Rawalpindi, also known as Pindi is one of the beautiful cities of Pakistan. Islamabad is the capital of Islamic Republic of Pakistan.
When Pakistan came into being in 1947, Karachi was the capital of Pakistan but the city ? Islamabad has been developed between 1960 ? 1970 and named officially the capital of Pakistan afterwards.
Though, Rawalpindi - twin city to Islamabad, is the main city with a population of around 2 Millions; is a city with a lot of activity. Rawalpindi was the garrison town in the English times and yet today it is the head quarter of Pakistan Army.
I have been to Rawalpindi - Islamabad and it was just amazing. People of RWP are nice and helpful.
I have visited many places such as Ayub Park (Jungle Kingdom), Colleges & Universities, The Mall, Saddar Bazaar, Lal-kurti, Raja Bazaar, RWP Cricket Stadium, Lal Haveli, Purana Qilla, Rawalpinid Cantonment, The Army Museum, RWP Golf Course, RWP Public Park, Libraries, Cinemas, Hospitals and etc.
THE OLD CITY OF RAWALPINDI:
The Rawalpindi city has two main roads: The Grand Trunk Road which goes from east to west and is known as The Mall as it passes through the cantonment, whereas the Murree Road breaks north from The Mall, crosses the railway and leads to the east end of the old city on its way to Islamabad.
1 - Rawalpindi Cantonment :
The Cantonment gives impression of British Raj with its Christian Churches and Cemetery, roomy bungalows, Cricket ground, Mall and the colonial-style Flashman's Hotel.
2 - The Army Museum:
The Army Museum, near the Pearl Continental Hotel (PC Hotel), has a fine collection of weapons, uniforms and paintings depicting Pakistan's military history.
3 - PARKS:
Ayub National Park - (Jungle Kingdom)
I have visited many Parks such as ''Sarwar Shaheed Park'', RWP Public Park, however, I like the best is the National & biggest Park of Pakistan Ayub Park. It covers an area of about 2, 300 acres and has a play-land, lake with boating facility, an aquarium and a garden-restaurant. It is named after ''Ayub Khan''.
The park is very big and well maintained - free rides and no entrance charges. Wild life is very well protected. You can find mostly all beautiful animals and birds there, such as Tigers, peacocks, rabbits, deers, monkeys, etc.
The park is very clean and boating area is very beautiful. People also come there for fishing. Paths are smoothly made for jogging and running and for a walk.
A new designed Jungle Kingdom inside Ayub Park is a new attraction for people. Here rides are not free and you have to pay the entrance charges. Concerts and Meena Bazaar often held in the Parks.
The management of Ayub Park also arranges activities such as, charity shows, concerts, games, picnics and in spring, flowers exhibition from local people and all over the city. It is the best park I have visited in Rawalpindi / Islamabad.
4 - SPORTS:
There is a RWP Cricket Stadium, RWP sports complex, Army Hockey Stadium & RWP Cricket Club.
Rawalpindi Golf Course :
Rawalpindi Golf Course is situated right opposite to Ayub National Park. It was formed in 1926 by Rawalpindi Golf Club, one of the oldest golf clubs of Pakistan, founded on 2nd November 1885. It has now 27-hole course. It is very well ? maintained and there are different kinds of tournaments that seasonally or usually take place.
5 - BAZAARS:
Saddar
Lal Kurti
Motchi Bazaar
CSD
Ghakhar Plazza
Bara Market
Urdu Bazaar
Sabzi Mandi
And Raja Bazaar.
Those Bazaars are very famous in RWP. You will find 90% students and young people in Saddar Bazaar as it is well known for stationeries, Sports wears and equipments, Fast food and clothing.
Ghakar Plazza is situated in the middle of Saddar and mainly popular among youth for buying clothes.
Cantt Library and Municipal Library are also situated around Saddar Bazaar.
Red Onion - Pizza Hut (My favourite), KFC (Fast food Restaurant), Lasania (Restaurant) , Rahats? (Bakers & Restaurant), PC Hotel (Pearl Continental Hotel), Shalimar Hotel, Holiday Inn, Hotel DeMall and Blue lagoon have surrounded Saddar & Lal Kurti.
Sadaf CDs - A biggest shop with largest CDs collection ever in Saddar or RWP. You will find any kind of Indian music, movies, and English music and movies on low prices in huge quantity. CDs are no big deal in RWP. You will find what you want.
LAL KURTI is known for buying clothes and sewing clothes. There are many tailors in Lal kurti and books shops and food markets. You can buy cooked and non cooked food from Lal kurti on good prices. It is located right besides Army Public School & College.
RAJA BAZAAR is a combination of China Market and Motchi Bazaar. There you can find anything you need from eatables to furniture. It is a very crowded area surrounded by biggest Cinemas of RWP. It is a heavily crowded area especially around 1 pm to 6 pm.
CSD
It is a shopping area for Army families but also civilians are allowed to shop there. It is a very peaceful and clean area. You can buy anything there without being worried about prices or crowd.
6 - HOW TO REACH RAWALPINDI:
You can travel to RWP by Air, by land (Road) from China, India, Iran, Lahore ? Delhi Bus Service, Lahore ? Delhi Train Service, by Sea.
BY SEA:
It is not open for general public use. However, a few pilgrim ships/boats do ply between Pakistan and the Gulf States.
BY AIR:
More than 25 airlines fly to Pakistan from over 40 countries. Most of the flights arrive at Karachi, but PIA, British Airways, Saudia and China Xinjiang Airlines fly direct to the twin cities of Rawalpindi/Islamabad.
PIA, Indian Airlines, Saudia and Thai Airways fly direct to Lahore. PIA has direct flights from the main Mediterranean and European cities, as well as New York, Toronto and Nairobi.
7 - WHERE TO STAY:
There are many beautiful and good Hotels to stay in RWP. Most of them are mainly situated in the middle of the city. You can stay at following Hotels;
Pearl Continental Hotel Rawalpindi 5
Holiday Inn (Islamabad) 5
Marriot (Islamabad) 5
Shalimar Hotel Rawalpindi 4
Akbar International Rawalpindi 3
TDCP Resorts / lodges ( Very Popular & My favourites)
Kallar Kahar Resort
Chatar Bagh
Charra Pani
Patriata
Chiniot
For that you can contact Pakistan Youth Hostels Association (PYHA), Islamabad.
The place where I stayed was an Army area. The Head- quarters are just 10 Mins drives away. There is also a High Court, Central Jail and Police Station situated near to Army head quarters.
One of the best oil Refinery situated in Morga in Army area. There is no restriction around that area. Civilians live around head-quarters and daily life is much respected and peaceful. People of RWP know how to enjoy life.
Islamabad and Rawalpindi are twin cities but with a lot of differences. Islamabad is a quite city with a lot more big roads and buildings and green areas where RWP is a fun loving, full of life, clean and same time bit crowded city where people know how to enjoy life.
One must visit RWP at least once. Then you will be witness of the beauty of RWP and could surely say DARE TO COMPARE RWP with any other city of the world.
PS: Due to lack of space some more necessary information is revealed in comments! Kindly continue reading. . .
