Islamabad travel attractions.

I spent two days in Islamabad, visiting the Natural History Museum, Heritage Museum, National Monument, and Faisal Mosque. At the museum, I met a group of Pakistani students who kept taking photos with me. It felt like I was back in India and Iran, with enthusiastic people coming and going, and I was smiling so much that my face was stiff. It's worth mentioning that museum tickets are 6–10 times more expensive for foreigners, but even so, the prices are not high. ✅ There isn't much to see at the Natural History Museum and Heritage Museum. The Natural History Museum is large (PKR 500), with specimens of various animals, birds, and insects from the basement to the third floor. I was particularly interested in the minerals and geology section. The Heritage Museum (PKR 1,000) mainly showcases traditional Pakistani handicrafts and culture, with many modern popular mannequin scene reconstructions, as well as Tang Sancai, Terracotta Warriors, porcelain, and other exhibits related to the Chinese Silk Road. I think the most worth seeing are actually the various doors outside the museum, which are probably taken from ancient buildings and embedded in the walls for people to admire. ✅ Faisal Mosque is the national mosque of Pakistan, the largest mosque in South Asia, and the sixth largest mosque in the world. It was funded by the late King Faisal of Saudi Arabia, hence the name. Unlike traditional domed mosques, Faisal Mosque is octagonal, like a giant desert tent. The exterior walls are made of white marble, and the interior is decorated with mosaics. There is not a single column in the prayer hall, and all the weight is borne by the four minarets, which is a very clever design. ✅ The Pakistan National Monument is located on a small hill and has a grand and elegant shape, consisting of four large petals and three small petals. The four large petals symbolize the four provinces of Pakistan: Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa; the three small petals symbolize the three territories of Pakistan: the Northern Areas, Azad Kashmir, and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas. There is also a small pentagonal obelisk in front. Visiting here is free, but the museum costs PKR 600. The museum has many scene pictures, mainly telling the story of the Mughal Empire, as well as pictures of the Taj Mahal and the events of the independence of India and Pakistan, and information about the first president of Pakistan. ✅ In Islamabad, I mainly used the Indrive taxi app to get around, costing about PKR 500–800, or about CNY 13–20. There are also buses. Islamabad has a BRT line to Rawalpindi, the only BRT line in Pakistan, and another line to the airport. However, there are no direct buses to these attractions. I hope this guide will help you better explore the charm of Islamabad! ✨