Punjab — the heart of Pakistan.
The land of five waters and five seasons, known for its fertility, colorful panorama and exquisitely serene and clean environment. Its waters have seen life die down for centuries. Its trees have embraced the wind that was fragrant by the immortal stories like Heer Ranjha, Sohni Mahiwal and Mirza Sahiban.
The soil that nurtured Sufi poets such as Baba Farid, Ali Hajveri, Bulhe Shah, Shah Hussain, Mian Muhammad Bakhsh, and Waris Shah.
Punjab has seen Budha starve to death and wander Guru Nanak in search of the truth. Its terrain has held the secrets of the Indus Valley civilizations along the Indus River in Harappa and many other undiscovered places.
The waters still sing here, the winds never forget to whisper and the rains know how to dance in Mon Soon.
So it is not a bad idea to visit this place that is endowed with mountains, rivers, planes, fruits, trees, artifacts, historical monuments and the largest salt mountain range in the world.
We are here to introduce the places worth visiting that can make you feel the glory and grandeur of almost every part of Punjab.
1. Taxila _A fragrance from the past
_A promise for the future
An important city of ancient Gandhara and a place that illuminated the Buddha and one of the largest archaeological sites that the world has today.
The Taxila ruins, scattered about 30 km from Rawalpindi, represent the historical value of more than 1000 years ago (around 500 BC to 500 AD). This place has the honor of having the best-known university in the world at that time offering subjects such as law, medicine, arts, etc.
In Taxila, several sites are scattered over a large area that encompasses; Bhir Mound, Dharmarajika, Buddhist Stupa and Monastery.
Also, remains of Sirsukh city, double-headed eagle sanctuary, Jandial temple, Sirsukh city and Jaulian Buddhist monastery, etc. can be found.
The Taxila museum is known for its Gandhara artifacts, a rare mix of Greek and Buddhist art. This museum also has a collection of ancient coins, utensils, jewelry, toys and ceramics that manifest the highlights of the lifestyle of ancient Taxila.
2. Harappa _ Rediscovering history
The Indus Valley civilization covers almost the exact area where Pakistan exists today. Mehrgarh in Balochistan, Mohenjo Daro in Sindh and Harappa in Punjab possess the secrecy of a common society.
Excavations have shown that around 3000 BC. C. Harappa was inhabited by nomadic tribes. The remains show a prosperous and comfortable life in that ancient era with an emphasis on sanitation and everyday facilities. This land has trade relations with Egypt, the other developed civilization of the ancient world.
The archaeological museum at the entrance of the site can take you into the wonderful world of the past through found artifacts.
The Salt Mountain Range _ An Evaporated Sea
Without a doubt, it is a geologist’s dream with a variety of minerals and rocks. Of great natural beauty, this area varies in height between 750 and 1500 meters and the climate is notably cooler in summer. The largest salt mine in the world, Khewra, also exists here. On the other hand, Kallar Kahar with its salt lake and orchard, centuries-old Hindu temples in Ketas and places of pilgrimage are impressive.
This is the sea that stretched over the Indus Plain and the Potowar Plateau that evaporated 600 million years ago. The rocks and fossils at this site provide the missing links in the earth’s history. Around Khewra in Nandna, the famous Muslim traveler and historian al-Beruni measured the circumference of the earth during the 11th century.
3. Jhelum _The land of the mighty
Jhelum is located at the base of the Potowar Range, overlooking the endless green fields of Punjab. Alexander the great crossed the river in this place and fought with Raja Poras, to whom the famous quote relates, when he replied to Alexander:
“As a king would treat a king”
The famous Rohtas Fort, built by Sher Shah Suri is also located here, which still stands tall against all odds. The people here are adorably hospitable and seek to welcome you with warmth and fervor.
Mangla, one of the largest dams in the world, was also built on the Jhelum River.
4. Bahawalpur _Reminder of a glorious past
The princely state of Bahawalpur, founded in 1748 by Nawab Bahawal Khan Abassi. Located on the outskirts of the city of Multan, Bahawalpur is the gateway to the largest desert; Cholistan. It is quite green in nature but towards the south, the soil becomes sandy. This area is dotted with many tourist places like; Lal Sohanra National Park and the famous Uchh Sharif sanctuary. The blue mosaics of the ruined tombs of Uchh Sharif recall the glorious past. Among them is the 15th century octagonal tomb of Bibi Jawindi.
The Bhong Mosque is another important historical monument, known as the most ostentatious mosques in Pakistan.
5. Cholistan _Gateway to Adventure
Spread out in the extreme south of Punjab, Cholistan is the largest desert in Pakistan with an area of 25,000 square meters. Km
It touches the Thar desert in the south and the Rajhastan desert in the east. About 1000 years ago, Cholistan was a fertile plain watered by the Gaggar River (now called Hakra in Pakistan), archaeologists have discovered 400 ancient inhabited sites, mostly dating back to the Indus Valley civilization. In the middle of the desert, there is Fort Drawar with huge walls and numerous buttresses. Nearby is the elegant Drawar Mosque, the exact replica of the Red Fort Moti Masjid in Delhi. About 45 km south of Drawar Fort is the Channan Pir sanctuary, an important pilgrimage center in the desert.
6. Multan _the Land of Mystics
Multan — probably the oldest surviving city in Southwest Asia. All the invaders, from Alexander to the Mughals to the British, have fought for control of the city of Multan. This city has a unique characteristic of housing tombs and saints, more than any other place in the world. Tall shrines made of brick, stone and wood add to the serenity of this place. The shrines of Shah Rukn e-Alam, Hazrat Bahaudin Zikirya and Shah Shams Tabrez are the most famous and visited. The galaxy of mosques and mausoleums of Multan, speaks eloquently of the grandeur and sublimity of this great city. Stylistic and glazed blue pottery is a prominent feature of Multan arts and crafts.
7. Lahore _Bastion of the Mughal Spirit
Today’s famous metropolitan city and provincial capital, has a lot to talk about in history. It contains in its bustling bazaars, historical monuments and narrow streets, the heritage of hundreds of years, the culture of the royal tradition and the force of spiritism.
The Hazrat Ali Hajver shrine known as Data Darbar welcomes everyone at the entrance of the city, while the culture of the walled city still captures the close relationship between the people.
Lahore was founded by Loh, the son of Rama Chandra, however Lahore’s recorded history dates back to 1021 AD when Lahore was conquered by Mahmood Ghaznavi, who made it the capital of his Ghaznavi Empire. Then the Mughals gave so much importance to this city, giving it the famous architecture in the form of gardens, mosques, tombs and the famous Fort. Shahjehan’s Shalamar Garden and Aurangzeb’s Badshahi Mosque are emblems of the great history that this city has. Jahangir and Nur Jehan are also buried here. Anarkali Bazar, Toligton Market, Lahore Museum and Punjab University (old campus) are jewels of the famous Mall Road (Thandi Sarak). The British introduced a combination of Mughal, Gothic and Victorian architectural styles here.
Lahore offers much more than just monuments, a variety of art galleries, museums, theaters, and shopping galleries along with cool tree-lined avenues, lush green gardens, fountains, and modern high-rise buildings.
8. Muree _ Rediscovering nature
The most popular and developed hill station in Pakistan. Standing at 7,500 feet, Muree is cool and crisp in both summer and winter. This area is rich in towering pines, on long summer days; you could lazily stroll or ride ponies along the shady path of the Mall between Kasmir and Pindi Points.
There are the Gallies with their charming red-roofed chalets covered in snow in winter and amid fragrant pine trees. Muree, a gem of a hill station, sits in the shadow of snow-capped peaks.
9. Nankana Sahib _Janam Isthan
Nankana Sahib, located 39 km southwest of Sheikhupura, is an important pilgrimage site. There are two main Sikh or Gurdwaras temples here. Ba Lila, where Guru Nanak, the founder of the Sikh religion, spent his childhood and Janamasthan, where he is believed to have been born. Three times a year in Besakhi (April), the anniversary of Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s death (June) and Guru Nanak Dev’s birthday (November), thousands of Sikh yatris visit these holy sites.
10. Rawalpindi _Base camp to Adventure
Rawalpindi, a twin city of Islamabad, is the gateway to the historic Silk Road. It presents a stark contrast to the city of Islamabad. It is the base camp for thrill exhibitors from around the world who buckle up here for the world’s most exciting and treacherous peaks. Rawalpindi is famous for its strong military cantonment, the city bazaars; Raja, Sarafa and Muree road. Furthermore, the historic Liaqat Bagh is located in the heart of the city.
