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Lahore has long been known as Pakistan's cultural capital, owing largely to its beautiful architecture, well-regarded universities, celebrated music and literary scenes, and numerous museums and galleries. The Punjabi city is also home to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Lahore Fort and Shalimar Gardens. Lahore is a major culinary hub that's known for its rich, meat-based dishes and filling flatbreads. While many of the best things to do in Lahore revolve around history and art, a lot of visitors come for the food, first and foremost.
The best time to visit Lahore is between November and March, when the weather is pleasantly cool. Many festivities take place during this season, too. These include Basant, known locally as Jashn-e-Baharaan, a Punjabi celebration of spring that was traditionally associated with kite-flying (though kite bans due to accidents from kite fighting have subdued the celebrations). The Mela Shalamar in March is another popular event, honoring the late Sufi saint Shah Hussain, whose shrine is on the outskirts of town.
Lahore has plenty of transportation options, including buses, taxis, and auto-rickshaws. One of the easiest ways to see a lot in a short amount of time is by taking a guided city tour that includes transportation. Auto-rickshaws are easy to hail off the street, though the types commonly used in Lahore are somewhat enclosed, making it difficult to take in views of the city from the backseat.
For some of the best views of the Badshahi Mosque, head to Haveli Restaurant, situated on the popular Lahore Fort Road Food Street. Hosed in the 17th-century Haveli Khalil Khan, the restaurant is worth visiting for its beautiful architecture, characterized by wrought-iron railings and carved jharokhas (lattice-screened windows). The menu is extensive, with plenty of Lahori specialties and barbecued meats alongside a solid selection of Chinese and European dishes.
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Lahore is known for its elegant Mughal architecture, as exemplified by the Badshahi Mosque, Tomb of Jahangir, and Lahore Fort. The city is also a well-known food destination, with all sorts of rich, spicy street food dishes such as paye (slow-cooked mutton stew) and fluffy naan.
...MoreWith one day in Lahore, you'll have time to see some of the city's most important architectural sites inside the UNESCO-listed Walled City and to try some of the city's famous foods (including meat-based dishes and flatbreads). Not-to-miss sights in the Walled City include the Badshahi Mosque and Lahore Fort.
...MoreYes, it is worth visiting Lahore. The city is full of beautiful art and architecture and fantastic art, and its Walled City is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. If you like to center your travels around culinary experiences, you’ll find that Lahore is great for meat-heavy street food dishes.
...MoreYou need at least two full days in Lahore. This gives you enough time to visit top attractions such as the Badshahi Mosque, Lahore Fort, and Lahore Museum and have time to do a full- or half-day trip to area attractions such as the Indo-Pak border-closing ceremony at Wagah.
...MoreYes, you can wear shorts in Lahore, but you might garner some stares, especially if you’re a woman. The dress code here tends to be more modest than in other parts of the world, and men and women usually wear long trousers and tops that—at a minimum—cover their shoulders.
...MoreJune is the hottest month in Lahore, though May isn’t much cooler. June high temperatures average around 102°F (39°C), but it’s a good idea to be prepared for even warmer weather. Winters in Lahore can get chilly, with highs of 66°F (19°C) in January (the coldest month) and lows of 46°F (8°F).
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