Walled City of Lahore
Lahore, the cultural capital of Pakistan, is one of the world’s ancient cities, with a history dating back to 1000 CE when it was fortified by a mud wall. The Walled City of Lahore, or Androon Lahore, forms its historic core and is regarded as the best part of the city to feel the local vibe.
As a living testimony of the city’s illustrious past, it is filled with Mughal-era architectural wonders, majestic old gates, centuries-old havelis, and holy sites.
Old Lahore is also famous for its narrow, winding streets lined with shops and ancient bazaars brimming with vibrant colors. It is not its historic landmarks and bustling bazaars that win the hearts of the visitors; there are also centuries-old hidden gems in its narrow lanes waiting to be explored.
Every corner of the Androon Shehar or the Old City is full of unexpected delights, making it well worth exploring with plenty of things to do and see.
Whether you’re a first-timer or a frequent visitor, this Walled City of Lahore tour guide will talk about everything you want to know about it.
While the history of the Walled City of Lahore can be traced back to 1000 CE, it touched the zenith of its architectural glory during the rule of the Mughals. With one of the world’s largest and finest mosques, a magnificent fort to wander, historic gates, and one of the largest spice markets in Asia, the Walled city of Lahore is no short of historical attractions, and many of them are included in the list of best places to visit in Lahore.
A long-standing symbol of the Mughal era’s grandeur, the Lahore Fort is an important historical monument that lies at the northern end of the Old City. Once served as the residence of Mughals and Maharaja Ranjeet Singh, it is home to many monuments. Sheesh Mahal (Mirror Palace), Picture Wall, Diwan-e-Khas and Diwan-e-Aam (the hall of the audience and the hall of the public), Jahangir’s Quadrangle, Naulakhan Pavilion, and Moti Masjid are some of the surviving monuments inside the citadel’s walls.
Adjacent to the LahoreFort is the magnificent Badshahi Mosque, also known as Imperial Mosque. Badshahi Mosque is a 17th-century Mughal-era mosque built by Emperor Aurangzeb and made from red sandstone and white marble. Its interior and exterior are adorned with stucco tracery, elaborately carved marble, and intricate frescoes, making it one of the most beautiful mosques in the Islamic world. Not all visitors know that it features a ziarat section that houses sacred relics attributed to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
Nestled into the uber-chaotic streets of Delhi Gate, Wazir Khan Mosque is a mosaic marvel that dates back to the 17th century. Known for its artistry, the Wazir Khan Mosque was built in 1641 during Emperor Shah Jahan’s rule. Visiting the Wazir Khan Mosque is one of the best things to do in Lahore. Mosaic tile work and elaborated buon frescoes adorn its exterior and interior. The ancient beauty of this 300-year-old mosque adds to its charm and gives an illusion that you are stepping back into a time when Lahore was a stopover for the traveler merchants.
Adjacent to Delhi Gate, Shahi Hamam is a 17th-century royal bath built by the Ilam-ud-din Ansari, also known as Wazir Khan — the same man who built the most ornately decorated Wazir Khan Mosque. Once used to fund the nearby Masjid Wazir Khan, it fell into disuse after the fall of the Mughal Empire.
The baths were later used for different purposes during colonial rule. It was restored in 2015 and now serves as a historical site and offers glimpses into the past and opulent lifestyle of the Mughal Emperors.
The Hammam’s walls are decorated with elaborate frescoes, and its arches and domed ceilings captivate the hearts of the visitors. Water distribution throughout the building and the heating method of the hammam is quite astonishing.
The Walled City of Lahore walking tour is incomplete without visiting its ancient gates that have lived through numerous eras and seen centuries of culture. The Old city was once enclosed by 13 gates that were the entry point to lively bazaars and narrow streets of the Old City. Only six gates exist today, including Delhi Gate, Shairanwala Gate, Lohari Gate, Bhatti Gate, Roshnai Gate, and Kashmiri Gate. The rest of the old gates of Lahore exist by name only, including Masti Gate, Mori Gate, Akbari Gate, Mochi Gate, Taxali Gate, Shah Alam Gate, and Yakki Gate. Some gates were demolished and later rebuilt, which are a beautiful reminder of the city’s rich history. Each of the remaining six gates is worth visiting, making you feel nostalgic and taking you back to simpler times.
Havelis are magnificently crafted grand mansions that showcase the architectural grandeur of the past. Plenty of Illustrious havelis inside the chaotic streets of the Old City will greet you on your Old Lahore walking tour.
Jharokhas, delicate frescoes, carved wooden doors, and beautiful courtyards are some common features of all havelis, reflecting the aesthetics and taste of the builder. Naunhal Singh Haveli is a notable example of Sikh and Mughal architecture, while Mubrakan Haveli is famous for its exquisite interiors.
Exploring these havelis will let you experience the grandeur of the city’s rich heritage. Another Haveli owned by the Fakir Family houses a private museum with 20,000 artifacts, the Fakir Khana Museum, worth visiting in the Walled City of Lahore near Bhatti Gate.
The thirteen gates of Old Lahore hold historical monuments and are home to bustling bazaars sprawling across narrow streets and tight alleyways. All these are linked together via a maze-like network, and they sell their own niche specialty. These markets and bazaars boast from home décor and clothing items to electronics, utensils, and shoes, to name but a few. One of Asia’s largest spice markets, Akbari Mandi, is also here, and visiting it is a visually enriching cultural experience. Azam Cloth Market, Sarafa Bazaar, Shah Alam Market, Moti Bazaar, Kesera Bazaar, and Birds Market are some of the famous bazaars and markets in the Walled City of Lahore that make it a living cultural hub.
Lahore’s The Walled City also has many hidden gems that can’t be missed on your visit to the Walled City. One such hidden gem is Sunehri Masjid, dating back to the 18th century and located in the heart of Old City. Its gold-plated domes and minarets are still shining even after 270 years.
Naveen Mosque is another off-beat attraction built in the 15th century and is famous for its 25 feet below street-level foundation. One of the oldest Mughal-era mosques, Begum Shahi Mosque, is also hidden in the most crowded section of Androon Lahore, which is often missed by many travelers.
This hidden gem holds historical significance and must be visited for a spiritually uplifting experience and to admire its elaborate frescoes. With many Mughal-era monuments, the Old City is also home to Sikh Gurdwaras like Gurdwara Janam Asthan Guru Ram Das in Chuna Mandi near Begum Shahi Mosque and Gurdwara Dera Sahib adjacent to Badshahi Mosque, making it a culturally diverse place to visit.
Visit Mughal-era mosques, navigate the mesh of narrow streets and alleyways to discover hidden places, admire the grandeur of Lahore Fort, buy traditional handicrafts from Delhi Gate Market, try some succulent kebabs at saeen shahi kabab in Mochi Gate, hunt down historic havelis that once belonged to city’s notables or visit old gates of Lahore to explore their labyrinth of narrow lanes and lively bazaars.
Lahore’s Walled City is known for its nostalgic atmosphere and Mughal heritage, which define its food. A stroll along the streets of Shahi Muhalla Bazaar is highly recommended for exotic dishes like paye and local delicacies like kebabs and tawa chicken.
Head to Arif Chatkhara for drool-worthy tawa chicken, or make a stop at the renowned Fazal din Phajja Siri paye for a delightful culinary experience. If a sweets craving hits you, head to Taj Mahal Sweets to make your sweet tooth happy.
People also visit Ghousia Muttosn Chanay in Lohari Gate for its signature Mutton Chanay. If you have over-indulged, wash it down with lassi from Jadee Lassi Wala at Awami Bazaar.
For a restaurant overlooking the historic Badshahi Mosque, make your way to the Lahore Fort Road Food Street, where many beautiful restored havelis serve delicious desi food.
Andaaz Restaurant, Haveli Restaurant, and Coco’s Den are the most celebrated names, famous for their traditional food menus and fantastic views of the city’s most striking sight, Badshahi Mosque.
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