Lodhran
Introduction
Lodhran is a city in the Punjab province of Pakistan and the capital of Lodhran District, set on the northern side of the River Sutlej. It is a modest provincial city rather than a major urban centre, and its character is shaped by the surrounding agricultural land.
The area is known for its cotton crop and its mangoes, so your sense of the place will come largely from its farming economy and the produce associated with it. Come expecting a quiet Punjabi district capital on the Sutlej rather than a polished tourist destination.
Before you go
Lodhran is a conservative city, so plan to dress modestly and in the manner of local residents, and it is better to have someone from the city as a guide. Before you travel, check the regional security situation: Bahawalpur was a target during the Indo-Pakistani conflict in 2025, and you should exercise caution if regional tensions escalate. As of May 2023, your hotel will arrange a police escort if you wish to leave the hotel; you may have to specify your itinerary in advance and wait for the police to arrive.
- Police: dial 15 from any landline phone.
- Ambulance: dial 115 from any landline or cellphone.
- Emergency rescue and help: dial 1122 for "Rescue 1122".
Getting there
Bahawalpur has its own airport, with PIA operating flights to Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad. A new airport has been built near the old one, and international flights are expected to operate there in future.
The city is connected to all major cities of Pakistan by train, and bus services run throughout the country. You can catch a Daewoo bus from any big city such as Karachi, Rawalpindi or Lahore and come to Bahawalpur directly. From Lahore you can also travel by car on the KLP road. Once you arrive, renting a car with a driver is the best way to move around, though local transport is available too; to see things around Bahawalpur you will need a car.
Getting around
Lodhran has no metro or tram, so you'll get around by bus, rail, taxi or on foot. The city sits on Pakistan's national rail network, making trains a practical way both to reach Lodhran and to connect onward to larger regional cities; buy tickets in person at the station booking office and allow extra time around departure. For travel between Bahawalpur and Lodhran, the Speedo Bus Service is worth checking as a low-cost option, but confirm locally that it is running before planning around it, since the service has been suspended at least once. Intercity buses also connect the region's cities, and a new two-lane road linking Lodhran, Khanewal and Multan has made road travel between these towns more practical.
Within Lodhran, taxis and rented cars with a driver are the most flexible options, and hiring a car with a driver is generally the best way to move around and see the surrounding area, since local transport alone won't cover everything you may want to reach. Ride-hailing apps are not documented for Lodhran, so arrange taxis locally or through your accommodation rather than assuming an app-based service is available. The compact centre is reasonable to explore on foot for short trips, though footpaths and street lighting vary by area, so stick to busy, well-lit parts of town and take a taxi after dark. Lodhran has no airport of its own; the nearest practical air gateway is Bahawalpur, from where you continue by road or by the Speedo Bus, or arrange a taxi or car with a driver for the transfer.
Where to stay
It sits in a quiet cul-de-sac near the museum and library, though it is now showing its age. If you want to be near the airport, a two-star hotel there is described as probably the best hotel in Bahawalpur.
- PTDC hotel — quiet cul-de-sac near the museum and library; the pick of the bunch, though aging.
- Hotel one — two-star, near the airport; described as probably the best hotel in Bahawalpur.
- Luxury Hotel, Fawara Chowk — basic rooms with a/c and en suite on a noisy junction; fine for a night's sleep but not somewhere to linger.
- Pak Continental — aging hotel near the centre of town; rooms are OK, but the a/c doesn't work when the hotel runs on its generator, so ask for a room away from the street.
- New Bahawalpur Hotel, inside Ahmad Puri Gate at Shahzadi Chowk — single rooms available.
Given the thin choice, it pays to set your expectations accordingly and book around your priorities: quiet and proximity to the museum and library at the PTDC, airport convenience at the two-star, or a central base at the Pak Continental, where a room off the street makes the stay more comfortable.
Food & drink
For a sit-down meal with the widest menu in town, head to 4 Seasons on Muhammad Bin Qasim Road near the railway station, the sister restaurant of Multan's Zanzibar. The decor is plush and modern, the menu ambitious — steaks, pizza, pasta, Chinese and more — and it's the most Western-style place around; the food is acceptable and the service good, though don't count on much English being spoken. Lataska is probably the second most popular place to eat in the city and is known for its Chinese and Italian cooking, while Pizza Hut is the best-known spot for pizza and Subway also has a branch here. For something more distinctly local, try Shahjahan Grill Restaurant opposite QMC on Circular Road, which serves authentic imperial cuisine, or the Zanzibar Food Club. Fast-food fans can try Almaida fried chicken at Welcome Chowk near railway road, which pairs fried chicken with pizza. Other options include Al Maida at Fawara Chowk, Desert Grill, Green Chilli and Norays. If you're passing through on National Highway 5, about 26 km north of Bahawalpur near Kissan Mill Store on Bahawalpur Road, Nassu La Taska Hotel is well known in the area and serves many kinds of dishes, with chicken karahi as its speciality.
No visit is complete without trying Sohn Halwa, the most special sweet dish of Bahawalpur — buy the most delicious version, mixed with dry fruits and nuts, from certain old halwa maker shops. To drink, Victoria Lounge opposite QMC on Circular Road offers tea and coffee, hot and cold, along with snacks and cakes.
What to see and do
Bahawalpur rewards those who look beyond its busy centre. Start with the Bahawalpur Museum and the Bahawalpur Zoo, then admire the architecture of the Central Library, a landmark building from the 1920s. The city's palaces are a highlight: Nur Mahal, built by a former ruler of Bahawalpur, is noted for its beauty, while a visit to Darbar Mahal requires advance permission from the Army. You can also pay your respects at Mai Jindaan Da Mazaar, one of the country's best-known landmarks, and see the Replica of Fort Darawar, a private construction with a small fish-filled lake in its grounds.
For nature, head to Lal Suhanra National Park, a draw for naturalists. The park is home to many animals and birds, including the rare chinkara gazelle and plentiful wild boar, and a project there is re-introducing black buck to their former desert habitat; you can see about thirty of them in a fenced enclosure just inside the forest plantation. In winter the lake attracts abundant duck. The park lies north-east of the city; leave by the Khairpur road and fork right onto a dirt track to reach the desert feeder canal. Hire a guide at the entrance, and either book the rest house through the Park Office or camp. Golfers can head to the Bahawalpur Golf course, and for a desert outing, Derawar Fort is a beautiful safari destination; the off-road Cholistan Desert Jeep Rally starts near the fort.
Three days in Lodhran
Day one: Arrive in Lodhran, a district town in Punjab, Pakistan. The town sits near the River Sutlej, and the surrounding countryside is Punjabi farmland. Settle in and take a ride on the Speedo Bus Service to get your bearings within Lodhran. In the evening, eat simple Punjabi food and rest before an early start.
Day two: Head out to the River Sutlej and spend the morning along its banks. Before heading back, take a ride on the Speedo Bus to see more of the town. Keep the Police, Ambulance, Emergency and Rescue numbers on hand, and note that PIA and Daewoo connect Lodhran with Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad and Rawalpindi if you plan to move on.
Day three: Take an intercity bus toward Khanewal or Multan, or continue to Bahawalpur, and see the countryside along the way. If you would rather stay close, a ride on the Speedo Bus within Lodhran fills the morning. From Lahore, KLP and the Speedo Bus Service are options for the return leg.