Getting There
By roads: Khyber Pukhtankhwa (KP) is different province and cities of Pakistan by a large network of roads. You can reach KP by Bus, Car, Coaches, and Daewoo from different parts of the country. It is mainly connected with capital of Pakistan (Islamabad) by Motorway M-1 and Via National Highway.
By Train: You can also use the train from other parts of the country to reach Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Which can enter Khyber Pakhtunkhwa through different areas.
By Air: The nearest airport that can be used for air travel to Old City Peshawar is Bacha Khan International Airport
What to Expect
Peshawar is not just the oldest city in Pakistan, but it also happens to be the oldest living city in all of South Asia!
Sethi Mohalla in the old city of Peshawar is historically quite famous for attracting tourists. Sethi Mohalla was built in the 19th century. The frequently-visited Sethi Haveli was built in 1884 and was owned by the Sethi family–wealthy traders who had businesses throughout South and Central Asia.
One of the most famous places in Peshawar, Chowk Yadgar is located in the heart of the Old City. The monument was originally erected in 1892 in memoriam of General Hastings but was later dedicated to the victims of the 1930 Qissa Khwani Bazaar Massacre.
The beautiful (and historical) Mahabat Khan Masjid. Located deep in the narrow twists and turns of the Old City, this 17th-century mosque reflects the architecture of the famed Mughal Era and remains in relatively good condition despite its advanced age.
The famous masjid was built by the Mughal governor of Peshawar, and its exterior boasts a facade of white marble. The interior is just as impressive, as it consists of uncountable multi-colored frescoes and a wide variety of floral motifs.
History
The fortunes of Peshawar are inextricably linked to the Khyber Pass, the eastern end of which it guards. The pass seems to have been little used in prehistoric times, and even in early historic times, it was generally shunned as too narrow and thus too prone to ambush.
Not until the powerful Kushans invaded Gandhara and pacified the area in the first century AD did the Khyber become a popular trade route. Since then, many emperors and rulers have ruled over this place and during this time, Peshawar has had as many names as its rulers.
Moghul emperor Akbar, formally gave the city the name Peshawar which means “The Place at the Frontier”. Earlier it had been known as the “City of Flowers” and the “City of Grains”. Peshawar owes its founding 2,000 years ago to these same Kushans.
In the second century AD, Kanishka, the greatest of the Kushan kings, moved his winter capital here from Pushkalavati, 30 kilometers (20 miles) to the north. His summer capital was north of Kabul at Kapisa, and the Kushans moved freely back and forth through the Khyber Pass between the two cities, from which they ruled their enormous and prosperous empire for the next 400 years.
Facilities Available
- Local guides are available
- People of Peshawar are very hospitable
- PC Hotel, Shelton’s Rezidor Peshawar,Fort Continental Hotels, Hotel Gateway, Emaraat Hotel, Green’s Hotel Restaurant and famous Restaurant of Peshawar Nisar Charsi Tikka
- You can be easily accessible thought local transport and can book a car on rent.
- Tourism Department helps the Tourist/ Visitors through providing broachers in both Urdu and English languages. The local Police and the local Guides can speak multi languages (i.e local languages, Urdu, English and some of them can speak Chinese also).
- There is a bus stand in Peshawar for public transportation.
- Filling stations are available which includes Petrol and Diesel.
- Taxis are available in on daily rent basis.
- Shops are available in old city Peshawar
- You can easily travel in BRT bus service is a comfortable service for the tourist. The BRT buses run from Chamkani to Karkhanay a total distance of 26 Kilometer with 31 stations.
