| Punjab---the heart of Pakistan. | | | | The blue mosaics of the ruined tombs at Uchh Sharif, |
| The land of five waters, and five seasons, known for | | | | remind the glorious past. Among these, is the 15th |
| its fertility, colorful panorama and exquisitely serene | | | | century octagonal tomb of Bibi Jawindi. |
| and clean atmosphere. Its waters have seen life being | | | | Bhong Mosque is another important historical |
| quenched since centuries. Its trees have embraced the | | | | monument, known as Pakistan's most ostentatious |
| wind that was fragrant by the immortal stories like | | | | mosques. |
| Heer Ranjha, Sohni Mahiwal and Mirza Sahiban. | | | | 5. Cholistan _Gateway to Adventure |
| The soil which, nurtured sufi poets like Baba Farid, Ali | | | | Extended on the far south of the Punjab, Cholistan is |
| Hajveri, Bulhe Shah, Shah Hussain, Mian Muhammad | | | | the largest desert in Pakistan with an area of 25,000 |
| Bakhsh and Waris Shah. | | | | sq. Km. |
| Punjab has seen the starving of Budha and the | | | | It touches the Thar Desert in the south and Rajhastan |
| wandering of Guru Nanak in search of truth. Its terrain | | | | Desert in the east. About 1000 years ago, Cholistan |
| has kept the secrets of Indus Valley civilizations along | | | | was a fertile lplain watered with the Gaggar River |
| the River Indus at Harappa and many more | | | | (now called Hakra in Pakistan), archeolists have |
| un-discovered places. | | | | discovered 400 old inhabited sites, mostly dating back |
| Waters still sing here, winds never forget to whisper | | | | to the Indus Valley Civilization. In the middle of the |
| and rains know how do dance in Mon Soon. | | | | desert, stands the Drawar Fort with massive walls and |
| So it is not a bad idea either to visit this place which is | | | | numerous buttresses. Nearby is the elegant Drawar |
| gifted with mountains, rivers, planes, fruits, trees, | | | | Mosque, the exact replica of the Moti Masjid of Delhi's |
| artifacts, historical monuments and the largest salt | | | | Red Fort. About 45 Km. towards south of Drawar |
| range of the world. | | | | Fort is the shrine of Channan Pir, an important pilgrim |
| Here we are to present the worth seeing places that | | | | center in the desert. |
| can make you feel the glory and grandeur of almost all | | | | 6. Multan _the Land of Mystics |
| parts of Punjab. | | | | Multan---probably the oldest surviving city in the |
| 1. Taxila _A scent of the Past | | | | south-West Asia. Every invader from Alexander |
| _A promise for the Future | | | | through the Mughals to the British has fought for |
| An important city of ancient Gandhara and a place | | | | control of the city of Multan. This city has a unique |
| that enlightened the Budha and one of the greatest | | | | feature of housing tombs and saints, more than any |
| archeological sites the world possesses today. | | | | place of the world. Towering shrines made of brick, |
| The ruins of Taxila, scattered about 30 KM away | | | | stone and wood add to the serenity of this place. |
| from Rawalpindi, represent the historical value of over | | | | Shrines of Shah Rukn e-Alam, Hazrat Bahaudin Zikirya |
| 1000 years ago (around 500 BC to 500 AD). This | | | | and Shah Shams Tabrez are the most famous and |
| place has the honor to have the world's best known | | | | visited ones. The galaxy of mosques and mausoleums |
| university at that ancient time offering subjects like law, | | | | of Multan, speak eloquently of the grandeur and |
| medicine, arts etc. | | | | sublimity of this great city. Blue stylistic and glazed |
| At Taxila, various sites are scattered over a large | | | | pottery is a salient feature of the arts and crafts of |
| area encompassing; Bhir Mound, Dharmarajika, Budhist | | | | Multan. |
| Stupa and Monastery. | | | | 7. Lahore _Bastion of the Mughal Spirit |
| Moreover, one could find Sirsukh City remains, the | | | | The famous metropolitan city and provincial capital of |
| Shrine of Double-headed eagle, Jandial temple, Sirsukh | | | | today, has got so much to speak of history. It holds |
| City and Jaulian Budhist Monastery etc. | | | | within its bustling bazaars, historical monuments and |
| The Taxila museum is known for its Gandhara | | | | narrow streets, the heritage of hundreds of years, the |
| artifacts, a rare blend of Greek and Budhist Art. This | | | | culture of royal tradition and force of spiritualism. |
| museum also has a collection of old coins, utensils, | | | | The shrine of Hazrat Ali Hajver known as Data |
| jewelry, toys and pottery manifesting the highlights of | | | | Darbar welcomes everybody at the entrance of the |
| the life style of ancient Taxila. | | | | city, while the walled city culture still grasps the close |
| 2. Harappa _Rediscovering History | | | | relationship between people. |
| The Indus Valley civilization covers almost the exact | | | | Lahore was founded by Loh, the son of Rama |
| area where Pakistan exists today. Mehrgarh in | | | | Chandra, however the recorded history of Lahore |
| Balochistan, Mohenjo Daro in Sindh and Harappa in | | | | dates back to 1021 AD when Lahore was conquered |
| Punjab possess the clandestine of a common society. | | | | by Mahmood Ghaznavi who made it the capital of his |
| Excavations have proved that around 3000 BC. | | | | Ghaznavi Empire. Then Mughals gave so much |
| Harappa was inhabited by nomadic tribes. The remains | | | | importance to this city, by awarding it the famous |
| show a prosperous and comfortable life in that old | | | | architecture in the form of gardens, mosques, tombs |
| epoch with emphasis on sanitation and everyday | | | | and the famous Fort. Shalamar Garden by Shahjehan |
| facilities. This land has trade relations with Egypt, the | | | | and Badshahi mosque by Aurangzeb are the emblems |
| other developed civilization of the ancient world. | | | | of great history this city possesses. Jahangir and Nur |
| The archeological museum at the site entrance may | | | | Jehan are also buried here. Anarkali Bazar, Toligton |
| take you to the wonder world of past through found | | | | Market, Lahore Museum and Punjab University (old |
| artifacts. | | | | Campus) jewels the famous Mall Road (Thandi Sarak). |
| The Salt Range _An Evaporated Sea | | | | The British introduced here a combination of Mughal, |
| It is undoubtedly a geologist's dream with variety of | | | | Gothic and Victorian style of architecture. |
| minerals and rocks. Having great natural beauty, this | | | | Lahore offers a great deal more than just monuments, |
| area varies in height between 750 and 1500 meters | | | | a variety of art galleries, museums, theatres and |
| and climate is noticeably cooler in summer. The largest | | | | shopping arcades along with the cool tree-lined |
| Salt Mine of the world, Khewra also exists here. On | | | | avenues, lush green lawns, fountains and modern high |
| the other hand, Kallar Kahar with its salt lake and | | | | rise buildings. |
| orchard, centuries old Hindu Temples at Ketas and | | | | 8. Muree _Rediscovering Nature |
| pilgrimage sites are breathtaking. | | | | The most popular and most developed hill-station of |
| This is the sea that extended over the Indus Plain and | | | | Pakistan. With a height of 7500 feet, Muree is a cool |
| the Potowar Plateau that evaporated 600 million years | | | | and crispy place in summer as well as in winter. This |
| ago. Rocks and fossils at this site provide the missing | | | | area is rich with towering pine trees, in long summer |
| links of the story of earth. Around Khewra at Nandna, | | | | days; one could stroll lazily or ride ponies along shady |
| famous Muslim traveler and historian al-Beruni | | | | path on the Mall- between Kasmir and Pindi Points. |
| measured the circumference of the earth during 11th | | | | There are the Gallies with their charming red roof |
| century. | | | | chalets covered with snow in winter and set amidst |
| 3. Jhelum _Land of the Brave | | | | fragrant pines. Muree, a jewel of a hillstation, nestles in |
| Jhelum is located at the base of the Potowar Range, | | | | the shadow of snow-clad peaks. |
| overlooking the endless green fields of the Punjab. | | | | 9. Nankana Sahib _Janam Isthan |
| Alexander the great crossed the river at this place | | | | Nankana Sahib, situated at 39 Km. south-west of |
| and fought with Raja Poras, whom the famous | | | | Sheikhupura, is an important place of pilgrimage. There |
| quotation is related to, when he answered the | | | | are two main Sikh temples or Gurdwaras here. Ba Lila |
| Alexander, | | | | where Guru Nanak the founder of Sikh religion spent |
| "As a king would treat a king" | | | | his childhood and Janamasthan, where he is believed |
| The famous Rohtas Fort, built by Sher Shah Suri is | | | | to have been born. Thrice a year on Besakhi (April), |
| also located here which, is still standing against all odds. | | | | Death anniversary of Maharaja Ranjit Singh (June) and |
| People here are endearingly hospitable, looking to | | | | birthday of Guru Nanak Dev (November), Sikh yatris |
| welcome you with warmth and fervor. | | | | visit these holy places in thousands. |
| Mangla, one of the largest dams of the world, is also | | | | 10. Rawalpindi _Base camp to Adventure |
| built on river Jhelum. | | | | Rawalpindi, a twin city to Islamabad, is the gateway to |
| 4. Bahawalpur _Reminder of a Glorious Past | | | | the historical Silk Route. It presents a sharp contrast to |
| The princely state of Bahawalpur, founded in 1748 by | | | | the city of Islamabad. It is the base camp of |
| Nawab Bahawal Khan Abassi. Located at the edge of | | | | thrill-exhibitors from all over the world who buckle up |
| the city of Multan, Bahawalpur is the gateway to the | | | | here to meet the most exciting and treacherous peaks |
| greatest desert; Cholistan. It is quite green in nature but | | | | in the world. Rawalpindi is famous for strong military |
| towards south, the soil becomes sandy. This area is | | | | cantonment, towns bazaars; Raja, Sarafa and Muree |
| studded with many tourist spots like; Lal Sohanra | | | | road. Moreover, historical Liaqat Bagh lies in the heart |
| National Park and the famous shrine of Uchh Sharif. | | | | of the city. |