Things to do in Pakistan
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Hot Spot
A top spot to satiate sugar cravings, this trendy little nook has mouthwatering sweet treats that include homemade ice cream, gorgeous cakes, crepes and waffles. It also does fab smoothies and coffee.
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Askari Park
More a family theme park, you can get out of the city here and enjoy some open space and clean air. There's a jogging track and children's park along with the Gardenia Resort hotel and restaurant.
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Shangrilla Gardens & Barbecue Restaurant
You can opt for standard Pakistani or Continental food here, eaten indoors or out in the garden. The jug of lassi (yogurt and iced-water beverage) is sure to quench the most savage summer thirst.
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Silver Star Cafe
A great hole-in-the-wall eatery with samosas, fried chicken, potato slices and a few sweet options for dessert. Ideal for eating and running, with a few places opposite offering more of the same.
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Sheraz Bar.B.Q
A busy eatery if you just need to fill up and go. Sheraz is great for traditional Pakistani cuisine, with a decent selection on offer from tikka chicken and garlic naan to huge plates of biryani.
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Omar Khayam
Recommendations at this very popular Iranian restaurant (bookings advisable) include the chelo kebab kobideh (BBQ mutton kebab) and the Kohresht-e-bademjan (lamb and eggplant).
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Chaman
For a cool cone or three you really can't do much better than Chaman, which has carved a name for itself as one of Lahore's most-loved ice-cream parlours. If you have room, try the fruit juices.
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Sunehri Masjid
The small Sunehri Masjid, in the centre of the Old City, was built in 1753 by Bikhari Khan and is famous for its three gilded domes and gold-plated minarets, still shining as brightly as ever.
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Sadiq Garh
There are three royal palaces here, but unfortunately they aren't open to the public. You can take a distant peek at the late-19th-century Sadiq Garh, by far the grandest, from the gatehouse.
reviewed
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Pizzerio Uno Chicago Grill
Decked out in an Al Capone theme, this is perhaps Lahore's best place to sink your chompers into a 12oz fillet steak. Its tandoori chicken pizza is also a treat, as is the Chicago cheesecake.
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Meena Bazaar
Meena Bazaar is a labyrinth of shops for women. Further up the street on the left is a collection of old Sikh havelis (traditional mansions), with carved wooden windows and screens.
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Adventure Travel
Organises numerous treks, including fixed departures (check the website), and has a relaxing 'base camp' at Kachura Lake. The office is on the main road near the entrance to Mashabrum Hotel.
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Pan Pizza
Opposite Panda, Pan does tasty pizzas as well as a limited variety of burgers and Chinese fare. The delicious hot and spicy pizza does, as the name suggests, leave your taste buds tingling.
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Askari Bakery
Catch a Suzuki out to Askari Bakery beyond Jutial for good-value cakes, biscuits and bread as well as a range of groceries. The 250 g fruit/plain butter cakes make ideal travel companions.
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Langay Bazaar
Close to the Lahore Fort, Langay Bazaar is the area to find musical instruments. Competition between shops is high, so it's worth looking around and bargaining hard to bag the best deal.
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Cookers
The outdoor dining area on The Mall is a great place to tuck into salt 'n' pepper squid, Arabian sole in lemon-herb sauce or coconut chicken curry. Bookings for dinner are recommended.
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Krispy Broast Chicken
A no-frills fast-food eatery, popular with workers on lunch breaks and evening diners alike. The menu is vast, from karai and kebabs to burgers and biryani. Cheap and filling.
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Rug Market
If you're specifically looking for carpets, head to the wholesale rug market on Masjid Rd. Apart from the wide variety, the prices are also pleasing - but you'll still have to haggle.
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Buddhist Ruins
Along the Shigar Valley wall, downriver of Bauma Lungma, are recently excavated Buddhist Ruins, including monastery foundations and rock inscriptions from as early as the 5th century.
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Chowk Yadgar
In the heart of the old city, Chowk Yadgar, is now a redeveloped plaza dedicated to the heroes of the 1965 war with India. Moneychangers display their currencies along the west side.
reviewed
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Hunza Valley Experience
At the time of research Hunza Valley Experience was setting up an office opposite the Glacier Breeze Restaurant to provide trekking and cultural tours with guides and jeeps for hire.
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Balochistan Arts Council
The Balochistan Arts Council sometimes hosts cultural events such as art exhibitions and theatrical or musical performances - call to find out if anything is on during your stay.
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Mountain Equipment
Trekking and mountaineering equipment can be purchased here at the top end of the bazaar. The lads from Adventure Hunza have also opened a CD shop here, Kiran Audio Video Centre.
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Ziafat
Ziafat predominantly attracts young families, some of whom unfortunately allow their little darlings to treat the place like a playground. Nonetheless, the buffet is good value.
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Kim's Bookshop
Specifically caters to tourists, which accounts for its commendable selection of novels and general-interest books about Pakistan. It also sells good postcards (Rs10 to Rs20).
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