Important places in Punjab, Pakistan

By: Prof. Dr. Fazal Rehman Shamil | Last updated: February 26, 2025

Lahore

  1. Badshahi Mosque

    • Location: Lahore
    • Reason of Fame: Iconic Mughal-era mosque, historical and religious significance.
  2. Lahore Fort

    • Location: Lahore
    • Reason of Fame: UNESCO World Heritage Site, Mughal architecture.
    • UNESCO stands for United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
  3. Minar-e-Pakistan

    • Location: Lahore
    • Reason of Fame: Symbol of Pakistan’s independence (1940 Resolution).
  4. Shalimar Gardens

    • Location: Lahore
    • Reason of Fame: Mughal-era gardens, UNESCO-listed site.
  5. Wagah Border

    • Location: Lahore
    • Reason of Fame: Daily Pakistan-India flag-lowering ceremony.
  6. Tomb of Jahangir

    • Location: Lahore
    • Reason of Fame: Mughal Emperor Jahangir’s tomb, historical site.
  7. Hazuri Bagh

    • Location: Lahore
    • Reason of Fame: Mughal-era garden with Hazuri Bagh Baradari.
  8. Tomb of Nur Jahan

    • Location: Lahore
    • Reason of Fame: Mughal-era tomb of Empress Nur Jahan.
  9. Shrine of Pir Haji Ali Hajveri (Data Darbar)

    • Location: Lahore
    • Reason of Fame: One of the most significant Sufi shrines in South Asia.
  10. Bibi Pak Daman

  • Location: Lahore
  • Reason of Fame: Revered shrine associated with Islamic history.
  1. Jallo Park
  • Location: Lahore
  • Reason of Fame: Wildlife park and recreational area.
  1. Lahore Zoo
  • Location: Lahore
  • Reason of Fame: One of the oldest zoos in South Asia.
  1. Anarkali Bazaar
  • Location: Lahore
  • Reason of Fame: Famous shopping area with historical roots.

Other Historical Sites in Punjab

  1. Hiran Minar
  • Location: Sheikhupura
  • Reason of Fame: Built by Emperor Jahangir in memory of his pet deer.
  1. Rohtas Fort
  • Location: Jhelum
  • Reason of Fame: Massive historical fort built by Sher Shah Suri, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
  1. Khewra Salt Mines
  • Location: Jhelum
  • Reason of Fame: Second-largest salt mine in the world.
  1. Noor Mahal
  • Location: Bahawalpur
  • Reason of Fame: Stunning palace built by Nawab of Bahawalpur.
  1. Derawar Fort
  • Location: Bahawalpur
  • Reason of Fame: Large desert fortress in the Cholistan Desert.
  1. Harappa
  • Location: Sahiwal
  • Reason of Fame: Ancient Indus Valley Civilization site.
  1. Kartarpur Corridor
  • Location: Narowal
  • Reason of Fame: Religious site for Sikhs, home to Gurdwara Darbar Sahib.
  1. Multan Fort
  • Location: Multan
  • Reason of Fame: Historical fort, famous for its architecture.
  1. Shrine of Bahauddin Zakariya
  • Location: Multan
  • Reason of Fame: Sufi shrine of a famous saint of Multan.
  1. Tomb of Shah Rukn-e-Alam
  • Location: Multan
  • Reason of Fame: Majestic tomb of a revered Sufi saint.
  1. Sialkot Clock Tower
  • Location: Sialkot
  • Reason of Fame: Historical landmark of Sialkot.
  1. Iqbal Manzil
  • Location: Sialkot
  • Reason of Fame: Birthplace of Allama Iqbal, Pakistan’s national poet.
  1. Ranikot Fort
  • Location: Punjab/Sindh Border
  • Reason of Fame: One of the largest forts in the world.
  1. Nankana Sahib
  • Location: Nankana Sahib
  • Reason of Fame: Birthplace of Guru Nanak, founder of Sikhism.
  1. Sacha Sauda
  • Location: Farooqabad
  • Reason of Fame: Religious site associated with Guru Nanak.
  1. Uch Sharif
  • Location: Bahawalpur
  • Reason of Fame: Ancient city with Sufi shrines and historical significance.
  1. Sheikhupura Fort
  • Location: Sheikhupura
  • Reason of Fame: Built by Emperor Jahangir, reflecting Mughal military architecture.
  1. Tomb of Sultan Bahoo
  • Location: Jhang
  • Reason of Fame: Shrine of the famous Sufi saint and poet.
  1. Hazrat Baba Fariduddin Ganj Shakar’s Shrine
  • Location: Pakpattan
  • Reason of Fame: One of the most famous Sufi shrines in Punjab.

Natural and Recreational Sites

  1. Soon Valley
  • Location: Khushab
  • Reason of Fame: Famous for its natural beauty, lakes, and waterfalls.
  1. Kallar Kahar Lake
  • Location: Chakwal
  • Reason of Fame: Scenic lake, famous for boating and natural beauty.
  1. Changa Manga Forest
  • Location: Kasur
  • Reason of Fame: One of the largest artificial forests in the world.
  1. Head Balloki
  • Location: Kasur
  • Reason of Fame: Major hydro-engineering structure, picnic spot.
  1. Sulemanki Headworks
  • Location: Okara
  • Reason of Fame: Historical barrage on Sutlej River.
  1. Jinnah Garden
  • Location: Faisalabad
  • Reason of Fame: Popular park, historically known as Company Bagh.
  1. Faisalabad Clock Tower
  • Location: Faisalabad
  • Reason of Fame: Iconic colonial-era structure in the city center.
  1. Fort Munro
  • Location: Dera Ghazi Khan
  • Reason of Fame: Only hill station in South Punjab.
  1. Patriata (New Murree)
  • Location: Murree
  • Reason of Fame: A modern hill station with chairlifts, cable cars, and breathtaking views.
  1. Banjosa Lake
  • Location: Rawalakot (Near Punjab Border)
  • Reason of Fame: A stunning artificial lake surrounded by pine forests.

Technological and Industrial Landmarks

  1. Arfa Karim Software Technology Park
  • Location: Lahore
  • Reason of Fame: Pakistan’s first and largest IT park, named after Arfa Karim.
  1. IT Tower Lahore
  • Location: Lahore
  • Reason of Fame: A modern technology hub housing IT companies and startups.
  1. Chashma Nuclear Power Plant
  • Location: Mianwali
  • Reason of Fame: A major nuclear power generation facility in Pakistan.
  1. Balloki Power Plant
  • Location: Kasur
  • Reason of Fame: A state-of-the-art natural gas power plant, studied for energy production.

Cricket Stadiums

  1. Gaddafi Stadium
  • Location: Lahore
  • Reason of Fame: The largest cricket stadium in Pakistan, hosting international and domestic matches, including historic World Cup games.
  1. Iqbal Stadium
  • Location: Faisalabad
  • Reason of Fame: A well-known cricket stadium that has hosted international Test and ODI matches.
  1. Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium
  • Location: Rawalpindi
  • Reason of Fame: One of Pakistan’s top cricket stadiums, known for hosting international matches.
  1. Multan Cricket Stadium
  • Location: Multan
  • Reason of Fame: A modern cricket stadium used for international and Pakistan Super League (PSL) matches.
  1. Jinnah Stadium, Sialkot
  • Location: Sialkot
  • Reason of Fame: Hosted international cricket matches; known for Sialkot’s strong cricketing heritage.
  1. Jinnah Stadium, Gujranwala
  • Location: Gujranwala
  • Reason of Fame: A stadium that has hosted cricket matches, including international fixtures.
  1. Zahoor Elahi Stadium
  • Location: Gujrat
  • Reason of Fame: Used for domestic cricket matches and sporting events.
  1. Sargodha Cricket Stadium
  • Location: Sargodha
  • Reason of Fame: A cricket stadium mainly used for domestic matches.
  1. Sheikhupura Stadium
  • Location: Sheikhupura
  • Reason of Fame: Hosted international cricket matches in the past.

Football and Multi-Purpose Stadiums

  1. Punjab Stadium
  • Location: Lahore
  • Reason of Fame: A multi-purpose stadium, mainly used for football and athletics.
  1. Model Town Football Academy (MTFA)
  • Location: Lahore
  • Reason of Fame: One of the top football training academies in Punjab, producing young talent.
  1. Railways Stadium
  • Location: Lahore
  • Reason of Fame: A historic stadium used for football and other sporting events.

Hockey Stadiums

  1. Hockey Stadium Lahore (National Hockey Stadium)
  • Location: Lahore
  • Reason of Fame: The largest field hockey stadium in the world, hosting major hockey tournaments.

Other Sporting Venues

  1. Dring Stadium
  • Location: Bahawalpur
  • Reason of Fame: One of the oldest sports venues in Punjab, used for multiple sports.
  1. Racecourse Ground
  • Location: Lahore
  • Reason of Fame: A historic venue for horse racing and polo.

Meteorological Research Facility

  1. Weather Radar Station
  • Location: Sialkot
  • Reason of Fame: A meteorological research facility monitoring climate patterns, rainfall, and weather forecasting.