Travel Guide To Karachi, Pakistan

Karachi, capital of the province of Sindh, is the financial capital and the largest city of Pakistan. It has a population of 18 million and is currently among the largest cities of the world (by population).

Karachi, located on the coast of the Arabian Sea, is the financial and commercial centre 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", Urdu is the national language of Pakistan and Karachi is the largest Urdu speaking city in the world where almost 98% population understand Urdu.

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.

Located on the coast, Karachi has an arid climate with low average precipitation levels (approx. 250 mm (9.8 in) per annum), the bulk of which occurs during the July-August monsoon season. Winters are warm and dry, while the summers are hot and humid; the proximity to the sea maintains humidity levels at a near-constant high and cool sea breezes relieve the heat of the summer months. Because of high temperatures during the summer (ranging from 30-44 °C (86-111 °F) from April to August), the winter months (November to February) are generally considered the best times to visit Karachi. December and January are dry and pleasant as compared to the hot and steamy summers that dominate through the late spring (March) to the pre-monsoon season (June). The city's highest monthly rainfall, 429.3 mm (16.90 in), occurred in July 1967 The city's highest rainfall in 24 hours occurred on 7 August 1953, when about 278.1 millimeters (10.95 in) of rain lashed the city, resulting in major flooding Karachi's highest recorded temperature is 47 °C (117 °F), which was recorded on June 18, 1979, and the lowest is0.0 °C (32 °F), recorded on 21 January 1934.

Getting there and getting around

Karachi can be reached in from around 28 locations in UK and Ireland with airlines such as PIA, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, Malaysia Alirlines, Biman Bangladesh Airlines, Gulf Air, Iran Air, Oman Air, Saudi Arabian Airlines, SriLankan Airlines, Thai Airways, Emirates Airlines and Etihad Airways.

Jinnah International Airport (previously Quaid-e-Azam International Airport is Pakistan's largest international and domestic airport. It is located in Karachi, Pakistan, and its passenger terminal is also commonly known as the Jinnah Terminal. The airport is named after Crown attorney/statesman Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan and its first Governor General, who was popularly known as the Quaid-e-Azam ("Great Leader").

Other modes of transport include train, bus, taxi, boat and car with various economical choices and packages.

Places to see

Some of the must-see places in / around Karachi are Clifton Beach, Beach Parrk, Water Jet Fountain, Floating Ship, Sanspit Beach, Hawke's Bay, Paradise Point, Minora Island, Pakistan Air Force Museum, Quaid-e-Azam's Mausoleum and Museum, Pakistan Maritime Museum, Karachi Expo Centre, PIA Planetarium, Mahatta Palace Museum of Regional History, Koocha-e-Saqafat, masjid-e-Tooba, Frere Hall, habib Bank Plaza, Unicorn Gallery, Karsaz Road, National Museum of Pakistan, WWF Wetland Center,Zamzama Park, City Court Building, Trinity Chruch, Teen Talwar, Abdullah Shah Ghazi Mausoleum,Sindh Assembly Hall, HINdu Gymkhana, Jinnah Courts, Quaid-e-Azam House, Wazir Mansion, Askari Park, Hill Park, Fatima Jinnah Ladies Park, Karachi Zoological Gardens, Jheel Park, Kokan Park, Safari Park, Bin Qasim, Aziz Bhatti Park, Sindbad Amusement Park,Halku Water Park, Dreamworld Resort, Cheiku Water Park, Water World Park,Aladin Amusement Park ,Clifton Fish Aquarium, Tariq road, Zainab Market, Zamzama, Saddar Area, Kapra Market and Empress Market.

Food & Drink

The renowned eateries in / around Karachi include, but are not limited to, Beach Avenue, ZamZama, Boat Basin, Burns Road, Khadda Market, Sindhi Muslim SMCHS, Shahbaz Commercial, Bahadurabad, Tariq Road, Hasan Square, Al-Bustan, Al Habib Resturant, Laziz Mix Fruit Chat, Chandni, Chawal Inn, Foodies, Highway Garden Resturant, Jans, Marco Polo, Mela, Mughal Darbar, Oasis, Qasr-E-Nakheel, Sajjad Resturant, The Pakistani, Village Garden Grill and BBQ, Pitaco's Food Delivery, China Town, Chairman Mao, Dynasty, Jade Garden, Suzie Wong, Tai Pan, The Korean, Peking, The Tele Food, Cafe Zouk, Copper Ketle, Garnish, Evolution, Hang Out, Henny Penny, Kabana Resturant, Fusion, Kay Bees, Maxim's, Lotus Court, New York cafe, Saint's , Secret Recepie, The Elbow Room, Zen, Chatkharay, Dumpukht, Gazebo, Bombay bakery & Nimko, Baan Thai, Fuchsia, Royal blue Elephant, Sawasdee, Thai Sea Food, Frango's Portugese Grilled cuisine, Cafe Rendezvous, Cafe Aylanto, Quattro, Pompelli, Cozmo, Sakura, Meezaj restaurant, Domino's Pizza, Pizza Hut, Aqua Lounge, Arizona Grill, Gun Smoke, Jason's Steak House, Mc donalds, KFC, Crab Attack, BBQ Tonight, Floating Ship, Rangoli and Lal Qila.

When it comes to drinking Karachi has got even more to offer. E.g. Aroma, Basement, Bowling cafe, Cinnamon, CAFE 9, Cafe Chatter Box, cafe Fresh. Cafe Lagoon., Cafe Sheesha, Casbah & 007 Club, Creek Inn, Damascus Cafe , Dunkin Donuts, Deja, Indulge, Koel Cafe, Kahva, Latte Lounge, OLE, Opera Cafe, Original Crepe Factory, Purple Haze, Roadside Cafe, Roasters, The Sports Bar, The Grape Wime, Venus Cafe, Avenue Art cafe, Alao Coffee House, Coffee Day, Espresso, Fanoos Coffee Shop, The Second Floor, U & Me Coffee, The Dip Shop, Gelato affair, HotSpot, Cigar Bar and Club Havana.

Entry Requirements - Visas

If you are travelling to Pakistan on a British passport, you require a visa. You should be aware that visa violations can be treated as a criminal offence and could result in a fine or a short detention.

Journalist's visas often have additional travel restrictions, which should be observed. For further information consult the High Commission for The Islamic Republic of Pakistan in London.

British nationals travelling on a Pakistani passport will need the appropriate visa to re-enter the UK. Children need their own passports.

Entry Requirements - Passport validity

Your passport has to be valid for a minimum of six months at the time of application for a visa.

Entry Requirements - Travelling with children

A parent or other adults travelling alone with children should be aware that the immigration authorities demand documentary evidence of parental responsibility, particularly if the child is of Pakistani origin, before allowing the children to leave the country.

Pakistan, Islamabad, British High Commission
Address:
British High Commission
Diplomatic Enclave
Ramna 5
P O Box 1122
Islamabad

Fax:
00 92 51 201 2031 (Trade and Investment Fax)
00 92 51 201 2028 (Management Section Fax)
00 92 51 201 2043 (Press & Public Affairs Fax)
00 92 51 201 2019 (Consular Section Fax)
Email:
Cons.Islamabad@fco.gov.uk
Tradeuk@cyber.net.pk
bhc-ukti@dsl.net.pk
bhcmedia@dsl.net.pk

Office hours:
GMT:
Mon-Thurs: 0300-1115; Fri: 0300-0800
Local Time: Mon-Thurs: 0800-1615; Fri: 0800-1300

Click here for any queries related to visas
Website: http://www.ukinpakistan.fco.gov.uk

Country		Pakistan
Province		Sindh
Time Zone	PST (UTC+5)
Postal Code	74200
Dialing Code	0213

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