TAXILA :

The most important archaeological site, a satrapy of modern empire, Taxila is 35 km north of Islamabad. For over one thousand years, Taxila remained famous as a centre of learning Gandhara art of sculpture, architecture, education and Buddhism in the days of Buddhist glory. There are the three distinct cities, which are nicely excavated and preserved in Taxila. Bhir Moundn was established around sixth century B.C; the Sirkap city, built around the 2nd century B.C., is on the opposite side of Tamara stream; and finally Sirsukh, built by Kushan kings in the first century A.D., is the most modern city of all. There are over 50 archaeological sites scattered in a radius of 30 kms around Taxila. Some of the most important sites are; Dhamarajika Stupa and Monastery (300 BC - 200 AD), Bhir Mound (600-200 BC), Sirkap (200 BC - 600 AD), Jandial Temple (c.250 BC) and Jaulian Monastery (200 - 600 AD).

HARAPPA :

Harappa is the site of an ancient and important settlement of the prehistoric Indus Valley civilization dating from 3rd to 2nd millennium B.C. Thus, it stands witness to the 5000-year-old cultural continuity of civilization in Pakistan. Harappa is located about 200 Km from Lahore and about 30 km from Sahiwal. Harappa was the cradle of one of the earliest civilizations known to man and conjures up images of fifty centuries ago, a period about which very little is known. The visitor can also visit the interesting and well-maintained museum at the Harappa site that houses artifacts found in the area.

MOHENJO-DARO :

Mohenjo-daro (Mound of the Dead) is one of the earliest and the most developed urban civilizations of ancient world. Discovered in 1922, it is situated on the West Bank of the river Indus. It forms a part of the Indus River civilization of Harappa. The Indus River civilization flourished from somewhere third till the middle of second millennium B.C. before it vanquished from the world.
Mohenjo-daro looks like a planned, organized and master architecture of urban settlement. The city has a separate area for Administration/ state, a rich residential area, Industrial area and an area for poor or workers. All the streets present an excellent grid system and were maintained with covered drainage, dustbins and market places. Through the discovery of coins and potteries, archeologists believe that trade and cultural links existed between Mohenjo-daro and the contemporary civilizations of Mesopotamia and Egypt.

HUND EXCAVATIONS :

Hund, the ancient city of Embolima, is believed to be founded by Alexander the Great. Located 80 km away from Peshawar on the western bank of the Indus River, Hund is also famous for being the birthplace of the celebrated Sanskrit grammarian, Panini. In the 7th century A.D., many Chinese pilgrims visited Hund, as it was a revered place for the Buddhists of the period. Later in its history, it was made the capital of Gandhara by Hindu Shahi kings. In the beginning of the 11th century, Sultan Mahmud of Ghazni conquered Hund. One can visit the remnants of this once famous city; floods have washed some of it away. Among the remains numerous coins belonging to the Indo-Scythion and Hindu Shahi Rulers, jewelry and other articles of immense historical value have been found.

TAKHT-I-BAHI :

The Buddhist monastic complex of Takht-i-Bahi (Throne of Origins) was founded in the early 1st century. It is located about 80 kms from Peshawar and 16 kms northwest of the city of Mardan. Its position on the crest of a high hill, helped it to escape successive invasions and is still exceptionally well preserved. Nearby are the ruins of Sahr-i-Bahlol, a small fortified city of nearly the same period. The ruins of an ancient Buddhist monastery are situated on the top of a 500 feet high hill.
This site has produced fragmentary sculptures in stone and stucco that indicate the highly developed sculptural sense of their creators. The design and arrangement of the range of small shrines, which surrounds the main stupa-court, is most remarkable. The group of buildings unearthed after archeological excavations at Takht-i-Bahi include; the court of many Stupas, the monastery, the main stupa, the assembly hall, the low-level chambers, the courtyard, the court of three stupas, the wall of colossi and the secular building.