One of the most populated and famous urban areas of Pakistan include the historically famous and great city of Lahore. As people from different cultures reside in the city, Lahore is often referred to as the heart of Pakistan. In the last few decades, the city has expanded significantly and the rate of development is also increasing because it is economically, socially, politically and financially stable. A very famous place for exploring the old culture of the city and shopping is Mall Road, which is a major road in Lahore. Also known as The Mall, holds significant cultural and historical value.
This is due to the fact that most of the buildings that line the road are a collection of colonial-era and Mughal architecture and most of them were constructed during the era of the British Raj. The road also has a number of food vendors, big malls, street sellers, small shops and many other diversities. A number of historical places, such as Punjab Assembly, Lahore High court, The Government College Lahore, General Post Office and many more. There are also some must-visit places for eating on the Mall Road, such as Chaman’s Ice cream and ‘Bun-Kebab’.
Some of the other places of historical, recreational and cultural significance on The Mall include:
Lahore Museum
The main museum of the city is situated on Mall Road and tells the fascinating story of the country in a building that was built in the 18th century. There are almost a total of 20 separate galleries in Lahore Museum, which include those dedicated to postage stamps, coins, Islamic art, miniature paintings and arms. Some of the artifacts in the museum can be traced as far back as the Stone Age. Apart from that, there are also some beautiful carpets, ancient Qurans and some very rare coins that can be traced back to the Archaemenid age. Some of the artefacts in the museum also belong to the civilizations of Mohenjodaro and Harrapa.
Lahore Zoo
One of the oldest zoos in the subcontinent is Lahore Zoo, which is located near Bagh-i-Jinnah. It can be found behind a large gateway that boasts a colorful animal mural. Established in 1972, the Lahore zoo houses elephants, lions, giraffes, tigers, leopards, monkeys, a variety of bird species and more. It is not just the animals that are the interesting part about the zoo as the gardens are equally impressive. They contain a wide range of trees and plants, some of which can be dated back to the 16th century.
Bagh-i-Jinnah
Formerly referred to as Lawrence Gardens, Bagh-i-Jinnah is a historical park that’s located on Mall Road. It is a large green space that provides a number of sports and entertainment facilities, such as a restaurant, an open air-theatre with frequent nightly performances (in Punjabi and Urdu), the Gymkhana cricket ground and tennis courts.
Zamzama Gun
Also known as Kim’s Gun or the Bhangianwali Toap, the Zamzama Gun is a large bore cannon. It sits right in front of the Lahore Museum on the medium strip and was used in a number of battles by the Afghan Durranis and later by the Sikhs. It was then brought to Lahore by the Maharaja Ranjit Singh as a mark of his conquests.
Anarkali Bazaar
If you are interested in going on a shopping spree in Lahore, there is no better place you will find than Anarkali Bazaar. It can offer you a shopping experience that will help you remember this city for a long time. It is a must-visit when you go to Lahore as you can find the best of Lahore in this market, ranging from embroidered items to jewelry to silk, to leatherwear and footwear.
Aitchison College
Aitchison College is situated at the Eastern end of The Mall and is referred to as the ‘Eton of Pakistan’. It is one of the most prestigious schools in the country because it is run on the same lines as an English public school. The school’s building is a Mughal-Gothic style, which is surrounded by neat and manicured sporting fields that give it a beautiful appearance.
WAPDA House
It is a nine-story office building that’s located on Lahore’s Mall Road and serves as the headquarters of the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA). It is one of the numerous prominent government buildings that can be found in the area and it shares views of the Islamic Summit Minar, Masonic Lodge and the Punjab Provincial Assembly. This building was completed in 1967 and was designed by the American architect called Edward Durell Stone.
Charing Cross
Officially renamed Faisal Square, Charing Cross is a prominent road intersection that’s located on The Mall. This was laid out during the British era and it is named for the Charing Cross in London. There was a marble pavilion at Charing Cross that, until 1951, was displaying a bronze statue of Queen Victoria. Since then, it has been replaced with a bronze replica of the Quran.
Alhamra Arts Council
Also known as the Alhamra Hall, Alhamra Art Gallery and several other names, the Alhamra Arts Council on The Mall houses the largest permanent collection of artwork in the city. It has a total of two floors that exhibit a number of fine paintings all done by Pakistani artists. This gallery is also a part of the Alhamra Cultural Complex, which is known for holding theatrical and musical performances from time to time.
These are some of the top attractions that you will find on Lahore Mall Road. Apart from these, there are various places to eat and you will also find some of the best hotels situated on The Mall. This is a plus for tourists as it allows them to stay within walking distance of different attractions. Some of the hotels include the Pearl Continental Hotel, State Guest House and also the Avari Hotel. There are also some educational institutions, such as Lahore American School, University of the Punjab, Government College University and King Edward Medical College.
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