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Overview

Formerly known as North West Frontier Province (NWFP), the Khyber Pakhtunkhwah (KPK) province of Pakistan is a great tourist hotspot abundant in historic, religious, archaeological, and natural attractions. Swat, Kaghan, Chitral, and Kalash valleys are famous for adventure. Gandahara archaeological sites at GurKhattree (Peshawar), Takht-Bhai (Mardan), Seri Behlol (Mardan), Shabaz Gari (Mardan), Nimo Gram Buddhist Stupa (Swat), Julian (Taxila), rare collections of Gandahara art preserved at museums in Swat, Chakdara (Dir Lower), and Peshawar are archaeological sites are very eminent amongst archaeologists and Buddhists. The province is also rich in history and cultural heritage. Peshawar (the name given by the Mughal emperor Akbar in 16th century to ancient Pashpapura) and annexing regions had historically been the center of ancient civilizations with Peshawar acting as hub. It is now ranked as the oldest living city in South Asia. This claim is firmly grounded upon the significant findings (the discovery of 6th century silver punch-marked coins from the Government House Grounds in 1906 and the archaeological dig at Gor Khatri). From then onwards it came under the sway of many different influences and rulers namely Mauryans, Greeks, Scythians, Kushans, Sasanians, White Huns, Hindu Shahis, Ghaznavids, Slave Dynasty, Ghorids, Suri Afghans, Mughals Durrani Afghans, Sikh, and British before the creation of Pakistan.  Major destinations in the province are Peshawar, Swat Valley, Abtobbad,Chitral,SaifulMaluk, Kaghan/Naran and Galiyat

Map of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa