Rawalpindi

Gulshan Dadn Khan Maseet, Rawalpindi - |A mosque in Rawalpindi

Rawalpindi is in Pakistan. It is a bustling town strategically located between the Punjab (Pakistan) | Punjab and Azad Kashmir. It has a strong colonial influence and possesses a large military cantonment with the headquarters of the Pakistan Army. It is the sister city of Islamabad, and is crucially the older sister of Islamabad. To local residents, it is simply known as "Pindi".

For the visitor Pindi offers a slice of real Pakistan (in contrast to Islamabad) - however there are few tourist attractions of note in the city. Bahria Town, a wealthy suburb to the south of Pindi, offers a couple of attractions that warrant an excursion.

Travel to Rawalpindi

Buy a Flight ticket to and from Rawalpindi

Government college for Women Dhoke Kala Khan - |New architecture of Rawalpindi

Islamabad International Airport (IATA Flight Code: ISB) is located within the city of Rawalpindi. Daily Flights to and from various International and Local destinations are available. A new airport to the west of the city is now in operation. It is accessible via GT Road, Motorway M2 at Pind Ranjah, and is a 30-minutes drive from Saddar area.

By Rail

Rawalpindi train station 4 - |Rawalpindi train station

Rawalpindi has its own central train station, with regular services to many destinations within Pakistan.

By road

Rawalpindi has extensive road networks, linking it directly to various major cities such as Lahore, Peshawar and Taxila to the north. Apart from that the twin city, which Rawalpindi is otherwise called, has a complete structure of traveling around in the city through local buses. However, this is not a recommended mode of transport to tourists. Taxis are cheap, and you'll be looking at around Rs250 or so for a trip from Ghakar Plaza to the outer sectors of Islamabad, so travel within Rawalpindi will be around Rs100 per trip - very affordable for a foreign tourist. Make sure you agree the price before getting into the taxi.

Travel on a Bus in Rawalpindi

Skyways, Daewoo travels are one of the nicer long-haul operators. Skyways offer some direct services to/from Islamabad and Lahore, Peshawar and Karachi. Daewoo has its own terminal on the road from Islamabad just outside Rawalpindi. You can call the Daewoo Station in advance for booking. They shall confirm a seat for you. The number is 051 111 007 008. You can travel to Peshawar, Lahore, D I Khan, Murree, Sialkot, Abottabad, Bahawalpur, Faisalabad, Multan, and recently they have started service between Karachi and Hyderabad.

Coach is a very comfortable way to travel in Pakistan, and is very popular for Muslim travellers between Rawalpindi and Lahore. You will receive a small meal on the coach, and a first class ticket is between Rs800-Rs3000.

Get Around

Rawalpindi is a large sprawling city - however the centre, focused on Raja Bazaar is walkable - but easy to get lost, so a GPS or compass isn't a bad idea. To get from one part of town to another (eg Raja Bazaar to Saddar) its best to hop in a taxi. Buses are an option for going up or down Murree Road, but working out how to get a bus to more far flung parts will require some Urdu. A trip to Bahria Town is best done in your own vehicle or a taxi (and armed with a map).

What to see in Rawalpindi

Rohtas Fort 8 - Rohtas Fort

Rawalpindi is not blessed with an extensive architectural history. However the city is an interesting place to wander, especially if you are based in Islamabad and are looking for some hustle and bustle.

• Liaqat Bagh 33.606161, 73.064425 - Liaqat National Bagh - Gardens that has a depressing history of political assassination - The first prime minister of Pakistan, Khan Liaquat Ali Khan, was assassinated here in 1950, and 57 years later Benazir Bhutto was assassinated here on 27 December 2007.

• Nawaz Sharif Park Murree Road near Shamsabad The Park was opened in 1991. It has a play area for children, lawns, fountains and flower beds. A cricket stadium was built in 1992 opposite the Public Park. The 1996 World Cup cricket matches were held on this cricket ground.

• Jinnah Park 33.5844, 73.0735 Near Kachehri Chowk - Jinnah Park Jinnah Park-1 McDonald's (Please do not support McDonald's as McDonald's supports Israel. Shun this restaurant group and go for altertative brands and if possible for a Muslim owned restaurant), Pappasalis, Cinepax and COSMO (Cash and Carry) are built inside this park.

Jinnah Park Entrance - Jinnah Park Entrance

• Ayub Park 33.570833, 73.080556 Beyond the old Presidency on Grand Trunk (G.T.) Road Ayub National Park Ayub national park garden It covers an area of about 2,300 acres and has a play area, lake with boating facility, an aquarium, a garden-restaurant and an open air theater.

• Eidgah Sharif

• Shah Chun Charagh

Rawal dam - View of Rawal Dam from old picnic point.

• Army Museum - at the end of Murree road The Army Museum was established in 1961 to collect and display material relating to the Pakistan Army and the British Indian Army.

• Moti Bazar/Sarafa Bazaar/Purana Qilla Take a Van or a Cab. Opening Hours: 20 - 40 minutes from airport depending on the traffic One of the Oldest and Traditional bazars of Rawalpindi. Moti Bazar is famous for clothes and artificial jewellery, Saraf Bazar is the most famous Gold market of Rawalpindi famous for good quality Gold and unique designs. Purana Qilla (translation : old castle) is a bazaar that is famous for variety of fancy wedding clothes. The traditional Snacks like gol gappay, dahi bhally, smosa chaat, chana chaat, fruit chaat are very famous in these bazaars. Also while visiting these bazars you will get to see old temples and Lal Hawali, buildings with old architecture.

Rawal Dam Lake View - The Rawal Dam: lake view

Best things to do in Rawalpindi

There are various things you can do in Rawalpindi. A few of them are:

• Plan a trip to Raja Bazar, Bara Bazar and Murree Road. Although the traffic gets horrible at times, but you will find such amazing stuff at amazing prices that you'll forget the pain. Be careful in Raja Bazar in particular - it is not recommended for lone female travellers.
• Go to Ayub Park, have a pleasant walk around, it will give you hours of walk in green meadows without having to worry about anything else. If you take the family along, you can eat Snacks and even take you own for added fun !
• Head to Bahria Town to the south of Pindi - this new-build suburb offers a mini golf course , karting track , a luxury spa, and a strange copy of Trafalgar Plaza in Safari III.
• Plan a visit to Rawat Fort 15 kilometers away off the Grand Truck Rd

• Cinepax - next to Jinnah Park - Modern western style cinema complex showing a range of south Asian and Hollywood films.

• Helicopter Tours - 5-A The Mall, AWT Plaza +92 51 9272-4004 - GPS , |description=Enjoy the scenic beauty and mountain valleys of Pakistan from a helicopter. Askari Aviation provides helicopters and aircraft for adventures and safaris. They have several itineraries on their website and each trip starts from Islamabad.

• Taxila tourist train - Rawalpindi train station - Rs 1,200 On the first Sunday of each month a tourist train (possibly steam) makes its way from Pindi to Taxila, stopping at Golra Sharif station where there is a small museum. From Taxila a coach can take you to Khanpur dam - or you can check out the Taxila museum and ruins. The train leaves Pindi around 9am, returning in late afternoon.

Muslim Friendly Shopping in Rawalpindi

Saddar Bazar is the most versatile, modern and easily approachable market place of Rawalpindi. Its connected to Mall Road on one side, City to the other, and Train station on the 3rd side.

Saddar Bazar has certain good looking plazas, banks, fun houses for children and has a few recreational parks for children and elderly

Gakkahr Plaza is one of the most renowned shopping markets in Saddar Rawalpindi. You can buy leather jackets, trousers, all sorts of garments, kameez salwar, khussas, sandals and all gents garments from Gakkahr Plaza. Unfortunately, on 20 December 2008, Gakhar Plaza was completely gutted down by a huge fire.

Close to Gakkahr plaza, you will find Jabbar Tailors which is one of the oldest tailors in Rawalpindi. Mostly busy with military uniform stitching.

Computer and Mobil ☎ Plazas at 6th Road, and Sadar are the major markets, where one can find many computer items and other electronic items.

College Road near Liaqat Bagh holds electronic components for electronic enthusiasts.

Most economical market in rawalpindi is Raja Bazaar where u can find most of the things at a very economical rates.

• Sheikhs Mall Adam Jee Road Saddar Rawalpindi KFC Basement Saddar ☎ +92 51 5113162 Sheikhs Mall is one of the largest Shopping Mall of Twin City. It deals in ALl Imported Garments (Imported From Hongkong,Thailand,Italy,France,UK),Imported and Stylish Jewlery,Men Branded Suiting,Branded Shoes,Children Branded Suitings,Complete Range of Ladies Western Dresses,Party Wears and Under Garments.

• Midway Centrum shopping mall | 6th Road & Murree Road Opening Hours: until 8pm If you are looking for a multifloor shopping mall, with escalators, shiny floors and lots of shops this is an excellent option (especially in summer when the bazaars are baking hot). Lots of clothing shops covering male and female fashions, and an excellent option if you are looking for a comparatively relaxed shopping experience.

Zircon Plaza Saddar : Zircon Plaza is an area of saddar filled with amazing shops. Most of the shops here are high end (Pakistani) brands with amazing Western and Estern variety of clothes and shoes.

Singapore Plaza Saddar: Next to Zircon Plaza is Singapore market from where you can buy mobiles related stuff.

Gold Market: Two famous places for Gold shopping are Murree Road and Sarfa Bazzar. The Roads to these areas are filled with traffic but it's easier to get to Murree Road than Sarafa Bazaar.

Halal Restaurants in Rawalpindi

The Mess Hall Rawalpindi - The Mess Hall, Rawalpindi A visit to Rawalpindi makes a pleasant change from Islamabad's restaurant scene. As you might expect Pindi offers some excellent places for top-notch (Pakistani) food, and offers better value than you find in Islamabad. You'll almost certainly be the only non-Pakistani client, and you can expect the staff to go out of their way to be hospitable.

• Fortress Street - Next to Rawalpindi cricket ground, off Stadium road Opening Hours: until late cheap A good collection of (Pakistani) restaurants popular with families and couples - including a nice outdoor grill serving sheesha around low tables (Shahinshah). Plenty of parking and feels secure - and very little traffic.

• Namak Mandi | 2nd Flr, Zarkoon Plaza, Saddar area just off main Murree Road before junction with GT road ☎ +92 51 5522167 | Opening Hours: lunch until late Excellent upscale (Pakistani) / Afghan restaurant. Dual western seating / lounging on cushions setup. Air conditioned also makes for a good choice in summer. The fact it is always busy is testament to the great food, atmosphere and service. Meal around Rs600.

• Mei Kong | 32 Haider Rod, Saddar area ☎ +92 51 5566577 Western quality Chinese restaurant set away from the primary street. Extensive menu covering all the Chinese bases. Seafood is a bit of a specialty (the honey prawns being particularly good) and even lobster is available. Perhaps Pindi's nicest restaurant. Note that the portions are all designed for 2 people to share, so ask for half portions as necessary. Around Rs600 per person for a decent meal.

• Cafe dine light | Rawal Plaza, Commercial Market Road look for a plastic camel ☎ +92 51 4451054 | Opening Hours: 7-11pm Sheesha bar cum restaurant - popular with Pindi's young and rich - a feasible place to order a Steaks or a burger, but better to head here after eating for some ice cream, sheesha and people watching. Separate area for mixed groups. There are some other smokey sheesha places in the same building if you want a puff after 11pm.

• Tehzeeb bakers & pizzeria - between Bank Road & Haider Road, Saddar ☎ +92 51 5564373 very popular bakers and Pindi's best place for pizza (Rs. 650). Outdoor eating area.

• Mini golf club restaurant (Sizzle'n'spice) | Bahria Town Phase IV 33.5468, 73.1254 print a google map beforehand Opening Hours: until late Memorable setting on the terrace of the minigolf course, with a small lake, flamingos, and Greek statues. Good selection of (Pakistani) food (BBQ and Curries mainly). Popular with Pindi's middle classes. About Rs700 per person for a good sized meal.

• Texas Steak House - Ground Flr, Zarkoon Plaza, Saddar Opening Hours: lunch & dinner Pindi isn't the place to go for a good Steaks - but if you are looking for one then this uncomplicated family restaurant is probably your only choice. Serves a range of international food, including sizzling hot-plate style Steaks.

• Asian Palace | Midway Centrum shopping mall 6th Road & Murree ☎ +92 51 8434666 Set in the middle of Pindi's only western style shopping centre this family friendly place is not a bad choice for a quick lunch or ice cream.

• Savour Foods - Gordon College Road ☎ +92 51 5532556

Fast food

In Pakistan there is a big fascination with these large fast-food chains, particularly "Pizza Hut", "McDonalds", "KFC", and "Subway". As a tourist, it is recommended to try the local food, as these fast food chains do not live up to their hype, and are in way a cleaner establishment than local restaurants. They are also quite overpriced, with combo meals costing around Rs 300 compared with Rs 7 you could expect to pay for a naan bread at the local market.

The first "McDonalds" opened in Rawalpindi at Jinnah Park . It is huge with a lot of parking space and it is open until late. KFC is the best place for getting international-style fast food, and it is situated just in the cantonment area of the city and also has a big parking area.

Eating in these chains is more of a statement of status in Pakistan than anything else, and you will notice that there is usually quite a fashion parade in many of these establishments.

In Rawalpindi, do as the pindites do! Grab a bag of the most yummy and juicy local sweet called "jalebee" from gratto on murree road and the luxuriously garnished icecream from "Chaman" at saddar and the famous 'samosas' from 'karim hotel', 'fresh from the pan' halwa poori from satelitown and 'rabri' (milky drink) from 'nirala' in saddar. Alcohol in Pakistan is forbidden but one can find drinks at many modern hotels like Pearl Continental(PC), Shalimar hotel and Flashman Hotel. There are no cafes and night clubs in Rawalpindi city but all the big markets are open til late-night. Drinking culture in Pakistan is crucially soft-drink culture, where Pepsi is traditionally the drink of choice. It is imfeasible to avoid Pepsi advertising throughout Pakistan. Be warned as a traveller about the cleanliness of bottles - always drink from a straw, and always request that bottles be opened in front of you, as a cleanliness measure. Drinking culture also revolves around tea, called 'chai' in Urdu, and this is available everywhere and anywhere. Coffee is not imfeasible to come by, however iced coffee tends to be the popular coffee drink of choice.

The Locally available drinks are:

• Sharbat of Imli and Alu Bukhara (Plums)
• Shakar Kola (Drink made from Brown Sugar)
• Sugar Cane Juice.
• Lemonade.

Do not drink from places with flies.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Rawalpindi

Rawalpindi - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Rawalpindi, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Rawalpindi. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Rawalpindi and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Rawalpindi. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Rawalpindi. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations inRawalpindi: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Rawalpindi.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Rawalpindi: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Rawalpindi, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Rawalpindi.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Rawalpindi, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Rawalpindi, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Rawalpindi and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Rawalpindi, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Rawalpindi, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Rawalpindi without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Rawalpindi is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Rawalpindi.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Rawalpindi is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Rawalpindi, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Rawalpindi Media: info@ehalal.io

Muslim Friendly Hotels

Rawalpindi has one 5-star hotel called the Pearl Continental but often known by its acronym PC. Other that this one can go to Hotel Shalimar and others.

• Flashman's Hotel - The Mall ☎ +92 51 9272013, +92 51 9272004 RS 5000 and up Government-run, centrally located, and apparently named after Harry Flashman and the anti-hero in the novels by George Macdonald Fraser.

Stay Safe

Rawalpindi is not necessarily as safe as it's sister, Islamabad. Islamabad has higher foreign tourist traffic, and thus has become accustomed to it, however foreign Muslims are somewhat rare in Rawalpindi. Pakistan on the whole is not recommended to lone young female travellers, however Pindi is relatively safe for larger groups of females, or mixed gender paired-travellers. For female travellers, it is highly recommended to purchase a shawl upon arrival in Pakistan (even better to bring one over on your flight, for airport arrival purposes). It is not necessary or expected for you to wear this on your head at all times, however to avoid unwanted attention, and gain local respect, cover your chest with this shawl (i.e. drape it across your neck). Also wear a long shirt/top, that covers your backside region - this again, will draw away unwanted attention.

Avoid flashing large amounts of cash around - Rs 1000 notes are commonplace, however the haggling process is often easier when you show the limited cash you have (e.g. "I only have Rs 200 on me"). Keep your larger notes on the inside, and only allow small notes to be seen, for example, when paying taxi drivers, purchasing items, etc.

Do not feel compelled to give money to all beggars, no matter how young or needy. Of course exercise discretion, and it not unacceptable to give them money.

In Case of Emergency

In the case of an emergency, call police by 15 from any landline phone.

• Ambulance Access To get an ambulance in case of an emergency, dial 115 from any landline or cellphone.

If you found yourself in serious trouble and need any type of emergency rescue or help then feel free to dial 1122. The name of the emergency service is "Rescue 1122".

Travel Next

• Islamabad - Islamabad and the capital of Pakistan, is very near to Rawalpindi. You can plan your trip by visiting both Rawalpindi and Islamabad in the same day.
• Khanpur Dam - You can go to Khanpur Dam for paragliding and watersports
• Murree If you have more time on your hands, go to Murree. Murree is one of the hottest attractions (attraction wise; in temperature, it's very cold) where you can spend even weeks if you like.
• Archaeology lovers can visit the ruins of Taxila, 28 kilometers from Rawalpindi. Taxila houses many ruins of Buddhism, most important is that of Julian University. A beautiful museum holds the artifacts of that time. Taxila also offers many beautiful stone utensils.
• Gujar Khan
• Rawat Fort
• Stupa in Mankiala

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