Rawalpindi, often called the twin city to Islamabad, is a bustling city with a lot of activity. It is divided into an old city and a new one known as cantonment. During the English period, Rawalpindi was the garrison town and today also it is the head quarter of Pakistan Army.

Its location on the grand trunk road and to the east beyond Lahore to India has always made it important to traders and soldiers. That is the reason why the town could not prosper and remained deserted. Later, Jahanda Khan, another Ghakkar Chief, resorted it and gave the name of Rawalpindi after the village Rawal in 1943 AD. Originally Rawalpindi was a village of Rawals, a tribe of Yogis.

The British developed the new city during the last century by settling in Pindi and built a completely new town next to the existing city with colonial buildings and wider streets. Over the years, Rawalpindi has retained its traditional flavor. However, modern residential areas and buildings have come up all over the town since the creation of Pakistan. Still, Rawalpindi’s old bazaars (markets), buildings and mosques are in complete contrast to the ancient impression created by its self assured modernity. There are many exciting tourist spots and leisure places in Rawalpindi:

Rawalpindi Bazaars:

There are many bazaars in the Rawalpindi region that offer exciting bargains. The Raja Bazaar, Saddar Bazaar and Commercial Bazaar (Market) are some nice shopping areas. You can leisurely browse in the quaint old shops in Saddar bazaar, Moti bazaar, Raja bazaar and Kashmiri bazaar. Sarafa bazaar is famous for beaten gold and silver jewellery, brass and copperware.

You can buy beautiful handicrafts such as inlaid sheesham and walnut furniture, Kashmiri silver, shawls and jackets, embroidered and woolen 'Kurtas' and household linen, Potohar Shoes and Chappals (slippers), cane baskets and furniture, walking sticks and hand-woven Kashmiri and Bokhara carpets.

Historical Places:

Lal Haveli tells tales of the unique architectural style of Rawalpindi especially in the old times. It is located in the neighborhood of the Purana Qilla, Sarafa Bazaar, Bohar Bazaar and Moti Bazaar. Both in the older quarters of the city and cantonment, it was considered fashionable to have wooden balconies with intricately designed motifs.

Rawalpindi's Thandi Sarak, better known as The Mall - the glory of the cantonment - has row upon row of the senior Cypresses and seasonal flowerbeds. It was formally inaugurated in 1910 with the beautifully sculpted statue of Queen Victoria, which was shifted from the Mall to the British High Commission, after independence.