Sargodha's citrus groves and canal-colony grid give the city a character quite different from Pakistan's older, denser cities. It was established by the British as a canal-colony in 1903, and the planned layout is still visible in its orderly streets and bazaars. The city sits along the Kirana Hills in central Punjab, and is known as the City of Eagles.
It suits travellers who are passing through central Punjab, or who want to see a working agricultural city rather than a tourist trail. The surrounding countryside is the largest kinnow-producing area in the world, and the city's markets reflect that agricultural base. This guide covers the sights and experiences worth your time, plus a plan if you only have one day.
Top things to do in Sargodha
1. Bhera
A historical city and the home town of Sufi Saint Hazrat Mehar Ali Shah. Alexander the Great fought with Porus around this city, giving it a depth of history that few places in the region can match. It is worth the time for the layers of history alone.
The bank of the River Jhelum is nearby and makes a good picnic point, so combine a visit to the city with time by the water.
2. Midh Ranjha
A very large and very old banyan tree is worth seeing in the Abhal-Mohri villages. The tree is the main draw here, and the surrounding villages give a sense of rural Punjab life.
The bank of the Chenab river is also nearby and is a good place for a picnic, so plan to spend time by the river after seeing the tree.
3. Takht Hazara
The birth place of the famous love symbol Ranjha. There is a mosque from old times in his name, which indicates that the famous love story may be true. It is a place for travellers interested in the region's folk literature and its connection to real locations.
Visit the old mosque while you are there, as it is the physical link between the story and the place.
4. Company Bagh
A public garden in the city, maintained as part of Sargodha's green spaces. It offers a quiet break from the bazaars and streets, and is a good place to sit in the cooler part of the day.
Combine it with a walk through the nearby markets if you are already in the centre of the city.
5. Shaheen Chowk
A city square and a familiar landmark for anyone moving around Sargodha. It is a useful orientation point and a place to watch the everyday rhythm of the city.
Use it as a starting point when you are exploring the surrounding commercial area.
6. Iqbal Colony, Near Block No. 33
A residential area of the city that gives you a sense of how Sargodha is laid out as a planned settlement. Walking through it is a low-key way to see everyday life in the city.
It is best visited in the morning or late afternoon when the streets are busy but the heat is manageable.
7. Satellite Town
One of the city's established neighbourhoods, with the Main Satellite Town Bazar containing hospitals and pharmacies. It is a practical area to know if you are staying nearby.
Combine a walk here with a stop at the Main Satellite Town Bazar for any supplies you need.
8. Qurban Ali Chowk, Near Eidgah Road
A city junction near Eidgah Road, useful as a landmark when navigating Sargodha. It sits in an area with everyday street activity.
Pair it with a visit to the Kachehry Bazaar, which has bakeries, street food restaurants and shops of shoes, garments and general stores.
9. The bazaars of Sargodha
The fifteen bazaars of Sargodha remain major trading zones in the city, and each has a particular name and is known for selling certain goods. The Model Bazaar contains a food court, joyland and shops of grocery and garments. The Urdu Bazaar contains shops of stationery and books. The Kachehry Bazaar contains bakeries, street food restaurants and shops of shoes, garments and general stores.
The Amin Bazaar contains shops of fabrics, boutiques, garments and electric appliances, while the Sarafa Bazaar contains gold and jewellery shops. The Faisal Bazar provides shops for spices, oil, meat and poultry, and the Fruit Mandi is a fruit market. The Sabzi Mandi is a vegetable, meat, fish and grocery market. Spend an afternoon moving between a few of them rather than trying to cover all fifteen.
10. The shopping malls and trade centres
Sargodha has several shopping malls and trade centres with both international and national outlets. These include Mall of Sargodha, Burj Ismail Mall, Xin Mall, Chenone Tower, Burj Huraira Mall, Al-Rehman Trade Centre, Toheed Mall, Modern Shopping Mall (MSM) and Shaheen Shopping Mall.
They are a convenient stop if you want air-conditioned browsing during the hottest part of the day.
If you only have one day
Morning: Start early with a walk through Iqbal Colony, Near Block No. 33, then head to Company Bagh for a quiet sit before the heat builds. Move on to Shaheen Chowk to orient yourself in the city centre.
Afternoon: Spend the middle of the day in the bazaars, starting with the Kachehry Bazaar for bakeries and street food, then the Urdu Bazaar for books and stationery. If the heat is too much, break the afternoon at one of the shopping malls and trade centres such as Mall of Sargodha or Chenone Tower.
Evening: Head to Qurban Ali Chowk, Near Eidgah Road, as the city cools, then finish with a walk through Satellite Town and the Main Satellite Town Bazar.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time of year to visit Sargodha?
The city has a climate of extreme heat in the summers and moderate cold in the winters. The maximum temperature reaches 50 °C (122 °F) in the summer, while the minimum temperature recorded is as low as freezing point in the winter. Plan around those extremes rather than the middle of summer.
What is Sargodha known for?
Sargodha is considered the best citrus-producing area of Pakistan and is also known as the California of Pakistan. It is the largest kinnow-producing district of the world, and its oranges are supplied across the country and exported. The city is also known as the City of Eagles.
How do I get to Sargodha?
Sargodha lies about 48 kilometres (30 miles) from the M-2 motorway, which connects Lahore and Islamabad, and is connected to the M-2 by several interchanges at different locations. It is roughly 91 km (57 mi) from Faisalabad, due southeast.
Which places outside the city are worth a trip?
Bhera, Midh Ranjha and Takht Hazara are all reachable from the city. Bhera sits near the bank of the River Jhelum, and Midh Ranjha is near the bank of the Chenab river, both of which make good picnic points.
Use this guide to sketch your route, then start planning your trip to Sargodha around the season and the places that interest you most.