Punjab is the largest province of Pakistan in terms of population and the second largest in terms of area. Due to being home to the most interesting heritage and remains of ancient cultures, Punjab continues to be a major attraction for tourists from within the country and all around the world. From the remains of the Indus Valley Civilization to Harrapa to Gandhara, there are many places to visit in Punjab.
We will discuss different tourist places in Punjab.
Lahore
Lahore continues to be on the top of the list of tourist places in Punjab. Whether you want to see priceless artifacts, historical sites, or modern life, you can witness it all in Lahore. If you are interested in exploring the Mughal era, you can have a glimpse of it at Lahore fort, Badshahi Masjid, Masjid Wazir Khan, and Shalimar Gardens. If you want to visit places that tell the story of the origin of Pakistan, you can visit Minar-e-Pakistan and the burial place of Allama Mohammad Iqbal. Lahore Museum is here to tell you the fascinating history of the subcontinent. Lahore is a place of rich traditional foods, cultural heritage, and welcoming people.
Murree
Murree is a hill station that borders Azad Kashmir. While this place has become a bit overcrowded, it is still one of the most attractive places to visit in Punjab. The Gilliat regions of Murree are known for their scenic valleys, pine-covered mountains, lawns and orchards, and springs and rivulets. You may be able to have a view of the snowy peaks of Kashmir on clear days. Sometimes, the crest of Nanga Parbat may also become visible. Mall Road and Kashmir Point are the famous picnic points of Murree. Walking on foot through the pine-covered Murree Expressway and Pindi point allows you have a panoramic view of Rawalpindi.
Another point of attraction of Murree is its chairlift, which can take you to a higher point through dense forests, allowing you to have a beautiful view of a lifetime.
Taxila
Although Taxila is not regarded as one of the most famous places to visit in Punjab, it has everything that makes it one of the top tourist destinations. This place is home to ancient civilizations and several hidden destinations that wait to be explored. Some of the most considerable places in Taxila include Jaulian, Buddhist Monastery, Dharmarajika Stupa and Monastery, Sirkap, Giri Fort, Bhamala Stupa, and Taxila Ruins. If you are fond of history and ancient civilizations, you will love this place.
Multan
Multan is located on the banks of River Chenab. It is a city of rich culture and traditions. This 5th most populous city of Punjab is one of the economic centers of the province. This city is known for its Sufi culture. Several Sufi shrines of the 11th and 12th centuries are a testament to this city’s cultural values. That is why Multan has earned the nickname City of Saints.
Kallar Kahar
At 225km away from Lahore on M2 Motorway and 125km from Rawalpindi, there is a city called Kallar Kahar. If you want to relax a bit while staying away from the hustle and bustle of city life, you may consider visiting Kallar Kahar. This city is home to lush green gardens, rocky landscape, saltwater lakes, historic places, and many other attractions. The most notable of those attractions include Takht-e-Babari, Kallar Kahar Lake, Molat Fort, Swaik Lake, and Neela Wahn Lake.
Khewra
One of Punjab famous places is Khewra, which is a substantially populated city of Jhelum district. The most well-known tourist attraction of this city is the salt mine, which is the largest one in Asia. Interestingly, it is one of the most popular tourist places in Pakistan. According to some resources, about 35000-40000 visit this place every year. These visitors include Pakistani nationals and foreigners. The 2003 restoration work in salt mine transformed this place into a tourist destination. Attractions inside the mine include replicas of Badshahi Masjid, Assembly hall, Minar-e-Pakistan, Post Office, and Sheesh Mahal.
Patriata
This place with a cooler climate is one of the most refreshing places to visit in Punjab. Also known as New Murree, Patriata is a hill station situation 15km from Murree. It is a subdivision of the Rawalpindi district. There are several picnic spots in this city to allow visitors to come and have quality time with their friends and families. A cable car lift and gondola chair lift allow visitors to have a view of this beautiful hill station and its surroundings from a height. Because it is a highly forested area, it is crowded with monkeys and wild leopards.
Rawalpindi
Being the fourth largest city of Pakistan, Rawalpindi is a place characterized by its diversity and a mix of urban and rural lifestyles. The metropolitan area of Rawalpindi is highly modernized, while rural areas of this division give the best village-life experience. From crowded bazaars to highly structured parks, Rawalpindi has a lot to offer to its visitors. You may, however, want to stay away from the hustle and bustle. For this purpose, you will not have to go out of this city. You can visit a lot of rural areas to enjoy a minimalistic life experience. The most famous attractions of Rawalpindi include Ayub National Park, Army Museum, Raja Bazaar, Jinnah Park, Nila Sand, Army Central Library, Sangni Fort, Nawaz Sharif Park, Masjid Gulshan Dadan Khan, Lohi Bher Wildlife Park, Pindi Food Street, and many more.
Gujranwala
Like many other places to visit in Punjab, Gujranwala is another historic city. The most notable attractions of this city are its historical places and best cuisine. It is also the birth city of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, founder of the Sikh Empire. His birthplace is one of the buildings you would want to visit. This city also offers the best urban and rural lifestyle experiences.
That sums up our list of places to visit in Punjab. These are just a few stunning places that you can visit and have an experience of a lifetime.