Pakistan, paradise for tourists, trekkers

[PAKISTAN] Pakistan, paradise for tourists, trekkers سیاحوں کی جنت

The Korea Herald - 2009.03.23 - Pakistan is the land which attracted Alexander the Great from Macedonia in 326 B.C., with whom the influence of Greek culture came to that part of the world. During the 2nd century B.C., it was here that Buddhism was adopted as the state religion which flourished and prevailed for over 1,000 years, starting from 2nd century B.C., until 10th century A.D. During this time Taxila, Swat and Charsaddah (old Pushkalavati) became three important centers for culture, trade and learning. Hundreds of monasteries and stupas were built together with Greek and Kushan towns such as Sirkap and Sirsukh, both in Taxila. It was from these centers that a unique art of sculpture originated which is known as Gandhara Art all over the world. ¶ Today the Gandhara sculptures occupy a prominent place in the museums of Britain, France, Germany, the U.S., Japan, Korea, China, India and Afghanistan together with many private collections all over the world, as well as in the museums of Pakistan. The zenith of this Gandhara Art is one and only "Fasting Buddha" now on display in the Lahore Museum.
Interestingly, the famous Monk, Reverend Maranantha of Pakistan's Gandhara region introduced Buddhism to the then Korean Kingdom of Baekje. Reverend Maranantha reached Amupo via Dongjin of China and introduced Buddhism in the early 4th century. In the late Koryeo period, the place was renamed Beopseongpo in the Jeollanam-do. In the eighth century, the venerable Korean Buddhist monk Hyecho from Silla Kingdom visited the centers of Buddhist learning and culture in areas of what is modern Pakistan. ¶ There is plenty of evidence from the pre-historic and historic period to support this argument, e.g. fossil jaws of apes, circa 14 millions years old found from Pothohar. They belong to a species named "Sivapithecus Pakininsis," said to be the ancestor of Man. The fossil jaw and a 2 million years old earliest stone hand axe are now on display in Islamabad Museum. Pakistani people are proud of their rich and diversified cultural heritage. ¶ More and more Korean tourists along with followers of Lord Buddha from East Asia visit Pakistan to see the old glories of Buddhists and Gandhara civilizations. Interestingly, Takht-i-Bhai and Taxila are most important Buddhist monasteries in Gandhara. Some believe that Takht-i-Bhai (UNESCO world heritage site) is located at a place where all universal energies converge. ¶ From the mighty Karakorams in the North to the vast alluvial delta of the Indus River in the South, Pakistan remains a land of high adventure and nature. Trekking, mountaineering, white water rafting, wild boar hunting, mountain and desert jeep safaris, camel and yak safaris, trout fishing and bird watching are a few activities, which entice the adventure and nature lovers to Pakistan. ¶ Thousands of trekkers, mountaineers and tourists from around the world visit this fascinating Pakistan to enjoy its rich and varied flora and fauna. There are many sites of interest like High Himalayas, Karakoram and the Hindukush ranges with their alpine meadows and permanent snow line, coniferous forests down the sub-mountain scrub, the vast Indus plain merging into the great desert, the coast line and wetlands, all offer a remarkably rich variety of vegetation and associated wildlife including avifauna, both endemic and migratory. Ten of 18 mammalian orders are represented in Pakistan with species ranging from the world's smallest surviving mammals, the Mediterranean Pigmy Shrew, to the largest mammal ever known; the blue whale. ¶ Shandur polo festival -- the highest polo ground on earth (3,738 meters) ¶ Pakistani society is largely multi-lingual and multi-cultural with high regard for traditional family values. Over the past two decades, large festivals have taken place with participation of artists from more than 20 countries. Polo has become a hallmark of this festival. Shandur is the highest Polo Ground in the World (3,738 meters above sea), situated in Chitral along the border with Gilgit. Chitral is a beautiful valley in the North West Frontier Province of Pakistan. Every year a three-day Polo Festival takes place during the second week of July (July 7, 8 and 9) in this remote Polo ground of the world. ¶ The provinces of Pakistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir put up beautifully organized cultural events and visitors have a unique opportunity to see an assortment of Pakistan's traditionally rich heritage. Groups of dancers perform all over the festival grounds, inviting visitors to join in, and in the evening, arrange music concerts from all parts of Pakistan.