Bahawalpur

The former capital of a Nawab princely state, with well-preserved palaces such as Noor Mahal, and a base for trips to Derawar Fort in the Cholistan Desert and the shrines of Uch.

Bahawalpur lies in southern Punjab, Pakistan, on the south bank of the Sutlej River, bordering the Cholistan Desert to the southeast. From 1748 to 1955 it was the capital of a princely state ruled by the Abbasi Nawabs, whose wealth funded numerous palaces blending European and Islamic styles, earning it the name "City of Palaces". In the city, the main sights are the palaces such as Noor Mahal and Darbar Mahal (some lie within military areas and can only be seen from outside), Bahawalpur Museum, the Central Library and the Al-Sadiq Grand Mosque, with Lal Suhanra National Park on the eastern outskirts. There are two classic day trips: Derawar Fort and the Cholistan Desert, about 95 km southeast; and the Sufi holy city of Uch Sharif, about 75 km southwest, combined with the five-river confluence at Panjnad. The best season is November–February, and the Cholistan Desert Jeep Rally is held in February; April–September is extremely hot, with desert temperatures exceeding 45°C. It's about 7–8 hours by train or bus from Lahore and 1.5–2 hours from Multan, and the city has an airport. Foreign visitors heading into the desert are advised to go with a local guide and carry their passport; dress conservatively, remove your shoes at shrines, and women should cover their hair. Plan on 2–3 days.

Top sights

• Noor Mahal – An Italian neoclassical palace completed in 1872 that blends in Islamic domes. It is the most iconic landmark of Bahawalpur.
• Derawar Fort – A massive square fortress in the Cholistan Desert, ringed by 40 bastions with a perimeter of about 1.5 km. The white Abbasi Mosque stands n…
• Uch Sharif Shrines – One of South Asia's oldest Sufi holy cities. The blue-and-white tiled dome of the Bibi Jawindi Tomb is on the UNESCO World Heritage tentati…
• Cholistan Desert – The Pakistani part of the Thar Desert, with dunes, round mud houses of nomadic tribes and camel caravans. It is a stage for desert off-road…
• Lal Suhanra National Park – One of Pakistan's largest national parks, combining desert, lakes and plantations, and a breeding base for the blackbuck.
• Darbar Mahal – A red palace completed in 1905, blending Mughal, Islamic and European elements, where the Nawab held audiences with his courtiers.
• Bahawalpur Museum – A general museum showing the history of the former princely state, Nawab relics, Indus Valley Civilization artifacts excavated from Ganweri…
• Bahawalpur Central Library – A colonial-era building whose foundation stone was laid in 1924. It is one of Pakistan's public libraries with the largest collections and…
• Jamia Masjid Al-Sadiq – A large white mosque in the old town, capable of holding tens of thousands of worshippers, and the largest mosque in Bahawalpur.
• Gulzar Mahal – A Nawab palace completed in 1906, with a white facade and green dome, located in the palace area near Darbar Mahal.
• Sadiq Garh Palace – A grand nawab's palace east of Ahmadpur East, completed in 1882 and once the residence of a princely family.
• Panjnad Headworks – Where five Punjab rivers converge before flowing into the Indus. The barrage spans the broad water, and the confluence is visible from here.

Where to eat

• Four Seasons Restaurant – A long-established family restaurant that opened in the mid-1990s, serving both Pakistani and Chinese food. It is one o…
• Desert Grill Tandoori – An affordable tandoori restaurant next to Derawari Gate in the old town. Fish tikka and chicken handi are the most popu…
• BBQ Tonight (Bahawalpur Branch) – A large barbecue park in the west of the city beside the Sutlej River toll plaza. A man-made lake with ducks and swans…

Itineraries

• South Punjab Sufi Shrines & Desert Fort Tour – A winter short-line tour covering Multan's shrines, the ancient town of Uch, Bahawalpur's palaces, and the Cholistan De…