Book flights to Multan

Multan is a centre of South Asian Sufi Islam. The city centre has many mausoleums and tombs of the Sufi saints who have been blessing the city for more than a thousand years. The landmarks of the Multan are works of art and represent a journey into the soul.

• The tomb of Shah Rukn-e-Alam is the iconic symbol of Multan and is easily recognizable by anyone who has read anything about the city. The mausoleum was built in the 1320s, and it is the earliest example of Tughlaq architecture in Pakistan. At the centre of the shrine is the final resting place of Sheikh Rukn-ad-Din, which means the “pillar of faith”. Since, for centuries, Multan was culturally influenced by Persian and Afghan Islamic scholars, the tomb also has been adorned with Iranian Kashi glazed tiles, wooden ceilings and Arabesque brickwork.
• The ruins of Multan Fort still inspire tourists and anthropologists alike. The fort was built by the Katoch Hindu Dynasty about 3000 years ago. Over time the fort was expanded and improved by its new Muslim occupants. By 1818, the Multan fort defended the local Sultan’s palace, Hindu temples and mosques enclosed by 21 meter high walls and 46 bastions. The British and then later, the Sikh armies partially destroyed the fort, but if the tourist uses a bit of imagination, the fort still can materialize before the eyes to impress the ingenuity of the ancient people of Multan.
• The Clock Tower Square or the Ghanta Ghar Chowk is the most important intersection in Multan, with roads radiating in all directions. The clock tower was built by the British in 1888, after the siege of Multan. The Ghanta Ghar is part of a more massive structure that housed the offices of the British before the independence of Pakistan. These days the rooms of the Ghanta Ghar have proved to be too small to accommodate the city administration, and now the building has been made into a museum that contains manuscripts, painting, historical artefacts and coin collections.

Right in the heart of Punjab, the great city of Multan is served by Multan International Airport (MUX). First established by the British, Multan International Airport handles about 1.3 million passengers each year. The shrine of the Shah Rukn-e-Alam is considered as the centre of the city, which is only 15 minutes from the airport by car.

The best time to visit Multan is between November and March. The winter is quite pleasant in Multan as compared to the summer. So if the tourist has a choice, it’s ideal to come to Multan in the cooler months. Most travellers choose to avoid the heat in Multan and crowd the hotels during this time, which is why it is necessary to reserve seats and hotel rooms as early as possible. During this November to March time, the temperature remains between 17°C and 25°C, and there is little to no rain in Multan. June and August, though are a bit too warm for exploring the city, do see an increase in the number of tourists over the school holidays.

There are two ways to go about Multan for a British traveller. The taxis are everywhere, and with paved roads and highways, the journey is smooth and without any delays. However, taxis are a bit more expensive as compared to the bus and van. The Multan Metro Bus system is a network of bus shuttles with their dedicated path. The metro charges only twenty rupees (about 10 pennies) to get the passenger from one part of the city to the other. The local buses and vans charge the same amount of money to move the traveller from one stop to the other. However, the coaches are crowded and often packed to the brim.

There are a few five-star hotels in Multan that offer international standards of hospitality and fine dining to their guests. However, most hotels in the city are suitable for people looking for more economical accommodations.

• Avari Xpress Boutique Residence
• Ramada by Wyndham Multan
• Aimys Villa Guest House
• Hotel One Multan
• S Chalet Multan