Karachi [1] is Pakistan's largest city, with a metropolitan population of more than 15 million people. It is the capital of the province of Sindh, and population-wise ranked among the top 5 cities of the world.

Get in

International Arrivals from abroad - Jinnah International Termianl (KHI)

Official Website of Quaid-e-Azam International, Jinnah Intl Terminal http://www.karachiairport.com.pk/

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.

There is also the so called "Radio Cab" service, which is airconditioned and can be called in at the airport or anywhere in the city. Typical cost for a full day (8 hours, 150 KM) is $25 (USD).

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.

Things To Do

There is much to do in Karachi, a city of 18 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; in the lush grounds of the more wealthy professional clubs, or elite schools to the side streets of the working class Sadar City district of Karachi. 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)
  • 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.

Shopping

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.There are also U.S. fast food chains like KFC, Pizza Hut and McDonalds at every corner.

Aside from those lavishing expensive resturants, the common public favorites include Bandoo Khan, Student Biryani, Sabri Nihari and a lot of small lovely resturants. The old Karachiites still remember and miss the evening walks to Student Biryani and PIDC Pan House.

In addition, a majority of city population tends to eat outside. The general common living areas are studded with dozens of eat-out fastfood resturants, with lavish spicy pakistani foods and the city's own unique style of sitting "outside" in open air, on chairs and tables set on footpaths and sideways just aside the main traffic roads, makes it a fun and beautiful experience to eat out.

Needless to say the eating out experience in this city cannot be complete without a visit to "Barbeque Tonight" located in Clifton. No other restaurant, be it local or foreign, can compete with the number of customers that throng it. You have to see it to believe it!

Drink

Drinking alcohol in public areas or places is forbidden according to the Islamic laws. However, most top end hotels have their own bars. The Government is not particularly pro-active in enforcing such laws.

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

Another favourite is Sugar Cane Juice. Extracted by mechanical force its best when fresh. You can always get a fresh juice with froth on top for a nominal price. For someone who has never tasted this its a treat and something to remember. You would also love the Falouda and other fresh fruit juices, extracted right in front of you plus those common soft drinks including some like the local limca cola, which makes that "pop" sound when opened.

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. Karachi Sheraton, Pearl Continental, Karachi Marriot, The Avari Towers and Regent Plaza are the city's top hotels. Pearl Continental features in the Leading Hotels of the World travel guide.

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.

Stay safe

Karachi is consistently ranked as one of the most dangerous cities in the world. Crime however is at a rate you could expect from most big cities of this size. Just use common sense and avoid slums. Try not to go out alone or at night and don't be flashing expensive valuables and electronics like cell phones,watches etc. These things easily attract attention.

There have been several bomb blasts in Karachi in recent years. Recently, in April 2006 around 50 people were killed when a bomb exploded during a religious ceremony in the city's Nishtar Park. In March 2006 several people (including an American diplomat) were killed when a bomb exploded in the carpark of the Marriott hotel. The blast from the bomb shattered windows in buildings up to a mile away. The blast was felt at other nearby hotels including the Sheraton and the Pearl Continental.

There is a visible security presence in Karachi. There are road blockades on many city intersections which are guarded by soldiers with machine guns pointed at the road. There are blockades and bunkers on the road to the airport. You may also see tanks and other military infrastructure and personnel in the city - particularly if there is a 'security scare' such as just after the Nishtar Park bombings, or during the lead-up to an election.

There should be no tangible danger to any tourist or local in the affluent parts of the city. Defence and Clifton are regarded as safe at all times, populated by the city's business and cultural elite. These districts offer the most "tourist friendly" experience of Karachi, given that there will be no language barrier (most Pakistanis can speak some English), and a large degree of cultural understanding and compatability between the residents and western tourists.

The private hospitals in both areas offer world class medical care if needed. Prices should not be too steep for Western pockets.

Traffic jams is a major hassle in Karachi. It is recommended to keep on look for any strikes/rallies/protests and check out alternate routes while travelling in the city. Some information on traffic jams in Karachi is available at Chowrangi.com