The largest and the most populous city of Pakistan, presents an interesting and colorful combination of the old and new. The narrow twisting lanes and alleys of the old city throb with life along side wide metalled roads and elegant modern buildings. Within the city, talented artisans with age-old skills produce handicrafts of exquisite beauty.

Karachi offers a variety of pleasant attractions: wide sunny beaches, deep-sea fishing, yachting, golf and horse-racing all year round. Its restaurants cater to a wide choice of Pakistani and Western cuisines. Its markets and bazaars offer an endless variety of exciting shopping, including indigenous handicrafts, particularly rugs and carpets of rare designs and beauty.

Karachi’s recorded history goes back to the 18th century, when it was a small fishing village known as Kalachi-jo-Goth. With the development of its harbour, it gradually grew into a large city and an important centre of trade and industry. Its selection as the capital of Pakistan in 1947 added to its importance and accelerated its growth and development. Though the seat of Government shifted to Islamabad, Karachi still remains the centre of commerce and industry.

Places of Interest

Quaid-e-Azam’s Mausoleum: This white Marble Mausoleum with its curved Moorish arches and copper grills rests on an elevated 54 sq.meters platform. The cool inner sanctum reflects the green of a four-tiered crystal chandelier gifted by the Peoples Republic of China. The memorial slab framed with silver railings draws people from far and wide who come to pay their respects to the father of the Nation and to watch the impressive change of guards ceremony that takes place everyday. Today, Quaid-e-Azam’s Mausoleum is a prominent and impressive landmark of Karachi. Nearby are the graves of the Quaid-e-Millat Liaqat Ali Khan, the first Prime Minister of Pakistan and the Quaid’s sister, Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah.

Wazir Mansion : Foremost among Karachi’s historic buildings, is the birthplace of Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah. The house is balconied, three-storied structure on Newham Road, located in Kharadar, one of the oldest residential areas of the city. The house has been declared a protected national monument.

Liaquat Hall / Bagh-e-Jinnah : Liaquat Hall is surrounded by the green Bagh-e-Jinnah. Originally called Frere Hall, it was once used as Town Hall where, during colonial days, concerts and social events were held regularly. This two-storied Venetian Gothic building now houses the Liaquat Municipal Library on the ground floor and an art gallery on the first floor. Named after one of Pakistan’s renowned artists, Sadequain, the gallery displays a permanent collection of the artist’s work. Sadequain spent the last years of his life, painting a huge mural on the ceiling of the gallery but, sadly, did not live to complete it.

National Museum of Pakistan Burns Garden : This museum, on Dr. Ziauddin Ahmed Road, contains an important collection of items relating to Pakistan’s ancient heritage. Well arranged galleries display Indus Civilization artifacts, Gandhara sculptures, Islamic art, miniature paintings, ancient coins and manuscripts documenting Pakistan’s political history. There is also an interesting ethnological gallery.

Empress Market : Built by the British to commemorate he Silver Jubilee of Queen Victoria’s reign, this historic market is designed in the domestic Gothic style. From its centre, rises a tall clock tower. The market contains shops that sell meat, fish, poultry, vegetables and other groceries. The market is still functional and as vibrant as it was in the colonial days.

Mereweather Tower : Positioned as the landmark of Karachi’s main business centre, Mereweather Tower is another historical monument of Karachi. It stand 35 meters high and carries a four-faced clock.

Sindh High Court : Built in the Renaissance style, this magnificent sandstone building is a combination of local and Roman styles of architecture. it is embellished with cupolas, balconies and tall Roman style columns.

Clifton Beach and Funland : Close to the popular seaside of the city, is Clifton Beach, where Karachities flock to on weekends and holidays. Scattered along the shore are numerous stalls selling handicrafts made from sea shells. Clifton has an amusement park with a bowling alley.

Masjid-e-Tooba : Situated in the Defence Housing Authority area, Masjid-e-Tooba is a modern architectural marvel. It is said to be the largest single dome mosque. The dome covers a central prayer hall with a capacity to accommodate a congregation of 5,000 people. The mosque’s single minaret stands 70 meters high.

Dhobi Ghat : This most extensive of all laundries is a 3km to 4km stretch of riverbank used by all and sundry for washing and dyeing their clothes. The laundry is open air and washing is done in the same way it has been done on these banks for decades.

Bazaars & Shopping Areas

Shopping in Karachi is a delight. There is the Sarafa Bazaar, a typical oriental market in the city’s old quarters, which is the main market for gold and silver. Among the many colorful shopping areas offering a wide variety of local goods, is the Zainab Market, where cotton dresses and handicrafts are available. Shops in the Saddar Cooperative Market have a wide collection of handicrafts made from onyx, wood and brass. Leather goods and ready-made clothes usually have fixed prices but sold at a fraction of what they would cost overseas.

Bohri Bazaar is a typical oriental market, where endless variety of goods are available. Other modern shopping centers and malls are at Clifton Zaib-un-Nisa Street, Abdullah Haroon Road and Mohammad Ali Jinnah Road. The old Eastern Bazaars are in Juna Market, Kharadar, Mithadar and Jodia Bazaar, which are worth visiting.

For souvenirs of brassware, carved silverware, gold and silver jewellery, embroidery, delicate mirror-work of Sindh, handloom tapestries, printed fabrics, lacquer-ware, camel skin articles and carved wood work etc. tourists are advised to visit the All Pakistan Women’s Association (APWA) shop on Abdullah Haroon Road and the PIDC Cottage Industries show room where prices are fixed and quality ensured. There are a number of other shops in all main markets of the city.

Sports and Recreation

Water Sports : Bunder boating in Karachi is a pleasant experience. A catch of crabs and fish are cooked and served aboard the boat by the crew. Bunder boats are available at Kemari and the crew provides the bait as well as tackle and other fishing gear. Facilities for deep-sea fishing are available as well. On a moonlit night, it is a treat to sail up the sheltered harbour from Kemari and Sandspit.

Yachting : Yachting continues in Karachi all year round. It is a wonderful sight to see the multi-colored sails of the yachts in the harbour contrasting with blues of the sea and the sky.

Karachi Golf Club : Golf, a popular sport in Karachi, is played on an 18-hole green course throughout the year. Visitors to the city are welcome to play for a small fee.

Fayzee Rehamin Art Gallery : The Fayazee Rehamin Art Gallery and Reference Library of Fine Art Books (Aiwan-e-Rifat) on M.R. Kiyani Road is a favourite heaven for art lovers and students.

Beaches

Karachi’s golden, beaches stretch for miles. The more accessible of them are SANDSPIT, HAWKES BAY and PARADISE POINT, which are within a radius of 10 to 20 kms from the city and about 30 minutes drive away. A ride on a gaily decorated camel is a must for most visitors. Beach huts are dotted along the shore. For reasons of safety, care must be taken to swim only in the safe areas as there is always a strong under-current. In May and June, watch out for jelly-fish. on moonlit nights, during the months of September and October, giant green turtles lumber ashore to lay eggs in the sand. The turtles are under protection of Sindh Wild life Management Board.

Mangho Pir’s Shrine : Located 16 kms north of Karachi, the shrine of Saint Mangho Pir, stands below a mosque built on a rocky hillock. There are numerous legends connected with the saint and the crocodiles inhabiting a shallow pool near it. Legend has it that the crocodiles – a few that are now left, are of rare and almost extinct species – were that are now left, are of a rare and almost extinct species – were originally the lice that leapt out of the saint’s hair. Devotees of the saint often make offerings of sacrificial meat to them. Pir Mangho, according to one version, came to Sindh from Bokhara in the 13th century. Soon after, came to Sindh from Bokhara in the 13th century. Soon after, he miraculously caused thermal springs to gush from a rock and t date palms to shoot out from the ground. The saint, who is a said to have died at the age of 150 years, had made his home in a cave for 40 years from where he had spread the message of Islam.