Multan
Multan is a city in the Punjab Province of Pakistan, and the capital of Multan District. It is located in the southern part of the province and is steeped in history. It has a population of over 3.8 million (according to the 1998 census), making it the sixth-largest city in Pakistan. It is built just east of the Chenab River, more or less in the geographic center of the country and about 966 km from Karachi. Multan is known as the ‘City of Pirs and Shrines’ and is a prosperous city of bazaars, mosques and superbly designed tombs. The Multan International Airport connects flights to major cities in Pakistan and to cities in the Persian Gulf. The city’s industries include metalworking, flour, sugar, oil milling, textiles manufacturing, fertilizer, soap, and glass. Multan is also known for its handicrafts, especially pottery and enamel work.
One of the subcontinent’s oldest cities, Multan derives its name from an idol in the temple of the sun god, a shrine of the pre-Muslim period. The city was conquered (c.326 BC) by Alexander the Great, visited (AD 641) by the Chinese Buddhist scholar Hsüan-Tsang, taken (8th cent.) by the Arabs, and captured by Muslim Turkish conqueror Mahmud of Ghazna in 1005 and by Timur in 1398. In the 16th and 17th centuries, Multan enjoyed peace under the rule of Mughal emperors. In 1818, the city was seized by Ranjit Singh, leader of the Sikhs. The British held it from 1848 until Pakistan achieved independence in 1947. Landmarks include an old fort containing the 14th-century tombs of two Muslim saints.
Bahawalpur
Founded in 1748, Bahawalpur was the capital of the former princely state of Bahawalpur, ruled by the Abbasi family of Nawabs until 1955. The Nawabs left a rich architectural legacy, and Bahawalpur is now known for its monuments dating from that period. The city also lies at the edge of the Cholistan Desert and serves as the gateway to the nearby Lal Suhanra National Park. Bahawalpur is a city located in the Punjab province of Pakistan. Bahawalpur is the 11th largest city in Pakistan by population as per the 2017 census with a population of 762,111.
You can make interesting excursions from Bahawalpur, a half-day trip to Derawar Fort (Qila Derawar), through the semi-desert of Cholistan. Derawar is in good condition, its walls are intact and still guarded by soldiers in fezes. Its age is unknown. The tombs of the Amirs of Bahawalpur are also at Derawar, decorated with attractive blue glazed tiles contrasting with the ochre landscape.
Itinerary
Multan – Bahawalpur Tour: 2 Nights 3 Days
Day 01 – Multan – Bahawalpur
Pick up from Multan airport or your location and departure to visit Derawar Fort (approx. 03 ½ hrs. drive), a large square fortress in Bhawalpur with forty bastions visible for many miles in the Cholistan Desert. The walls have a circumference of 1500 meters and stand up to 30 meters high. A previous fort had been built at that location by a Hindu Rajput of the Bhati clan of Jaisalmer; however, this fort was later destroyed. Visit King’s tomb and enjoy local music and Camel rides in Desert Lunch in the food club Continue to visit The Noor Mahal is a palace in Bahawalpur; It was built in 1872 like an Italian chateau on neoclassical lines, at a time when modernism had set in. It belonged to the Nawab of Bahawalpur princely state, during British Raj. Check-in at the hotel
Dinner in Bahawalpur. Overnight stay at Hotel in Bahawalpur
Day 02 – Bahawalpur – Multan
After breakfast check out from the hotel Proceed to visit Jamia Masjid and Central Library of Bahawalpur Museum, which is an old and worth-mentioning library of Pakistan located in Bahawalpur. It has a collection of 105000 books. It is the 2nd biggest public library in the province. It possesses, besides a vast collection of old newspapers since 1947 and even later than it, more than lac books and a fair number of manuscripts. Drive to Multan (approx. 02 hrs drive) En route visit Blue Pottery Factory. Lunch at Hardees Multan Later proceed to a city tour of Multan with the famous shrines of Shaikh Bahauddin Zakaria Multani, Shah Rukne Alam and Hazrat Shams Sabzwari. Multan has more tombs of saints and Sufis gathered in one place than anywhere else on earth and is probably one of the oldest surviving cities in South West Asia. Continue to visit British Memorial and Nigar Khana In case we have time then go for traditional sweets shopping.
Overnight stay at Hotel in Multan.
Day 3 – Multan
After breakfast drop by Multan airport or your location in Multan.