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Southern Punjab

Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Southern Punjab.

  • See

    Bahawalpur Museum

    Displaying items ranging from calligraphy to artefacts from Moenjodaro, Cholistan and Harappa, Bahawalpur Museum, less than 1km southeast of Farid Gate.

  • See

    Zoo

    Established in 1942, the Zoo would have to be one of the best kept in Pakistan. It houses more than 700 different animal species including leopard, lion, tiger, spotted deer, monkey, Siberian crane, golden pheasant, bear, python and crocodile. There's also a museum on-site with pinboards of dead butterflies, some dusty stuffed birds, a frightened-looking baby deer and more. Other attractions include a fish aquarium, gift shop and kiosk.

  • See

    Children's Park

    Inside the main entrance, past the TDCP Motel and park office, is a Children's Park with a small zoo containing local wildlife such as imperial sandgrouse, partridge, pheasant, rhesus monkey, ciracal and civet cat, desert fox and a pair of rhinos. Animal species found wild in the park include boar, hare, jackal, mongoose, desert fox, porcupine, lark, owl, hawk and nilgai (antelope).

  • See

    Dubai Palace

    Off limits to the public, Dubai Palace belongs to the Amir of Dubai, who sometimes uses it as his base for winter falconry sorties into Cholistan. Rumour has it that the amir has thrown lavish parties here for 500 guests at one time.

  • See

    Central Library

    Next door to the Bahawalpur Museum, this fine building houses a well-stocked Central Library. The foundation stone was laid by the then viceroy, Sir Rufus Daniel Isaacs, in 1924. The garden is very restful.

  • See

    Sadiq Garh

    There are three royal palaces here, but unfortunately they aren't open to the public. You can take a distant peek at the late-19th-century Sadiq Garh, by far the grandest, from the gatehouse.

  • See

    Lal Suhanra National Park

    Located 35km east of Bahawalpur and covering a natural lake and a large man-made forest, this 51,588 hectare Lal Suhanra National Park is a pleasant place to relax.

  • See

    Jami Masjid al Sadiq

    This beautiful mosque, built just prior to Partition, is in the heart of the town's central main bazaar area. It serves as Bahawalpur's major Friday mosque.

  • See

    Nur Mahal

    Built in 1885 in Italian style, Nur Mahal was the grandest of the Abbasis' residences and now houses some of their antiquities.