1. Visit The Badshahi Mosque In The Morning
The Badshahi mosque is one of the most beautiful mosques in Pakistan. The architecture resembles the Jama Masjid in New Delhi but at a much bigger scale and you can have a more peaceful walk around it instead of going through hundreds of people. The best time to visit the Badshahi Mosque is at 9 AM when the gate is open and the lights are at its best. In the morning, the sun should be shining towards the mosque instead of being behind the shadow in the evening. There will also be fewer people in the morning and you will be able to enjoy the mosque in solitude.
If you arrive early enough, at the parking lot of the mosque, you might be able to see several young men practicing crickets together. It is fun to watch but keep an eye out of the ball and be ready to dodge when a ball is coming your way. I really feel sorry for those people who parked their cars here at the parking lot.
2. Explore Lahore Fort
Near the entrance of the Badshahi Mosque, you will find a security line that will lead you to the Lahore Fort. Lahore Fort is a Mughal-era fortress with several stunning palaces, gardens, and museums all behind the fortress wall.
The fort has stood the test of time for many generations, housing several rulers from different areas, and you can see that through the diverse styles of architectural design that are present in the fort
The fort has stood the test of time for many generations, housing several rulers from different areas, and you can see that through the diverse styles of architectural design that are present in the fort. From the Persian style audience hall to the Hindu style of the elephant-shaped column brackets.
The fort is massive so be sure to spend a few hours walking around the area and check out all the buildings inside the wall
3. Admire The Craftsmanship Of Sheesh Mahal
At the northwest corner of the fort, you will find a beautiful structure called the Sheesh Mahal, or the Palace of Mirrors. The palace was built under the reign of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan during the 16th century and has since been maintained quite well until today. What is unique about this place is the ornate white marble pavilion’s walls that are decorated with complex mirror-work unlike anything in the fort. It has become the most important structure in the fort, and can easily be missed if you don’t know where it is in the fort.
4. Find Solitude At The Wazir Khan Mosque
After spending a few hours at the fort, take a rickshaw to the Wazir Khan Mosque, one of my favorite places in Lahore. This mosque doesn’t get as many local tourists as places like the Badshahi mosque and you can walk around the mosque at your own leisure.
The mosque is considered the be the most ornately decorated mosque in Lahore and you can see it through the many intricate details works around the mosque, from the beautiful tile-work at the gate all the way through the pattern on the ceiling
The mosque is considered the be the most ornately decorated mosque in Lahore and you can see it through the many intricate details works around the mosque, from the beautiful tile-work at the gate all the way through the pattern on the ceiling. Apparently, you can also go up one of the towers during the praying time but it was locked when I was there.
5. Walk Around The Market At Delhi Gate
Only a few steps away east from the Wazir Khan mosque, you will find a path through a market that will lead you to the Delhi Gate, a beautiful historic gate, one of the six left around the walled city of Lahore. The gate is nice but the market is the highlight as you will meet so many friendly locals welcoming you into their shops, a great chance to experience Pakistani hospitality.
Do not hesitate to accept a random greeting from a stranger if they come up to you when you walk around the market. Pakistan hasn’t been plagued by mass-tourism yet and people are genuinely nice and often just curious about you. I have had many great times with the most random people here in Pakistan
I have had many great times with the most random people here in Pakistan. Hospitality in Pakistan is next-level and you will see acts of kindness in the most random way you could imagine here, except when dealing with taxi drivers. They are the worst, no matter where you are in the world. 😂
6. Learn the History at the Lahore Museum
The Lahore museum was built during the British colonial time with a Mughal-Gothic architectural style, depicting the Indian architecture through the westerners’ eyes. The museum is built with stunning red bricks that are quite common in Lahore structures that were built during the British Raj reign.
The museum displays archaeological materials from pre-historic times and houses many artefacts and relics from the Indus valley
The museum displays archaeological materials from pre-historic times and houses many artifacts and relics from the Indus valley. It is a great place to hide from the heat in the afternoon, and enjoy a little bit of history of Pakistan.
7. Witness The Border Ceremony At The Wahga Gate
The Wagah border ceremony is a daily military practice happening at the border of Pakistan and India, 24 km away from Lahore where soldiers from both countries participate in a rapid dance-like parade to symbolise the rivalry, brotherhood, and cooperation the 2 countries share. If you have an evening free, be sure to grab a taxi to the border and witness this once-in-a-lifetime ceremony before you leave the city.
And there you have it, a guide on cool things to do in Lahore. Lahore is a nice city to start your trip to Pakistan and I hope this guide will help you lay the groundwork for your trip to other areas of Pakistan. If you have any questions about travelling in Lahore, Pakistan, do not hesitate to ask me in the comments below.
woww .. lahore seems really ancient!! I will visit lahore for sure.