Chaukundi : Just off the National Highway, 27 Kms. from Karachi, is Chaukundi. This is the site of graveyards that date back to the 16-18 centuries. The sandstone covers of these graves are exquisitely carved in relief with intricate motifs. The tomb slabs of women’s graves are embellished with designs of jewellery, necklaces, earrings and rings while those of men bear horse-and-rider motifs as well as floral and abstract designs.

Bhambore : This archaeological site is believed to be the ancient port city of Debul which flourished in the 8th century A.D. This was the place where the Arab conqueror Mohammad Bin Qasim first touched the shores of South Asia in 712 A.D. Here also, after a fierce battle with the then reigning King, the Arabs consolidated their hold for subsequent expansion. Bhanbore is 64 kms. from Karachi. Popular folklore has it, that in the vicinity of Bhambore was the trysting-place of the star-crossed lovers, Sassi and Pannu, much celebrated in local performing arts.

Haleji Lake : Haleji Lake is the largest bird sanctuary near Karachi, where every winter, thousands of migratory birds come from as far as Siberia. 86 km’s from Karachi, it is a paradise for bird-watchers.

Makli : The Makli Hill near Thatta town has the world’s largest necropolis, said to contain more than one million graves spread over an area of 15 sq.kms. Here, in eternal sleep, lie kings and queens, saints and scholars, philosophers and soldiers of a by-gone era – an era renowned for its culture and learning. The grave-stones and mausoleums at Makli are masterpieces in stone-carving and netted stone work, representing different eras and dynasties, distinguishable by the style of their ornamentation. The mountains cover the Summa period (14th to 16th centuries), the Tarkhan & Arghun period (16th century), and the Moghal period (16th to 18th centuries)

Thatta : Ninety-eight kms to the east of Karachi, on the National Highway, lies the ancient town of Thatta, once called the El Dorado of the east. This busy river port of yore – before the Indus moved off to the east, is now famous for some of the most picturesque and interesting specimen of Muslim architecture. Although the vestiges of past glories are of comparatively recent origin, dating back to 16th and 17th centuries, the history of Thatta goes back some two thousand years.

The palaces and pleasure houses have become one with dust, but many of the tombs, mausoleums and mosques remains, some of them in a fairly good state of preservation. Prominent among the town’s present-day structures are the wind-catchers that top them – a cooling device that serves well during the long blistering summers. Amidst Thatta’s narrow alleys and lanes, are quaint bazaars that offer unexpected bargains in hand-blocked and hand-dyed fabrics, embroidery work and bead necklaces.

Shah Jehan’s Mosque : Shah Jehan’s Mosque, situated on Thatta’s outskirts, is representative of Muslim architecture. it was built in 1647 A.D. by the Moghul Emperor Shah Jehan, and is said to have the most elaborate display of blue-and-white tile work in the sub-continent. Its 93 domes, designed for its acoustical purposes, carry the voice of the Imam to all parts of the mosque.