Lothal Archaeological Site

DARSHAN KUMAR/Shutterstock

Ruins of Lower Town at Lothal, Indus Valley Civilisation, 2500BC. Gujarat, India.

You'll need a vivid imagination to reconstruct the once-thriving Harappa-era port town at Lothal (entry ₹100), believed to date to 2200 BCE. The site of the once-prominent Indus Valley civilization lacks dramatic structures, but what is arguably the world's oldest dockyard remains intact, along with washroom drainage systems. There are also the remnants of a warehouse, a bead-making factory, and a citadel that once housed the city's elite. An on-site museum displays artifacts found during excavation.

Lonely Planet may earn a commission from affiliate links on our site. All recommendations and reviews reflect our own independent opinions.


Must-see attractions