Taxila & other ruins, Pakistan

Many travellers I have met in Pakistan seem to miss a delightful area just outside Islamabad. Instead of flying direct taks a bus from Rawalpindi to Taxila. Here is were Alexander the Great was supposed to have settled. There are also Buddist statues present and lovely rolling hills as a backdrop. There is a nice PTDC Hotel near the Taxila museum which has calm surroundings.

Up the road from Taxila at Wah is a Mogul pleasure garden which is relaxing for a time. A little further up and down some alleys is a Sikh shrine and temple, which is amazing to see in an Islamic state. If you ask, you can be shown round.

Then take the road to Peshawar.

Taxila”Taxila is one of the famous archaeological site in the world.” You can stop there on your way from Peshawar to Islamabad, but I suggest to spend more than few hours. The place is quite suggestive, also if you are not a Gandhara expert. The remains consist of three distinct cities, many monasteries and stupas, over a 25 sq km area. In the pic: Sirkap city. You can stroll down its paths picturing people in the streets, families in the houses, priests in the stupas … just let your mind free …

Takht-i-BayOn the road from Saidu Sharif to Peshawar, visit Takht-i-Bay, the ruins of an ancient Buddhist monastery, placed on a rocky hill. The place worth a visit for the impressive Gandhara’s ruins, the views across the plain and … the local caretaker, an old nice man who will show you the place, the landscape, the guest book and … the “toilet”.

Mahmud Ghazni mosqueWithout the help of some friendly Pakistani guys, I would have never reached the ruins of this 11th century mosque, half-hour climb from Udegram remains. Here, the mosque caretaker looks very happy to see somebody and very proud to show you the ancient mihrab, hall, washing pool... Please, try to look interested; the poor man spend days and days just waiting for few tourists. Do not forget a small tip at the end of the trip. Walking, I glimpsed some differences between Muslim and Italian men about their attitude towards women. My Italian friend hiked too fast; no matter how hard it was for me. Soon he disappeared from view … completely careless about my fate! The Pakistani guys noticed I didn’t feel so fine, climbing the hill in that scorching hot day. So, they slowed down, walked beside me, waiting for me all the time. Well, this Italian friend was so worried about the situation of women in Islamic countries…