Karachi
Karachi is the capital of province Sindh, the largest and most populous metropolitan city of Pakistan, the main seaport and the financial centre of the country. Karachi is also known as City of Lights due to city's night life, as the city which never sleeps. Karachi is located on the Arabian Sea coastline with the Port of Karachi and Port Bin Qasim, two of the region's largest and busiest ports. Karachi was the capital of Pakistan till 1958, till Islamabad was constructed.
Karachi is the 2nd-largest city in the world by population within city limits, the 7th largest urban agglomeration in the world and the largest city in the Muslim world. Karachi metro is very densely populated with an estimated population of over 23.5 million people as of 2013. It is Pakistan's centre of banking, industry, economic activity and trade and is home to Pakistan's largest corporations. It is also ranked as a beta world city. According to Pricewaterhouse Coopers in 2009, Karachi had a total GDP of $78 billion with conservative projections expecting it to rise to $193 billion in 2025. |
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Asides from being known as the City of Lights, Karachi is also known as the Uroos ul Bilaad "The Bride of the Cities" for its liveliness, and the "City of the Quaid", having been the birth and burial place of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah (founder of Pakistan who made the city his home after Pakistan's independence on 14 August 1947).
How to Get There:
Fly:
Fly to Jinnah International Airport, Karachi, from any domestic or international location. |
Train:
Take a train to Karachi Cantonment or City Station from almost all Pakistani cities and towns. Travel time varies on train's speed and stops. Railway Schedule |
Bus:
Daewoo bus offers service to Karachi from 40 locations. It takes 21 hours from Lahore, with 8 stops. Schedule: Daewoo website |
Drive:
Drive on the M-9 highway for 2 hrs, from Hyderabad. Drive 18 hrs on N-5 highway from Peshawar or Islamabad. Take N-25 from Quetta, and N-10 from Gwadar. |
Sights |
Clifton Beach or Seaview is a beach located on the Arabian Sea. It is one of the neighborhoods of Clifton.
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Mazar-e-Quaid is the final resting place of Muhammad Ali Jinnah (founder of Pakistan), Fatima Jinnah, and Liaquat Ali Khan (first Prime Minister of Pakistan).
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The Mohatta Palace was built by Shivratan Chandraratan Mohatta as his summer home in 1927. The Palace has been converted to a Museum.
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The State Bank Museum is the first money museum in Pakistan. It exhibits artifacts about monetary systems from ancient to modern times. The building is a historical asset, previously the Imperial Bank of India.
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Food
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Burnes Road is Karachi's food street in Saddar. It is famous for its traditional food such as Biryani and Karahi, Dhaga Kabab, Fry Kabab, Nihari, Haleem and fried finger fish - basically everything!
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Shaikh Abdul Ghaffar Kabab House is multi-story restaurant serving barbecued food. They are most famous for their gola kababs, dhaga kabab and malai boti.
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Zahid Nihari
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Student Biryani started in 1969, serving biryani. Now, the restaurant also serves other dishes and is a popular place for takeaway food as well as catering.
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Shopping
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Dolmen City Mall is situated Clifton near the coastal line of Karachi. It is the largest shopping mall in Pakistan with 130 retail outlets, a multi-level department store, arcade games and a food court.
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Empress Market is situated in Saddar, and traces its origins to the British Raj. Commodities sold here range from condiments, fruit, vegetables and meat to stationary material, textiles and pet shops.
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Zainab Market is a haven for cheap clothes, leather and fur clothing, handicrafts, regional crafts and collectibles. Just the very things you were looking for to do up your house or take back as souvenirs.
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Tariq Road
Tariq Road is located in PECHS and a popular shopping area. There are more than 1000 shops and showrooms in this area, selling jewelry, garments, cosmetics, foods, footwear, etc. It is most famous for its fabrics and garments. There is also a Dolmen Mall situated in the area.
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Activities & Recreation
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Arena is an indoor gaming zone, with an ala carte and buffet restaurant. It also has a hall for events. It is located on main Karsaz next to Maritime Museum, and is easily accessible.
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The Karachi Golf Club, is situated in Karsaz. The 27-hole golf course is the oldest golf club in Pakistan. The course was turfed, landscaped, and filled with greenery. |
Sindbad Amusement Park
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Nueplex Cinema
Nueplex Cinema is located in Phase 8, DHA. It has 5 theaters, plays 3D movies, and has the 3 largest silver screens in Pakistan.
Website: Nueplex |