Karachi

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Karachi is one of the major cities in Pakistan.

Table of contents
	karachi Travel Guide : 1 Get in 2 Get around 3 See 4 Do 5 Tourist Attractions 6 Buy 7 Eat 8 Drink 9 Sleep 10 Get out 11 stay safe 12 External links

Get in

Jinnah International Airport (KHI) (http://www.karachiairport.com/)

Get around

The main ways of getting around in Karachi is through buses, and it is used by the majority of the Pakistani population. However, outsiders might be appalled by the bad conditions of the buses, They might prefer travelling in taxis. There are two kinds of taxis in Karachi, Yellow and Black. The yellow ones are generally thought to be better than the black ones. You need to be wary of the rates charged by the taxi drivers, because they usually charge double rates to people who are unaware of them.

Recently, a new bus service has started in Pakistan. It's called the Green Bus. These are very highly maintained good quality buses. The only down side is that they cost nearly double the price of the ordinary buses. But that is not that much anyways, amounting to nearly 10 cents.

Once you get the hang of travelling in Karachi, it becomes a very entertaining experience. You meet new people and get to see really unexpected things. It's not very hard to find a mode of transportation and if you know what you are doing, very easy to get around.

See

Do

There is much to do in Karachi, a city of 9 million people is unlikely to be short on activities!

One can shop to one's hearts content, in the massive range of markets and bazaars that dot the city, or one can shop at one of the many modern shopping malls that are found across the city's more affluent sectors, namely Defence and Clifton.

From a historical perspective, Karachi has a fine collection of Anglo-Indian architecture, a legacy of the British Raj, which can keep History buffs engaged. As well as a fine history in its own right, with ancient pre Islamic and later Muslim rulers leaving there mark on this enchanted city.

On the sports front, one is spoilt for choice. Cricket can be found at every conceivable corner, or in the lush grounds of the more wealthy professional clubs, or elite schools. There are several fine Golf courses, a bustling race track, and a wide range of water sports are accessible due to the City's Arabian Sea coast.

Culture vultures will find a city with 10 Art Galleries, displaying broad works from Asia, and some New Age works from aspiring Pakistani artists.

Walks along the beaches, under clear skies, at night are an experience worth the travel alone.

Alternatively, one can jump on a bus and simply let themselves be overwhelmed by this city, its size and scope, its heart breaking disparity between rich and poor, and its breath taking sights and sounds. Karachi isn't a city, it is a world unto itself!

Tourist Attractions

• General
  • Mazar-e-Quaid (Mausoleum of the founder of Pakistan- Muhammad Ali Jinnah)
  • Koocha-e-Saqafat (National Arts Council)
  • Mohatta Palace
  • Aga Khan hospital (for its modernist Islamic Architecture)
  • Kemari (Drive at night)
• Beaches and Waterfront
  • Clifton Sea View seafront
  • Hawkesbay Beach(breeding ground for endangered turtles)
  • Paradise Point (a rock promontory in the sea with a natural arch)
  • Sandspit Beach
  • French Beach
  • Russian Beach
  • Fishing and Crabbing on Keamari and Manora
  • Creek Club Karachi (offers boating in the creek areas)
  • Clifton Pavilion and the Kothari Parade
  • Clifton Aquarium
  • Defence Golf Club
  • Area 51 bowling alley
  • Park Towers Shopping Mall
  • Zamzama Commercial Area (famous for its designer outlets)
  • World Wildlife Centre
  • Wetland Centre at Sandspit
  • Ibn-e-Qasim Park
  • Masjid-e-Touba (The largest domed structure of its kind)
  • Three Swords Monument
• Museums
  • Mazar-e-Quaid Museum
  • Mohatta Palace Museum
  • Pakistan Air Force Museum
  • Pakistan Maritime Museum
  • National Museum of Pakistan
  • Aga Khan museum
  • Karachi Expo Centre
• Colonial Buildings
  • Mereweather Tower
  • Frere Hall
  • Governor's House
  • St. Patrick's Cathedral
  • St. Anthony's Church
  • Trinity Church
  • Sindh High Court
  • Former Victoria Museum (later used by the Supreme Court)
  • Karachi Gymkhana
  • Karachi Metropolitan Corporation Building
  • Hindu Gymkhana (now NAPA (http://www.napa.org.pk/))
  • Empress Market
  • D.J. College
• Islands
  • Clifton Oyster Rocks
  • Manora Island
  • Bundle Island
  • Bath island
  • Bhit Shah
  • Shah Bandar
  • Churna Island (Naval gunnery site, as well as Pakistan's only coral reefs)
• Amusement Parks
  • PIA Planetarium
  • Alladin Park
  • Sindbad
  • Hill Park
  • Safari Park
  • Karachi Zoo
  • Cosy Water Park
  • Samzu Park
  • Fun Land
  • Play Land
  • Fiesta park

The Clifton beach in Karachi is one of the longest city beaches in the world. Although it suffered a recent oil spill disaster, the beach has been cleaned and has floodlights installed for night-time visitors. There are also a lot of other excellent beaches near the city such as Sandspit, Hawke's Bay, the French Beach, Russian beach and Paradise Point (a sandstone rock promontory with a natural arch) that are frequented by flocks of visitors every day.

Buy

There are a great number of shopping places in Karachi, ranging from the traditional bazaar to the modern shopping malls that we are accustomed to in the West. A first-time visitor should try and visit the bazaars, as the shopping malls will not be any different than back home. The bazaars usually consist of many small vendors selling a variety of products from accessories to clothes to food and drink. In addition, there are larger stores which are more specific in their products. Also one would find that the bazaars are a more culturally enriching experience, and everything's so cheap!

Some of the main bazaars in Karachi that deserve a visit:

• Tariq Road Bazaar
• Gulf area market(many traditional vendors and more upscale boutiques and designer shoes)
• Zainab Market
• Chen One (a more Western bazaar)
• Zamzama (fashion stores)
• Millemium mall
• Dolmen mall

These are just a few to mention. On the whole, shopping in Karachi is an interesting, exhilarating (because of the low prices!) and often tiring experience.

Eat

Karachi has several fantastic upscale restaurants. Limoncello, Okra, Gunsmoke, Fujiyama, Baan Thai, the Pakistani are a few of these.

Drink

Although Pakistan is officially "dry", most top end hotels have their own bars. The Government is not particularly pro-active in enforcing such laws. You just have to know where to look.

Of the local drinks, Lassi is a classic yogurt drink fused with fresh fruit. Highly recommended!

Sleep

In a city the size of Karachi, there is never a shortage of beds! Karachi has perhaps 5 hotels that are widely considered to be 5*, mostly those hotels belonging to famous hotel chains. The Avari Towers are supposed to be an experience apart, most foreign dignitaries in the city stay there.

There are thousands of lesser hotels and dorms to sleep in. For $60 USD you can get a very decent place, with private bathroom, cable TV and air conditioning. As in any place, there is a correlation between comfort and cost.

Get out

stay safe

Karachi is consistently ranked as one of the most dangerous cities in the world. Just use common sense and avoid slums. Try not to go out alone or at night.

External links

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