Culture, history and nature: Islamabad’s best and easiest getaways

The sacred pond around which the interconnecting Katas Raj Temples were built. Legend has it the pods was formed by the tears of Hindu god Shiva following the death of his wife. (AN photo by Sabah Bano Malik)

The ridge walk that overlooks Islamabad connects trails 3 and 5 on the Margalla Hills. (AN photo by Sabah Bano Malik)

A view of the city from the Margalla Hills trails. (AN photo by Sabah Bano Malik)

Faisal Mosque, visible from the trail 6 climb on Margalla Hills

Golra Sharif Railway Station,beside the Golra Sharif roundabout on the motorway. (AN photo by Sabah Bano Malik)

A vintage advertising sign for tea, with text in Sanskrit and Punjabi, from the railway’s earlier days. (AN photo by Sabah Bano Malik)

A miniature model of the station in the modest but well-curated Golra Sharif Railway Station Museum. (AN photo by Sabah Bano Malik)

A double rainbow over Khanpur Dam Lake. (AN photo by Sabah Bano Malik)

Orange trees lining the banks of Khanpur Dam Lake. (AN photo by Sabah Bano Malik)

A daisy-covered hillside in Nathia Gali. (AN photo by Sabah Bano Malik)

The Katas Raj Temples, one of the oldest and one of the few remaining Hindu temples in Pakistan. (AN photo by Sabah Bano Malik)

Takht-i-Bahi in Mardan, a historical site containing the well-preserved remains of what was once a Buddhist monastery. (AN photo by Sabah Bano Malik)

Ancient Buddhist architecture at Takht-i-Bahi mintained and preserved by the government of Pakistan. (AN photo by Sabah Bano Malik)

An overhead shot of Takht-i-Bahi. (AN photo by Sabah Bano Malik)

• A drive of less than three hours will take you far from the hustle and bustle of the city and bring you face to face with some of Pakistan’s hidden heritage and historical sites
• Great getaways within easy driving distance of the capital include protected historical sites in Jhelum, Khewar and in Mardan

ISLAMABAD: Whether we call ourselves Islamabadians, Isloo-ites or (for the young crowd) Islamabaddies, we can give non-capital-dwelling Pakistanis plenty of reasons why we love our city so much. We have the Margalla Hills, for example, with greenery that is overwhelming in the best possible way, and also a front-row seat to the shenanigans of those who run our country.
However, as much as we love the urban life, everyone needs to get away from the hustle and bustle once in a while, and another major benefit of living in Islamabad if the number of great places within easy reach for a quick escape.
When the city goes to sleep, which is relatively early, or the social scene grows tired, which is relatively often, residents are spoiled for choice if they want to head off for a while, whether for a day trip, a long weekend, or even just a few hours of respite.
The easiest escape to make, which you can do on foot, is to head to the Margalla Hills, which give Islamabad’s skyline a substantial scenic boost over other major cities, such as Lahore and Karachi. The Margallas are filled with lush greenery and well-maintained hiking trails that guide you from stony paths to creek beds and forested areas to wide-open ridge walks, all while giving you unparalleled views of the city.
If you really want to hit the hills, drive up to the hill station, or mountain resort town, of Nathia Gali. You will pass through a number of other hill-top towns along the way, including Murree and Bhurban, along with and smaller settlements, such as Charra Pani, offering rest stops and restaurants. It all makes for a wonderful and relaxing few hours away from the city.
For a slightly longer break, Nathia Gali in particular is a great choice for a weekend getaway, with views that will take your breath away (literally, given the altitude) and fantastic hiking trails that allow you to leave the concrete jungle far behind and immerse yourself in nature.
Hills and hiking are not for everyone, and for the nature adverse there are other options for day trips.
In about an hour or less you can drive from the city to Golra Sharif Railway Station. A beautifully preserved, and still-operating, piece of history, the station is impeccably managed, with an on-site museum documenting the history of the station and the country’s relationship with railways, complete with a number of interactive displays. A particular highlight is the chance to tour the railway carriage that Pakistan’s founder, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, traveled in.
About an hour and half from Golra Sharif, there is the chance to take a dip (monsoon permitting) in the cooling waters of the Khanpur Dam. If messing about in the water is not your idea of fun, it is still worth heading there right before spring slips into summer to pick blood oranges straight from the trees.
A mere two hours from there you can find Pakistan’s last active Hindu worship site, the Katas Raj Temples. Located near Kallar Kahar, the group of temples, connected by walkways, are a popular tourist site. Their architectural beauty is set off by the sacred pond they surround which, legend has it, was formed from the teardrops of the Hindu god Shiva after the loss of his wife, Sati.
On the drive back to Islamabad, make a stop at the famed Khewra Salt Mine, outside of Jhelum, which is another popular tourist attraction. After exploring the brightly lit caves — and, if you dare, taking a taste of the salt direct from the walls — you can buy a souvenir of your visit, including pink salt from the mine and gifts crafted from salt, such as lamps and paperweights.
Another great escape within a two-hour drive of the city is Rohtas Fort. A UNESCO-protected World Heritage Site, the massive 16th-century fortress in Jhelum has survived the centuries relatively intact.
Those prepared to venture slightly further afield should head for Mardan to see Takht-i-Bahi, an incredible ancient relic of Buddhism dating back as far as the 1st century. The former monastery, the remains of which have been remarkably well preserved, is also on the UNESCO list and a protected site in Pakistan, and the government has made efforts to restore it where needed.
Whatever your recreational preferences, and whether you have a couple of hours to kill or a few days, a cultural, historical or nature retreat is waiting for you within easy reach of Islamabad.