Quetta is the biggest city and the Capital of Balochistan, the largest province of Pakistan. It’s a popular tourist destination that is mesmerising enough to grab the world’s attention. It’s an amalgam of history, enticing landscapes, culture, and a lot of warm people! If you are a foreigner or just a local planning to see Quetta, this blog will help you design your travel plan!
Interesting Facts About Quetta
Ready to explore the best places to visit in Quetta? But before moving to that, we have listed some interesting facts about Quetta that will help you know it better and intrigue your curiosity about Quetta!
- Quetta enjoys diverse weather conditions, offering you chill winters and enjoyable summers with mild temperatures.
- Quetta was a part of the Kandahar region, a popular trade route between Central Asia and the Indian Subcontinent.
- If you are a foodie, savour the taste of Sajji, a traditional mouth-watering dish made from marinated lamb and chicken in a specific way you should see yourself!
- Quetta is the hub of harmony, including diverse ethnical communities like Hazara, Baloch, Pashtun, and others.
- Quetta produces Saffron, one of the most expensive and rare spices globally, on a commercial scale.
- You can spot endangered species like Suleiman Markhor at Chiltan National Park, which is very close to Quetta.
- Quetta has agriculturally enriched land, also known as the “Fruit Basket of Pakistan”, with trees of apples, peaches, pomegranates and other dry fruits like walnuts, almonds and pistachios all around!
Places to Visit in Quetta
Mariabad
Mariabad is located near the eastern suburb of Quetta. It is densely populated with the majority of the Hazara Community. It is one of the four mountains that surround Quetta. It has tiny houses and narrow roads carved from the mountain and requires the soul of a trekker to go there. It lets you experience the best sunrise of your life!
Local Bazars/Markets
What better place to explore the culture, interact with local communities, and buy cultural stuff than the local markets? Consider visiting Suraj Ganj Bazar, Liaqat Bazar, and Kandahari Bazar. They are the best markets to find premium quality Balochi mirror work, hand-weaved carpets, local dresses, handicrafts and a variety of Balochi stuff that you can’t find anywhere else! You can also get to eat the traditional cuisine there, including famous dishes like Khadda Kebab, Landhi, and Sajji.
Hazarganji Park
The Hazarganji Chiltan National Park is 325,000 acres wide and at an altitude of 2000 to 3200 metres. It is located in Chiltan, Quetta. This park is home to several endangered species including markhor, the national animal of Pakistan. It has over 2500 plant species and a myriad of birds and animals.
Millennium Mall
The Millennium Mall is the first international mall situated in Shahr-e-Gulistan. It has all the national and popular brands. It’s spacious, safe, has a food court and is heaven for all the shopping lovers!
Askari Park
Sometimes, unexpectedly, you may find solace in quiet places like maybe simple parks. If you are looking for such a place, Askari Park is the best place. The best things? It is free and situated near the archaeological museum in Quetta and Hanna Lake so you can visit three places in a single go!
Miri Fort
Pakistan is famous for its heritage sites. One such well-preserved heritage site is Miri Fort. An attraction for people who love diving in the past and celebrate the grandeur of history. It’s spacious, grand and tall, right in the middle of Quetta city. The fort was initially a Hindu Temple that, later was converted into a fort by Muslim rulers.
Archaeological Museum
It’s a tourist attraction for many since it has artefacts longing back to Indus Valley civilisations like Mohenjo Daro, Stone Age preserved things from Kalat Valley and Quetta. It also has pottery samples from all over the Balochistan. The key attraction includes a sword that still has blood stains on it that was used to kill a British commander for freedom and a copy of the Holy Quran written by the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb himself by hand.
Places Worth Seeing Near Quetta
If you have travelled so much to explore the beauty in Quetta, Balochistan, then you must take some more time to see the breathtaking beauty of places nearby Quetta. If you are planning to elongate your travel plans, then you must visit these places:
Hanna Lake
Hanna Lake is a tempting lake in the hills close to Urak Valley, a few kilometres from Quetta City. Many people frequently visit it because of the scenic fresh lake with a mesmerising nature backdrop. You can find some local restaurants nearby to eat while enjoying the views.
Pir Ghaib Waterfalls
It is situated 70km away from Quetta, in Bolan Valleys. Like the alluring waterfalls, it has an exciting history behind its name. Pir Ghaib means “Invisible Saint”. It’s named after a saint who prayed to God for his safety from his enemies. As a result, God cleaved the mountain. This story has a conflict, though, as Hindus believe that the person is Mahadev. However, the facts are still not known. How interesting is that, right?
Residence of Quaid-e-Azam
If you are visiting Quetta, take some time to see the Quaids Residence in Ziarat. It’s a few kilometeres away from Quetta, a very enchanting city that holds the pride to have the house of the founder of Pakistan. The building was made a landmark in 1892. It is an important heritage site for Pakistan.
Ziarat Juniper Forest
It is believed to be the second-largest Juniper forest in the world, expanding over 110,000 ha. The trees are the oldest living trees in the world, also known as living fossils, dating back 4000 years ago. It has a diverse ecosystem. You can also spot endangered animals like the Himalayan black bear and markhor.
