Holiday in Gujranwala

About Gujranwala

Gujranwala is the fifth largest city in Pakistan and is located in the fertile Punjab, about 70 km north of Lahore. The city is known as the food capital of Pakistan — nowhere else in the country is there such a density and variety of street food, restaurants, and culinary traditions. The city has a proud wrestling tradition (Kushti/Pehlwani): Gujranwala is called the village of wrestlers (Pehlwanon ka Sheher) and has produced some of the most famous wrestlers in Pakistan and South Asia. The traditional Akhara (wrestling arenas) are still active training centers, and wrestling matches are regularly held in public. Gujranwala is the birthplace of the Sikh emperor Maharaja Ranjit Singh (1780-1839), who founded the powerful Sikh Empire that stretched from Afghanistan to Tibet. His birthplace (Haveli) and a small monument commemorate this significant ruler, whose court was known for religious tolerance. The bazaars of Gujranwala are an experience: the Sheranwala Bagh (Lion's Garden) in the center and the surrounding markets offer textiles, jewelry, and especially food stalls that are open around the clock. The city is also a center of Pakistani industry, particularly for fans, ceramics, and metal goods. The banks of the Chenab River north of the city offer rural idyll and are popular picnic and relaxation spots for locals away from the bustling city.