accompanying female... this is the busiest night of the week.

The reason why so many families chose Army Stadium is the security - the gates are secure with soldiers - you must pass through a metal detector and have the undercarriage of your car checked with a mirror before you can park. Many people bring their large families to sit and gather somewhere secure outside of the home, and often get a snack or ice cream and stay awhile before heading home. The place is buzzing with auto-rickshaws and taxis that wait outside. Don't be surprised if the park goes dark suddenly- the frequent power outages will trigger a generator.

I highly recommend visiting the Peshawar MuseumIt is most well known for its well-preserved Buddhist artifacts gathered from various sites in Pakistan, handicrafts and jewelry. The guides are appointed for individual visitors and speak immpecable english. They will be happy to give you a private tour of the museum after hours if you ask, and provide you with numerous pamphlets describing where they came from and about the Buddhist and Sikh history of Peshawar.

Bonjour mon ami,

There've been shot some documentaries on Khyber pass, Landi Kotal and Torkham border, you may find the DVD's in the market.

You can try the books at

Saeed Book bank
Jinnah Super Market, Islamabad.

Mr. Books
Super market, Islamabad.

Saeed Book Bank
Arbab Road, Saddar Peshawar.

Or you can see the photos at

http://www.flickr.com/photos/imranthetrekker/collections/72157605804410836/

Bon voyage,

Imran Schah

2 more images

This street was at the heart of the traditional business community and gained its name from the powerful Sethi family which at one time conducted highly profitable trade with Russia, China, India and Central Asia.

On the road to the Khyber Pass, out on the fringes of Peshawar, several kilometres beyond Hayatabad and just before you enter the Tribal Areas is this strange bazaar. The place for contraband use to be in Landi Kotal at the Khyber Pass but now this criminal paradise has moved closer to the city of Peshawar. Dont expect turbans and merchants but rather VCRS, clothes and shoes. The far end (usually off limits to foreigners) is the area where you can purchase everything from an AK 47 to a sub machine gun to any type of drug or illegal substance. The bazaar is safe enough during daylight but absolutely not at night as Pakistani police can help you, quite an eye opening place.

Islamia College was founded in 1913 to educate the sons of the Pathan chiefs. The building is in impressive Moghul/Gothic style, so impressive that it also appears on the front of the hundred rupee note. A stroll around the immaculately maintained gardens and lawns is a delight.
Islamia College Peshawar is one of the earliest educational institutions in Frontier. It was built in 1920s and is now a part of Peshawar University.The historical Islamia College Peshawar is among those few institutions of the country, where a large number of sports facilities are provided to the students for their mental and physical training.

One of Pakistan's prestigious boarding schools. It was founded in 1855 as the Sir Herbet Edwardes Memorial School. It has splendid Mughal -Gothic buildinds replete with ornate cupolas, baubles and pillars.
Sir Herbert Edwardes, Commissioner of Peshawar 1853-58 was most distinguished and faithful friend of the frontier. Under his wish and courageous leadership educational and medical works were started. When the Church Missionary Society founded this college in 1900 it was named Edwardes College in honour of him.