NWFP is exceptionally rich in variegated sights for tourist attraction. The gorgeous plains, snow capped high mountains, gushing springs, splendid waterfalls, spell bound lakes and charming networks of rivers are the valuable sources of aesthetic as well as visual beauty for the tourists.
The mountains to the north, particularly the Himalayas, Hindu Kush and Karakoram are amongst the most spectacular in Pakistan, offering some of the best opportunities for trekking and climbing in the world. The north half of the province consists of five river valleys running roughly parallel, north to south namely Chitral, Dir , Swat , Hazara and Kaghan. These valleys are on the northern edge of the monsoon belt, which is why they are fairly green and partly wooded in their southern sections.
The contiguity of province with the Central Asian region and Xingjian province of China attracted many immigrants, businessmen, warriors and fortune seekers in different ages. Among them some used to settle while some moved towards the other sides of the river Indus. 
Peshawar
Peshawar, as a traditional city with a rich history, offers everything from goldsmiths and silversmiths, traditional carpets (one of the big exports of Pakistan today), pottery, and clothing to artwork in wood, brass or semi-precious stones. The old walled city, was known for its 16 gates — Bijouri, Kabuli, Aasamai, Kutcheri, Rampura, Hasht Nagri, Toot, Kohati, Sirki, Thandi Khoi, Barzaqan, Ganj, Ramdas, Dabgari and Lahore Gate. The names given to these gates are significant. They trace the historical connections — both cultural and commercial — of a city that used to be a sanctuary for raiders, rulers, travellers, caravans, adventure seekers and literary people since times immemorial. Most of them unfortunately no longer exist.
There are many bazaars with different goods and souvenirs for travellers. The main ones include the historic Qissa Khawani Bazaar, the Copper market, Chowk Yadgar and Andarsheher Bazaar.
Peshawar valley and its surrounding areas had been the melting spot for different civilizations, the interaction among different races and their co-existence led to a rich cultural heritage. The glimpses of which are evident from the Ghandhara archaeological sites at Gur Ghattree Peshawar, Takht-Bhai(Mardan), Shahbaz Ghari(Mardan), Nimo Gram Buddhist Stupa (Swat), and collection of Ghandhara Art preserved at Swat Museum, Chakdara Museum(Dir Lower) and Peshawar Museum.
Tarbela Dam Swabi
The world's largest earth-filled dam on one of the world's most important rivers - the Indus - is 103 km from Islamabad. The dam was completed in 1976 at a cost of Rs.18.5 billion. Over 15,000 Pakistani and 800 foreign workers and engineers worked during its construction. It is the biggest hydel power station in Pakistan having a capacity of generating 3,478 MW of electricity. Its reservoir is 97 km long with a depth of 137 meters while total area of the lake is 260 sq.km. With a reservoir capacity of 13,690,000,000 cubic m, the dam is 143 m high and 2,743 m wide at its crest. Permits are required to visit the Dam.
Attock Fort
It is situated about 101 km west of Islamabad on the left bank of Indus River. The fort was completed in 1583 under the supervision of Khawaja Shamsuddin Khawafi, a minister of Emperor Akbar. The Mughal caravan sarai outside the fort, which is almost on the G.T. Road, was also built during this period. Please note that no visitors are allowed inside the Fort.
Takht-i-Bhai
Takht-i-Bhai is another well-known and preserved monument, a Buddhist monastery located on a rocky ridge about 10 miles northeast of Mardan. This structure dates back to two to five century AD and stands 600 feet above the plane. The feature, which distinguishes this site from others, is its architectural diversity and its romantic mountain setting. The uphill approach has helped in the preservation of the monument.
The exposed buildings here include the main stupa and two courtyards in different terraces surrounded by votive stupa and shrines, the monastic quadrangles surrounded by cells for the monks, and a large hall of assembly. In one of the stupa courtyard is a line of colossal Buddhas, which were originally 16 to 20 feet high.
The site's fragmentary sculptures in stone and stucco are a considerable wealth but its most remarkable feature is the peculiar design and arrangement of the small shrines, which surround the main stupa. These shrines stood upon a continuous sculptured podium and were crowned alternately with stupa-like finials forming an ensemble. The beauty and grandeur provided by the entire composition is unparallel in the Buddhist world.
Takht-i-Bhai had a wealth of ancient Buddhist remains. A long range of different sized Buddha and Buddhistavvas from Takht-i-Bhai fill many museums. Some of the best pieces of Gandhara sculpture, now to be found in the museums of Europe, were originally recovered from Takht-i-Bhai.
Swat
Swat, the land of romance and beauty, is celebrated throughout the world as the holy land of Buddhist learning and piety. Swat acquired fame as a place of Buddhist pilgrimage. Buddhist tradition holds that the Buddha himself came to Swat during his last reincarnation as the Guatama Buddha and preached to the people here. It is said that the Swat was filled with fourteen hundred imposing and beautiful stupas and monasteries, which housed as many as 6,000 gold images of the Buddhist pantheon for worship and education. There are now more than 400 Buddhist sites covering and area of 160 Km in Swat valley only. Among the important Buddhist excavation in swat an important one is Butkarha-I, containing the original relics of the Buddha.
The lush-green valley of Swat, with its rushing torrents, icy-cold lakes, fruit-laden orchards and flower-decked slopes is ideal for holidaymakers. It has a rich historical past, too. This is "Udayana" (The Garden) of the ancient epics; the land of enthralling beauty, where Alexander of Macedonia fought and won some of his major battles before crossing over to the delta of Indus River. This is the "valley of hanging chairs", as described by the famous Chinese pilgrim-chroniclers, Huaen Tsang and Fa-Hian in the fifth and sixth centuries. Swat was once the cradle of Buddhism of all of its schools – Mahayana, Hinayana and Tantrayana, where once 1,400 monasteries flourished. It was the home of the famous Gandhara School of Sculpture that was an expression of Greco-Roman form in the local Buddhist tradition. Swat was also the historical land where the Muslim conquerors, Mahmud of Ghazni, Babur of Ferghana and Akbar fought their battles preparatory to the conquest of South Asia. The valley of Swat sprawls over 10,360 sq. km at an average elevation of 875 metres. The maximum temperature in July is 38 C and minimum (during January) is 1 C. The normal temperature is maximum 21 C and minimum 7 C. The tourist season is year-round.
Shogran
At a distance of 34 km from Balakot, lies the green plateau of Shogran (2,362 m above sea level). Drive by car to village Kiwai, 24 km from Balakot and turn to right for Shogran for another 10 kms. From Shogran, you can visit Sari, Paye and Makra by jeep or you can go for hiking.
Kaghan Valley
A Visit to Kaghan Valley will leave you enchanted by the spectacular beauty of its mountains, glaciers and lush greenery. Kaghan Valley includes Naran, Kaghan, Shogran and its surrounding areas. The way to Kaghan valley starts with two hour drive to Abbottabad. At Abbottabad you can refresh yourself with a cup of tea before driving to Mansehra, Balakot and onwards to Kawai. Kawai onwards is a steep climb to the Shogran plateau which offers a splended view of a fabulous array of mountains, amid pine trees and lush green meadows.
Kaghan & Naran: Kaghan Village has given its name to the whole Valley. It is 64 km from Balakot at an altitude of 2,039 m. Naran is the main tourist attraction of the valley. It is linked with Balakot by 88 km long metalled road. It takes 4 hours by car to reach Naran. Naran serves as a base for the whole valley. From here, you can ride a jeep or horse or hike to several picturesque lakes, valleys and peaks. The journey through the valley by the side of Kunhar river is indeed a unique experience.
A holiday in Kaghan Valley, the Himalayan hide-away situated northeast of Hazara district of North West Frontier Province, is an unforgettable experience. Its mountains, dales, lakes, waterfalls, streams and glaciers are still in an unbelievable pristine state, an unspoiled paradise. The Valley extends for 155 km rising from an elevation of 2,134 metres to its highest point, the Babusar Pass (4,173 m). Kaghan is at its best in the summer months (May to September). In May the temperature is: maximum 11 C and the minimum 3 C. From the middle of July up to the end of September, the road beyond Naran, snowbound throughout the winter, is open right up to Babusar Pass.
Balakot
Kaghan valley starts from Balakot, which is famous for the Mausoleum of two Muslim warriors Syed Ahmed Shaheed Brelvi and Shah Ismail who laid their lives fighting against Sikhs in the 18th century. Balakot is situated at the foot of the mountains that goes thousands of feet above. The toy huts, which are amazingly perched on their slopes. On other side is the Kunhar River, which accompany you all along your journey. The river is muddy in the plains but as you go towards the mountains it becomes clearer. The road to Kaghan is frightening because on your left are the deep slopes to the river and on your right are the lofty mountains.
Naran
Naran is the middle point of Kaghan Valley and it is a place where you defiantly want to spend few days of your leisure. This is the place of out-door pleasure. Here you'll depart from the river Kunhar and on both sides of road there are vast fields. Don't look here and there the melody you are hearing is provided by the river Kunhar who is with you on same level. If you like climbing this is a place for you because there are mountains all around you. You can explore the scenic and picturious landscape and valley's by climbing up hiking. If you like fishing get your fishing license we have trout and mahasheer for you fishing here for tourist is must.
