Muridke
Introduction
Muridke is a city in Punjab, Pakistan, and serves as the headquarters of Muridke Tehsil in Sheikhupura District. It sits at an elevation of roughly 205 metres and lies close to Lahore, making it a commercial centre for the surrounding area.
Before you go
Before you go to Sheikhupura, it helps to know that this is an industrial city known for rice production, and that Nestle Pakistan operates here. Punjabi is the major language spoken, while educated residents also use Urdu and English; everyone can understand Urdu, and people are described as cooperative and polite.
Keep the local emergency numbers on hand. From any landline phone you can call the police by dialing 15. For an ambulance, dial 115 from any landline or cellphone. If you find yourself in serious trouble and need emergency rescue or help, dial 1122 for "Rescue 1122".
Getting there
Sheikhupura is reached by road and by rail. Buses run between Sheikhupura and Lahore, the provincial capital, as well as Gujranwala and Faisalabad, so you can arrive from any of those cities by road.
- By bus from Lahore, Gujranwala or Faisalabad
- By train from Faisalabad and Karachi, with rail links to other big cities of the country
Trains connect Sheikhupura with all the big cities of the country, and the services linking it with Faisalabad and Karachi are the most comfortable and affordable options if you travel by rail.
Getting around
Muridke has no metro or tram network, so getting around relies on road-based transport. Rickshaws are the common form of transport here, as elsewhere in Pakistan, and they are the most flexible way to cover short trips — local errands, station transfers, and movement between the bus stand, the railway station and your accommodation. Taxis are also available, but mainly at the railway station and the bus stand, so arrange your onward ride when you arrive rather than assuming you can flag one down elsewhere. The terrain around the city is flat and level, which makes walking pleasant for a few blocks, but treat walking as a way to cover your immediate surroundings rather than to cross the city.
For longer journeys, buses and other shared road transport are the practical public option, and road is the backbone of travel in this part of Punjab. Muridke sits close to Lahore, and the district's main city, Sheikhupura, is connected by road with Lahore as well as with Gujranwala and Faisalabad, so intercity buses and coaches along these routes are the natural way to arrive from larger cities. Rail is a genuine option for intercity travel in this part of Punjab, though you should plan around the nearest major rail connections rather than expect a dense local service within the city. Muridke has no airport of its own: fly into Lahore and complete the final leg overland by bus, coach, taxi or train.
Where to stay
For overnight stays in Muridke, the available options are limited, with several hotels providing accommodation. Among these, Sultan Grand restaurant is noted for offering lodging facilities alongside its dining service.Food & drink
For snacks and sweets, you'll find cakes, sandwiches, puffs and ice cream in several flavours. Dahi bhale is sold near Hiran Minar and in the main bazaar, while gol gappe carts line up outside the parks. Biryani and pulao are considered a speciality of the area, and dal chawal is a local favourite. In summer a range of drinks is available, but in winter the choice narrows to tea and qawa. Rabri is the most popular drink locally, and sugarcane rusk is well known for being both healthy and very sweet. Limo pani, made from lemon juice and water, is refreshing, and lassi — the traditional Punjabi yogurt drink — is widely available.What to see and do
At Hiran Minar, a short drive from the city centre, you can see a masterpiece of Mughal architecture built by Emperor Jahangir as a monument to Mansraj, one of his pet deer; the site is listed as a Tentative World Heritage Site. The pool beside the minaret is the best place for boating, and rented boats are easily available there. You can also visit Qila Sheikhupura, a fort constructed in the 16th century by Jahangir and decorated with Mughal art. In the Jandiala Sher Khan neighbourhood, you can find the Waris Shah Darbar; the poet Waris Shah was born in this part of the city.Three days in Muridke
Day one: Settle into Muridke, a town in Punjab within Muridke Tehsil of Sheikhupura District. Use rickshaws or taxis to get around, and keep in mind that Punjabi, Urdu and English are all spoken here. Sample local dahi and rabri, and if you need assistance, rescue services are available.
Day two: Head out from Muridke toward nearby Sheikhupura and Lahore. Buses and trains connect Muridke with Gujranwala, Faisalabad and Karachi, while the rail network links the wider region. At Hiran Minar, a Mughal site associated with Emperor Jahangir, you can take in the monument and its surroundings.
Day three: Round off your stay with a meal of biryani, and consider a stop at Sultan Grand. Before you leave, note that Nestle Pakistan operates in the area, and that Muridke sits within Punjab, Pakistan, with Sheikhupura and Lahore within reach for onward travel.