Chinese tourists visit museum, historic sites in Peshawar

PESHAWAR: A 15-member delegation of tourists from China on Tuesday visited the Peshawar Museum and other historic places in the city.

The delegation comprising men and women evinced a keen interest in the findings and discoveries of Buddhism and Buddhist heritage. The officials of the Tourism Corporation Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (TCKP) welcomed the Chinese tourists.

They briefed the visiting dignitaries on the archaeological sites in Peshawar, Buddhism, a gallery of Buddhist statues, antiques and artefacts. The officials said there were over 6,000 archaeological and heritage sites in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where research was being carried out to revive these sites properly. "The followers of Buddhism would find a treasure trove of Buddhist statues and heritage after thorough research and revival of these sites," the officials told the delegation. They said that the visit of foreign tourists was meant to highlight the importance of heritage and archaeological sites related to Buddhism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa besides promoting religious tourism in the province.

The KP government has taken a number of steps for attracting foreign tourists, scholars and researchers to the province, the delegation was told. The officials said a comprehensive policy had been evolved for preserving and protecting the archaeological sites and places in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. They informed the tourists about the initiatives being taken for carrying out the excavation on archaeological sites along modern techniques and methods. The officials mentioned the latest discoveries and the rich Gandhara heritage in various parts of the province.

"The government is giving top priority to repair, renovation and preservation of archaeological heritage, and historical buildings in the province," the officials said. They said that a plan had been chalked out to protect and preserve all ancient places and building in a proper manner.

They hoped that the visit would provide an opportunity to the visiting tourists to share experiences and knowledge with archaeologists and researchers, which could be beneficial for excavations on archaeological sites and historic buildings. The delegation visited historic Masjid Mahabat Khan, Qissa Khwani Bazaar, Andar Shehr, Ghanta Ghar, Chowk Yadgar and other sites in the city.

The visitors said that Peshawar was a historic and safe city. They said the people of Peshawar and elsewhere in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were hospitable and friendly.