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ABOUT ISLAMABAD The city is divided into several sectors and areas: the diplomatic enclave, residential, commercial and industrial areas. Blue area, Super Market, Jinnah Super Market, Aabpara are the main commercial areas. The Daman-e-Koh Viewpoint, perched halfway up the Margala Hills, gives the best bird's-eye view south over Islamabad. East and West Viewpoints in Shakarparian Park, on a low hill between Islamabad and Rawalpindi, offer the most photogenic view of Islamabad and the Margala Hills behind.
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*Participants are advised to make their hotel room booked well ahead of time to avoid any inconvenience. |
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PLACES TO VISIT Rawal Lake: It is a large artificial reservoir and one of Islamabad-Rawalpindi’s sources of water. The area round the lake has been planted with flowering trees and laid out with gardens, picnic spots and secluded paths. Daman-e-Koh Viewpoint: The Daman-e-Koh Viewpoint, perched halfway up the Margala Hills, gives the best bird's-eye view south over Islamabad. It is a ten minute drive or 45 minute walk. Rose and Jasmine Garden: This garden is famous for annual flower and rose shows held in spring. Children's adventure playground: The children's adventure playground, a gift from the Japanese, is at the bottom of the hill below the viewpoint |
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Shakarparian Park: East and West Viewpoints in Shakarparian Park, on a low hill between Islamabad and Rawalpindi, offer the most photogenic view of Islamabad and the Margala Hills behind. Secretariat Blocks: This is the administrative and policy planning nerve center of the country. Two groups of interconnected blocks rise like white sentinels against the backdrop of the majestic Margala hills Aiwan-e-Sadar (Presidency): Another landmark of Islamabad is the official residence of the Head of State. The Supreme Court: The stately and imposing Supreme Court building has been designed by Kenzo Tange of Japan and M/s PEPAC of Pakistan and envisaged the construction of 13 peripheral blocks rising five stories tall and high rise central block. Parliament House: The schematic design of the Parliament building has been conceived to be in complete harmony with the surroundings. This inspiring building is a 22.9 meters high 5 storied structure, which stands at the crossing of Khayaban-i-Quaid-i-Azam and the constitution Avenue in the southern section of the central zone. Shah Faisal Mosque: The enormous Shah Faisal Mosque is superbly sited at the foot of the Margala Hills. It represents an eight-faceted desert 'tent' supported on four giant concrete girders and surrounded by four 90-metre (300-foot)high concrete minuets that lock like rockets on launching pads |
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MARKETS Aabpara Market: The oldest shopping area is Aabpara Market on Khayaban-e-Suhrawardy, G-6/ 1, where you can buy household goods, fabrics, hardware, spices and food. Melody Market: In the centre of G-6, has a souvenir, brass and carpet shop. Covered Market: In G -6/3 this market specializes in vegetables and groceries, and also has good photography and haberdashery shops. Super Market: It is located in the center of F-6, and concentrates on clothing, jewelry handicrafts, leather goods and shoes. Jinnah Market: It lies in the center of F-7, and it also concentrates on clothing, jewelry handicrafts, leather goods and shoes. The Blue Area: (so called because it was colored blue on the original plan of Islamabad to denote a commercial area), is developing fast and is a good place to look for carpets and handicrafts. Many travel agencies, banks, courier services and import-export companies are located here. The Sunday Market: G-6/4, near Aabpara, is Islamabad's most interesting market for tourists, a wide variety of goods from vegetables to crockery are sold here in the flavor of an Indian bazaar.
RESTAURANTS MAJOR ATTRACTIONS AROUND ISLAMABAD Murree Hill station: Murree is known as Malika-e-Kohsar, which means the Queen of Hills.Murree is only an hour's drive northeast of Islamabad. Murree where lofty peaks tower above green pine-covered slopes, is one of the most popular summer resorts in Pakistan. Murree spreads along the top of a ridge for about five kilometers (three miles). At the northeast end is Kashmir Point, with views across the valley of the Jhelum River into Azad Kashmir. At the southwest end is Pindi Point, looking back towards Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Between the two runs The Mall, at the center of, which is the main shopping area, where most people congregate. Chair Lifts in Murree give a ride from Bansara Gali (below Murree) to Pindi Point, the other to the top of Patriata hill (on the road to Karor). |