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Jan

10

Karachi Travel & Sightseeing Guide

Filed Under Pakistan

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.

Karachi

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.

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.

Daytrips
There are a number of scenic towns and villages tourists can visit on daytrips from Karachi. Banbhore is roughly 40 miles outside of Karachi and is home to several pottery and antique museums with artefacts dating back as early as the 1st century. Tourists get a taste of traditional Pakistani culture and traditions as Banbhore’s local community is famous for sharing folk songs, stories and performances with visitors.

Chaukundi is an ancient city about an hour outside of Karachi with tombs and sandstone graves that give a glimpse into the country’s archaeological facets. For a more romantic and relaxing getaway from the city, renting a car and driving up to the very scenic Haleji Lake will prove to be worthwhile.

The lake is roughly 50 miles outside of Karachi and is a natural sanctuary for various species of birds during the colder months. Apart from the wildlife Haleji Lake offers, there is also one of the largest and most gorgeous waterfalls in Asia to enjoy.

Must-see attractions
Check out Karachi’s own simulated African Safari at the Zoo Garden Karachi. The zoo garden features native African wild life and is entertainment for the entire family. While sightseeing, stroll over to Liaqat Hall to experience what concerts and live performances would have been like during Karachi’s colonial days.

For a little fun in the sun, take a trip over to Hawke’s Bay. It is one of the most visitor and tourist friendly beaches in Karachi and perfect for relaxing on good weather days. Female travellers should be aware that although they are visiting a beach on a warm sunny day, a bikini won’t exactly be the proper form of attire.

Visitors to Karachi should experience the fresh local meats and vegetables from the Empress Market. Although this is a favourite among natives and locals, tourists will also enjoy the vibrant atmosphere and surroundings of an authentic Pakistani market in the centre of the city.

Karachi isn’t the city for club hoppers and party goers as nightclubs are scarce and alcoholic beverages are even harder to find. Dining, eating and chatting amongst friends are common nightlife activities with restaurants staying open well into the early hours of the following day. Tourists often seek refuge at venues along the beach as most hotels, like the Beach Luxury Hotel, have lounges.

Best time to go
It’s worth planning a trip to Karachi around its many festivals as the city becomes quite vibrant and full of life. August 14th is Pakistani Independence Day and the festivities are overwhelming, even for the most adventurous of tourists. During the Eid festivals most places of business stay open later to accommodate the influx of merrymakers to the city centre. For those who factor in climate and weather before travelling, the summertime is brutally hot and the rainy season is usually at the end of summer.

Rainy day suggestions
Enjoy the many historical and educational museums of Karachi should you find yourself in the city on a rainy day. The Maritime Museum is open daily to the public and houses several artefacts and information on the country’s history on the sea. For a romantic evening inside with a little entertainment, stop by the Universe Cineplex and watch a movie. It is a very internationally oriented movie complex as visitors can choose from English, Indian or local films.

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