Founded as a hill station by the British in 1851, Murree was the summer headquarters of the government of Punjab until 1876, when the honour was transferred to Simla. Murree remained, however, a little bit of England, complete with The Mall for promenading, parks, churches, schools, clubs and cafes. Since independence, Murree has once again become the summer retreat of the governor of Punjab and, since Islamabad became the capital of Pakistan in 1962, has expanded rapidly.
Murree is lovely all year round.  In summer it is cool - even chilly in the evening - and rain is common.  In winter, the snow is piled high along the sides of the streets.  But it is extremely popular with Punjabis escaping the heat of the plains in summer, so is too crowded for comfort from late May to early September, especially at weekends.  To beat the crowds and still enjoy the walks, the best time to go in April-May and September-October.
Murree spreads along the top of a ridge for about five kilometres (three miles).  At the north-east end is Kashmir Point, with views across the valley of the Jhelum River into Azad Kashmir.  At the south-west end is Pindi Point, looking back towards Rawalpindi and Islamabad.  Between the two runs The Mall, at the centre of which is the main shopping area, where most people congregate.  Numerous roads leave.  The Mall and either follow the contours of the ridge or descend to the principal road.  Promenading and shopping are Murree's main amusements, or riding in the new chair-lifts, one from Bansara Gali (below Murree) to Pindi Point, the other to the top of Patriata hill (on the road to Karor); both rides cost about Rs. 50 and take half an hour with a change from open chair-lift to the enclosed bubble in the middle.
Good buys in Murree are Kashmiri shawls, furs, walking sticks, fruits and nuts.  Murree's pistachio nuts are reputed to be the best in Pakistan.

Bhurban

Bhurban is a minor resort eight kilometers (five miles) from Murree on the road leading north-east to Kohala and the Jhelum Valley.  The golf course here is open only to members.  From near the Pearl Continental hotel you can take one of the many delightful paved walks through the woods.

The Galis

Nathiagali

Perhaps the most sought out is the beautiful Nathiagali perched 2501 metres high about 32 km away from Murree.  The bracing air of the surrounding mountains is as pure as fresh spring water.

Ayubia

Khairagali, Changlagali, Khanspur and Ghora Dhaka, these four mini resorts spread over an area of 26 km have been developed into a resort complex called Ayubia.  In addition to riding trails, hiking places and picnic spots, Ayubia has a chair lift, which like a ski-lift, takes you up to the summit of the nearby range for a panoramic view of the forested hills.  Ayubia is 26 km from Murree. 

Dungagali

Dungagali is a picturesque small resort situated on the slopes of the Mukshpuri hill (2376 m.).  It commands a charming view of a series of wooded spurs projecting towards the river Jhelum on the western side.  From Dungagali one can climb the 2813 m peak of Mukhshpuri, which is the highest point in the range.  Natural springs abound on the slopes.  It is 30 km from Murree.

Khairagali

It is 16 km from Murree at an elevation of 2346 m and commands a panoramic view on either side of the ridge.

Changlagali

It is 16 km from Murree at an altitude of 2559 m.  There is a rest house located in the most picturesque surroundings.

Patriata

25 km from Murree.  The TDCP has developed a new tourist resort at Patriata.  There is chairlift and cable car system which takes visitors upto Patriata Ridge in two stages from Gulehra Gali.  The first stage is by chair lift up to Patriata Bazaar.  From here visitors transfer to cable car gondolas for the ride up to Patriata Ride.  A restaurant has also been established. Further plans include development of a wildlife park at the mid-station.

Abbottabad

Abbottabad 116 km from Rawalpindi and 217 km from Peshawar is a small neat and clean town in a spacious valleys surrounded by green hills.  It is a popular summer resort, located at the end of Murree-Abbottabad hill tract at a height of 1255 metres, noted for its verdant parks, gardens, golf course and pine covered hills.

Abbottabad, apart from being famous for its educational institutions and Military Academy, also serves as the gateway to almost all beautiful places in Pakistan.

The formidable Karakorams, the enchanting HImalayas and the deadly Hindukush, can also be approached from Abbottabad.

Though the importance of the city has been diminished a little by the completion of Karakoram Highway because, in the past, the only track available to reach Karakoram was through Babusar Pass, which in its turn, could only be approached through Abbottabad.

In spite of this development, the city continues to be a transit city for the tourists.  Abbottabad is the junction from where one can go to places like Hunza, Gilgit, Skardu and Indus Kohistan, of the Karakoram Range.  One can reach Swat, Swati Kohistan, Dir and Chitral of the Hindukush Range. And one can approach Naran, Saif-ul-Muluk, Shogran and Babusar Pass of the Himalayan Range.  Neelum, Lipa and Jhelum Valley of beautiful Azad Kashmir are also connected through Abbottabad.

While other hill stations are deserted during winter this place has visitors due to the bracing winter.  The place has beautiful gardens, Jinnah Garden, Ladies Garden and another garden maintained by the Cantonment Board.  To the splendid stretch of turf with plenty of room for polo, football, hockey and golf. At the back of the station to the west is the Brigade Centre, ideal for walks and picnic.

The Cantonment area of Abbottabad is still very British. The European bungalows, the club, the church and cementery are still there.

Abbottabad is an hour's drive from Nathia Gali, the summer capital of the North West Frontier Province, which is from Nathia Gali to Abbottabad is about 34 km dropping steeply through the beautiful valleys with few trees to the river bed.

Thandiani

As the name indicates, Thandiani, is supposed to be coldest among the hill stations of Pakistan.  the approach to Thandiani 2691 metres above sea level, is from Abbottabad, the gateway to almost all the beautiful places in the north.  Thandiani can also be reached from the Murree-Nathiagali route, but it takes more time and the road is too winding.

Thandiani is 31 km from main Abbottabad city and 25 km from Thandiani-Nathiagali crossing. the drive takes more or less 80 minutes from Abbottabad with lovely views on both sides of the road.  The road spans more than 1219 m above Abbottabad. On the way along with tall majestic pine trees you come across groups of monkeys.  The major place on the way is Kalapani at 23 km from Abbottabad. It has a beautiful local dak bungalow.  Hule Ka Danna is about two kilometres north of Thandiani. It is one of the most beautiful glades in the region.

Thandiani offers lush green lovely views.  At night the lights of Hazara District and Azad Kashmir are clearly visible.  To the east beyond the Kunhar River, may be seen the snow covered mountain ranges of Kashmir, to the north and north-east, the mountains of Kohistan and Kaghan are sighted, to the north-west are snowy ranges of Swat and Chitral.