THE PAKGHAN SERIES, DAY 15 – 17
PESHAWAR
Pakistan’s most insane city. I have been told many things about Peshawar, and the amount of unique experiences to be had is incredible.
Often referred to as the most famous city in Pakistan for its raw culture and intensity, Peshawar is unlike anywhere else I have visited.
POUND FOR POUND, PESHAWAR HAS TO HE ONE OF THE MOST UNIQUE CITIES I HAVE VISITED.
The town is just 30 minutes from the border of Afghanistan and is the gateway to the tribal areas beyond, giving Peshawar city, Pakistan, its reputation as both historic and extreme.
WHERE IS PESHAWAR?
Peshawar
BUS STATION
I never expected a bus station to be on my list of attractions here in Pakistan, but the buses are worth seeing. They have to be the most colourful and unique buses in the world, and every one of them is different. Don’t get me wrong, they look cool, but I could not imagine sitting in one for any longer than I needed to; no windows, no AC, and very cramped when at capacity!
Pakistan’s most insane city
$0.25 STREET MASSAGE
After bumping my way around Pakistan, it was time to get the famous Peshawar street massage, all for the low price of 0.25 cents! I’m sure lying on this old cloth and pillow was not the most hygienic, but I could have still lain there for hours!
It seems that some food I ate, or possibly the AC in the Islamabad hotel, has tipped me over the edge. Out of all the things that could have finished me here in Pakistan, it was AC 🤦🏻♂️
Pakistan’s most insane city
SMUGGLER’S MARKET
After an hour in bed, we headed to the outskirts of Peshawar towards the border of Afghanistan. This market is famous for old military goods smuggled over the border. Many of these goods would have been stolen from convoys or sold by the US military in exchange for drugs (allegedly). I wasn’t surprised at the knives or knuckle dusters on show, but for sure the amount of viagra and penis enlargement cream on offer!
Pakistan’s most insane city
CHEAPEST HOTEL
What do you think the cheapest hotel in the world is? $10/night? $5/night? No, you can stay in this place, right in the centre of Peshawar, for the grand total of $0.50! I have stayed in some interesting places, but this one takes it. Not only is it outside, but the sheets and pillows don’t look like they’ve been washed too often.
Pakistan’s most insane city
RELATED READ: THE MOST INSANE WATERFIGHT IN THE WORLD
DAY 16, ROOFTOP RIDER
After getting my visa for Afghanistan, it was time to tick another thing off the bucket list: riding on the roof of a bus. I did it in Karachi with my dad, but I wanted to stay up a little longer, and it was incredible and insanely dangerous! This is where the students sit, as it’s often free.
SNUFF & CHAPLI
Being a tribal city, Peshawar has a unique way of consuming some products. This includes snuff, a form of ground tobacco mixed with ash and water to form a type of resin. I was shocked at the response of some locals when I said I wanted to try some, so I eventually decided against it.
Chapli is a very popular form of kebab, but fried. I’ll stick to the BBQ kebab!
GYPSY CAMP
On our way back into the city, we stopped of at a gypsy camp, some of the most horrendous living conditions I have seen. These people have been moving around the region most of their lives as the seasons change. Seeing kids and adults clearly unwashed for months, wearing clothes you wouldn’t have cleaned your floor with, was hard to stomach. Although it was to get worse later.
HASHISH
One thing I didn’t expect was to come across religious elders hanging around smoking Hashish, and it wasn’t a one-off. These “sufis” come here every day to smoke hashish together. I was all for trying some until I got a sniff of the stuff, and it nearly knocked me out.
DAY 17, GUN FACTORY
This morning started in a gun factory, just your standard Saturday morning in Peshawar. Every part of manufacturing happens within these four walls. I have never considered the precision and attention to detail in building these weapons.
Everyone has their own job, whether it’s the main body, the barrel, or the trigger, all designed with absolute accuracy. The workers are of all ages, most highly skilled and experienced. Some are as old as 60, and others are just starting at 15.
Most guns are remodels of famous brands for a twentieth of the price. Some real models fetch up to $3000 but are sold here for just $80!
AFGHAN REFUGEE CAMP
This was horrendous. Ever since it was clear the Taliban were going to gain control of Afghanistan, many 1000s of Afghans fled across the border into Pakistan. Although with the poor economic situation in Pakistan, there were no homes or jobs available to meet even the demand of the locals, never mind the influx of refugees.
Those who were lucky enough set up refugee camps, and although they could be called home, the living conditions are as bad as I have ever seen. Surrounded by rubbish and cow manure, the people here are living with animals. This goes to show the situation in Afghanistan, as people are fleeing into Pakistan (or all places) in search of better opportunities.
TODAY’S INSIDER TIPS FOR TRAVELING IN PAKISTAN
- Peshawar city, Pakistan, can feel overwhelming at first—move slowly and let locals guide interactions.
- Markets connected to the Peshawar gun factory areas are sensitive; always ask before taking photos.
- Expect extreme contrasts: hospitality, chaos, history, and hardship often exist on the same street.
- Dress modestly and confidently—respect goes a long way in what many consider the Paristan city of Pakistan.
- Not everything here is comfortable, but that’s what makes it one of the most famous things in Pakistan for raw travel experiences.
TODAY’S YOUTUBE VIDEOS
If you want to see today from a different perspective, and catch a few different stories from the front row, then check out today’s YouTube videos below.
FINAL THOUGHTS
That’s pretty much it from Pakistan, what a place and what incredible people, possibly the friendliest I have met!
SAFE TRAVELS, DS x
172/229
NEXT UP
A wild experience crossing the border into Afghanistan and the Tora Bora Caves!! Click to read.
This post is part of the Pakghan Series, for the entire series click here or for episode 1, click here.
To see a different side of my trip head to my social channels; YouTube, Instagram & TikTok. Links at top of the page.
Question Time
- How does Peshawar sound as travel destination to you?
- You think you could travel Pakistan without the sh*ts?
Let me know in the comments below . . .
