Lahore-Pakistan, Historical City

Lahore is the capital of the Punjab province and is the second largest city of Pakistan. It is the largest native Punjabi-populated city in the world and an important historical center of the country. With a rich history dating back over a millennium, Lahore is a main cultural center of Punjab and Pakistan. One of the most densely populated cities in the world, Lahore remains an economic, political, transportation, entertainment, and educational hub. It is referred to as the “Mughal City of Gardens” due to the historic presence of gardens in and around the city dating back to the Mughal period.

Nearby Attractions:

Lahore Shahi Qila
Lahore Shahi Qila (or the Royal Fort) is one of the masterpieces of the Mughals situated in the north western corner of Lahore. This was declared as the world heritage site in 1981by UNESCO. The most notable worth seeing scenes in the Shahi Qila is the Sheesh Mahal (or The Mirror Palace). The beauty of the mirror work really amazes any person who gazes at them. There are also Alamgiri gate, Naulakha pavilion and the Motimosque among the other attractions in the Shahi Qila.

Address: Fort Road, Lahore.
Distance: 14.9 Km.

Shalimar Garden
The Shalimar Garden (also called Shalamar Garden) is one of the most famous tourist destinations in Lahore.This Garden built in 16th century by the great Mughal emperor Shah Jehan and was used as the royal pleasure garden from 16th to 19th century.The Shalimar Garden is a great example of a Mughal Garden. It consists of three terraces. The upper terrace named as Farah Baksh (Bestowed of Pleasure), the middle terrace named as FaizBaksh (Bestowed of Goodness) and the lower terrace named as Hayat Baksh (Bestowed of Life). The upper terrace contains 105 fountains, the middle level terrace has 152 fountains while the lower level terrace includes 153 fountains. This is an excellent example of Mughal Architecture.

Address: G. T. Road, Lahore.
Distance: 15 Km.

Badshahi Masjid
The Badshahi Mosque or the 'King's Mosque' in Lahore, commissioned by the sixth Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb in 1671 and completed in 1673, is the second largest mosque in Pakistan and South Asia and the fifth largest mosque in the World. Epitomizing the beauty, passion and grandeur of the Mughal era, it is the most famous landmark of Lahore and a major tourist attraction. Capable of accommodating 5,000 worshippers in its main prayer hall and a further 95,000 in its courtyard and porticoes, it remained the largest mosque in the world from 1673 to 1986, when overtaken in size by the completion of the Faisal Mosque in Islamabad. Today, it remains the second largest mosque in Pakistan and South Asia and the fifth largest mosque in the world after the Masjid al-Haram of Mecca, the Al-Masjid al-Nabawi in Medina, the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca and the Faisal Mosque in Islamabad.

Address: Walled City, Lahore.
Distance: 14.4 Km.
Phone: (+92) (42) 7662729.

Jehangir Mausoleum
Jehangir Mausoleum is one of the most famous tourist attractions in the city. Jehangir was a Mughal emperor who died in Rajauri, while leaving for Kashmir from Lahore. The ground of the Jehangir's Mausoleum cover an area of 55 acres and are laid out in the classical Charbagh pattern, consisting of bisecting perpendicular paths. The mausoleum of Jehangir is made of red sandstone with floral marble inlay.

Address: 31.622541' N, 74.303215' E, Tomb Circular Walk, Shahdara, Lahore.
Distance: 19.3 Km.

Minar-e-Pakistan
The Minar-e-Pakistan is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Lahore and a must visit for everyone who comes to Lahore. The Minar-e-Pakistan is 60 meters tall concrete unique minaret which stands in the Iqbal Garden. This is the memoir of the Pakistan resolution (Qarardad-e-Pakistan) which was passed in the same garden on 23 March 1940. This was the first official declaration to establish a separate homeland for the Muslims living in the Indian Subcontinent. This is the same site where Nehru and the Indian National Congress declared Indian independence from Britain in 1929. The Minar-e-Pakistan is a national monument and is the landmark of the Lahore city.

Address: Circular Road, Ravi Town, Lahore.
Distance: 18.6 Km.

Food Street
If you are fond of Asian Foods then your first choice should be the food street. The Food Street is situated in the Gawalmandi area of Lahore in the culinary heart of the city. This street got its name because of the array of restaurants and eateries that are located on it. The most famous foods are the traditional Lahori food items which are rich in oil and spices but are extremely delicious. But if you are a health lover then please stay away because sorry these foods are not for you.

Address: Chamberlain Road, Lahore.
Distance: 13.7 Km.

Lahore Museum
Lahore Museum, situated on the Mall, was established in 1895 is one of the major museums of South Asia, and was for a while curated by Rudyard Kipling's father. The Museum contains some fine specimens of Mughal and Sikh door-ways, wood-work and contains a large collection of paintings dating back to the Mughal, Sikh and British eras, weapons, and is particularly well known for its collection of artifacts from the Gandhara civilization. Probably the most famous exhibit is the spectacular 'Fasting Buddha'. It has also a collection of musical instruments, ancient jewelry, textile, pottery and armory. The visit to Lahore museum can be a great experience for you but make sure you have plenty of time to visit it. It is a huge museum and is located near (walking distance) Annar-Kalli bazar, Urdu bazaar, Food Street and beautiful old campus of Punjab University.

Address: Mall road, Lahore.
Distance: 13.6 Km.

Noor Jehan Tomb
Noor Jahan (1577 - 1645) was the beloved/favorite Queen of Mughal Emperor Jahangir. The Empress Noor Jehan, "Light of the World" was the only empress whose name appeared on the coins of the Mughal Empire. She is buried at Shahdara, Lahore in a separate tomb built by herself near her husband's tomb. After the death of her husband, Jahangir, she spent most of her time in building his mausoleum & growing its garden (Dilkusha Garden). She has also constructed a tomb over her father's grave in Agra near TajMahal. Later, she built her own tomb in Shahdara. The tomb is a single story structure with no domes or minarets. It has arched hallways. There are two graves in the centre of the tomb. One is the Queen Noor Jehan's and the other one of her daughter Ladli Begum. This tomb once had a marble cenotaph which she had built herself during her life time. During the Sikh rule, like all other Mughal buildings, this tomb was also mercilessly plundered and looted of its decorative tiles, marble and red stones. In the British period it remained Coal Store for Railway. The tomb once lay in ruins, but has been repaired & restored somehow, but couldn't be gathered back to its original state. Gardens surrounding her tomb & tomb of Jahangir were designed & personally laid out by her. These gardens are attractive for both local & foreigner travelers.

Address: GT Road, Shahdara, Lahore.
Distance: 18.6 Km.

Islamic Summit Minaret
A long imposing pillar or minar with all modern Islamic architectural features stands in the busiest square of Lahore on Shahrah-e-Quaid-e-Azam. It commemorates the first Grand Islamic Summit Conference held at Lahore in February 22-24, 1974 in which all heads of the Islamic world gathered to symbolize the Islamic unity and faith. There is a small exhibition gallery underneath, displaying antiquities from various Muslim countries. In the pavilions, a marble stand depicting the Holy Quran with gold engravings stands here. This is a great monument build in front of Wapda House and Provincial Assembly Building and near Lahore Zoo. This is historic place to visit.

Address: Locality Bagh-i-Jinnah Area Extras Charring Cross, Lahore.
Distance: 12.2 Km.

Anarkali Tomb
The tomb of Nadira Begum, alias Anarkali, is situated inside the grounds of Civil Secretariat of Punjab Government. The tomb is circular in shape and rooted with a vast and lofty dome supported from inside by eight massive arches 12 feet 3 inches thick. It is a masterpiece of solid masonry work of early Mughal period and is neatly and beautifully fitted up. Anarkali (Pomegranate Blossom) was a legendry favorite in the harem of Emperor Akbar. Apparently she had an affair with eighth Akbar's son, Prince Salim. One day Akbar saw her return Salim's smile, and as punishment she was buried alive in 1599. When Salim became Emperor Jahangir, he built her a magnificent tomb. The tomb, built in 1615 is a forerunner of the famous Taj Mahal: it is octane, with a huge dome in the center surrounded by eight octane cupolas supported by columns.

Address: Islampura, Lahore.
Distance: 12.0 Km.

Jinnah Garden (Bagh-e-Jinnah)
Surrounding the library are the spacious Jinnah Gardens laid out in 1860 and originally known as Lawrence Garden. This is a recommended place to stroll and admire the trees labeled with their Latin names. At one end is a big zoo, open 8am to 5pm, founded in 1872, which is worth a visit if you have children. There is several entertainment and sports facilities within the garden that comprise of an open-air theatre, a restaurant, tennis courts and kids play land. But the pride of the entire garden is the cricket ground, Mughal garden and Gulshen Fatima. There is also a mosque there.

Address: Mall road, Lahore.
Distance: 11.0 Km.

Gulshan-e-Iqbal Park
The Gulshan-e-Iqbal Park is a large park and recreational space in Lahore, Pakistan. With an area of over 67 acres (270,000 square meter), the park is one of the largest in the city; it is situated in the sub-urban locality of Allama Iqbal town. The name Gulshan-e-Iqbal is literally translated as "the garden of Iqbal," referring to Iqbal, the national poet of Pakistan. It has many swings like Discovery and striking cars The Park also have a vast artificial lake.

Address: AllamaIqbal Town, Lahore.
Distance: 4.2 Km.

Hazuri Bagh
Hazuri Bagh is a garden in Lahore bounded by the Lahore Fort (east side), Badshahi Mosque (west side), the Samadhi of Ranjit Singh (north side) and the Roshnai Gate (south side). In the center stands the Hazuri Bagh Baradari, built by Ranjit Singh. The Hazuri Bagh is a small enclosure between the Alamgiri gate of the Lahore Fort and eastern gate of the Badshahi Mosque. This garden was built by Maharajah Ranjit Singh in 1813 to celebrate the capture of the famous Koh-i-Noor Diamond from Shah Shujah of Afghanistan. The Serai Alamgiri formerly stood here. The garden was planned and built under the supervision of Faqir Azizuddin in the traditional Mughal style layout. After its completion, it is said, Maharajah Ranjit Singh, at the suggestion of Jamadar Khushhal Singh, ordered that marble be removed from various mausoleums of Lahore to construct a baradari (pavilion) here. This task was given to Khalifa Noor ud din. Elegant carved marble pillars support the baradari’s delicate cusped arches. The central area, where Ranjit Singh held court, has a mirrored ceiling. Both the garden and the baradari, originally a 45-foot, three-storey square with a basement approached by fifteen steps, suffered extensive damage during the fratricidal Sikh wars and was only reclaimed and laid out according to the original plan during the British period. On 19 July 1932, the uppermost story collapsed and was never reconstructed.

Address: Walled City, Lahore.
Distance: 14.6 Km.

Quaid-e-Azam Library
Quaid-e-Azam library, opposite Government house, is the biggest public library in Pakistan and is open 8am to 8pm. It is housed in the combined Lawrence and Montgomery halls, built in 1862 and 1866 to commemorate the first two British governors in Punjab.

Address: Bagh-e-Jinnah, Shahra-e-Quaid-e-Azam, Lahore.
Distance: 10.9 Km.
Phone: (+92) (42) 99203371

Ali Hajvery's Tomb
Commonly known as “Data Durbar”, is the shrine of Hazrat Syed Ali Al-Hajweri, the famed Sufi Saint of the 11th century.Hazrat Syed Ali bin Usman Hajweri, popularly known as Data Ganj Bakhsh (Bestower of Spiritual Treasures) belonged to a place called Hajwer in the town of Ghazni, Afghanistan. He lived during the 11th century AD, and was well versed in all the Islamic sciences such as Tafsir (exegesis) of the Holy Qur'an, Hadith (Traditions of the Prophet), Fiqh (Muslim Law) and dogmatic theology (IlmuKalam). He played significant role in the spread of Islam in South Asia and considered as the most pious Sufi Saint in the region. For centuries Sufi’s visiting Pakistan pay honor by visiting the Shrine. Every year hundreds of thousands of people visit here to say their prayers in the Hajweri Mosque inside the Shrine. The place therefore is open round the clock and every day tons of food is distributed among poor and hungry people. It is a must visit place in Lahore not only for spiritual blessings but it also provides glimpse of various cultures of Pakistan as people come here from all corners of the country.

GanjBakhsh-e faiz-e aalam, mazhar-e Nur-i Khuda
(GanjBakhsh is a manifestation of the Light of God for the people)

Naqisaanrapir-e kaamil, kaamilaanrarahnuma
(A perfect guide unto the imperfect ones and a guide unto the perfect ones)

Address: Jilani Road, Lahore.
Distance: 13.0 Km.

Wagah Border
Wagah is the only road border about 29 km(18 miles) crossing between Pakistan and India, and lies on the Grand Trunk Road between the cities of Amritsar, Punjab- India and Lahore, Punjab- Pakistan. Wagah itself is a village through which the controversial Radcliffe Line was drawn. The village was divided by independence in 1947. Today, the eastern half of the village remains in the Republic of India while the western half is in Pakistan. It is particularly known for the elaborate Wagah border ceremony that happens at the border before sunset each day.

Address: Located on Grand Trunk Road between the cities of Amritsar, India and Lahore, Pakistan.
Distance: 32.8 Km.

The Mall of Lahore
A youthful exuberance emanates from the majestic structure, which is the Mall of Lahore, branded by all the famous brands of the world. The Mall of Lahore is a true reflection of the aspirations of all those brand conscious people who go for the latest designer apparel to the sophistication and elegance of signature jewelry and footwear that bespeaks of the finer tastes of the wearer. Suffused with all the necessities of an environment that pursues the global trends for branded goods, the Mall of Lahore can be said to be the best place for all that complements the modern life style. The Mall of Lahore which extends all the facilities that complement the shoppers day out, is fast proving to be a regular shopping paradise for all those who prefer the better side of a fashionable lifestyle sprinkled with everything entertaining to keep one In good spirits while enjoying the world’s foremost brands in a unique environment. Rest, pray, play, shop with a contented feeling that comes with all the facilities that one can find in the most exclusive shopping environment at par with any in the world.

Address: Park Lane Tower, 172 Tufail Road, Lahore Cantonment, Lahore.
Distance: 9.4 Km.
Phone: (+92) (42) 36622435.

Pace (Shopping Plaza)
Pace is situated near Hafiz center Gulberg area Lahore, Different kind of shops are available for shopping here, like Grocery, Wearing’s, ladies and gents wearing, Jewelry, PTCL OSS etc. Located on Main Boulevard Gulberg, Lahore, Pace Gulberg has been operational since October 1995. This shopping mall was the Company’s first venture in property development. Since construction, it has pioneered in providing customers a unique shopping experience by combining a variety of shops which has managed to attract and cater to almost all income brackets. Pace main target market is middle to high income group. For consumers, it is one place in the city from where they can get everything they need in style and comfort. Presently this mall is providing excellent shopping services to over four million customers per annum.

Address: 103-C-II Gulberg III, Lahore.
Distance: 6.9 Km.

Al Fatah Mall
Al-Fatah is the leading departmental store of the land of pure, Pakistan. Serving since 1941, Al-Fatah has been offering an assortment of products to its precious customers. From grocery to crockery, garments to jewelry, toys to kids wear, kitchenware to ornaments, electronic gadgets to fitness equipment’s, beauty products to health care accessories our valuable customers find each and every product of the best quality under one roof. Around thousands of customers per day quench their thirst of shopping from this landmark that has been their trustworthy shopping mall for more than seven decades now.

Address: 55-E Gulberg III Liberty Market, Lahore.
Distance: 7.8 Km.

Metro Cash N Carry
Metro Cash & Carry is a German based shopping mall chain in Pakistan. Metro Cash & Carry established in Pakistan on January 2006 and since it has recognized itself as a potential manager in self-service wholesale. You can find each type of house hold as well as small industrial type instruments from here. It is situated on bank of Lahore canal near ThokarNiazBaig. It has multiple entrance paths including from Multan Road and Mohlanwal Road.

Address: Metro Cash & Carry near ThokarNiazBaig, Main Canal bank road Lahore.
Distance: 11.9 Km.

Fortress Stadium Market
This place is ideal for women and kids wear. There are also nice video centers where you can buy DVDs at a reasonable price. One can visit this place for shopping as well as for nice dining experience as a lot of fine dining restaurants are located here. If you are with kids, then Joy landis there for entertainment. Prices are reasonable.

Address: Lahore Cantt.
Distance: 11.6 Km.