• Get around
• See
• Do
• Buy
• Eat
• Drink
• Stay safe
• Get out

Peshawar is a relatively prosperous frontier town in Pakistan near the Khyber Pass, which gives it a distinct Afghan flavor.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By air

Peshawar International Airport (PEW) is located about a 25 minute drive from the center of Peshawar, it is the 4th busiest airport in Pakistan. It is served by all Pakistan carriers including national flag carrier "PIA". Moreover, many Middle East airlines also serve this airport, such as Emirates, Etihad, Gulf, Kuwait and Qatar airlines.

Peshawar airport has international direct flights to Al Ain, Bahrain, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha , Jeddah, Kabul, Muscat, Kuwait and Riyadh. The connections to/from other Asian, European and American cities are available VIA Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad airports. The domestic flights to/from Peshawar Airport are Chitral, Islamabad, Karachi and Lahore.

[edit] By train

You can reach Peshawar by train with Pakistan Railway from Karachi (36 hours) and Quetta (25 hours), both are via Lahore and Rawalpindi.

There are currently no passenger trains from Landi Kotal in the Khyber Pass.

[edit] By bus

Buses and minibuses run to many parts of the country from here.

• Daewoo, [1], operates the most luxurious services to Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Multan, Faisalabad, Abbotabad and Lahore (Rs 600, 6.5 hours).

[edit] Get around

Auto-rickshaws give Peshawar two of its most well-known traits: polluted air and clogged streets, and are the most popular way to get around the city.

Walking is another option, but take care with the traffic and at night.

[edit] See

Old town of Peshawar

• The Old City Center with the Qissa Khwani Bazaar, Bazar-e-Kalan, Clock Tower Square, Chowk Yadgar, Tehsil Gorgathri, Mohaabit Khan Mosque, Sunehri Masjid (Sadar), Peshawar Museum, Khyber Bazar. The traditional halal food of Peshawar can be bought from Namak Mandi, Khyber Bazar. The famous 'Kulfa' can be accessed from Qissa Khwani Bazar in the months of Apri-Sept every year, when there is hot weather in the city.

• The Bala Hisar Fort, Bala Hisar Fort is one of the most historic places of Peshawar. The word Bala Hisar is from Persian, meaning, “elevated or high fort”. Renowned historian, Dr A.H. Dani in his book "Peshawar-Historic City of Frontier" writes that when Hiuen Tsang, a Chinese traveller, visited Peshawar in 630 AD, he spoke of a "royal residence".

• The Mahabat Khan Mosque; Mahabat Khan, the governor of Peshawar, built it in 1630 AD during the reign of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan (the ruler of the Mughal Empire in India from 1628 until 1658)

• The Islamia College, is an educational institution located in the city of Peshawar of the North West Frontier Province (NWFP), Pakistan. It was opened on October 1st 1913 as a constituent college of University of Peshawar by Sir Sahibzada Abdul Qayum Khan and Sir George Roos-Keppel. Though its names suggests it to be some kind of a religious institution, it is not. In fact, inline with other government colleges, it primarily educates its students in arts, humanities and sciences.

• The University of Peshawar, came into being in 1950 AD, institution is committed to achieving excellence in the undergraduate and graduate education, research and public service. The University provides superior and comprehensive educational opportunities at the baccalaureate through doctoral and special professional educational levels.

[edit] Do

• In the summertime hiking tours to the mountains are offered. Ask at Green Tours in front of the Greens Hotel, Peshawar Cantt, and Pearl Tours of the Pearl Continental Hotels. This can also be done by hiring a car, jeep or pickup from local 'Rent-a-Car' servicing private agencies at a very cheap rate ranging from US$20-US$60 per day, depending upton the condition of the vehicle. (the prices r correct as at June 30, 2006-maslampsh)

[edit] Buy

Before going to buy anything in Peshawar, you first have to be ready to bargain. You will need to bargain at most of the shops for items especially fabric. If you are a foreigner, be careful when shopping at shops that do not have fixed prices. The shop keepers will try their best to rip you off. When you ask how much, be prepared to offer half of what they ask and then bargain from there. Also, if the price still seems to high, don't be afraid to walk away. Many times they will call you back or you can find the same thing at another shop nearby. If is best to take a local person with you when shopping at stores that require bargaining.

The old town is a good place to stock up on Pakistani and Afghani handicrafts. These markets are located in almost all parts of the Peshawar, most commonly at Bazar Shah Qabool Olia, Namak Mandi, Khyber Bazar, Sadar Road, etc. (maslampsh)

Shafi Market (and surrounding bazaars) in the Sadar area is one of the best places to buy clothing fabric. You will find every kind of cloth from simple everyday fabric to fabric suitable for the fanciest of of occasions. The shops in Shafi Market work on a bargaining system for the most part. The market is usually very crowded, so keep a close watch on your money.

Dean's Trade center also just opened in late October 2007. It can be accessed from both Sadar Road and Sonheri Masjid Road. It is a beautiful shopping center. Many of the shop keepers who have stores on Shafi Market are also opening stores in Dean's Trade Center, however there is a lot more than just fabric at Dean's Trade Center. In general the prices are a bit higher at Dean's Trade Center, but it is much easier to shop there as it is less crowded. Some of the stores have fixed prices, but most will bargain with you. A to Z Mart is one a great general department store in Dean's that has clothing, cosmetics, stationary, housewares, and groceries. The prices are all fixed, but very reasonable. As of October 2007, most of the shops at Dean's Trade center are not occupied, so it is bound to only get better as more shops open.

In the Sadar area, the best place to buy fabric at fixed prices is at R-Sheen on Arbab Road. As for Shoes, Imperial, and Jolly, Service, Batat, and Stylo have the best ladies and kids collections as well as fixed prices. There are a number of ready made clothing shops along Sadar Road and Arbab Road as well. Most have fixed prices, but some will still bargain a bit so don't be afraid to ask.

[edit] Eat

• Chapli Kabab, a beef kebab flat, round shaped is the most famous and delicious dish of Peshawar. Several famous kabab selling shops are around. Information about them can be obtained from the travel agents or local hotels and guides.

• The restaurants in *Namak Mandi serve marvellous tikka and karai."CHERSEE TIKKA HOUSE" is the most famous tikka shop here. Meat is ordered by the kilogram, and then prepared according to your preference, either as tikka (barbecued) or as karai (an oil-rich stew with tomato and chili).

• Faluda, a sweet dish mainly found on the Peshawar markets and bazaars especially Qisa-Khwani Bazaar.

[edit] Drink

A pot of Kawa

Peshawar is known for its Kawa (Green Tea) which has a unique flavor, and is usually served sweet.

Sharbat-e-Sandal is a sweet, non-carbonated drink unusually found in markets in summer. It has a good taste and a yellowish-green transparent colour - look out for the black seeds. Served ice cold.

NWFP is a dry state, making alcohol hard to come by.

[edit] Sleep

[edit] Budget

• Tourist Inn Motel, 6 Saddar Rd, (NE of Saddar Bazaar, behind Jan's Bakers), +92(0)91-5279-156. Similar in facilities to Regale Internet Inn in Lahore, it's a popular place with budget backpackers and those wishing to meet up for onward travel. Has a kitchen, 3 big dorm rooms (Rs 150/person) and 2 double rooms, a community kitchen, and ample parking for self-drivers. The managers can arrange tours to the Khyber Pass, TakhtBai, Darra Adam Khel, where you can peruse gun factories and possibly even fire some of their products!

• The Rose Hotel, Khyber Bazaar, Shoba Chowk, +92(0)91-250-755. Good sized and fairly clean rooms with attached bath in a large, secure building. Parking is available. Another popular place to meet other travelers, and the office can arrange trips to the Khyber Pass and other areas, but at a premium. Doubles from Rs 400 w/cable tv and attached bath.

[edit] Mid-range

• Greens Hotel, Saddar Rd, (1 block west of Tourist Inn Motel), +92(0)91-270-182. A nice mid-range hotel, with a decent restaurant. Rooms from Rs 1200.

[edit] Splurge

• Pearl Continental, Khyber Rd, (near Bala Hissar Fort), +92(0)91-276-631, [2]. The nicest hotel in the city, 5 star standards, with a few restaurants, a business center with internet (Rs400/hour), and a swimming pool. Rooms from ~Rs 10,000.

[edit] Stay safe

Peshawar is the home of several ethnic and religious groups, but has been spared any greater outbreaks of violence in the last years.

There were several bomb blasts in or near the old city in October 2006.

Police sergeants can be found in the streets and roads to ensure safety.

Foreign-looking women often experience disrespectful behaviour if not covered up.

As a stranger, and therefore a guest, you can usually rely on the support of people around you should something or someone feel threatening. Make noise and create a scene, drawing as much attention to the problem as you can should work to your advantage.

Several areas bordering on Peshawar, the agencies, are administered by tribal authorities only, and outside the control of the regular police. Entry to these areas can be dangerous for foreigners.

[edit] Get out

• The Khyber Pass is one hour away and can be visited by taking a taxi. It is located in the tribal area and easy-to-get permissions (from the NWFP gov't office or through your hotel or tour guide) are needed for foreigners to enter this area. A taxi to bring you there and back to Peshawar shouldn't set you back more than US$20.

• The Hayatabad, is a modern and first planned suburb at south-eastern fringe of Peshawar (the capital of the North-West Frontier Province, Pakistan).