Lahore

Lahore The country's second biggest city is more accessible than Karachi, and it is probably fair to say that it has a greater wealth of magnificent Arabic artwork. © Bruno Morandi

Lahore, which stretches over the eastern bank of the Ravi, in the heart of Punjab, is a superb city which deserves deeper insight. It is considered the religious and cutural capital of the country, but it is mainly the brilliant symbol of Moghol history - the powerful dynasty was based in Lahore from the 16th to the 18th century. Akbar had the fort on Hazury Bagh square built there. Emperor Jahangir had a palace built within the fort and a mausoleum with a double dome on the bank of the Ravi, where he was buried by the side of his wife Nur Jahan. Shah Jahan gave the city magnificent monuments, among which the Elephant Gate, the "Mirror Palace", the Moti Masjid and the famous Shalimar gardens. Emperor Aurangzeb, lastly, had Badshahi mosque and the Alamgiri Gate of the fort built. The visit of the Moghol city includes the Red Fort and its numerous buildings, in particular the "Mirror Palace" (Shish Mahal), as well as the sumptuous Badshahi mosque, the beauty of which can easily rival the Taj Mahal in Agra. Though Shalimar gardens have unfortunately lost some of their old splendour, the Wazir Khan mosque and Jahangir mausoleum are absolutely beautiful. Lahore central museum, which displays magnificent Gandhara sculptures, is a must-see for art and archaeology lovers. You will enjoy spending a few days in Lahore and make the most of the delightful atmosphere in the bazaars - the stands are overflowing with fine silk and light muslin, scented spices, shiny jewels and a thousand and one other marvels.