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Time Business News
4 days ago
- Time Business News
Top Famous Tourist Places to Visit in Rawalpindi
Rawalpindi, often called the twin city of Islamabad, blends rich history with modern vibrancy. Nestled at the foothills of the Margalla Hills, this city offers travelers a diverse range of attractions—from historical landmarks and cultural hotspots to lush parks and scenic natural spots. Whether you're a history buff, nature lover, or simply looking for a relaxing getaway, Rawalpindi has something to offer every visitor. This blog highlights the top famous tourist places to visit in Rawalpindi to help you plan an unforgettable trip. One of the oldest and busiest markets in the city, Raja Bazaar embodies Rawalpindi's vibrant street life. With countless shops selling everything from traditional clothing and jewelry to electronics and spices, Raja Bazaar offers an authentic shopping experience. The aroma of street food and calls of shopkeepers fill the air, making it a sensory delight. Visitors should explore the narrow lanes to discover handcrafted goods, textiles, and souvenirs. Raja Bazaar is also famous for its street food stalls serving local favorites like samosas, jalebis, and chaat. Visiting here gives you a genuine taste of Rawalpindi's culture and everyday life. Spanning over 200 acres, Ayub National Park is Rawalpindi's largest green space, perfect for families and nature enthusiasts. The park features several gardens, a lake with boating facilities, picnic spots, and a small zoo. It is an ideal place to unwind away from the city's hustle. The park is divided into various sections such as the Japanese Garden, a rose garden, and a children's play area, catering to visitors of all ages. Seasonal flower shows and events make it an attractive destination year-round. For cricket fans, the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium is a must-visit. It hosts domestic and international cricket matches, creating a lively atmosphere during game days. The stadium's modern facilities and passionate crowd make it a key sports venue in the region. Even if you miss a match, visiting the stadium offers insight into Pakistan's favorite sport culture. Nearby eateries provide local snacks, making it a great spot to soak in the sports fever of Rawalpindi. Located near Rawalpindi, the Shah Faisal Mosque is an architectural marvel and one of the largest mosques in Asia. Its unique contemporary design features an eight-sided concrete shell shaped like a desert tent, surrounded by vast courtyards and lush gardens. The mosque can accommodate over 100,000 worshippers and is a symbol of Pakistan's Islamic heritage. Visitors can appreciate the stunning calligraphy, clean marble floors, and serene ambiance. The mosque's location also offers panoramic views of the Margalla Hills. About 17 kilometers from Rawalpindi city, Rawat Fort dates back to the Mughal era. This well-preserved fortress served as a defensive structure guarding the caravan routes during ancient times. Visitors can explore the old walls, gates, and the nearby mosque ruins. The fort offers a glimpse into Rawalpindi's historical significance as a trade and military hub. It's a favorite spot for history enthusiasts and photographers looking to capture its rustic charm. Although technically shared with Islamabad, Fatima Jinnah Park is easily accessible from Rawalpindi and deserves a mention. Covering nearly 8 square kilometers, it is one of the largest urban parks in South Asia. The park features jogging tracks, cycling paths, playgrounds, and several recreational spots. It's ideal for morning walks, picnics, and family outings. During weekends, local vendors offer snacks and refreshments, enhancing the lively atmosphere. Established during British colonial times, the Pindi Golf Club offers a serene and green escape for golf lovers. The 18-hole course is surrounded by trees and well-maintained fairways, providing a calm retreat from the city. Even if you don't play golf, the club's clubhouse and landscaped gardens offer a peaceful environment to relax or enjoy a meal. It's also a spot to witness the city's colonial legacy in recreational architecture. Though not a traditional tourist spot, Ayub Teaching Hospital attracts visitors interested in modern Pakistani infrastructure and healthcare development. As one of the largest hospitals in the region, it combines education, patient care, and research. Tourists with medical interests or those accompanying patients find this institution noteworthy, especially due to its size and services. Another bustling marketplace, Sarhad Market, is famous for its variety of eateries and shops selling traditional garments and household items. It's less chaotic than Raja Bazaar, making it more comfortable for a relaxed shopping and dining experience. Local food lovers will enjoy trying specialties like seekh kebabs, fried fish, and freshly baked naan from roadside vendors here. To truly enjoy these diverse attractions, convenient transportation is essential. Many visitors choose to rent a car in Rawalpindi to explore the city flexibly and comfortably. Whether you plan a day trip to Rawat Fort or want to move between markets and parks, having a vehicle ensures a smooth, stress-free journey. Rawalpindi is a city of contrasts, where historical grandeur meets modern urban life and natural beauty complements cultural richness. From the bustling lanes of Raja Bazaar to the serene expanses of Ayub National Park, each tourist spot offers a unique experience. Whether you are visiting for history, recreation, or local flavors, Rawalpindi promises an engaging and memorable adventure. Plan your trip wisely, consider renting a car for flexible travel, and trust reliable services like Travelcon for the best experience. Get ready to explore Islamabad's fascinating tourist places and create lasting memories in this vibrant city. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Express Tribune
19-04-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Easter joy lights up twin cities
The Christian community will celebrate Easter today (Sunday) with religious zeal, devotion, and reverence. On Saturday night, Easter Eve was marked with enthusiastic preparations as Christian families flocked to shopping centres across the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Busy commercial areas such as Saddar, Gakkhar Plaza, Murree Road, Moti Bazaar, Raja Bazaar, Tench Bhatta Bazaar, Commercial Market, Aabpara, Super Market, Jinnah Super, and Karachi Company witnessed a shopping rush from morning till 1am. Families, especially children, shopped for garments, shoes, and artificial jewellery. Shopkeepers had decorated their stores with colourful lights to mark the occasion. Recreational parks in both cities have been scheduled to remain open from 9am to 1am on both Easter Sunday and Easter Monday. Special arrangements have been made for activities like dodging cars, horse riding, boating in the lakes, and the chairlift at Patriata has also been opened for the public. Vigil services were held in churches across the cities, with security beefed up to ensure safety. Over 5,000 security personnel have been deployed, and all church entrances are equipped with walk-through gates and CCTV cameras. Worship services will take place from 9am to 12pm today. Christian leaders Rashid Chauhan and Pastor Asif expressed satisfaction with the security arrangements, stating that the community will fully cooperate with the administration and police. In their Easter messages, former PPP Secretary General Syed Nayyar Hussain Bukhari, Punjab Assembly member Nargis Faiz Malik, and People's Secretariat In-charge Syed Sibtul Haider Bukhari extended heartfelt greetings to the Christian community. Nayyar Bukhari emphasised the community's continued role in national development, saying, "Their joy is our joy." MPA Nargis Faiz Malik urged the Christian community to pray for the nation's peace and prosperity during Easter. Syed Sibtul Haider Bukhari praised the Christian community in the twin cities for standing shoulder to shoulder with their Muslim brothers and said the celebrations of Good Friday and Easter are shared by all.
Express Tribune
24-03-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Markets bustling with shoppers ahead of Eid
As the last ten days of Ramazan begin, the markets in Rawalpindi and the cantonment area are witnessing an overwhelming rush, bringing the parking system to a standstill. Two hours before Iftar, the city's main roads become completely clogged, leaving even ambulances stuck in traffic for hours. After Iftar, commercial hubs, including Murree Road, Teeli Mohalla, Rehmanabad, Rawal Road, Iqbal Road, Liaquat Road, Bara Market, Raja Bazaar, Mochi Bazaar, Moti Bazaar, Bohar Bazaar, Commercial Market, Jamia Masjid Road, Dingi Khoi, Banni Chowk, Kalan Bazaar, Purana Qila, Urdu Bazaar, Lal Haveli Road, and Saddar, along with Asia's largest Tench Bhatta Market, become so crowded that walking becomes nearly impossible. The district administration's claims of widening roads through anti-encroachment operations have proven ineffective. Although large crowds flock to these markets from sunset until midnight, shopkeepers report a significant decline in actual sales. The traditional pre-Eid shopping rush has yet to materialise, primarily because government and private sector employees have not received their salaries. Since Ramazan started on March 2, employees spent their March wages on Iftar and Suhoor expenses. With Eid shopping beginning only after salary disbursements on March 26, there has been a slow but noticeable increase in purchases. However, garment, shoe, and artificial jewellery prices have surged by 30-40 per cent compared to last year. The government employees are finding prices unaffordable, with many leaving stores disappointed. Shopkeepers said that while there are plenty of visitors, most leave without buying anything due to high prices. During the day, wholesale markets like Gawalmandi, Ganjmandi, Nankari Bazaar, Hamilton Road, City Saddar Road, Fawara Chowk, Kashmiri Bazaar, Liaquat Road, Jamia Masjid Road, Ghazni Road, and Pirwadhai face chaotic congestion due to heavy traffic and loader vehicles, paralysing the traffic system. Traffic wardens, though present, are often overwhelmed by the sheer volume of vehicles and resort to standing aside, unable to control the situation. Road rage incidents have become common as drivers jostle to move forward, further crippling the traffic flow. Many commuters are forced to break their fasts in their cars or on motorcycles due to the gridlock. With the final ten days of Ramadan expected to bring even worse traffic conditions, traders have suggested making major commercial routes one-way and banning haphazard parking on roadsides to ease congestion. In Tench Bhatta Market, which is one of the oldest and most crowded in Asia, traffic has become impossible to navigate during office and school hours, as well as in the evenings after Iftar, lasting until midnight. Box Measures implemented for Eid rush our correspondent Rawalpindi. The City Traffic Police (CTP) Rawalpindi has introduced special measures during the last 10 days of Ramazan and Eid shopping to ensure smooth traffic flow. To manage congestion in busy markets and shopping centres, Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Benish Fatima has directed that over 50 personnel from the Traffic Headquarters Race Course be assigned to field duty to prevent traffic issues for citizens. Key areas receiving extra traffic management support include Commercial Market, Tench Bhatta Bazaar, Raja Bazaar, Saddar, Adiala Road, Sadiqabad, and various shopping malls and commercial centres. Moreover, Tench Bazaar has been made one-way, and a traffic advisory has been issued on social media to inform the public. CTO Benish Fatima said that traffic management in major markets will be further improved, with strict action against illegal parking, encroachments, and traffic violations to ensure a hassle-free shopping experience for citizens.
Express Tribune
25-02-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Twin cities abuzzwith Ramazan prep
As the holy month of Ramazan nears, Islamabad and Rawalpindi are bustling with preparations. Markets, mosques, and community centres are witnessing increased activity as residents stock up on essentials for the 30-day fasting period. Shopping centers in Islamabad are experiencing a surge in customers, with discounts and promotions on Ramazan-related items. In Rawalpindi, popular markets like Raja Bazaar, Moti Bazaar, and Saddar are packed with people purchasing dates, fruits, and other necessities for sehri and iftar. The city administrations have also geared up to ensure smooth supply of essential commodities. The district administrations have set up price control committees to monitor prices of essential items. Meanwhile, mosques and community centers are being decorated and renovated to accommodate the large number of worshippers during Taraweeh prayers. A resident of Islamabad, Maria Khan, while expressing her eagerness for Ramazan said residents are gearing up to welcome Ramazan with renewed faith, devotion, and a sense of community. "The city is taking on a festive look, and the excitement is palpable, and I am looking forward to spending quality time with my family and friends during iftar and Taraweeh prayers." Another resident Qadir Rehman said "I have been shopping for new clothes and accessories for Ramazan and the markets are offering great deals. I am excited to try out some new recipes this Ramazan."
