Sindh
Karachi
Wazir Mansion
Foremost among Karachi’s historic buildings, is the birthplace of Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah. The house is a balconied, three-storied structure on Newneham Road, located in Kharadar, one of the oldest residential areas of the city. The house has been declared a protected national monument.
Quaid-E-Azam’s Mausoleum
This white marble Mausoleum with its curved Moorish Arches and copper grills rests on an elevated 54 Sq. meters platform. The cool inner sanctum reflected the green of a four tiered crystal chandelier gifted by the Peoples Republic of China. The memorial slab framed with silver railings draws people from far and wide who come to pay their respects to the father of the Nation and to watch the impressive change of guard ceremony that takes place everyday. Today, the Quaid-e-Azam’s Mausoleum is a prominent and impressive landmark of Karachi. Nearby are the graves of the “Quaid-e-Millat”, Liaquat Ali Khan, the first Prime Minister of Pakistan and the Qauid’s sister Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah.
Liaquat Hall/Bagh-E-Jinnah
Liaquat Hall is surrounded by the Bagh-e-Jinnah (Jinnah Garden). Originally called Frere Hall, it was once used as Town Hall where, during colonial days, concerts and social events were held regularly. This two storey Venetian Gothic building now houses the Liaquat Municipal Library on the ground floor and an art galley on the first floor. Named after one of Pakistan’s renowned artists, Sadquain, the gallery displays a permanent collection of the artist’s work. Sadquain spent last year of his life, painting a huge mural on the ceiling of the gallery bur, sadly, did not live to complete it.
National Museum Of Pakistan/Burns Garden
This museum, on Dr. Ziauddin Ahmed Road, contains an important collection of items relating to Pakistan’s ancient heritage. Well-arranged galleries display Indus Civilization artifacts, Gandhara sculptures, Islamic art, miniature paintings, ancient coins and manuscripts documenting Pakistan’s political history. There is also an interesting ethnological gallery. The construction work was completed in 1960’s.
Empress Market
Built by the British to commemorate the silver Jubilee of Queen Victoria’s reign, this historic market is designed in the domestic Gothic style. From its center rises a tall clock tower. The market contains shops that sell meat, fish, poultry, vegetables and other groceries. The foundation stone was laid by Sir James Fergusson, Governor of Bombay on 10-11-1884. The market was inaugurated by Mr. Prichard, the then Commissioner of Sindh on 21-3-1889.
Masjid-E-Tooba
Situated in the Defence Housing Authority, Masjid-e-Tooba is a modern architectural marvel. It is said to be the largest single dome mosque. The dome covers central prayer hall with a capacity to accommodate congregation of 5,000 people. The mosque’s single minaret stands 70 meters high.
Mereweather Tower
Positioned as the landmark of Karachi’s main business center, Mereweather Tower is another historical monument of Karachi. It stands 35 meters high and carries a four- faced clock. The Tower construction work was completed and opened for the public by Sir Evans James in 1892. The Tower was constructed in the memory of Sir William L. Mereweather who was the Commissioner of the Sindh.
Sindh High Court
Built in the Renaissance style, this magnificent sandstone building is a combination of local and Roman styles of architecture. It is embellished with cupolas, balconies and tall Roman style columns.
Clifton Beach And Funland
Close to the popular seaside of the city, is Clifton Beach, where Karachiites flock to on weekends and holidays. Scattered along the shore are numerous stalls selling handicrafts made from seashells. Clifton has an amusement park with a bowling alley, and an aquarium.
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| Sunset |
Chaukundi
Just off the National Highway, 27 km from Karachi is Chaukundi. This is the site of graveyards that date back to the 16th-18th centuries. The sandstone covers of these graves are exquisitely carved in relief with intricate motifs. The tomb slabs of women’s graves are embellished with designs of jewellery, necklaces, earning and rings while those of men bear horse and rider motifs as well as floral and abstract designs.
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| Banbhore |
This archaeological site is believed to be the ancient port city of Debul that flourished in the 8th century A.D. This was the place where the Arab conqueror Mohammad Bin Qasim first touched the shores of South Asia in 711 A.D. Here also, after a fierce battle with the reigning King, the Arabs consolidated their hold for subsequent expansion. Banbhore is 64 kms from Karachi. Popular folklore has it that is in the vicinity of Banbhore was the trysting-place of the star-crossed lovers, Sassi and Pannu, much celebrated in local performing arts.
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| Haleji Lake |
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| Karachi sunset |
1
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Art Collector’s Gallery, Near Submarine Roundabout, Defence
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2
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Chawkundi Art. 105, Marine Point Building Block-9 Clifton.Tel: 5871025
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3
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Clifton Art Gallery. 11. Al-Habib Apartments Off Main Clifton Road, Clifton
(Behind Shell Petrol Pump)Tel: 5875827
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4
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Gallerie Sadequain, Bagh-e-Jinnah, Top Floor (Across Marriott Hotel) Tel:
9204325
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5
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Indus Gallery, 50-A/1, Street 1, Bath Island, Tel: 5872338
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6
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Momart Anum Classic, First Floor, IOff Sahrah-e-Faisal Opposite Duty Free Shop.
Tel: 453-0725/6
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7
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Dhoraji Society Tel: 4938146-4948088
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8
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Majmua-Staff Line. Behind Sindh Club. Tel: 566-1401,567-1144
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9
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Indus Valley School of art &
Architecture St. 33, Block 2, Scheme 5, Clifton
Tel: 5861039
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Mongho Pir’s Shrine
Located 16 km north of Karachi, the shrine of Saint Mangho Pir, stands below a mosque built on a rocky hillock. There are numerous legends connected with the saint and the crocodiles inhabiting a shallow pool near it. Legends has it that the crocodiles- a few that are now left, are of a rare and almost extinct species – were originally the lice that leapt out of the saint’s hair. Pir Mangho, according to one versions , came to Sindh from Bokhara in 13th century. Soon after, he miraculously caused thermal springs to gush from a rock and date palms to shoot out from the ground. The saint, who is said to have died at the age of 150 years, had made his home in a cave for 40 years from where he had spread the message of Islam.
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| Manghopeer |
Hotels In Karachi
NAME OF HOTEL
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TEL. NO.
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FAX NO.
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Karachi Shreaton
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5681021-60
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5682875 5682168
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Pearl Continental
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5685021-70
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5682655 5681835
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Avari Towers
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5660100-50
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5680310 5683756
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Regent Plaza
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5660611-50
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Hotel Bloom Luxury
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5675261-4
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5675265
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Beach Luxury
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5611031-7
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5611625 5610674
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Hotel Faran
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4532478-85
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4545752
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Hotel Holiday(Saddar)
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5661231-34
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Hotel Mona Lisa
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521211023
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5662670
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Hotel Jabees
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5212011-5
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5682354
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Hotel Mehran
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5660851-12
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5677019
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Hotel Metropole
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5660145-53
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5684301
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Musafir Khana Airport
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(Old)
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Paradise Hotel
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5680011-7
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5686794, 5686829
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Hotel Poonam
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5218853
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5217195, 5217803
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Gulf Hotel
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5661235-39
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5682388, 5670481
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Hotel United (Saddar)
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5215010-19
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5675611
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Airport Hotel
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4570141-45
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Sarah Hotel (Closed)
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5677560-62
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5677562
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Hotel Sarawan
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5216001-10
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5680278
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Hotel Embassy
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4535461-10
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4526797
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Hotel Hilltop
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4532440-4
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4542648
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Hotel National City
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5688042
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Regency Hotel
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5650595 5681892
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Hotel Reliance
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5211822
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Hotel Bilal
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4522890 4543192
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4547248
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Hotel De Paris
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5212983-84
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Hotel Al-Mustafa
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5660507 5660500
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Hotel Al-Salatin
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5671093 5212904
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Hotel Marriott
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5680111-5682011,
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5682011, 5681610-5680981
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Hotel Carlton
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5849172-86
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Sky Towers
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5675211-8
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Best Western Plaza
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5651650-10
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Kirthar National Park
Kirthar National Park (Dadu District) is a game reserve for wildlife. It is one of the four parks in Pakistan, which are included in the United Nation’s list of national parks. The 3,000 sq. km park is northeast of Karachi, and is four hours drive from the city. It is the habitat of rare species that include Sindh Ibex, Chinkara, Gazelles, Leopards, wild sheep and other animals. The best period to visit is from October to February. However, it turns lush green in August during the monsoons. The Sindh Wildlife Management Board has its office on Stratchen Road Karachi, from where booking can be made for the rest house in the Park area.
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| Kirthar National Park |
Manchar Lake
Located west of Sehawan Sharif, Manchar is said to be the largest natural lake in Asia, covering an area of 253 sq. km and maximum 5 meters deep. It is best visited in winter when temperature is comparatively moderate and migratory birds flock to its vast expanse of water and marshlands. The fisher folk living here belong to the aboriginal Mohanna tribe (locally known as Mirbhars meaning Sealords) and are believed to be descendents of the Scythian Meds of Moenjodaro. They live as “boat-people” in their traditional high-powered wooden boats. The lake can be reached by road from Sehwan Sharif.
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| Manchar Lake |
Anikot Fort
Evidently, the largest fort in the world, Rani Kot is an enigma because of unavailability of its record in history and its conceivable purpose in the wilderness of the forts’ massive 10 meter high walls of dressed sandstone are 29 km around. Seen from a distance, portions of its ramparts resemble the Great Wall of China, as they dip and turn to the contours of the hills. The terrain inside the Fort is partly cultivated and green with vegetation, being watered by nearby Rani River that runs through the fort and a perennial spring within it. Water from both sources has formed pools, teeming with fish. Close to the Fort, fossils of a petrified forest can be found. The fort lies roughly 90 km north of Hyderabad. The route is through Kotri and the town of Sann, from where the remaining 21 km distance is a sandy track across rugged scrubland, best covered by jeep or on camelback, Camels can be hired from Sann.
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| Anikot Fort |
Moenjodaro
On the west bank of the Indus, 580 km Karachi, lies Moenjodaro (Mound of the Dead), an archaeological site which has been rated amongst the most spectacular of the world’s ancient cities. Considered one of the earliest and most developed of urban civilizations, Moenjodaro flourished from the third to the middle of the second millennium B.C.
When it vanished leaving only traces of its culture. Moenjodaro alongwith Harappa (in the Punjab), some 1280 km away – formed part of the Indus valley civilization and its is now generally believed that these were the cities, referred to in the Rigveda that were destroyed by the Aryan invaders.
The urban planning at Moenjodaro was pragmatic and at a high level. Its main thoroughfares were some 91 m wide and were crossed by straight streets that formed blocks 364 m in length and 182/273 m in width. The city’s mud-brick walls and baked brick houses were designed to ensure the safety of its occupants so that in times of earthquakes the structures collapse outwards. It had an elaborate covered drainage system, soak pits for disposal bins, a state granary, a large and imposing building that could have been a palace and a citadel mound with solid burnt-brick towers on its margin. Judging from the remains, the Great Hall was probably the most striking of its structures, comprising an open quadrangle with verandahs of four sides’ galleries and rooms at the back, a number of halls, and a large bathing pool perhaps used for religious or ceremonial bathing. Close to the archaeological site is the Moenjodaro Museum that houses finds from the excavations. These include, amongst other things, engraved seals, ornaments, utensils, pottery weapons, figurines and toys.
Visitors wishing to stay overnight can put up at the archaeological department’s rest house or the newly built PTDC Motel, which also has a restaurant. Room charges are very reasonable. Nearby Sukkur and Moenjodaro, can be reached by air, rail and road from Karachi.
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| Moenjodaro |
Tharparker
The district derives its name from
Thar and Parkar. The name Thar is from Thul, the general term for the region
sand ridges and Parkar literary means "to cross over". It was earlier
known as Thar and Parkar district, but later became one word Tharparkar. Until
1990, the present district of Tharparkar, Umerkot and Mirpur Khas comprised one
district with Mirpur Khas its headquarters. The division into two separate
districts on 31st October, 1990, i.e. Mirpurkhas and Thar established the town
of Mithi as the new headquarters of the Tharparkar district, while Umerkot was
bifurcated on 17th April 1-993.
The district lies between 24° 10' to 25°45'
north latitudes and 69' 04' to 71°06' east longitude. It is bounded on the
north by Mirpurkhas and Umerkot districts, on east by Barmer and Jaisselmir
districts of India, on west by district Badin and on south by Rann of Kutch.
The total area of the district is 19,638. square kilometers.  |
| Tharparker |
Umerkot
How to Get There?
The nearest you can get to Umerkot by air is from Hyderabad. PIA has a few weekly flights to Hyderabad from Karachi. Better that you drop in Karachi and get a bus and reach Umerkot. There are excellent buses that ply on this route. And if you want to enjoy more then get to Mirpurkhas from Karachi. Then take a train (an old British engine of 19th century) that runs every Monday morning and takes so many hours to reach that you will feel the heat. Check the exact timings from Mirpurkhas railway station.
What to See?
The Fort of Umerkot is its prime attraction. And, there is a long history attached to it.
Other sites:
1) Syed Mazar (Tomb of a Muslim saint) outside Umerkot
2) Shiv Mandir (Hindu temple) near Syed Mazar
3) Akbar’s Quba
4) Thar bazaar
5) There are four other Temples inside the city.
6) Momal Rana
When to Visit?
The best time is the time of rain. Usually, they appear sometime between June and August. Everyone is happy and there are tourists around. And there are lots of snakes out from their long hibernation. So, be careful.
What to eat?
1) Krishan’s Sweet (drink milk from here as well)
2) Ask for the best samosa wala
3) Try daal and vegetables from any hotel along Main bazaar of Umerkot.
How to Travel Around?
There are many taxis to take you around. Being a small town, you don’t need one. But, you will need a rickshaw to take you to Momal Rana. And, finally the specialty of Thar is there to see and sit: Keckras. The old army jeeps turned into buses and everything else.
Where to Stay?
There is one hotel in Umerkot by the name of Karoonjhar Hotel. Charges are Rs. 200 and cheap rooms cost Rs.120/night.
For any other Question Visit :
For Hotel booking visit:
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