New Mirpur City
Introduction
New Mirpur City is the capital of the Mirpur district in Pakistani-administered Azad Kashmir, within the disputed Kashmir region. It is the second largest city in Azad Kashmir, so expect a busy district capital rather than a quiet mountain town.
Getting around
New Mirpur City is compact, and its sights, shopping areas and accommodation cluster around the centre, so you rarely need to travel far for day-to-day needs. Most short journeys are made by auto rickshaw or by car: auto rickshaws are a very popular way to get around, and many of the newer ones run on compressed natural gas. Car hire is available if you prefer a private vehicle, and if you want a car with a driver, that is the option to arrange. Walking works well for the central shopping district, focused on Chowk Shaheeda and Mian Mohammed Road, where stores, plazas, malls and markets sit close together; beyond the centre the city spreads out, so an auto rickshaw or hired car is more practical. Keep small change handy for rickshaws.
- Buses are the mainstay of public transport, running from early morning to late night, with local and regional routes to Bhimber District, Dina, Gujrat, Jhelum, Kharian and Kotli District.
- Long-distance coaches link the city with Bahawalpur, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Karachi, Lahore, Multan, Muzaffarabad, Peshawar, Quetta, Rawalpindi and Sialkot; arrange your seat at the bus station or through the coach operator before departure, as there is no unified citywide ticket or travelcard system.
- The city has no airport of its own: Islamabad International Airport is roughly 130 km away by road and Sialkot International Airport about 110 km, with buses to Mirpur available from Islamabad Airport and onward travel from Sialkot by road. Arrange your onward bus or car transfer in advance.
- Many shops accept pound sterling, a convenience for British visitors.
When to go
Mirpur has a humid subtropical climate, so plan your trip around two things: heat and rain. Summer is extremely hot, closer in feel to nearby Jhelum and Gujar Khan than to the rest of Jammu and Kashmir. Expect punishing heat and schedule outdoor activity around it — early mornings and evenings rather than the middle of the day.
Substantial rainfall is part of the year here, so build some flexibility into your plans and keep indoor options in reserve for wet days.
Three days in New Mirpur City
Day one: Start in the centre of New Mirpur City, using Chowk Shaheeda as your orientation point and Mian Mohammed Road as the spine of your walk. Walking is the easiest way to get a feel for the city's Pakistani and Azad Kashmir character, and it lets you pause where the streets are busiest. Arrange your arrival in advance: many travellers come in via Islamabad International Airport or Sialkot International Airport, and buses connect the city with Bhimber District, Dina, Gujrat, Jhelum and Kharian. Keep the first day light and let the city set your pace.
- Chowk Shaheeda
- Mian Mohammed Road
- Buses from Bhimber District, Dina, Gujrat, Jhelum and Kharian
Day two: Use the city as a base for the wider Mirpur district and the routes toward Kotli District. A car gives you the most flexibility for longer runs, while buses serve the main connections. If you are arriving from further afield, services link the region with Bahawalpur, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Karachi, Lahore, Multan, Muzaffarabad, Peshawar, Quetta, Rawalpindi and Sialkot. Keep your plans simple and build in time for the heat, which in summer is warm and humid.
- Kotli District
- Car and bus connections
- Routes from Bahawalpur, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Karachi, Lahore, Multan, Muzaffarabad, Peshawar, Quetta, Rawalpindi and Sialkot
Day three: Return to the heart of New Mirpur City and revisit the areas around Chowk Shaheeda and Mian Mohammed Road at a slower pace. The British legacy and the Kashmiri identity of Mirpur give the streets their particular character, and walking remains the best way to notice it. Most of what you need is within reach on foot, and many visitors find the city easy to navigate without a car. Keep the final day unhurried and leave time to arrange your onward travel.
- New Mirpur City
- Chowk Shaheeda
- Mian Mohammed Road