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Karachi City Travel Guide

Karachi - Capital of the province of Sindh, is the financial capital and the largest city of Paksitan. It has a metropolitan population of 11.8 million and is currently ranked 20th in the world (by population).

Karachi, located on the coast of the Arabian Sea, is the financial and commercial center of the nation, as well as its largest port. The city credits its growth to the mixed populations of economic and political migrants and refugees from different national, provincial, linguistic and religious origins, who generally come to the city to settle permanently. It is locally termed as the City of Lights, City of The Quaid, and City that Never Sleeps.

Residents and those born in the city are called "Karachiites".

Karachi is different from the rest of Pakistan in the same way that New York is different from the rest of the United States. The pace of life is more hurried; time is money, and money is life.

Climate

Located on the coast, Karachi has a relatively mild climate with low levels of precipitation (approximately 10 inches per annum), the bulk of which occurs during the July-August monsoon season. Winters are mild, and the summers are hot. The city's proximity to the sea keeps humidity levels at a near-constant high, and cool sea breezes relieve the heat of the summer months. Due to the high temperatures during the summer (ranging from 30-44°C from April to October), the winter months (November to February) are generally considered the best times to visit Karachi. July, December and January have pleasing and cloudy weather when most of the social events, ranging from weddings to charity fundraisers, frequently take place. Tourists and expatriates usually visit Karachi in these months. The highest ever recorded temperature in Karachi is 47.8 °C (118.0 °F) while the lowest is 0 °C (32 °F).

Culture

The everyday lifestyle of Karachi differs substantially from that of other cities and towns in Pakistan. Karachi's culture is characterized by the blending of Middle Eastern, Central Asian, South Asian and Western influences, as well as the city's status as a major international business center. As a whole, there is considerable diversity in culture, and this diversity has produced a unique cultural amalgam of its own type. Karachi also hosts the largest middle class stratum of the country.

Karachi is home to some of Pakistan's important cultural institutions. The National Academy of Performing Arts, located in the newly renovated Hindu Gymkhana offers a two-year diploma course in performing arts that includes classical music and contemporary theater. The All Pakistan Music Conference, linked to the 45-year old similar institution in Lahore, has been holding its Annual Music Festival since its inception in 2004. The Festival is now a well-established feature of the city life of Karachi that is awaited anxiously and attended by more than 3000 citizens of Karachi as well as people from other cities.

The National Arts Council (Koocha-e-Saqafat) also has musical performances and Mushaira (poetry recitations). The Kara Film Festival organized annually showcases independent Pakistani and international films and documentaries. Our Karachi Festival celebrates Architecture of Karachi.

Festivals

Sindh Sea Festival
Kara Film Festival
Hamara Karachi
Arts Council
All Pakistan Music Conference
Karachi Expo Center

Beaches and Waterfront

Clifton Beach was the world's most popular silver-sand beach and health resort during 20th century but now it is affected by an oil spill that occurred in 2003.
Beach Park
Bagh-e-Ibn-e-Qasim located just next to the beach park, Bagh-e-Ibn-e-Qasim is the most famous park of the city. Attractions include: Lady Lloyd pier, Jahangri Kothari parade, a century old amusement park, an underground Hindu temple, a mosque and a mausoleum. Try to visit the park at late evening hours when the park is lit.
Water Jet fountain is the world’s tallest fountain; the controversial fountain is open during weekends between 6PM and 12AM
Floating Ship [14] at Sea View is a buffet-themed restaurant with thrilling experiences of Ocean turmoil (Thunderstorm, Lighting, Shark attack) and Kids theater with Fantasy world.

The following beaches are located at the outskirts of the city, and are less strict about clothing:

Sandspit Beach – also visit the WWF Wetland center
Hawke's Bay Beach - breeding ground for endangered turtles
Paradise Point - rock promontory in the sea with a natural arch
French Beach - often cited as Karachi’s most beautiful beach.
Russian Beach - near Gharo
Islands: Oyster Rocks, Bundle Islands, Manora Island, Churna Island is a Naval gunnery site, as well as Pakistan's only coral reefs

Landmarks & Museums

Quaid-e-Azam's Mausoleum and Museum, at the center of the city is the landmark of Karachi
Masjid e Tooba, (in Defence) is the largest single-domed mosque in the world.
Mereweather Tower, (on II Chundrigar road) is business landmark of the city. Also visit the nearby Stock Exchange building.
Habib Bank plaza, (on II Chundrigar road) was the first skyscraper in the country.
Aga Khan University hospital, (near Karsaz), famous for its modernist Islamic architecture, also see lake gardens & hill on its backside.
Pakistan Air Force Museum [15], at Karsaz
Pakistan Maritime Museum at Karsaz
PIA Planetarium, next to Karachi Expo Centre, on main University road; is a kind of virtual observatory which regularly puts on shows about the solar system and cosmic phenomenon. The shows in English are much more detailed, and are held every Sunday evening. On other days there are only Urdu shows. A ticketed, guided tour by an officer enables one to view the plane from the inside; its cockpit, pilot seats, and various other areas. Tickets for the planetarium show are Rs 45, and for the show plus the plane tour are Rs 60.
Karachi Expo Centre, on main University road, opposite City and District Government Offices
Mohatta palace Museum of regional history, at Clifton
National Museum of Pakistan, collections at this museum focus on the cultural history of Pakistan. Items on display include archeological artifacts, Islamic Art, and historical documents. Located on Dr Ziau-ddin Ahmed Road, the museum is open 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday and Saturday through Tuesday; 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Koocha-e-Saqafat (National Arts Council), M.R. Kayani Road
Frere Hall, Bagh-e-Jinnah, houses Sadequain Galerie, library plus a peaceful garden.
Replica of the famous Charminar at Bahadurabad roundabout.
Karsaz Road, famous for places like The 'Arena' games arcade, Aga Khan University hospital, Golf club, Expo center and museums like Air Force museum, Maritime museum and PIA Planetarium.

Amusement Parks & Wildlife

Dont miss the indoor kids theme parks that are located inside shopping malls, listed under Buy

Aladdin Amusement Park [16], at Gulshan-e-Iqbal
Askari Park, on Main University road. The reptilian house and aquarium are worth a visit.
Arena [17], on Karsaz Road.
Hill park & Jheel park, near Tariq road, offers Birds eye view of Karachi.
Go-Aish Adventure park [18], at Gulshan-e-Iqbal
Karachi Zoo, Garden road, Formerly called Gandhi garden has a Reptile House, a Natural History Museum, and a Mughal garden, not recommended
Polo ground, Dr Ziauddin Ahmed road
Safari Park [19], at Gulshan-e-Iqbal
Samzu Zoo [20], near Super highway, Northern Bypass
Sindbad Amusement Park, at Gulshan-e-Iqbal
Water parks: located in the suburbs of the city near the Super highway like

Fiesta [21], Cosy [22], Samzu [23], Water world, Sunway Lagoon etc.

WWF Wetland center [24] at Sandspit is located in the middle of mangrove forests on 35 minutes drive away from the city center. It arranges trip to Mangrove forests, Beaches, Bird Watching, Turtle watching, Lake watching and Nature excursion. It also houses a museum.
Zamzama Park, DHA
Dreamworld Resorts Though a member should accompany you.

Colonial Public Buildings

There are many Colonial public buildings in the City’s Saddar district, but some of the well-known buildings are:

Karachi Port Trust, MA Jinnah road, completed during the First World War, the building was converted to a 500-bed military hospital named as No. 1 India General Hospital and was one of the 'five great War hospitals' run under General Fowler
Karachi Municipal Offices, MA Jinnah road
Khaliqdina Hall, MA Jinnah road
City Court Building, MA Jinnah road
Denso Hall, MA Jinnah road
Imperial Customs House, MA Jinnah road
Napier Barracks, Club road
Quaid-e-Azam house museum, Club road
Trinity Church, Near Club road
Sind Club [25], Club road
Frere Hall, Opposite Marriott hotel, Abdullah haroon road
Karachi Gymkhana [26], Club road
Karachi Cotton Exchange, II Chundrigar road
State Bank Annexe, II Chundrigar road, Formerly called Bank of India building was constructed following the first World War, currently it houses a library
DJ Science College, Dr Ziauddin road
Hindu Gymkhana, MR Kayani road, is one of the first Mughal Revival buildings in the city.
Supreme Court, MR Kayani road, formerly called Prince of Wales museum
Empress Market, Preedy Street
Saint Andrews Church, Preedy Street
Saint Patrick's Cathedral, Near Preedy Street
Karachi Grammar School, Near Preedy Street
Sindh High Court, Shahrah Kamaal Ataturk, built entirely out of pink-hued Jodhpur sandstone