The province is home to many well known historical sites including the Shalimar Gardens, the Badshahi Mosque, and the ruins of the ancient city of Harrapa. The Anarkali Market and Jahangir's Tomb are prominent in the city of Lahore as is the Lahore Museum, while the ancient city of Taxila in the northwest was once a major centre of Buddhism. Many important Sikh shrines are in the Pakistani portion of Punjab, including the birthplace of the first Guru: Guru Nanak (born at Nankana Sahib). There is also the largest salt mine in Asia situated the Khewra Salt Mines.
LAHORE
The people of Lahore, when they want to emphasise the uniqueness of their town say "Lahore is Lahore". The traditional capital of the Punjab for a thousand years, it had been the cultural center of Northern India extending from Peshawar to New Delhi. It holds this pre-eminent position in Pakistan as well. Lahore is the city of poets, literateurs, artists, wrestlers, colleges and some of the finest gardens in the sub-continent. The ancient legend says, it was founded by Loh, son of Rama Chandra, the hero of the Hindu epic Ramayana.
Places To See
- Full day city tour of Lahore visiting Badshahi Masjid, Lahore fort, Masjid Wazir Khan, Jehangir's Mausoleum, museum, Shalimar garden and flag ceremony at Wahgah border.
- Half day excursion to Hiran Minar (Sheikhupura).
- Full day excursion for Harappa .
- Full day excursion to Nankana Sahib
MULTAN
Tradition has it that when Adam was turned out of the garden of Eden, Multan is the place where he landed. But, for millions of Pakistanis it is a city of saints and mystics. Whatever the truth, Multan is probably the oldest living city in South Asia . It is claimed that Rig Veda was written in Multan, its architects devised the perfect arch in buildings and wrote the first book on architecture. Alexander the Great in 326 B.C destroyed the stronghold of Malavas or Mali and it is presumed that this stronghold was at Multan or near it. Multan remained culturally more under the Arabs and central Asian influence than that of the Indians.
Places To See
- Half day city tour of Multan visiting tomb of Shah Rukne Alam, Baha ud Din Zakria, Multan fort and local Bazaar
- Full day excursion for Uch Sharif
- Full day excursion to Derawar fort
- Full day excursion for Lal Sohanra National Park
WAH
Wah is about 40 kms from Islamabad. The legend says that once Babar the Mughal King stayed in this area and after drinking spring water, he said "Wah!" (symbol of joy and happiness). When the mughals firmly established rule in India they started building gardens, leisure and pleasure resorts and Wah garden is one of them. To beat the heat of the Subcontinent and to remember the cold climate of Samarkand and Bukhara, the Mughals placed a lot of emphasis on building water channels, fountains and water tanks. Wah garden is one of three world famous gardens built by Mughal architects (the Mughals are known the best architects in the world).
MURREE HILLS
Murree is commonly known as little England . Murree in Punjab and its adjoining hill stations, mostly situated in the Frontier Province, provide a cool retreat in summer to the people of the Punjab and Frontier. Murree is the most developed hill station and has a cool climate in summer and is crispy cold in winter. It was developed by the British as a summer resort of the Punjab which it continued to be up to 1876 when the focus was transferred to Simla. Situated at an altitude of 2100m, Murree is considered the most beutiful hill station in northern Punjab. The winding drive from Islamabad passes through Sarannab woodland, rocky shrubs and cedar and lofty pine forests.
Places To See
- The Mall, Kashmir Point are famous places to see
- Full day excursion to Patriata.
- Full day excursion to Nathiagali & Ayubia
- Half day excursion to Bhurbon
ISLAMABAD
The name of the new capital means �the abode of Islam�. Islamabad is new, planned, spacious leafy and green. The wide roads, detached houses and gardens contrast somewhat with the old Pakistani city (twin city) of Rawalpindi. The city was envisaged by Ayub Khan on an entirely new site which he thought suitable. Lahore might well have been the new capital but for its proximity to the Indian border. As it is, Islamabad is convenient, bordering on two provinces, Punjab and the NWFP, plus it is near the hills with healthy climate.
Places To See
- Full day sightseeing tour of Islamabad and Rawalpindi visiting Shakarparian, Faisal mosque, truck paintings workshop. After lunch visit Rawalpindi old bazaars.
- Full day excursion for Taxila, visit Museum, sites, after lunch see Gurdwara Nanak Sahib at Hassan Abdal, Wah garden.
- Full day excursion for Rohtas Fort.
- Full day excursion to Khewra Salt Mine.
- Full day excursion for Murree and Bhurbo
BAHAWALPUR
The state of Bahawalpur is famous for its Islamic University and colleges. There is the Quaid-e-Azam Medical College and Sadiq Egerton, the first city of learning which completed its hundred years in 1986. Derawar was the ancestral seat of the rulers of Bahawalpur. It is the gateway to Cholistan which comprises 1,000 square miles. Bahawalpur has been a city of gardens and vegetables. Beyond its famous gates, there is a chain of gardens and vegetable farms catering to the needs of the people at incredibly cheap prices.
Places To See
- Half day city tour of Bahawalpur , visit Museum and Bazaars.
- Full day excursion for Derawar fort,
- Full day excursion to Uch Shari
TAXILA
Taxila is one of the ancient sites in Pakistan which represent the rich cultural heritage of the country. From 16 th century B.C onwards the ancient city flourished for more than 1000 years. The city witnessed the rise and fall of no less than seven different dynasties. Taxila was well known for its universities in the early days. Its teachers were recognized as authorities on their subjects. The post Alexander period is not much known in history. The Greeks described it as a large and wealthy city. In 321 B.C Taxila was incorporated into the Mauriyan Empire. During the days of Asoka, the city rose to pre-eminence. A number of monasteries and stupas were built. The White Huns ruined the city in the fifth century A.D.
Places To See
- Taxila Museum
- Taxila Ruins (Dharama Rajika Stupa, Sirkap, Mohra Moradu, Jaulian etc.
