A Day That Turned Strangers into Stories
Saiyah Travels’One-Day Cultural Journey Through the Heart of Peshawar
Some journeys are not measured in kilometers, they are measured in conversations, shared meals, silent moments of learning, and friendships formed unexpectedly.
On 20th December 2025, as the winter sun slowly rose over Islamabad, a group of people, most of them strangers to one another, gathered with one shared intention: to experience Peshawar, not just visit it.
At 7:30 AM, our journey began from Islamabad aboard a comfortable bus. There were hesitant smiles, polite hellos, and the quiet curiosity that always exists at the start of something new. No one knew that by sunset, these same strangers would be sharing stories, laughter, and memories that would stay with them far longer than the journey itself.
By 10:30 AM, the Peshawar city tour officially began, and with it, a deep dive into one of South Asia’s oldest living cities, guided, curated, and brought to life by Saiyah Travels.
Entering Peshawar Through History – Kabuli Gate
Our first steps into Peshawar were through Kabuli Gate, one of the historic gateways of the old walled city. Peshawar’s old walled city was surrounded by several main gates that served as entry points, though many have largely disappeared over time due to urban development, with restoration efforts announced in 2012.
Standing here, the group learned how this gate once welcomed traders, travelers, and scholars from across Central and South Asia. It was not just an entry point; it was a reminder that Peshawar has always been a meeting place of civilizations.
Stories, Tea & Timeless Conversations – Qissa Khwani Bazaar
From Kabul Gate, we moved into the legendary Qissa Khwani Bazaar, literally meaning “The Bazaar of Storytellers.”
Here, history doesn’t sit quietly in books, it speaks through tea cups, wooden benches, and old shopkeepers who have seen generations pass by. The bazaar, known as the “Piccadilly of Central Asia,” has been famous for its chai and kehwa houses where travelers and caravans gathered to exchange stories.
Notably, on 23 April 1930, it was the site of a massacre where British Indian Army troops fired on anti-colonial protesters, killing nearly 400 people (colonial records acknowledge around 200 deaths).
As the group gathered for traditional Peshawari kehwa, conversations naturally began to flow. Strangers shared stories, laughter replaced hesitation, and this was the moment when the journey truly became human.
Kehwa & Taj Soda – Small Sips, Deep Culture
No cultural experience in Peshawar is complete without its drinks. From steaming kehwa to the iconic Taj Soda, travelers tasted the everyday rituals of the city.
These simple pauses allowed everyone to observe local life: shopkeepers chatting, elders debating politics, and children weaving through crowds, showing how Peshawar lives loudly, proudly, and honestly.
Markets That Breathe Life – Chitrali & Sarafa Bazaars
Walking through Chitrali Bazaar, the group witnessed the colors of Pakhtun culture: caps, fabrics, handcrafted items, and small shops preserving traditions with pride. The bazaar is a destination for both tourists and locals, offering traditional apparel, jewelry, pottery, and textiles, including the iconic Chitrali caps crafted from wool in several styles and colors.
At Sarafa Bazaar, glittering jewelry shops reflected not just gold and silver, but the economic heartbeat of old Peshawar. Every alley had a story, every turn felt like stepping into another chapter of the city’s life. Travelers explored freely, admiring craftsmanship, discussing trade history, and learning how these markets preserve identity in a rapidly modernizing world.
Shah Rukh Khan’s Ancestral House – A Global Icon’s Roots
Tucked inside the narrow streets of old Peshawar stands the ancestral home of Shah Rukh Khan.
His paternal family has roots in the Shah Wali Qataal area of Qissa Khwani Bazaar, with relatives still living there as of 2010. His father, Meer Taj Mohammed Khan, was an Indian independence activist from Peshawar who campaigned alongside the Khudai Khidmatgar. His paternal grandfather, Mir Jan Muhammad Khan, was described as an ethnic Pashtun from Afghanistan, though the family speaks Hindko and originally came from Kashmir, settling in Peshawar centuries ago.
As the group gathered, the guide explained how this very city shaped families who later carried Peshawar’s spirit to global cinema. This wasn’t about celebrity worship, it was about understanding how Peshawar’s soil nurtured talent, resilience, and ambition long before fame crossed borders.
For many travelers, this stop created a quiet sense of pride: Peshawar doesn’t chase recognition — it produces it.
Kapoor Haveli – Where Cinema, Trade & Heritage Intersect
Just a short walk away, Kapoor Haveli unfolded a different yet equally powerful chapter of history. This historic residence once belonged to the Kapoor family, one of South Asia’s most influential cinematic dynasties.
- Built between 1918–1922 by Dewan Basheswarnath Kapoor
- Residential building with ~40 rooms
- Birthplace of Prithviraj Kapoor, Trilok Kapoor, and Raj Kapoor
- Auctioned in 1968 after Partition
- Damaged by earthquake; top three storeys removed
- Currently being converted into a museum
As travelers explored courtyards, wooden balconies, and architectural details, they learned how merchant families once lived, traded, and influenced culture from Peshawar outward. The architecture, balconies, and courtyards reflected a life deeply connected to community and trade.
Sarafa Bazaar – The Economic Pulse of Old Peshawar
At Sarafa Bazaar, gold and silver shimmered under narrow alleys. This market showed how trade shaped Peshawar’s economy and social life for generations.
The city’s famous Mahabat Khan Mosque, built in 1630 in the bazaar, was badly damaged and desecrated during Sikh rule, reflecting the turbulent history surrounding commerce and culture.
It was fast, crowded, and alive, exactly how Peshawar has always been.
Ghanta Ghar – The Clock That Watched Peshawar Evolve
Rising at a busy intersection, Ghanta Ghar (Cunningham Clock Tower, built in 1900) quietly observes Peshawar’s everyday life. It commemorates Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee and is also known as Chowk Yadgar.
Travelers learned how it once served as a central point for timekeeping and coordination. Even today, surrounded by traffic and commerce, it reminds visitors that Peshawar’s rhythm is shaped by continuity, not haste.
A Feast of Peshawar – Kabuli Pulao & Rosh
Food brings people together, and Peshawar takes this seriously. Over a traditional lunch of Kabuli Pulao and Rosh, strangers officially became friends. Plates were shared, recommendations exchanged, and laughter echoed across the table.
By now, the bus companions felt more like a small traveling family.
Spiritual & Cultural Depth – Wazir Khan Mosque
At Wazir Khan Mosque, the pace slowed. Travelers learned about Peshawar’s spiritual history, architectural simplicity, and the mosque’s role in community life. The mosque, built by Mughal governor Mohabbat Khan in 1630, remains one of Peshawar’s most iconic sights despite historical damage during Sikh rule.
Yadgar Chowk – A Symbol of Memory and Resilience
Yadgar Chowk (formerly Hastings Memorial) carries historical weight, honoring moments of resistance, sacrifice, and collective identity. Featuring the Cunningham Clock Tower, it serves as a central landmark in the old city.
Visitors learned how this square has witnessed political movements, public gatherings, and moments that shaped the city’s social fabric. Peshawar is built not only on bricks but on memory, courage, and endurance.
Sethi Muhalla & Sethi House – Living Heritage
During the trip, we got to know that Sethi Mohallah, a historic neighbourhood in Peshawar’s walled city, is renowned for its seven surviving havelis built by the wealthy Sethi merchant family between approximately 1800 and 1910 in a distinctive Central Asian style inspired by Bukhara. The Punjabi Muslim Sethi family, originating from Bhera, relocated near Peshawar in 1660 and settled in the city by 1730, amassing fortune through trade in indigo, spices, carpets, and goods extending to Russia and Central Asia until disrupted by the 1917 Russian Revolution.
These mansions feature intricate wooden carvings, painted ceilings, mirror work, courtyards with fountains for ventilation, and segregated sections, reflecting intelligent adaptation to climate and lifestyle.
One prominent Sethi House has been preserved as a heritage site open to visitors, offering a glimpse into Peshawar’s prosperous merchant era.
Walking through Sethi Muhalla and visiting the iconic Sethi House, travelers stepped inside the lives of Peshawar’s merchant families. The wooden carvings, ventilation systems, and courtyards revealed how architecture once responded intelligently to climate and lifestyle. These homes were not just buildings, they were living lessons in sustainability, trade, and family life.
These homes were living lessons in sustainability, trade, and family life.
Knowledge Beyond Expectations – Gor Khatri & City Museums
At the Gor Khatri Complex, layers of Buddhist, Mughal, and British history unfolded. Originally a sacred site for Hindu yogis and later associated with Sikh and Buddhist heritage, it revealed how deeply Peshawar connects to multiple civilizations.
The journey continued into the City Museum and Fire Brigade Museum, uncovering aspects of urban development, emergency services, and civic life. The Peshawar Museum, founded in 1907, features nearly 14,000 items and blends British, South Asian, Hindu, Buddhist, and Mughal Islamic architecture, with a renowned collection of Greco-Buddhist art.
A Voice from Australia – Marilyn’s Experience with Saiyah Travels | Peshawar Diary
One of the most special parts of this journey was sharing it with Marilyn, a traveler from Australia, visiting Peshawar after nearly 25 years.
“I live in Australia, but Peshawar has stayed with me for a very long time. I first visited this city years ago, and it left me with a wonderful feeling. It was raw, dusty, noisy, and full of people, but there was romance here. There was history. There was a deep vibrancy that I never forgot.
Coming back now, I can honestly say that the feeling is still here. Peshawar is a wonderful city, full of incredible places to see and explore. The people are kind, welcoming, and generous. We’ve just enjoyed a traditional Peshawari lunch, which was absolutely delicious, and I’ve spent the day visiting heritage buildings across the city.
I felt very safe throughout the journey and was looked after extremely well. From the local support to the overall care and planning, everything was handled beautifully. I’ve truly had a wonderful time exploring Peshawar with Saiyah Travels, and I’m very grateful for this experience.”
Her words perfectly captured what many in the group felt, Peshawar doesn’t just welcome you once; it calls you back.
From a Bus Ride to Lifelong Bonds with Saiyah Travels | Peshawar Diary
What began as a simple bus journey from Islamabad ended as something much bigger.
People who sat quietly at 7:30 AM were now exchanging numbers, planning future trips, and laughing like old friends. This is the magic of Saiyah Travels, carefully curated experiences where learning, comfort, safety, and human connection come together effortlessly.
The Best Part of this trip? All of This Happened in Just Rs. 4,950
✔ Transport from Islamabad
✔ Expert tour guide
✔ Traditional lunch
✔ Site tickets
✔ Peshawari kehwa & Taj Soda
✔ Photography
✔ A full day of culture, learning & connection
All for just Rs. 4,950.
Why This One-Day Peshawar Tour with Saiyah Travels Matters
Because it proves that:
- You don’t need weeks to understand a city
- You don’t need luxury to feel rich in experience
- And you don’t need familiarity to form real connections
Sometimes, all you need is one day, one city, and the right people to guide you.
Ready to Experience Peshawar the Saiyah Travels Way
If one day can create stories, friendships, and understanding, imagine what your journey could be. Join Saiyah Travels and experience Pakistan the way it’s meant to be explored.
