South Asia's Hidden Gem--Islamabad Pakistan

🍴Food Recs ✔️ Chargha: Deep-fried marinated whole chicken, best paired with mint yogurt sauce (most authentic at Jinnah Super Market). ✔️ Nihari: Slow-cooked beef shank breakfast, perfect with naan. ✔️ Peshawari Ice Cream: Century-old shop, don’t miss the saffron flavor. 📸Instagram Hotspots ▫️ Japanese Cherry Blossom Park: Pink blooms + snowy mountain backdrop in March, . ▫️ Lok Virsa Museum: Vibrant painted truck walls, perfect for cultural-themed shots. 💡Travel Hacks ✅ Safety: Heavily patrolled by police/military, but avoid slum areas alone. ✅ Currency: 1 CNY ≈ 40 PKR, exchange at Al-Falah Bank for best rates. ✅ Internet: Zong’s 4G SIM cards have the best coverage (guides can help purchase). ✨Hidden Gems ▪️ Weekend Antique Market: Hunt for Kashmiri cashmere scarves (haggle hard!). ▪️ Islamabad Club: Rub shoulders with the elite while watching polo matches. ⚠️Taboos ✖️ Photographing military personnel may lead to interrogation (especially near the Presidency). ✖️ Alcohol is banned in public; even hotel bars require discretion. #Islamabad#Pakistan#Lok Virsa Heritage Museum#trip diary#travel guide#Pakistan guide#South Asia