Exploring Bahawalpur: Top Places to Visit - Zaha Vacation Homes

Exploring Bahawalpur: Top Places to Visit

ZAHA-HOMES | 11/8/2024 | 3 min read

Are you planning to visit Bahawalpur? Then, get ready to experience its vibrant culture and rich history. Bahawalpur might not be mentioned in a discussion of discovering beautiful places, but it is a really underrated city, home to some stunning forts and the biggest South Asia National Park.

In this guide, you will discover the top places to visit in Bahawalpur, making sure that your trip to this city is truly memorable.

List of Top Places to Visit in Bahawalpur

After carefully assessing, we have curated a list of some of the top places to visit in Bahawalpur.

  • Noor Mahal

  • Derawar Fort

  • Darbar Mahal

  • Abbasi Mosque

  • Gulzar Mahal

  • Lal Suhanra National Park

  • Central Library

  • Farid Gate

Noor Mahal

Noor Mahal is one of the finest places to visit in Bahalwapur due to its stunning architecture. Built back in 1872 for Nawab Sadiq Muhammad Khan's wife, it was inspired by Italian castles and neoclassical design. The palace is always open to the public and even serves as a guesthouse for the state.

Inside, you can find old coins, antique pianos, swords, and vintage furniture, allowing you to step into history. Moreover, this palace, now owned by the Pakistan army, welcomes everyone to explore its historical treasures.

Derawar Fort

Derawar Fort stands tall as one of Pakistan's largest forts. It holds significant importance in Bahawalpur's history, portraying its rich heritage and strength, making it one of the top places to visit. This huge square castle has walls as long as 1500 meters high. Its origins trace back to the 9th century when a Hindu ruler named Rai Jajja Bhatti constructed it.

Over time, rulership of the fort shifted to Muslim Nawabs in the 18th century, adding another layer to its storied past. Recently, authorities established a Cholistan Jeep Rally track nearby, increasing the fort's prominence as a central feature of Cholistan's landscape.


Darbar Mahal

Darbar Mahal is one of the top places to visit in Bahawalpur and a magnificent palace in Pakistan. Built-in 1905 by Bahawal Khan for his wife, it is a blend of Arabic and European architectural styles. With grand entranceways on each side, it displays elegance from every angle.

On the third level, you'll find a Mughal-style umbrella roof, adding to its regal charm. While this level isn't open to the public, you can still admire the palace's beautiful exterior architecture.

Abbasi Mosque

The Abbasi Mosque was constructed in 1849 under the reign of Nawab Bahwal Khan near the Cholistan Desert. Since Nawab Bahwal Khan was known to admire beautiful architecture, the highest quality of marble was used in the making of the Mosque, which reflects stunning art.

Its impressive cupolas and domes make it one of the top places to visit in Bahawalpur. Moreover, the mosque is open to the public to experience its interior and offer prayers.

Gulzar Mahal

Gulzar Mahal, one of Bahawalpur's famous places, was constructed between 1906 and 1909 by Nawab Sadiq Muhammad Khan IV. The Gulzar Mahal architecture resembles a lot of the architecture of the Noor Mahal. Although it’s not open to the public anymore, yet you can see its huge garden from outside which increases the aesthetic appeal of this Mahal.

Lal Suhanra National Park

Known as one of the largest national parks in South Asia, Lal Suhanra National Park has everything. As a biosphere, it is one of the top places to visit in Bahawalpur. Here, you can observe a unique ecosystem and several wild animals in the desert, such as Asiatic wildcats, rabbits, etc.

Further, this national park is home to 160 species of birds, including the Egyptian vulture, wheatear, kestrel, etc.


Central Library

Central Library is one of the best places to visit in Bhawalpur, as it is the second-largest library in Punjab. It was constructed on 8 March 1924 by Nawabs. The architecture of the central library was inspired by the Victorian style.

Moreover, this library is not only one of Bahawalpur’s historical places but also stores around 100,000 books and historical newspapers. It even has special books for visually and physically impaired people.


Traveling Tips to Discover Bahawalpur

  • Best Time: Due to the blissful and pleasant weather, you can visit the best places in Bahawalpur during winter

  • Accommodation: Bahawalpur has an extensive range of hotels, from luxury to pocket-friendly. So, choose one that fits your requirements.

  • Transport: Bahawalpur is a big city, so you can use local transport and guides to get around.

Conclusion

In the end, Bahawalpur is an underrated city, often overshadowed by other cities in Pakistan. Grab your travel back and set on your journey to experience some of the best places to visit in Bahawalpur.


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