Embrace the diversity and vibrance of Pakistani culture. Here are 7 unforgettable cultural experiences for travellers to Pakistan, including food, festivals, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Pakistani traditions, and much more.
About the author: Arabela, The Spicy Travel Girl, lives in Pakistan and is joining us to share her insights into Pakistani culture and traditions. For more Pakistan travel tips and photography, head over to her blog.
Few places are as culturally diverse and untouched as Pakistan.
From the rough mountainscapes and green valleys in the north to the sweltering deserts and the turquoise seas of the south, Pakistan’s diverse landscapes have given rise to a gargantuan variety of regional cultures and traditions, from the time of the Indus Valley civilisation until today.
The Pakistani people’s pride and perseverance to adhere to traditional ways of living over time has kept many of these cultures alive.
This incredible richness makes Pakistan one of the best destinations for culturally curious travellers who value deep learning experiences over hastily checking places off the list. It is perfect for slow travellers who are interested in exploring traditional ways of life instead of rushing through overly commercialised tourist destinations.
You may experience your greatest cultural shock in Pakistan – but you will not regret embarking on this eye-opening trip. And with great certainty, you will come back with much more than a suitcase full of colourful clothes and spices – you will come back with an entirely new worldview.
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7 Pakistani culture experiences for a life-changing trip
Here are just a few of the cultural experiences that will make your visit to Pakistan a life-changing trip.
1. Adorn yourself with traditional Pakistani clothes
When walking down the streets of any town in Pakistan, you will notice the majority of people wearing long shalwar kameez and women covered in colourful dupattas. Unlike in the majority of places nowadays, people in Pakistan stay loyal to local customs by wearing primarily traditional clothes in everyday life.
The most appropriate dress code for travellers is to adapt and wear local clothing as well.
It is very easy to find traditional or traditionally inspired clothes anywhere in the country. Head to a shopping mall for high-quality textiles with fixed prices or to a local bazaar for more unique pieces at negotiable prices.
And if you want to take your fashion game to the next level, consider exploring the traditional regional dresses from across the country and adorn yourself with Sindhi ajraks or Hunza caps.
Wearing local clothing will not only help you blend in during your trip to Pakistan, but it will also allow you to form a deeper connection with locals who love seeing foreigners embrace their cultural dress.
2. Immerse yourself in a local bazaar
One of the unmissable cultural experiences that every traveller should have when visiting Pakistan is immersing oneself in a local bazaar. These bustling marketplaces sell everything from live animals to electronics. They are the heart of every Pakistani town and village, and can be found on almost every corner.
In bazaars, travellers get to experience an authentic aspect of local life by shopping for colourful textiles and jewellery, sampling delicious street food, or simply squeezing their way through the crowded alleys filled with the smell of sizzling kebabs and fresh biryani.
Besides kebab (various types of grilled meat specialties) and biryani (spiced rice, usually mixed with meat), other delicious street foods in Pakistan include chana chaat (cold spiced chickpeas often mixed with potato), samosas (fried dough wrappers filled with a spicy mixture of potatoes, lentils, and other ingredients), and sweet potatoes baked on charcoal.
As yummy as these specialties can be, they are quite infamous for causing food poisoning in travellers and locals. Therefore, caution is advised!
Like in most markets in Asia, haggling is a must in Pakistani bazaars to avoid being overcharged. This is especially true for foreigners. It is best to visit the bazaar together with a local who knows the prices and is used to bargaining. Otherwise, a good tip is to suggest half of the price the vendor quotes and find a compromise from there.
It is also important to note that crowded bazaars can be quite uncomfortable places for women at times. Therefore, it is advised to visit with a male companion.
3. Explore one Of Pakistan’s numerous UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Thanks to its incredible cultural and historical richness, Pakistan has accumulated a number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites over the years.
The most remarkable UNESCO Site in Pakistan is probably the ancient city of Taxila, an archeological site just outside the modern-day capital of Islamabad that showcases the history of human settlement like few other places do.
Its earliest remains date back to the Neolithic Period. It was then ruled by multiple empires, including the Greeks, the Scythians, and the Parthians. The archeological complex of Taxila consists of three archeological sites and a museum that tourists can visit in exchange for an entrance fee.
If you are interested in witnessing the architectural marvels of the Mughal period, Lahore is the ultimate place to visit. The city was the capital of the Mughal Empire for nearly two decades, leaving behind many cultural gems, some of which have been declared UNESCO World Heritage as well, such as the Lahore Fort and the Shalimar Gardens.
Explore the rich heritage of Lahore by taking a rickshaw ride through the Old City and discover some of the region’s most stunning architecture.
And if you have some more time during your visit to Pakistan, plan a trip through the southern province of Sindh to witness the incredible marvels of Thatta and Mohenjo-daro.
4. Learn about regional Pakistani culture at the Lok Virsa Heritage Museum in Islamabad
As much as it might seem to you in the beginning, Pakistani culture is not a monolith. Across the country’s seven provinces and territories, you will find a huge variety of people who speak different mother tongues, follow different customs, and wear different clothes.
While all of these cultures are equally rich, only a few travellers have the luck to experience all of them during their trip.
This is where the Lok Virsa Heritage Museum in Islamabad comes in handy. This ethnographic museum is a must-visit place, even if you only have a day in Islamabad because it lets visitors experience almost all of Pakistan’s richness in one place.
During your visit, you will learn about different ethnic groups’ backgrounds, dresses, and traditional ways of living, and you’ll get the chance to shop for unique local crafts and clothing at the bazaar in front of the museum.
The museum frequently hosts special events where travellers get to explore Pakistan’s regional cultures even deeper by sampling different foods and meeting performers from across the country. Check the schedule here.
5. Enjoy traditional Pakistani music and dance performances
There is no doubt that some of the most important elements of Pakistan’s cultural heritage are passed on to generations in the form of music and dance.
Be it in the form of Sufi Islamic Qawwali, a type of religious devotional singing, or a traditional dance performance in the mountains of Gilgit-Baltistan, music and dance performances are great immersive travel experiences that help travellers appreciate the local culture with all their senses.
It is quite easy to find traditional music and dance performances across Pakistan. Cafes and restaurants in the big cities frequently host Qawwali nights, where you can enjoy a hot cup of chai while listening to beautiful spiritual music. Popular restaurants that frequently showcase live performances in Lahore are Dera and Karakkhel.
It is also easy to stumble across folkloristic dance performances in popular tourist destinations such as Hunza Valley or Fairy Meadows. Ask your hotel owner or guide to invite a group of local performers and enjoy traditional dances around the bonfire.
However, this does not go without a warning for female travellers: Always decline if performers ever ask you to join their dance. Unfortunately, it is still rare for women to dance around men in Pakistan and it can lead to harassment.
6. Stay with a local family
Staying with a local family is often considered the most immersive travel experience of all, and this could not be more true in Pakistan. Pakistanis are some of the most hospitable people in the world who treat every guest like a precious gift.
Staying with a local family will not only give you a deep insight into the local culture, but also impress you with the incredible kindness of the local people.
Getting invited to stay with a local family is unbelievably easy in Pakistan. In case you have not already been extended hospitality by a Pakistani friend, Couchsurfing is a guaranteed way to experience the country’s hospitality for yourself.
When staying with a local family, it is extremely important to be aware of certain cultural values. Pakistani hosts will undoubtedly try to fulfil all your wishes and offer you luxuries they would never indulge in themselves. Therefore, it is crucial to know one’s limits and keep declining generous offers as many times as possible.
Overall respectful and modest behaviour is also a must when staying with a local family. Leaving a small gift is a great way to express gratitude for your host’s hospitality.
7. Attend A Pakistani Wedding
Lastly, how could anyone leave Pakistan without attending a local wedding?
Just kidding… You can – but why would you want to miss out on all the fun and splendour when it’s so easy to get invited!?
Weddings are a huge deal in Pakistan. Whoever you meet on the road likely knows someone who is getting married next week. Families save for their entire lifetimes so that their daughter can have a wedding just as extravagant as the neighbour’s. There are vast communities for parents to arrange a rishta (match) for their children and when the day is near, wedding halls are flooded with relatives, friends, neighbours, and whoever else comes along.
Pakistani weddings generally consist of three to seven functions that stretch over multiple days, the most important ones being Nikkah (signing the marriage contract), Mehndi (henna painting with lots of sweets and dancing), Barat (the groom taking the bride home in a festive caravan), and Walima (post-wedding reception). The dress code is different for every ritual.
The best way to get invited to a wedding as a tourist is through local friends who might even lend you one of their festive dresses for the occasion. If you do not know anyone who is getting married, consider asking around in Facebook groups. If you’re lucky, you might even get invited by someone you meet on the road!
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Great read, when did you visit/Travel to Pakistan Emily, i dont remember seeing your Posts from Pakistan on your Instagram
Hi Jamil, thanks for your comment. This is a guest post by Samantha of Intentional Detours. You can find her bio at the top of the post and a link to her Instagram on her page – she has lots of wonderful photos from her time in Pakistan. Enjoy!