Type of Attraction: Sightseeing, Landmarks
Activities: Shopping, Kids rides, Hiking, Movies
Check-ins: Wagah Border, Badshahi Mosque, Lahore Guided tours, Lahore Fort, Emporium Mall, Masjid Wazir Khan, Minar-e-Pakistan, Army Museum, Shalamar Bagh, Tomb of Jahangir, MM Alam Road, Lahore food street, Anarkali Bazar, Lahore Zoo
Lahore
Location: The city is located in the central-east of the country in the upper Indus plain on the Ravi River, near the border to India’s province Himachal Pradesh.
Importance: Lahore, is the second largest city in Pakistan and the capital of Punjab province. Hindu legend attributes the founding of Lahore to Lava, or Lōh, son of Rāma, for whom it is said to have been named Lōhāwar. The city has had a turbulent history. It was the capital of the Ghaznavid dynasty from 1163 to 1186. A Mongol army sacked Lahore in 1241. During the 14th century, the city was repeatedly attacked by the Mongols until 1398 when it fell under the control of the Turkic conqueror Taimur. In 1524 it was captured by the Mughal Bābur’s troops. This marked the beginning of Lahore’s golden age under the Mughal dynasty when the city was often the place of royal residence. It was greatly expanded during the reign of Shāh Jahān (1628–58) but declined in importance during the reign of his successor, Aurangzeb.
From the death of Aurangzeb (1707), Lahore was subjected to a power struggle between Mughal rulers and Sikh insurrectionists. With the invasion of Nādir Shāh in the mid-18th century, Lahore became an outpost of the Iranian empire. However, it soon was associated with the rise of the Sikhs, becoming once more the seat of a powerful government during the rule of Ranjit Singh (1799–1839). After Singh’s death, the city rapidly declined, and it passed under British rule in 1849. When the Indian subcontinent received independence in 1947, Lahore became the capital of West Punjab Province; in 1955 it was made the capital of the newly created West Pakistan province, which was reconstituted as Punjab Province in 1970.
Lahore is a leading commercial, banking, and industrial center. Textiles are the single most important industry, but there are many rubber factories, as well as iron, steel, and other mills. Railways and air services link Lahore with other major cities of Pakistan.
Climate: The hottest month is June, where average highs routinely exceed 40 °C (104.0 °F). The wettest month is July, with heavy rainfalls and evening thunderstorms with the possibility of cloudbursts. The coolest month is January with dense fog.
Distance: It takes 4 hr 7 min (356 km) via Lahore-Islamabad Motorway/M-2 to reach Lahore.
Eat-Out at Lahore:
The MM Alam Road runs from the Main Market to Firdous Market. This major road was named after Muhammad Mahmood Alam, a very well-known figure in the Pakistan Air Force. The fact that some of the greatest restaurants in Lahore are located on this beautifully designed road is one of the major reasons for visiting this area.
From Village Restaurant to Jammin Java Café, to Pompei to Burger Hub, there are many restaurants to impress any foodie. Similarly, the gorgeously lit Food Street is also another place to enjoy the smell and taste of all the delicious dishes that Lahore has to offer.
Unique things to do in Lahore
- Sufi Dhamal On Thursdays, Sufis gather at shrines around Lahore for dhamal. Pounding drums and uninhibited dancing like you’ve never seen before bring mystics to a state of trance which they believe brings them closer to God. Smokable substances help onlookers enter another mental state with a bit more ease.
- Gawalmandi Food Street Gawalmandi food street is just outside the walled city. By day, it’s a street of colorful buildings full of foot traffic. Once the sun sets, it becomes a hopping food street with myriad foods on offer. Try a little bit of everything, and don’t be afraid to show up late. It’s not unusual to see families with children having dinner at 2 in the morning!
- Anarkali Bazaar Anarkali is a massive shopping street in Lahore overflowing with wares, foods, and bodies, and is a must-visit place in Lahore. Anarkali is a great place to observe Lahoris doing their thing. Anarkali is one of the most interesting bazaars in Lahore, and its side streets are a joy to explore.
- Bibi Pak Daman Deep within the maze of Muhammad Nagar—Muhammad Neighborhood, believed to be the tomb of women from the Prophet Muhammad’s household, Bibi Pak Daman shrine is one of the largest shrines dedicated to women in Lahore.
- Explore the Walled City from less popular gates 13 gates used to lead into the walls of old Lahore, then the British happened. Six gates have since been rebuilt; the rest exist in name only. Nevertheless, they’re good starting points for exploring different parts of the walled city of Lahore. Delhi Gate, near Wazir Khan Mosque, is the most renowned.
Shahi Qila / Lahore Fort
The Lahore Fort, or the Shahi Qila, is a wonderful and one-of-a-kind Mughal structure. This must-visit historical palace was built by the legendary Mahmood of Ghazni in the 11th century. This massive compound is a treat for all art lovers who have the option to bask in the beauty of different gardens, palaces, halls, mosques, and other such buildings and constructions that are located within the Lahore Fort. It measures 1400 feet by 1115 feet and the Palace of Mirrors (Sheesh Mahal) is one of the most visited palaces in the Lahore Fort.
Badshahi Mosque
For those visiting Lahore, the Badshahi Mosque is a real treat. This mosque is one of the most famous in the world and was built in the year 1674 by Aurangzeb, the Mughal emperor. According to reports, it was discovered that this mosque can hold around 40,000 people for worship in a single prayer session.
The interesting thing about it is that it is made entirely of red sandstone. Visitors will be able to witness relics that belonged to the prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.), his daughter, and his son-in-law.
Anarkali Bazaar & Liberty Market
For many, a great shopping experience is one of the best things that a tourist can look forward to when exploring a new city, and Lahore can quite easily provide that. This city has plenty of different shops and markets. From megastores like Metro to Xinhua Mall, to Hyperstar, this city provides the best “shop ’til you drop” experience. Among so many shops, the Liberty Market and Anarkali Bazaar stand out, thus making them a must-visit. From jewelry to embroidered items to leatherwear to silk to footwear, the best of Lahore can be found in these markets.
Masjid Wazir Khan
The Qashani tile work of the Wazir Khan Mosque seems like a direct contrast to the majesty of the Lahore Fort. For photographers, this place is a dream come true, as they can enjoy a kaleidoscopic dream by witnessing the glazed colorful tile mosaics. The floral motifs and blue and green calligraphy come together in a mesmerizing exhibition of beauty across the facade. Though it may look like it took centuries to build this mosque, it was in fact built in just seven years during the rule of Shah Jehan, the Mughal emperor.
Shalimar Gardens
For those who love nature, the Shalimar Garden of Lahore should be the perfect getaway from the hustle and bustle of this city for a while. This garden is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Also known as the Shalimar Garden, it was built in the year 1641 by Shah Jahan, the great Mughal emperor. These 80 acres of magnificent gardens are a great example of the famous architectural skills of the Mughal Empire. In the middle of this garden, there are three terraces known as the Hayat Baksh, Faiz Baksh, and Farah Baksh. Besides this, there are also many white marble fountains and buildings in the garden.
Lahore Museum
The Lahore Museum is one of the best places to learn about the fascinating history of Pakistan. This museum was built in the 18th century and contains artifacts from the times of the civilization of Mohenjodaro and Harappa to the present day. It has about 20 galleries that exhibit different priceless Qurans, paintings, Gandharan sculptures, carpets, manuscripts, Islamic artworks, and many other such artifacts.
The Minar e Pakistan
Minar-e-Pakistan is a monument well-known for being a perfect representation of the ideology of Pakistan. This monument is located in the famous Iqbal Park of Lahore which is one of the country’s largest urban parks. Built during the 1960s, it holds a special patriotic sentiment for the country as on this site the Lahore Resolution was passed by the All-India Muslim League on 23rd of March, 1940. Visitors flock to this tourist destination to witness the monument’s architecture, which is a blend of Islamic, Mughal, and Modern styles.
Mini Golf Club
This is an ideal place to take a bit of a break from all the traveling and exploring. This popular hangout place for Lahore’s youth has more to offer than just mini golf. Visitors who are looking for some fun with their travel companions can spend the day playing the game. Then, in the evening, enjoy the great atmosphere of the club with some hookah and delicious fusion food.
Lahore Wagah Border
A trip to Lahore would be incomplete without an evening at the Wagah border. This place marks the border between Pakistan and its neighbor, India. Every evening tourists come to this place to witness the Wagah border ceremony, which is a military practice performed by both Pakistan and India at the same time since 1959. The cheering crowd and the elaborate drill on both sides are something that every visitor should experience before leaving the city of Lahore.