Rawalpindi Travel Guide

Leh Nullah :
The Leh Nullah flows zigzagging through the city. An early edition of the Encyclopaedia Britannica describes the Leh Nullah as a river. Until 1923, according to the old timers, the water of the Leh was crystal clear and considered fit for human consumption or performing ablutions. At that time, the city drains were not allowed to be discharged into the Leh as all the nullahs were supposed to flow toward depression on the other side of the Arya Mohalla running along the Murree Road. Now it has been reduced to a carrier of sewage of the twin cities. Heavy amounts of industrial wastes combined with the domestic refuse are deposited in Leh. The presence of two factors had made the Leh water highly polluted and rendered it unsafe even for agricultural use in the suburbs of the city. And, pungency of the flowing water has made the life of those living beside the nullah miserable.

The Mall :
Rawalpindi's Thandi Sarak, better known as The Mall - the glory of the cantonment - with its row upon row of the senior Cypresses and seasonal flower beds, was formally inaugurated in 1910 with the beautifully sculpted statue of Queen Victoria standing majestically at the convergence point of the Murree Road an The Mall in close vicinity of the flashman's. The statue was chiselled in the United Kingdom in 1906. After independence, the statue was shifted from The Mall to the British High Commission.

Lal Haveli :
In old times, Rawalpindi had developed a unique architectural style. Both in the older quarters of the city and cantonment, it was considered fashionable to have wooden balconies with intricately designed motifs.It is located in the neighbour hood of the Purana Qilla, Sarafa Bazaar, Bohar Bazaar and Moti Bazaar. In 1920 in the pre-partition days, it was home to Budhana Bibi, a famous dancing girl.

Purana Qilla :
Enter the old part of the city and you will find yourself in archetypal form of an ancient town - crooked and narrow streets, dense housing, intricate woodwork on Jharokas, bay windows and doors, cut brick corbellings. Like Multan, Pakpattan or Lahore, the old quarters of the city, better known as the Purana Qilla, have a series of alleys with some of them being so narrow that they barely leave enough space for two people to walk side by side at the same time. At least there is one street through which only one person can walk. It is the entire urban fabric of the place that is historic. There is still a chance of seeing specimen of solid old masonry in construction of some of the old buildings. Homes have also retained their essential trait despite renovations to make them comfortable for modern living and their division for growing population.

Dams And Lakes
Dams And Lakes In And Around Rawalpindi/Islamabad include

Simli Dam :
About 30 km from Islamabad lies Simli Dam. It can be reached via Lehtrar road or via Bhara Kahu. It is fed by the melting snow and natural spring of Murree Hills. The water stored in the lake is supplied to Islamabad for drinking purposes. Angling and boating is also allowed in the lake. The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has a Rest House at the Dam, which can be booked through its Head Office in Islamabad.

Rawal Lake :

This glistening man-made lake covers an area of 8.8 sq. km. The terraced garden and the lake are ideal for picnic, fishing and boating. The highest point in the garden commands a panoramic view of the lake, Margalla and Murree hills, Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

Misriot Dam :
Misriot dam is located 12 km southwest of Rawalpindi. This small dam has an artificial lake with boating and fishing facilities. Fishing permit may be obtained from fishing guard at Misriot. It has a pleasant landscape and walkways beyond the lake among eruptions of black rocks.

Khanpur Dam :
This beautiful lake/dam is 48 km from Islamabad on Taxila-Haripur Road. It is an ideal place for day trip/picnic, boating, angling and watching migratory birds during winter.

Tarbela Dam :
This is the world's largest earth-filled dam on one of the world's most important rivers - the Indus and is 103 km from Rawalpindi. The dam was completed in 1976 at a cost of Rs. 18.5 billion. Over 15,000 Pakistani and 800 foreign workers and engineers worked during its construction. It is the biggest hydel power station in Pakistan having a capacity of generating 3,478 MW of electricity. Its reservoir is 97 km long with a depth of 137 meter while total area of the lake is 260 sq. km. Permits are required for visiting the Dam. For this we need to contact the Public Relations Officer (PRO), Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA), Tarbela (Tel: 051-568941-2). A No-Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Ministry of Interior (Shaheed-e-Millat Sectt.), Islamabad is also required for foreign visitors.

Mangla Dam:
World's third largest earth-filled dam is only 115 km southeast of Rawalpindi. One has to turn left from Dina Town and there the dam on river Jhelum is about 16 km to the east. The dam is 3,353 meters long and 116 meters high above the riverbed. It is designed to store 5.88 MAF water and also used for power generation. In the center of the dam there is a Gakkhar Fort from where one can have a panoramic view of the lake. For permits to visit the dam, please contact PRO, WAPDA, Mangla. A NOC from the Ministry of Interior is required for foreigners.