Lahore

Lahore is considered as the heart of Pakistan with its very special atmosphere, its bustling streets and its colourful bazaars combined with an amazing mix of British culture and Moghal heritage. The city, also known as “the Pearl of Punjab” or “the Queen City”, is home to many a Pakistani artists and intellectuals. It hosts some of the most important historical monuments of the Indian sub continent, but is also famous at a regional level for its succulent food restaurants. The local cuisine, from mild to spicy, suits all tastes. Lahorites appreciate late outings a lot, whether it consists in eating in a restaurant, enjoying a show at theatre or watching a film at cinema.

The city of Lahore was developed by the Moghal Emperor Shah Jahan on the similar lines as the city of Agra in India. The architectural resemblance of some monuments is indeed incredible and some would be tempted to say that the Mosque and the Fort of Agra are the copies of Badshahi Mosque and Lahore Fort, and vice versa. If we take a look from a bird’s eye view on both Lahore and Agra Forts, we will notice that both are facing each other. So it was not without reason that one of Agra Fort’s gates facing Lahore was named as "Lahore Gate" and the one facing Agra at Lahore Fort was named "Agra Gate". The Shalimar Garden is another example of "art de vivre" of Moghals with its absolutely calm, peaceful and relaxed atmosphere. Since 1981, the Lahore Fort and Shalimar garden are even inscribed on the World Heritage list of UNESCO. The mausoleums of Jehangir and Nur Jehan, Wazir Khan Mosque, Hiran Minar and Lahore Chauburji are also must-see places.

Later in the history, the Indian sub continent was governed by the British Empire and one can see the imprints of this colonial period on structures such as Punjab University, Railway station, Aitchison College, King Edwards Medical College, High Court building, Lahore Museum, the General Post Office...etc. If the Moghals contributed in its architectural glory, the British had their share for its cultural and intellectual expansion.

Today, Lahore is the fifth largest city in South Asia, the second biggest city of Pakistan and one of its Mega poles with a population superior to 10 millions of inhabitants. This important demographic hike has brought changes as well. The old and congested part of Lahore remains as it is whereas the new areas that have been built in its periphery are planned on modern lines with large roads and avenues, office buildings, parks and other recreational areas. Lahore is one of Pakistan’s most accessible cities and the only city in the country where one can find public and private transportation 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. This includes public buses, as well as thousands of rickshaws and taxis.

On the whole, it’s not a mere coincidence if one of the many nicknames given to Lahore is “the City of Lively People”. A promenade through its old bazaars like Anarkali or its jewellers market Sarafa bazaar will make you understand why and will bring you back to the charm of the era gone by. This wonderful city still holds surprises for you!

Lahore features a hot semi-arid climate with long and extremely hot summers, dry and relatively mild winters, a monsoon and dust storms. The weather of the city is extreme during the months of May, June and July, when the temperatures soar to 40-48 °C. From late June till August, the monsoon seasons starts, with heavy rainfall throughout the province. For your information, here below are the average temperatures per month in Lahore:

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