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Faisalabad began life in the 1890s as Lyallpur, a planned market town at the heart of a new British canal colony in the Punjab. Its founders laid out eight bazaars radiating from a central clock tower in a pattern said to echo the Union Jack, and that layout still guides life in the busy old center. Renamed in 1977, it has grown into Pakistan's third-largest city, with more than three million people.
The city is the country's textile capital, and its mills, wholesale cloth markets and power looms have earned it the nickname Manchester of Pakistan. The surrounding farmland, watered by the canals that created the city, supports the University of Agriculture, one of the oldest agricultural universities in South Asia. Visitors come mainly for business, but the bazaars, parks and food make a day of exploring rewarding.
Faisalabad International Airport has domestic and some regional flights, and the M-4 motorway and rail links connect the city with Lahore, Islamabad and Multan.
Faisalabad Clock Tower, the Ghanta Ghar, was completed in the early 1900s at the centre of the old city, where eight bazaars meet around it. Built to commemorate Queen Victoria, it remains the city's best-known landmark. Walk in through a bazaar in the late afternoon, when trade peaks.
Faisalabad Eight Bazaars radiate from the clock tower, among them Kachehri, Rail, Montgomery, Karkhana, Jhang and Chiniot bazaars, each with its own trade. Cloth, embroidered fabrics, spices, jewellery and street food spill out of the shops. Haggle gently and watch your belongings in the crowds.
University of Agriculture Faisalabad grew from an agricultural college founded in the canal colony era and is one of the oldest farm universities in South Asia. Its large green campus, with older buildings, test fields and gardens, shows why the city grew here. Ask at the gate for access.
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan Auditorium is the main hall of the Faisalabad Arts Council, named after the great qawwali singer who was born in Faisalabad. The red-brick building hosts music, theatre, exhibitions and festivals through the year. Check the arts council's programme for concerts.
The Chenab River at Chiniot, a short drive north-west of Faisalabad, flows past rocky hills at the edge of the old town, a rare sight on the flat Punjab plains. Families picnic on the banks, take short boat rides and watch the river from the bridges. Go in the cooler months.
Gatwala Wildlife Park on the outskirts of Faisalabad combines a wildlife breeding area with woodland, picnic lawns and a lake for boating. Deer and birds are among the animals on show, and families come for weekend outings. Visit in the morning or late afternoon in the cooler months.
Iqbal Stadium is Faisalabad's main cricket ground and has hosted Test matches since 1978 as well as one-day internationals, a focus of the city's passion for the game. On match days the stands are loud and festive. Check the domestic fixtures when you are in town.
D Ground Faisalabad, in People's Colony, is one of the city's liveliest areas for eating out and shopping, with restaurants, bakeries, fast-food outlets and clothing stores. It fills with families in the evening once the heat eases. Try local barbecue or a plate of biryani.
Gurdwara Janam Asthan in Nankana Sahib, a day trip from Faisalabad, marks the birthplace of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, and is one of the holiest Sikh shrines. White domed buildings and arcades surround a large sacred pool. Pilgrims gather for Guru Nanak's birthday; cover your head inside.
Omar Hayat Mahal in Chiniot, an easy day trip from Faisalabad, is an early 20th-century mansion famous for its intricately carved wooden balconies, doors and ceilings, showcasing the woodwork Chiniot is known for. It now houses a library. Combine it with the town's workshops.
Shahi Masjid Chiniot is a Mughal-era mosque in the old town of Chiniot, a short drive from Faisalabad, built of stone in the time of Emperor Shah Jahan and associated with his minister Saadullah Khan, a native of the town. Its courtyard and domes are well preserved. Dress modestly.
Chiniot Furniture Bazaar, in the town of Chiniot near Faisalabad, is where generations of craftsmen carve and inlay the heavy wooden furniture the town is famous for across Pakistan. Workshops line the streets, and you can watch carvers at work. Ask before taking photographs.
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