[🇵🇰] Punjab Tourism

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Source: .

Discover Punjab​

Punjab is enriched with potential for tourism as this land is blessed with ancient archaeological sites, religious monuments, historical places and rich cultural heritage besides other attractions. The most prominent ones of these are mentioned below:

• Archaeological
• Cultural
• Historical
• Recreational
• Religious

Welcome to Tourism, Archaeology and Museums Department | Tourism, Archaeology and Museums Department

tourism.punjab.gov.pk

 

[ghazi]

Punjab is the largest province in population and the second largest province in physical size in Pakistan. In 2017, 1.75 million tourists visited Pakistan according to the World Travel and Tourism Council.[1]

It is known for its ancient cultural heritage as well as its religious diversity. The lands of Punjab have been home to a number of religions and civilisations. The Indus Valley civilization once ruled the region and a significant archaeological find was discovered at the ancient city of Harrapa.

The Gandhara civilisation was also quite dominant in the northern region of Punjab at the site of Taxila. Several other civilisations such as Greeks, Central Asians, and Persians ruled Punjab leaving a number of sites which still exist today. The arrival of Islam came about during the rule of the Umayyad Caliphate (arrival of Muhammad bin Qasim in early 8th century) followed by the Ghaznavids. The Mughals took control of the region later and ruled its land for several centuries. The mughal heritage remained quite strong in Punjab with a large number of forts, tombs and monuments still intact today.[2]

The Durrani Empire ruled the Punjab at the fall of the Mughal Empire for a short period followed by the rise of the Sikh Empire in the 19th century. The strong control of the Sikhs also led to a number of sites still remaining intact throughout Punjab. The British Raj took control of the region until the independence of British India in 1947.


The 1872-built Italian chateau Noor Mahal (Diamond Palace) in Bahawalpur

Tourism in Punjab is regulated by the Tourism Development Corporation of Punjab.[3] There are a number of large cosmopolitan cities in Punjab. The provincial capital, Lahore is the second largest city of Pakistan as is known to the Cultural Heart of Pakistan. The Mughal Empire left behind the Lahore Fort and Shalimar Gardens which are now recognised World Heritage Sites. The Walled City of Lahore, Badshahi Mosque, Wazir Khan Mosque, Tomb of Jahangir and Nur Jahan, Tomb of Asaf Khan and Chauburji are other major sites visited by tourists each year

Tourism in Punjab, Pakistan - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[ghazi]

The tomb of Qutb-ud-din Aibak from the Delhi Sultanate is located in the historical market of Anarkali Bazaar in Lahore. The Samadhi of Ranjit Singh and Hazuri Bagh Baradari are prime example of Sikh architecture during the rule of the Sikh Empire. There a number of other sites within Lahore such as Minar-e-Pakistan, Lahore Museum, Data Durbar Complex, Tomb of Muhammad Iqbal, Bagh-e-Jinnah, Lahore Zoo, Tomb of Shah Jamal, Sukh Chayn Gardens, Bahria Town, Emporium Mall, Lake City, Canal Gardens, and Gaddafi Stadium, which all attract a large number of visitors annually.

Rawalpindi is known to be a famous hill station stop for tourists before setting out to Murree, Bhurban, Patriata, Northern Areas, Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan. The Pharwala Fort is a major fort on the outskirts of the city built by an ancient Hindu civilisation. There are a number of sites from the Mughal Empire in the city of Sheikhupura called Hiran Minar and the Sheikhupura Fort.

The Rohtas Fort near Jhelum is a major fort built by Sher Shah Suri is a World Heritage Site. The Katasraj temple in the city of Chakwal is a major destination for Hindu devotees. The Khewra Salt Mines is another major tourist attraction as its one of the oldest mines in South Asia.

The city of Nankana Sahib is birthplace of the founder of Sikhism. The Gurdwara is visited by a number of pilgrims ever year to mark Guru Nanak Dev birthday. Another famous gurdwara in Punjab is Panja Sahib located in the city of Hasan Abdal. The clock tower and eight bazaars of Faisalabad are famous for its bazaars since they were designed to represent the Union Jack flag.

Travelling southwards, the region starts to become more desertic. Multan is another major tourist destination in Punjab. It is known for its mausoleums of saints and Sufi pirs. The most famous being the Rukn-e-Alam and Baha-ud-din Zakariya. The Multan Museum and Nuagaza tombs are so significant attractions in the city. The city of Bahwalpur is a major destination as it is located near the Cholistan Desert and Thar Desert.

The Derawar Fort is a large fort built in the Cholistan Desert which is also the site for the annual Cholistan Jeep Rally. The city is also near the ancient site of Uch Sharif which was once a Delhi Sultanate stronghold. The Noor Mahal, Sadiq Ghar Palace, Darbar Mall are large palaces built during the reign of the Nawabs. The Lal Suhanra National Park is a major zoological garden on the outskirts of the city.

 

[ghazi]

Murree

 

[Mainerik]

@Vsdoc You speak Punjabi quite well. I thought you were Parsi? Do most North Indians have some understanding of Punjabi? Can Indians and Pakistanis communicate in Punjabi? @Lulldapull @Paitoo

 

[Paitoo]

@Vsdoc You speak Punjabi quite well. I thought you were Parsi? Do most North Indians have some understanding of Punjabi? Can Indians and Pakistanis communicate in Punjabi? @Lulldapull @Paitoo

There are many Punjabis spoken in India:

1. Theth Punjabi (Rustic, pure Punjabi) in villages of Punjab
2. Urban Punjab (Spoken in Chandigarh, Amritsar, Ludhiana etc)
3. Tooti phooti Punjabi (Spoken in Delhi, Lucknow)
4. Hindi spoken in Punjabi accent (Delhi, Bollywood)
5. Sprinkling of Punjabi words and poor attempt at Punjabi accent by girls married to Punjabi men. Typically these girls are from cultures which punch below their weight (bammans, kayasthas) and want to climb the social ladder by pretending to be Punjabi. They abandon their gangu surnames after marriage and taken on the cultural identity of their husband. Sometimes men also display this behaviour when married to a Punjabi girl.

Sr. No. 4 and 5 will not understand Sr. No. 1 and 2. They may grasp some Sr No. 3

 

[Bilal9]

There are many Punjabis spoken in India:

1. Theth Punjabi (Rustic, pure Punjabi) in villages of Punjab
2. Urban Punjab (Spoken in Chandigarh, Amritsar, Ludhiana etc)
3. Tooti phooti Punjabi (Spoken in Delhi, Lucknow)
4. Hindi spoken in Punjabi accent (Delhi, Bollywood)
5. Sprinkling of Punjabi words and poor attempt at Punjabi accent by girls married to Punjabi men. Typically these girls are from cultures which punch below their weight (bammans, kayasthas) and want to climb the social ladder by pretending to be Punjabi. They abandon their gangu surnames after marriage and taken on the cultural identity of their husband. Sometimes men also display this behaviour when married to a Punjabi girl.

Sr. No. 4 and 5 will not understand Sr. No. 1 and 2. They may grasp some Sr No. 3

Guessing you are Punjabi? LOL

 

[Bilal9]

2500 years of Taxila: A modern city lost in the depths of history​

Once a vibrant hub of civilisation, learning, and trade, Taxila flourished for nearly a millennium before fading into ruins. Today, its remnants in Pakistan’s Punjab province still whisper the story of a city where East met West​

Excavations in the ancient city of Sirkap have uncovered remains of Jain temples, Hindu sun temples, and Buddhist shrines. Photo: Jannatul Tazri Trisha
Among the names that appear when recounting the history of ancient civilisations of the Indian subcontinent, Taxila stands out as one of the most significant. Surprisingly, this once-thriving centre of Buddhism now lies within today's Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

From the 6th century BCE to the 5th century CE—nearly a millennium—Taxila flourished as an extraordinary hub of civilisation, culture, arts, literature, and scholarship. Known as one of the subcontinent's most important commercial routes connecting Central and West Asia, the historic Silk Road passed directly through this city.

Yet, with the passage of time, relevance fades. The trade routes of once-vital Taxila gradually declined in importance, and finally, the invasion of the Huns brought about the downfall of this ancient city. Slowly, its once-rich civilisation was lost beneath the sands of time. But history is never just a tale—once written, it cannot be erased. Bearing witness to this truth, the ruins of Taxila still stand today in Rawalpindi, Punjab, Pakistan, echoing nearly 2,500 years of legacy.

Taxila was the capital of Gandhara, one of the sixteen Mahajanapadas (great states) of ancient India. About fifteen centuries after its decline, we recently had the chance to visit the ruins of this ancient city.

It was mid-February this year. By around 1 pm under the scorching sun, we arrived at the ancient city of Sirkap, known as the "Second City" of Taxila. Earlier that morning, we had visited the Taxila Museum, where artefacts unearthed from the soil were meticulously preserved. These included sculptures of Gautama Buddha from different eras and postures, ancient agricultural tools, locks and keys, crockery, medical instruments, terracotta, jewellery of men and women, and even a complete map of ancient Taxila.

Before venturing into Sirkap, let us briefly revisit the history of Taxila.

Sculptures of Gautama Buddha from different eras have been unearthed and kept in the Taxila Museum. Photo: Jannatul Tazri Trisha

According to our museum guide, and based on accounts in the Ramayana and various encyclopaedias—Taxila was founded by Bharata, the younger brother of Lord Rama and the second son of King Dasharatha. The city was named after Bharata's son, Taksha. As early as the 6th century BCE, Taxila was renowned as a radiant centre of knowledge, education, and research. Legend holds that Sanskrit grammarian Panini, political strategist Chanakya, and physician Jivaka all pursued their intellectual endeavours here.

Over its long history, Taxila came under the rule of many powers. It was initially part of the Persian Empire. In 326 BCE, Alexander the Great conquered the city. Subsequently, the Bactrians, Scythians, Parthians, and Kushans established their rule here. Finally, the Huns of Central Asia dealt the fatal blow, stripping Taxila of its cultural, commercial, and civilisational importance. Each regime, however, left behind its unique cultural imprint, making Taxila's history richly diverse.

Under Emperor Ashoka, Taxila became an important Buddhist pilgrimage site. To promote the faith, he built the Dharmarajika Stupa, believed to have enshrined relics of Gautama Buddha. Folklore also claims that in the 1st century CE, Saint Thomas, the Christian missionary, visited Taxila, making the city a sacred destination for people of multiple religions.

At Sirkap, our guide was Asad Abbas, an experienced official working under Pakistan's Ministry of Archaeology for 18 years. He explained that ancient Taxila comprised three principal cities: Bhir Mound, Sirkap, and Sirsukh. Among them, Sirkap was the main commercial hub, with a well-planned urban layout of houses, shops, roads, and temples.

The site's grandeur was evident as soon as we entered through its wide highway. Built in a grid pattern, the 18.5-foot-wide main road still displays remnants of guard posts, shops, and houses. Yet none of these remain alive today—only ruins over 1,500 years old testify to the memory of this once-planned city.

Surgical instruments displayed in the Taxila Museum. Photo: Jannatul Tazri Trisha

The ruins of ancient Taxila were first identified in 1863 by Sir Alexander Cunningham, founder of the Archaeological Survey of India. Later, between 1913 and 1934, British archaeologist Sir John Marshall led systematic excavations, unveiling Taxila's hidden past to the modern world.

"At least 25,000 people lived in this city," said our guide Asad Abbas. "Taxila was a commercial hub on the Silk Road. The locals mainly traded in gold, terracotta, and leather, while silk was imported directly from China." Despite being 1,200 kilometres from Kashgar near the Chinese border, Taxila served as a key connecting point between Afghanistan and China.

Abbas informed us that Sirkap spans roughly 500,000 square metres, but until the 1930s, only 150,000 square metres had been excavated. Much of it still lies buried underground. Of more than 200 archaeological sites identified here, only 23 have been excavated to date. The main reason, Abbas explained, is that much of the land is privately owned, requiring government purchase and budgeting before excavation—an expensive and complex process.

Originally founded by the Greeks, Sirkap was further developed under the Scythians, Parthians, and finally the Kushans. But when Kushan emperor Kanishka built the new city of Sirsukh nearby, Sirkap's importance waned. Trade, settlements, and strategic focus shifted, and eventually the Huns destroyed it altogether.

Despite being recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980, Taxila remains little known in world media. Photo: Jannatul Tazri Trisha

Even so, ruins reveal that Sirkap was not just a city but a meeting place of religions and cultures. Hindus, Buddhists, and Jains lived side by side here. Excavations have uncovered remains of Jain temples, Hindu sun temples, and Buddhist shrines, as well as astronomical tools like sundials used to measure time and seasons.

By 2:15 pm, we left Sirkap for another major site: the Dharmarajika Stupa, about 3 kilometres away.

Built on a hill-like elevation, the Dharmarajika Stupa carries deep historical significance. After the bloody Kalinga War in 261 BCE, Emperor Ashoka renounced violence, converted to Buddhism, and began promoting its philosophy of peace and compassion. He is believed to have enshrined relics of Buddha—bones or teeth—within this stupa. Excavations here have uncovered a golden reliquary casket, thought to have contained Buddha's remains.

According to tradition, Ashoka collected Buddha's relics centuries after his death and built 84,000 stupas across his empire—Dharmarajika being one of them. To this day, Buddhist devotees visit this sacred complex, where more than 75 stupas have been uncovered. These include main stupas, stupas for revered monks and teachers, and smaller votive stupas erected by individual devotees for worship and offerings. Surrounding the stupas are cells and monasteries where monks are believed to have meditated and studied. Some archaeologists even argue that an ancient Buddhist university existed here, though Sir John Marshall disagreed, describing it instead as a religious training and worship site.

It is believed that Emperor Ashoka preserved a portion of Gautama Buddha’s relics in Dharmarajika Stupa. Photo: Jannatul Tazri Trisha

Even today, devotees visit Dharmarajika to pay respects. On our visit, we saw a monk in saffron robes climbing a high platform to offer homage.

Though originally built under Ashoka, the stupa was later expanded and renovated, particularly during the Kushan period (1st–2nd century CE). Artefacts recovered here, including Ashokan inscriptions, are preserved in the Taxila Museum.

Walking among the ruins, one realises that Taxila was more than just an ancient city—it was a grand stage of knowledge, culture, and civilisation. Born of Greek city planning, Persian rule, Buddhist expansion, and East-West exchange, Taxila embodied not war, but the sharing of wisdom and cultural fusion.

Despite being recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980, Taxila remains little known in world media. With proper promotion and conservation, this ancient city could earn global renown comparable to Pompeii in Italy or Machu Picchu in Peru.

2500 years of Taxila: A modern city lost in the depths of history

Once a vibrant hub of civilisation, learning, and trade, Taxila flourished for nearly a millennium before fading into ruins. Today, its remnants in Pakistan’s Punjab province still whisper the story of a city where East met West

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