As Pakistanis, food is always our first priority no matter what. Be it an official meeting, a wedding, a college break, or even a funeral, food is something that brings us all together.

A while ago I was discussing delicacies of Pakistan with my friends which brings me to write this blog.

There are a number of foods that have always won our heart.  If you’re traveling across Pakistan, there are plenty of places where you can go…balkay you MUST go, for ‘UFF BUHAT MAZAY KA KHANA”

Mian Jee Ki Daal:

Way before Islamabad-Lahore motorway was constructed, GT road was the only way to go Lahore. While traveling from Rawalpindi to Lahore or other cities of a Punjab, it was a must to have Ievery time we crossed Lala Musa. Between Lahore and Pindi, there’s a restaurant for the masses called Mianjee

Known for its special daal channa and paratha, the place has always served the taste for years. People from all parts of Pakistan visit the restaurant just for its unique flavour. Desi ghee is a magical ingredient for sure but we still haven’t figured out how they make it so yummy!

Hassan Abdal Ki Machli:

Located in the north of Punjab, 40km northwest of Islamabad, Hassan Abdal is a home of the Gurudwara Panja Sahib- one of the most sacred sites of Sikhism.

The town is famous for its historical association with the Mughal Era; Wah Gardens, Tomb of Lalarukh, and Hakimon ka Maqbara.

What still remains is the fresh river fish which has driven us crazy for so long! There’s not a specific eaterie as per say but the several roadside fish vendors cook it with spicy and yummilicious masala. It’s a must try if you’re planning to go there!

Charsi Tikka, Peshawar:

Known for its lamb chops and karai, Charsi tikka is something you would definitely want to have over and over again. Located in Namak Mandi, the restaurant offers a wide range of meat; barbeque, karahi, and kabab. They’re made in a special ghee and tossed with salt in an unconventional way which makes it a delicacy.

Patakha Chicken, Nathiagali:

Patakha Chicken is a fried roast marinated in salt, garlic juice and lots of crushed red chili flake. If you’re a spice lover, you would definitely love this chicken! Wo bhi Nathiagali mein <3

Featured image source: Mangobaaz

After months and years of continuous working life in offices, fields, industries or any place of work, It is every human’s need to get connected with nature in order to fill the void which comes from the meaninglessness of life at a certain point of time, that brings stress and anxiety. Realizing the urge for getting you connected with nature Pakiholic has brought you 13 clicks which is an effort to heal your fatigue.

Swaik, Kandoyah lake, Kandoyah village, Kallar Kahar, Chakwal (1st April, 2018) 

Some views are worth showing off, Attabaad Lake, Hunza

Shiriting Waterfall Skardu

Sassi Valley & Haramosh Peak. This click was captured by Christoph, an Austrian citizen on his visit to Pakistan in autumn 2017

Rivers, that when flow everything else inside you stops! by Bashir Ahmed

Sights of villages such as this, makes me nostalgic, and reminds me the old times when houses were made of mud and love, of concrete. Moji Village, in front of Shrine by Hasnain Ali Shah

The river with huge rocks in it has a lesson for everyone, that no matter how adverse are the things, be like liquid, flow, in the worst possible conditions.

Lora Jabri Haripur, by Kashif Afridi

If there is a heaven on earth, it’s here, it’s here.

Agar firdous Bar Ru e Zameen Ast, Hameen Ast o Hameen Ast.

Arung Kail. PC Musafir Photography

The most beautiful times and things are often so easy to wither away, yet it is worth it.

Duikar Springs Blossom by Asmar Hussain

Close your eyes, Listen to the water flow, breathe deeply and submit to mother nature.

Besal, Upper Kaghan Valley by Khurram Shehzad

You often might be left behind by your comrades and relatives, but never give up and keep moving.

Beautiful Mushkpuri peak. Faisal Rehman

A walk into the nature walks the soul back home. 

Way to Dek 1. Shounter Valley Talha Mehmood

A bunch of people looking for adventure, Naran by Owais Khalid

The lake is located in Neelum Valley which is in Azad Kashmir, Pakistan. Even though the mountains surrounding the lake go quite high, the altitude of the lake itself is 12,130 feet or 3,700 meters. As the lake is fed by glaciers, it does not have any designated inlets for springs and rivers and the route to the lake is easily accessible in the summer months. The nearest village settlement which serves as a base camp for the tourists who wish to visit the lake is that of Dowarian and it is located only 19 kilometers from the valley. A metaled road has been built for easier access to the valley. Other larger towns are also quite near with Muzaffarabad only 120 kilometers away and the smaller town of Athmuqam located only 35 kilometers from the lake.

The Ratti Gali Lake is a seasonal lake, which means that the hiking trails which lead to the lake will only become accessible once the snow has melted from them. Even though it is not required that traveling should be done only when all of the snow has melted, but it is advisable to choose a date when, at least, the walking trails are with only a small amount of snow.

Keep scrolling to see the cities that were most popular among tourists.

Istanbul, Turkey – 9.24 million visitors 

Even though Istanbul has seen its fair share of terrorist attacks on several of the city’s tourist centers in 2016 and political instability, people are still flocking to Istanbul. The city continues to attract visitors with its historic architecture, gorgeous boutiques, and inventive restaurants. In fact, of all the cities studied in this survey, dining consumes the greatest percentage of visitor spend in Istanbul.

Given its unique position between both Europe and Asia, Istanbul is a melting pot of cultures. The various empires that have ruled the city have left behind several relics, one of the most well-known being the Hagia Sophia, a Byzantine Mosque whose dome dates back to the 6th century. 8.6 million visitors have traveled to the city this year.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – 12.08 Million Visitors

One of the world’s best cities for street food has also proven to be an all-around holiday hot spot. While the majority of the travel across the study’s cities are conducted for leisure (as opposed to business), Kuala Lumpur still has the largest percentage of visitors there on vacation.

The iconic Petronas Towers dominate Kuala Lumpur’s skyline, but the city isn’t all modern skyscrapers. Chinatown carries traces of the city’s beginnings and the Thean Hou Temples is a gorgeous oasis from the busy city. Kuala Lumpur has attracted 12.8 million visitors.

New York City – 13.1 Million Visitors

From the global cuisine of Queens to the sky-high hotels of Midtown, there’s no city on earth quite as energetic (or caffeinated) as New York. We can’t blame overnight visitors for spending $17.02 billion here in 2016 alone.

It’s no wonder that the Big Apple counted the most visitors out of any US city. New York City is the largest city in the country, and it’s known for its cutting edge dining and shopping scenes, as well as its rich cultural options like The Met, MOMA, and the American Museum of Natural History. 13.1 millions visitors have made it to NYC this year.

Seoul, South Korea – 12.44 Million Visitors

Seoul has emerged as one of the world’s leading fashion and beauty capitals, with a travel-worthy spa scene and nocturnal vendors in trendy neighborhoods. No surprise, then, that tourists spend more on shopping while in Seoul than in any other city.

There’s something for every traveler in Seoul — traditional Buddhist temples are found among towering skyscrapers, old teahouses, and beautiful parks.

Tokyo, Japan – 12.51 Million Visitors

With new air routes, museum openings, and preparations in place to host the 2020 Summer Olympics, there’s never been a better time to visit the best city in the world according to a recent survey.

Japan’s capital is full of museums and temples, many of which are surrounded by serene woods and gardens. The Tsukiji Fish Market and Harajuku are popular tourist destinations that are worth the hype.

Singapore – 13.45 Million Visitors

Singapore has the world’s best airport (hedge mazes included) and most Instagram-able hotel, both of which only add to the already appealing city. And with airlines launching new low-cost flights to Singapore , reaching the Lion City is only getting easier.

Cheap but good food options abound throughout the hawker centers in Singapore, which boasts one of the only street food stalls to be awarded a Michelin star. Visitors are also drawn to the skyline views from the world’s largest rooftop infinity pool, which sits 57 floors above street level in the Marina Bay Sands Hotel.

Dubai, UAE – 16.01 Million Visitors 

It seems like Dubai will never stop trying to outdo itself. Within the past year, the city announced plans for a miniature replica of Venice, flying drone taxis, and two new artificial islands. But all that pomp seems to be paying off—quite literally. Tourists spent an incredible $28.50 billion there in 2016.

There’s arguably no place as lavish as Dubai. The city is home to the tallest building in the world — the Burj Khalifa — as well as the Burj Al Arab, a sail-shaped hotel that sits on its own artificial island.

Paris, France – 16.13 Million Visitors

It’s nearly impossible to resist the charms of France’s capital—and more than 16 million travelers obviously agree. The city is known for its chic shopping and inimitable restaurants, but lodging actually proved to be the most expensive part of trips to Paris, accounting for 44.8 percent of tourists’ spending.

Some people call Paris the “City of Light,” while others call it the “City of Love,” but either way, it’s renowned for its charming architecture and romantic appeal. Take a stroll along the Seine, watch the street painters near Montmartre, or picnic under the Eiffel Tower — you’ll never run out of thing to do here.

London, United Kingdom – 20.01 Million Visitors

There’s so much to do in London, it bears repeat visits; perhaps that explains why its number of visitors jumped past the 20 million mark this year. Luckily, an efficient transportation system means that less of the budget is spent on transit here (only 4.3 percent) than in any other city on the list, which frees you up to spend your dollars at trendy new restaurants like Gymkhana or newly renovated Blue Bar in The Berkeley hotel.

Thanks to Brexit, London’s prices have plummeted, turning it into an appealing option for those traveling on a budget. Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, and the Tower Bridge are just a few of the city’s most iconic landmarks.

Bangkok, Thailand – 20.19 Million Visitors

For the second year running, Bangkok is set to be the most popular city for international travelers, thanks in large part to its appealing mix of historical sites and modern hot spots: the gilded Grand Palace complex, the towering Peninsula Bangkok, the canals and alleys filled with street food vendors—and that’s just the start. Even with all that humidity, this city is showing no signs of slowing down any time soon.

Bangkok is much more of a booming metropolis than Phuket. Its network of narrow canals host colorful floating markets, and its opulent shrines are sights to see. Plus, one of Bangkok’s street food stalls was just awarded a Michelin star.