Murree

Murree is a popular hill station and a summer resort, especially for the residents of Islamabad, and for the cities of the province of Punjab, Pakistan. Murree is known as the "Queen of the hills" (Malika-e-kohsar). At 2,100 meters above sea level, Murree is only an hour's drive northeast of Islamabad, The Capital city of Pakistan.

Murree is one of the largest resort towns in the Galyat area of Pakistan, and is the capital city of Murree tehsil (which is an administrative division of the Rawalpindi District). It adjoins the proposed tehsil of Circle Bakote in the Abbottabad region. During the British Raj, its altitude was originally established at 7,000 feet, but its present accepted altitude is 2,300 m (7,500 ft) above sea level. It's cold pine forests, amidst magnificent mountain scenery, makes it the first choice for a day's outing from the capital. The Galis are a string of hill resorts along the ridge between Murree and Abbottabad, situated on the Karakoram Highway. Hiking is the favourite passtime beacuse the valley offers a variety of walks.

Murree is accessible by road from the centre of the Islamabad/Rawalpindi area. It is still associated with Britain; many British fruits (including cherries, raspberries and strawberries) thrive locally. There is a church, built in 1857, located at the centre of the town, which is still used as a place of worship. Many houses around the church are still standing, functioning mostly as hotels. Old traditional restaurants have been replaced by fast food shops and newer restaurants. Some old places of accommodation, such as the Rich Villa Inn and Gulberg Hotel, have completely disappeared. A typical hotel usually provides a motel type accommodation with breakfast and communication access. Newly built hotels are also accessible.

Murree has expanded since 1947 at a rate much greater than that which its infrastructure can sustain. Securing water and electricity supplies has been a constant challenge. The jam-packed bazaar has caught fire a number of times in the last century, and the growth of tourism and a construction boom have left bare hills in their wake.

Tourism

Tourism Industry plays an important role in the economy of any region. Murree is home to some international standard hotels and restaurants including Pearl continental hotel (PC hotel) in bhurban , the other popular hotels include Crystal Palace hotel, Brightland hotel, Cecil hotel, Grand Heights hotel and many more.visitors from all over Pakistan especially from Karachi, Lahore, Faisalabad, peshawar and other major cities rush in Hot weather. Not only Pakistanis but also foreigner holiday makers from all over the world visit this popular hill station.

They are a series of wonderful Hill-resorts on the ridge between Murree and Abbottabad and are more attractive than other cities. The main tourist stay on this road is the town of Nathia Gali and the resort of Ayubia. Nathia Gali is known as the City of Fog for it can get very foggy here. The usual definition of fog doesn't stand here. Fog means visibility reduced to 1 km here fog mean visibility reduced to a few feet. Also, this area receives the highest rainfall in Pakistan and it always seems to be raining here (which is very good). But the main beauty of this area isn't high mountains, it's the greenery. Lush green hills and mountains with wonderful pine trees. The wild life of this area is pretty good. There is no place in this area where you won't find monkeys, real free monkeys. They are everywhere, in your hotel lobby windows, in the open barbecue, on the road; just everywhere you cannot miss them. The area is just brilliant with good hotels and all facilities. By the way, it can get pretty cool out here even in the summers so bring something warm.

Snowfall

In winter, Murree hides herself under thick blanket of snow. Which proves to be an extremely attractive vacation spot for traveler, a great gift for them. It is extremely a great fun amongst Punjabis escaping the heat of the plains in summer and gets too crowded for comfort during late May to early September, especially at weekends. To beat the crowds and still enjoy the walks, the best time to go to Murree is during April-May and September-October.

Kashmir point

Murree spreads along the top of a ridge for about five kilometres (three miles). At the northeast end, is the famous Kashmir point, which views across the valley of the Jehlum River into Azad Kashmir. At the southwest end resides the Pindi Point, looking back towards Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Between the two, runs The Mall, at the center of which, lies the main Shopping area where most people congregate. Numerous roads leave The Mall and either follow the contours of the ridge or descend to the principal road.

Promenading and shopping are Murree's main amusements, riding the new chair-lifts; one from Bansara Gali (below murree) to Pindi Point, the other to the top of Patriata hill (on the road to Karor)are hot tourist attractions. Both rides cost about Rs. 50 and take half an hour with a change from open chair-lift to the enclosed bubble in the middle.

Good buys in Murree are Kashmiri shawls, furs, walking sticks, fruits and nuts. Murree's pistachio nuts are reputed to be the best in Pakistan. An American journalist Camile wrote, that, "Everything and Anything can happen in Murree. Romance is in the atmosphere intrigue is in the air. The roads to this happy holiday's resort embrace both the heaven and earth. In Murree it is easy to fall in love".