Jan

10

Karachi Travel & Sightseeing Guide

January 10, 2008 |

karachi.jpg
Financial District, Karachi. Image Courtesy Wikipedia

A trip to Karachi

Situated on the eastern coastline of the Arabian Sea, Karachi is a cosmopolitan city that is renowned for its beautiful setting. The former capital of Pakistan is the largest city in the country and its commercial and financial hub. With the Liyari and Malir rivers passing through it and an appealing contrast between the narrow, winding alleyways of the old city and the wide, skyscraper-lined modern roads of the new city, Karachi is one Pakistani city you can’t afford to miss.

Flights to Karachi
Previously known as Quaid-e-Azam International Airport, Jinnah International Airport is located nine miles from central Karachi. Pakistan’s largest domestic and international airport is a major hub of Pakistan International Airlines and handles an annual throughput of 16 million passengers. If you are looking for a cheap flight to Karachi try
Ebookers. Apart from rental car options, the airport is well served by taxis that run to most parts of Karachi 24 hours.

The best way to get around the city is by taxi. Travelling by taxi is an economical and safe mode of transportation, particularly for women who are travelling on their own. Further public transport options within Karachi include buses and auto rickshaws.
[gmap map:133]
Sightseeing in Karachi
Karachi has a lot of attractions to offer visitors however sights are relatively far apart. The white-marbled Defence Housing Society Mosque is one of the city’s major tourist draws and a must-see, while the Quaid-i-Azam Mausoleum, dedicated to the country’s founder Mohammed Ali Jinnah, is also well worth visiting. The lovely St Andrew’s Church and the imposing Holy Trinity Cathedral are further highlights that should not be missed, while the creepy Zoroastrian Towers of Silence are mounds where dead bodies were once customarily exposed to vultures.

One of Pakistan’s few well preserved museums is the National Museum, which is home to various relics from the Indus Valley civilisation to later epochs. Karachi also features a number of ancient buildings such as the Hindu Gymkhana and Wazir Mansion as well as Denso, Frere and Khaliqdina halls, a group of old structures with appealing architecture and history.

Book Sightseeing Tours

Fun by night – eating, drinking and partying
Karachi offers a variety of cuisines, and several charming dining places can be located around Burns road. Clifton and Defence roads feature a large number of posh restaurants serving fusion or international dishes.

For cultural entertainment lovers, Arts Council Karachi houses its own theatre and mostly presents comedy and cultural stage shows throughout the year. As you might expect from a Muslim city, nightlife in Karachi is pretty dull and you won’t find any pubs, bars or clubs here. The only place where you can see predominantly male people having fun at night is at the beach.

Fun by day – shopping and activities
Karachi is home to plentiful picturesque bazaars providing a wealth of irresistible bargains. The oriental Sarafa Bazaar is filled with petite gold and silver jewellery; Zainah Market specialises in clothing; and Saddar Co-operative Market offers a wide range of handicrafts made from wood, brass and onyx. For everyday things, the Gothic-style Express Market houses shops selling all sorts of groceries.


Comments

Name (required)

Email (required)

Website

Speak your mind