Travel to Karachi

The sprawling city of Karachi is an alluring attraction in its own right. An example of harmonious coexistence between tradition and modernity, this commercial center and largest city of Pakistan is renowned for its seething immensity with its teeming bazaars, mosques, monuments and colonial architecture.

Capital of the Sindh Province of Pakistan, Karachi `s transition from an obscure fishing village known as Kalachi-jo-Goth in the 18th century into today's bustling metropolis is complete. The city also served as the capital of Pakistan for a brief period (1947 - 1959). Karachi boasts a fine harbor, which has contributed to its growth as a great center of trade and commerce in Pakistan.

A travel to Karachi will tantalize your senses as the city brims with several sightseeing highlights. Among the major landmarks of Karachi, Quaid-i-Azam Mausoleum, a monument to Pakistan's founder Mohammed Ali Jinnah, is a good place to start exploring the city. Embellished with its curved Moorish arches and copper grills, this white marble mausoleum stands on an elevated 54 sq. meters platform attracts thousands of visitors who makes a beeline to pay their respects to the Father of the Nation. It is worth watching the impressive changing of guards ceremony that takes place everyday. Another stunning highlight is the outstanding white-marbled Defence Housing Society Mosque, which has largest single dome in the world. Pay a visit to the Wazir Mansion, one of the prime historic buildings in Karachi. Its main claim to fame is that it is the birthplace of Mohammed Ali Jinnah affectionately called Quaid-e-Azam.

Other places of interest of Karachi include the colonial landmarks of Holy Trinity Cathedral, St Andrew's Church, the Zoroastrian Towers of Silence and the city's zoo. A Karachi travel also encompasses deep-sea fishing, yachting, strolling on sun drenched beaches, golf and horseracing. No visit to Karachi is complete without a foray into its colorful bazaars. The most famous shopping area of Karachi is Saddar, situated in the heart of Karachi. The area abounds with many bazaars specializing in carpets, leather jackets, fur coats, snakeskin purses, silk scarves and wide range of handicrafts. The area is also home to a number of cheap restaurants and the majority of budget hotels.

The Harappan site of Mohenjodaro makes an excellent excursion option from the city of Karachi.