What is an obscure tourist location you think is underrated?

[_.]

Outside the U.S., Pakistan

It has incredible levels of natural beauty and striking diversity in geology of historical events, landmarks, and architecture, very hospitable people, and rich cultures and cuisines. They all are also extremely inexpensive places to visit for an American (barring the flight cost).



Lake Saif-ul-Malook in KPK



Mohenjo-Daro in Sindh



Derawar Fort



The capital city Islamabad



A view of the Badshahi Masjid in Lahore



Hingol National Park in Balochistan



The rightly named "Fairy Meadows" in Gilgit-Baltistan

Among many, many more places

There are disadvantages, though, for example, low infrastructure quality, as well as a lack of tourist culture. Many amenities that are basic in the Western world such as internet access and electricity are frequently lost. Also, a local guide is a must-have if you want to visit any part of the country if you have no prior connection.

The security situation has gotten much better in Pakistan over the last few years, so much so that civilian fatalities of terrorists have plunged by 95% since their peak in 2012, and the country is getting better by the day.


I also hear Iran, Turkey, and Central Asia are very great places to visit as well.

[_.]

Outside the U.S., Pakistan

It has incredible levels of natural beauty and striking diversity in geology of historical events, landmarks, and architecture, very hospitable people, and rich cultures and cuisines. They all are also extremely inexpensive places to visit for an American (barring the flight cost).



Lake Saif-ul-Malook in KPK



Mohenjo-Daro in Sindh



Derawar Fort



The capital city Islamabad



A view of the Badshahi Masjid in Lahore



Hingol National Park in Balochistan



The rightly named "Fairy Meadows" in Gilgit-Baltistan

Among many, many more places

There are disadvantages, though, for example, low infrastructure quality, as well as a lack of tourist culture. Many amenities that are basic in the Western world such as internet access and electricity are frequently lost. Also, a local guide is a must-have if you want to visit any part of the country if you have no prior connection.

The security situation has gotten much better in Pakistan over the last few years, so much so that civilian fatalities of terrorists have plunged by 95% since their peak in 2012, and the country is getting better by the day.


I also hear Iran, Turkey, and Central Asia are very great places to visit as well.

The additional cost of having one's family ransom you from kidnappers puts it out of most price ranges.

   The only thing that will be kidnapped from you are your misconceptions about the country.

Pakistan is much safer than it was ten years ago after military operations. Stay out of the bad areas, maintain a relatively low profile, and don't unnecessarily antagonize people, and you'll be fine. There have been only eleven kidnappings of foreigners in the last decade in the country (and only four in the last seven years, and this is out of hundreds of thousands of foreigners who visited the country (no way that list is missing people, every single individual case of kidnapping and ransom of foreigners gets absolutely blown up by the media, no pun intended; if it is missing people, I encourage you to put them on the list). You must have a massive ego if you think someone wants to kidnap you.


In fact, it's probably safer for foreigners than it is for local people, unfortunately, who are much more likely to face deplorable incidents such as forced conversions, disappearances etc. and do not get their deserved attention in the media.