Lahore

Pakistan's cultural capital, home to the Mughal-era Lahore Fort, Shalimar Gardens and Badshahi Mosque, with Old City food streets buzzing late into the night.

Lahore is Pakistan's second-largest city and the capital of Punjab province, set on the east bank of the Ravi River just about 25 km from the Indian border. A capital of both the Mughal Empire and the Sikh Empire, it is known as Pakistan's cultural capital. The heart of any visit is the Walled City in the north: Lahore Fort and Badshahi Mosque face each other across Hazuri Bagh, while to the east, Delhi Gate, Wazir Khan Mosque and the fort form the Royal Trail; in the evening, dine on a rooftop restaurant on Fort Road Food Street as the mosque lights up. South of the Old City, British colonial-era landmarks such as the Lahore Museum, Anarkali Bazaar and Bagh-e-Jinnah line The Mall. On the eastern outskirts lie the UNESCO-listed Shalimar Gardens; across the Ravi to the west are the Tomb of Jahangir and the Tomb of Nur Jahan; about 30 km east is the flag-lowering ceremony at the Wagah border, and 40 km northwest is Hiran Minar. The best time to visit is Oct–Mar; Dec–Jan often brings thick fog and smog, temperatures in May–Jun regularly top 40°C, and Jul–Aug is the monsoon season. Allama Iqbal International Airport has flights to Islamabad, Karachi, Dubai, Doha and Ürümqi, among others; Islamabad is about 4–5 hours away by motorway. In the city, use Careem or inDrive for rides, or take the Orange Line Metro. Plan on 2–3 days. Chinese citizens need to arrange a visa in advance; check the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs travel advisories before you go and keep a low profile. Dress conservatively and remove your shoes at religious sites, and women should bring a headscarf; during Ramadan, most restaurants are closed during the day.

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