City Of The Month: Karachi

Society Travel & Tourism
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***City of Lights, the *City of The Quaid, and *the City that Never Sleeps.

Located on the Arabian sea, Karachi is the financial and commercial centre of the nation, as well as its largest port. Karachi is different from the rest of Pakistan in the same way that New York is different from the rest of the United States. The pace of life is more hurried, and social attitudes are far more liberal than elsewhere in Pakistan. the city credits its growth to the mixed populations of economic and political migrants along with refugees from different national, provincial, linguistic and religious origins, who generally come to the city to settle permanently. Residents and those born in the city are called “Karachi-ites” and almost 98% of the population in Karachi understands the Urdu language.

Karachi is a huge city with several districts. Districts of Karachi division are as follow:

  • South Karachi (Clifton and Defence in S/E and Saddar)

Contains two of Karachi’s most affluent neighbourhoods, of Clifton and Defence, by the sea. Contains the trendiest shopping malls, boutiques and restaurants. Above them is old city centre of Saddar Town which contains the old markets and areas of Karachi including Empress Market, Burns Rd, Tariq Rd and Jamshed town.

  • North and N/W Karachi (FB Area, North Nazimabad, Maymar, Orangi (NW))

Primarily a middle-class area, except for Orangi, which contains Pakistan’s largest slum. This area developed immediately after Pakistan’s independence, because of a wave of immigration. Part of the migrants were refugees from the partition.

  • East Karachi (PECHS, Gulshan, Johar, Shahrah-e-Faisal Road, Karsaz Rd, further East is Landhi and after that Korangi industrial area)

Contains Karachi’s other main shopping area of Tariq Road. And is home to those rich who want to have more peaceful surroundings. Home to Karachi’s largest parks including Hill Park, National Stadium, hospitals and the famous Expo Center. This is also where the city’s airport is located. Landhi and adjacent areas are lower middle class areas and Korangi is the east industrial area.

  • West Karachi (SII Chundrigar RD, ITE, Kharadar, Lyari, and Kemari in S/W by the port)

SITE is Karachi’s Industrial heartland, II Chundrigar RD is most offices are located. Home to Karachi’s tallest skyscrapers and historical architecture. Kharadar and Lyari are part of old city. And Kemari is in the South-West by the port.

  • North-East - Malir district/Cantonment

Malir has been regarded in history as the countryside of Karachi City due to its open atmosphere and lush green farms, but now these are no more.

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Beaches and waterfront

  • Port Grand . is an extensive food street and entertainment complex located at Port of Karachi near Native Jetty Bridge. It has a pedestrian friendly pier, housing different restaurants on one side and views of Karachi Harbor on the other side. It also has shopping malls, art galleries, a tavern area, and a Hindu temple. There is an entry fee, and entrance is "strictly for families". Single males forbidden except for Wednesday evenings.

  • Clifton Beach, was the world's most popular silver-sand beach and health resort during 20th century but now it is affected by an oil spill that occurred in 2003.

  • Bagh-e-Ibn-e-Qasim, (next to the beach park), is the most famous park of the city. Attractions include: Lady Lloyd pier, Jahangri Kothari parade, a century old amusement park called Funland, an underground Hindu temple, a mosque and a mausoleum. Two of Karachi's photo walks held there.

  • Boat Basin Park, (Benazir Bhutto Park). The most expensively built park in the country.

  • Do Darya, also referred as Devil's Point in DHA Phase 8 next to the Arabian sea has now become a giant food street housing several authentic restaurants such as Kolachi, Charcoal, Ambala, Afridi Inn and several others.

  • Water Jet fountain, is the world’s tallest fountain; the controversial fountain is open during weekends between 6PM and midnight.

The following beaches are located at the outskirts of the city:

  • Hawke's Bay Beach, breeding ground for endangered turtles

  • Sandspit Beach, also visit the WWF Wetland center

  • French Beach, often cited as Karachi’s most beautiful beach.

  • Paradise Point, rock promontory in the sea with a natural arch

  • Tushan Beach,a minute away from French Beach it has a mixture of small hills with a perfect sandy beach with 30 huts only

  • Russian Beach, near Gharo

Islands

Karachi has several islands including Oyster Rocks, Bundle Islands, Minora Island and Churna Island:

  • Manora Island - It is great place to visit, ferries and boats are available on rent. This is the island where the Talpurs gave up to British. You can find ruins of the 19th century hindu temple and church. Many food stalls are also there selling fish.

  • Churna Island - is the Naval gunnery site and also has Pakistan's only coral reef. It is gifted with a marine park where we you can find fishes from Dolphins, Sea urchins, Barracudas, Hound fish, Marlin, Angel fish, Turtles, Parrot fish, Sea Anemones, Jelly fish, Puffer fish and things that are just beyond the word “Beautiful”. Besides the marine life, there are also birds of various species. Divers Reef organize weekly trips to the island.

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Landmarks & museums

  • Quaid-e-Azam’s Mausoleum and Museum, is a prominent and impressive landmark of Karachi located at the City Center. Designed by Architect Yahya Merchant, this white marble Mausoleum with its curved arches, copper grills and a four-tiered crystal chandelier gifted by the peoples Republic of China is a must see. There is also a large park surrounding the mausoleum.

  • Aga Khan University hospital, (near Karsaz), was planned and designed by Payette Associates. The building is famous for its modernist architecture that has been carefully designed to take into account the history, climate, environment, symbolism and the spiritual values of the Muslim culture. Also see lake gardens & hill on its backside.

  • Frere Hall, Bagh-e-Jinnah, houses Sadequain Galerie, library plus a peaceful garden.

  • Mohatta palace Museum of regional history [22]](http://www.mohattapalacemuseum.com/), Clifton offers a diverse range of activities for both the casual and informed visitor.

  • Pakistan Air Force Museum, [23]](http://pafmuseum.net/main.htm), Karsaz.

  • Pakistan Maritime Museum, Karsaz.

  • PIA Planetarium, (next to Karachi Expo Centre, on main University Rd). A virtual observatory which regularly puts on shows about the solar system and cosmic phenomenon. The shows in English are much more detailed, and are held every Sunday evening. On other days there are only Urdu shows. A ticketed, guided tour by an officer enables one to view the plane from the inside; its cockpit, pilot seats, and various other areas. Tickets for the planetarium show are Rs 45, and for the show plus the plane tour are Rs 60.

  • Karachi Expo Centre, [24]](http://tdap.gov.pk/blog/category/event-list-view/), on main University road, opposite City and District Government Offices.

  • Koocha-e-Saqafat ,(National Arts Council), M.R. Kayani Rd.

  • Masjid e Tooba, (in Defence) is the largest single-domed mosque in the world.

  • Mereweather Tower, Ibrahim Ismail Chundrigar Rd. A business landmark of the city. Also visit the nearby Stock Exchange building.

  • Habib Bank plaza, on Ibrahim Ismail Chundrigar Rd was the the tallest building in South Asia for more than a decade. Built it 1963, the building has the marvelous architecture.

  • National Museum of Pakistan, Dr Ziau-ddin Ahmed Rd. Displays a two million years old axe discovered from the Potohar Plateau. There is a remarkable gallery describing the early civilisation of Debal and Mansura. Another gallery ‘Freedom Movement gallery’ contains a large collection of pictures and articles arising from the time of the Independence movement. Items on display include archeological artefacts, islamic art, and other historical documents. Currently being renovated, caretakers may unlock some of the dusty, largely empty rooms for you. Open 10AM-1PM. and 2PM-5PM Thursday and Saturday through Tuesday; 9AM-12 noon.

  • State Bank Museum, I.I Chundigar Rd, (Ibrahim Ismail Chundrigar Rd)

  • Unicorn Gallery, [25]](http://www.unicorngallery.net/), Deals in paintings by Old Masters and Contemporary Artists from South Asia. The gallery showcases a diverse collection of paintings, sculptures, prints, installations etc.

  • Charminar. A replica of the famous Charminar is at Bahadurabad roundabout.

  • Karsaz Road, famous for places like The ‘Arena’ games arcade, Aga Khan University hospital, Golf club, Expo center and museums like Air Force museum, Maritime museum and PIA Planetarium.

  • WWF Wetland centre, Sandspit, [26]](http://www.wwfpak.org/wetlandcentre.php). In the middle of mangrove forests on 35 min drive away from the city centre. Trips to mangrove forests, beaches, bird watching, turtle watching, lake watching and nature excursions can be arranged. It also houses a museum.

  • Zamzama Park, is located in Phase 5 Zamzama Market. It has a total area of 26 acres. It is open from 6pm to 11:30pm on week days and till 12:00am on holidayz. It provides various facilities such as skating rings, walking paths,jogging tracks,bonsai gardens,gymnasium, canteen and beverages area, kido fido rides and play. It also has Karachi’s only Modern Arts Museum FOMMA.

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Colonial public buildings

There are many Colonial public buildings in the City’s Saddar district.

  • Karachi Port Trust, MA Jinnah Rd, completed during the First World War, the building was converted to a 500-bed military hospital named as No. 1 India General Hospital and was one of the ‘five great War hospitals’ run under General Fowler

  • Karachi Municipal Offices, MA Jinnah Rd.

  • Khaliqdina Hall, MA Jinnah Rd.

  • City Court Building, MA Jinnah Rd.

  • Denso Hall, MA Jinnah Rd.

  • Imperial Customs House, MA Jinnah Rd.

  • Napier Barracks, Club Rd.

  • Quaid-e-Azam house museum, Club Rd.

  • Trinity Church, Near Club Rd.

  • Sind Club [27]](http://www.sindclub.org.pk/), Club Rd.

  • Frere Hall, Opposite Marriott hotel, Abdullah haroon Rd.

  • Karachi Gymkhana, [28]](http://www.kg.com.pk/), Club Rd.

  • Karachi Cotton Exchange, II Chundrigar road

  • State Bank Annexe, II Chundrigar Rd., (formerly the Bank of India building). Constructed following the first World War, currently it houses a library

  • DJ Science College, Dr Ziauddin Rd.

  • Hindu Gymkhana, MR Kayani Rd., is one of the first Mughal Revival buildings in the city.

  • Supreme Court, MR Kayani Rd., formerly called Prince of Wales museum.

  • Empress Market, Preedy St.

  • Saint Andrews Church, Preedy St.

  • Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, Near Preedy St.

  • Karachi Grammar School, Near Preedy St.

  • Sindh High Court, Shahrah Kamaal Ataturk, built entirely out of pink-hued Jodhpur sandstone

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wow i have been Karachi when I was 6 n I don't even remember a single thing about it but heard a lot about it, inshahallah one day I will definetly visit it

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I have never been, unless I went when I was a baby! I would love to go though to see the beaches and the mausoleum.

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Jinnah Mausoleum or the National Mausoleum is an iconic symbol of Karachi throughout the world. The mausoleum, completed in the 1960s, is situated at the heart of the city.
The location is usually calm and tranquil which is significant considering that it is in the heart of one of the largest global megalopolises. The glowing tomb can be seen for miles at night. Khan Liaquat Ali Khan, the first Prime Minister of Pakistan, and Jinnah’s sister, Fatima Jinnah, are also buried besides Jinnah.
The Mausoleum building is designed by Yahya Merchant. It is made of white marble with curved Moorish arches and copper grills reset on an elevated 54 square meters platform.[SUP][2]](Mazar-e-Quaid - Wikipedia)[/SUP] The mausoleum is placed in a 53 hectare park and the size of building is 75x75m on ground and 43m high, built on an 4m high platform. In each wall is placed an entrance. 15 successive fountains lead to the platform from one side and from all sides terraced avenues lead to the gates. The cool inner sanctum reflects the green of a four-tiered crystal chandelier gifted by the people of China. Around the mausoleum there is a park fitted with strong beamed spot-lights which at night project light on the white mausoleum

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**Shopping Malls:

DOLMEN CITY MALL
Marine Drive, Block 4
Clifton
Karachi, Pakistan.

****THE FORUM
Khayaban-e-Jami, Block 9, Clifton
Karachi, Pakistan
Tel: (92-21) 3-5831275-6

****PARK TOWERS
**Shahrah-e-Firdousi, Clifton
Karachi, Pakistan.
Tel: (92-21) 3-583-2525

**ATRIUM MALL
249 Staff Lines, Zaibunnisa Street
Saddar.
Karachi, Pakistan.

****EMERALD TOWERS
II Talwar, Clifton
Karachi, Pakistan.

****DOLMEN MALL HYDERI
Block C, North Nazimabad
Karachi, Pakistan.

****DOLMEN MALL
**Tariq Road
Karachi, Pakistan

**MILLENNIUM MALL
**Rashid Minhas Road, Gulshan-e-Iqbal
Karachi, Pakistan

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I simply LOVEEEEEEEEEEE my City...........its the best City of Pakistan. I have been to different cities but Karachi is the most Pur-Ronaq City.. :)
I am just so disappointed to see how its been ruining for a couple of months now......but I hope........one day it will get better and old Karachi will gloom once again :@:

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Agha Khan Hospital, still being used for sneaky dates in the back garden area. ;)

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I have so many fond memories of trips to the beaches, Sandspit & hawk’s bay in particular… with family , cousins etc, and then with friends as well.. I used to be such a beach bum back then :naak:

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Me too Slims!!! Had some awesome times with the cousins at Hawk's Bay...

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hayee I want to go there. soon inshaAllah!!!

beach pe kia hota hai? :faizy:

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Camel Rides, Monkey tricks, Cobra vs Mongoose (for the adventerous), oh and sand and surf, so whatever entertainment you want.. cricket, frisbee, catch, boogey boarding, oh.. and food… lots and lots of food :hehe:

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Tell me more tell me moreeee!! :blush:

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I have heard so many good things about Karachi! I hope I can go one day.

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City Of The Month: Karachi

Khatii how can you forget Sinbad and Aladin park :p

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Picnics at the beach, that's what I organize when I'm visiting there. That way I can invite all the people I want to meet and be get it done in one day. Otherwise people always complain that you come and visit everyone else BUT US. :D

I'll post some pics of Karachi that I've taken over the years.

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City Of The Month: Karachi

Bachpan ki yaadein.. Pyaara Karachi. Miss it!

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Aameen