Punjab – The land of five rivers
Punjab — the heart of Pakistan.
The land of the five waters and the five seasons, known for its fertility, colorful scenery and exquisitely serene and clean atmosphere. Its waters have seen life extinguished for centuries. Its trees have embraced the wind that was fragrant by immortal stories like Heer Ranjha, Sohni Mahiwal and Mirza Sahiban.
The soil that nurtured Sufi poets like Baba Farid, Ali Hajveri, Bulhe Shah, Shah Hussain, Mian Muhammad Bakhsh, and Waris Shah.
Punjab has seen Budha starve and Guru Nanak wander in search of truth. His land has kept the secrets of the Indus Valley civilizations along the Indus River in Harappa and many more places to discover.
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, bananas, fruits, trees, artifacts, historical monuments and the largest salt mountain range in the world.
Here we are to introduce the must-see places that can make you feel the glory and grandeur of almost every part of Punjab.
1. Taxila _A scent from the past
_A promise for the future
An important city of ancient Gandhara and a place that enlightened Buddha and one of the largest archaeological sites in the world today.
The ruins of Taxila, 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 most well-known university in the world in that ancient time that offers subjects like law, medicine, arts, etc.
In Taxila, various sites are scattered over a large area that encompasses; Bhir Mound, Dharmarajika, Budhist 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 Gandharan artifacts, a rare mix of Greek and Buddhist art. This museum also has a collection of ancient coins, utensils, jewelry, toys and ceramics that show the highlights of the lifestyle of ancient Taxila.
2. Harappa _Rediscover history
The Indus Valley Civilization covers almost the exact area where Pakistan exists today. Mehrgarh in Baluchistan, Mohenjo Daro in Sindh and Harappa in Punjab have the secrecy of an ordinary society.
Excavations have shown that around 3000 B.C. Harappa was inhabited by nomadic tribes. The remains show prosperous and comfortable life in that ancient time 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 to the wonderful world of the past through found artifacts.
The Cordillera de la Sal _An Evaporated Sea
It is definitely a geologist’s dream with variety of minerals and rocks. Of great natural beauty, this area varies in altitude between 750 and 1,500 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 pilgrimage sites 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 of 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 _Land of the brave
Jhelum is located at the base of the Potowar Range, overlooking the endless green fields of the Punjab. Alexander the Great crossed the river at 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 and still stands strong against all odds. The people here are warmly hospitable and seek to welcome you with warmth and fervour.
Mangla, one of the largest dams in the world, is 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 edge of Multan city, 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 spots 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 these 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 _Adventure Gate
Stretched out on the southern tip of the Punjab, Cholistan is the largest desert in Pakistan with an area of 25,000 sq. kilometer
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 from the Indus Valley Civilization. In the middle of the desert, stands Drawar Fort with massive walls and numerous buttresses. Nearby is the elegant Drawar Mosque, the exact replica of the Moti Masjid of the Red Fort in Delhi. About 45 km south of Drawar Fort is the Channan Pir shrine, an important desert pilgrimage centre.
6. Multan _the land of the mystics
Multan—probably the oldest surviving city in Southwest Asia. All the invaders, from Alexander to the Mughals and the British, have fought for control of the city of Multan. This city has the unique characteristic of housing tombs and saints, more than any other place in the world. The imposing sanctuaries 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 in Multan speaks eloquently of the grandeur and sublimity of this great city. Blue glazed and stylistic pottery is a prominent feature of Multan arts and crafts.
7. Lahore_Bastion of the Mughal Spirit
The famous metropolitan city and capital of today’s province has a lot to say about history. Keep in its bustling bazaars, historical monuments and narrow streets, the heritage of hundreds of years, the culture of royal tradition and the strength 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 understands the close relationship between people.
Lahore was founded by Loh, the son of Rama Chandra, however the recorded history of Lahore dates back to 1021 AD. C., when Mahmood Ghaznavi conquered Lahore, 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 the emblems of the great history that this city possesses. Jahangir and Nur Jehan are also buried here. Anarkali Bazar, Toligton Market, Lahore Museum and Punjab University (old campus) grace 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 arcades along with 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. Rising to 7,500 feet, Muree is cool and crisp in both summer and winter. This area is rich in towering pines, on the long days of summer; one could lazily stroll or ride ponies along a shady path in the Mall, between Kasmir and Pindi Points.
There are the Gallies with their charming red-roofed chalets covered in snow in winter and set amid fragrant pines. 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 place of pilgrimage. There are two main Sikh temples or Gurdwaras 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 on Besakhi (April), Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s death anniversary (June) and Guru Nanak Dev’s birthday (November), Sikh yatris visit these holy places by the thousands.
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 exciting exhibitors from around the world who buckle up to experience the world’s most exciting and treacherous peaks. Rawalpindi is famous for strong military cantonments, city bazaars; Raja, Sarafa and Muree highway. Also, the historic Liaqat Bagh is located in the heart of the city.