Faisalabad is a historical city with rich cultural diversity and heritage due to its pervasive socio-cultural differences. It is a well-developed city with air, rail, and road networks and is a key industrial centre of Pakistan. There are many famous places in the city that are worth visiting.
This guide includes some interesting facts about Faisalabad and famous places which are worth visiting in this city.
Interesting Facts About Faisalabad
- Historically, it was one of the first British India’s planned cities.
- It is the 3rd most populous city in Pakistan and 2nd largest city in Punjab.
- This city was founded in 1880 by Sir Charles James Lyall, the British Lieutenant-Governor of Punjab and was named ‘Lyallpur’.
- It was renamed ‘Faisalabad’ in 1977 in honour of the late Saudi king, Shah Faisal bin Abdul Aziz.
- In 2001, it was reconstituted into a city district after a devolution enacted by a local government.
- The total area of this city is 5,856 km2.
- The contribution of this city to the GDP of Punjab province is 10%.
- Agriculture and industry are the major sectors of this city.
- Due to its strong textile industry, Faisalabad is also known as the ‘Manchester of Pakistan’ or ‘City of Textiles’.
Which Places to Visit in Faisalabad?
There are many worth visiting places in Faisalabad for residents, visitors, and tourists to explore, such as:
Aqualand Water Park
People can go to Aqualand Water Park with children in Faisalabad to beat the summer heat and enjoy different water rides. There is a 70-meter-high water slide and a 2500m2 pool where adults and kids can swim. There is a canteen where you can buy anything to eat, and swimming necessities are also available there.
Clock Tower
The clock tower, commonly named Ghanta Ghar, is situated in the centre of Faisalabad and was founded by Sir Charles Rivaz, the British Lieutenant-Governor of Punjab, in 1903. It is a perfect example of architecture which reflects the British flag (Union Jack) when viewed from above.
D Ground
It is one of the best places to visit in Faisalabad, with numerous shopping opportunities. It is the second most important business centre of the city, with the Radio Pakistan office and a part located in the semi-circle portion, forming a D shape. There are various shops and restaurants in this area, which is a famous visiting point for both local residents and tourists.
Eight Bazaars
The eight bazaars are present in the surroundings of the Clock Tower (Ghanta Ghar) and are a great source of attraction for people to shop for different things. The names of these eight bazaars are:
- Rail Bazaar
- Jhang Bazaar
- Chiniot Bazaar
- Katchery Bazaar
- Amin Pur Bazaar
- Bhowana Bazaar
- Karkhana Bazaar
- Montgomery Bazaar
Gatwala Wildlife Park
It is a botanical garden and a breeding facility, being a popular place to visit for tourists and other visitors. It is located in Khurrianwals, and the area of Gatwala Wildlife Park is 100 km2. There are two lakes, a vast woodland section, bamboo growing areas, flowing canals, and expansive green parks with a few rides for children. One lake is used for boating, and the other one harbours many crocodiles, allowing people to watch those crocodiles from a safe distance.
This park has a big bird sanctuary where several native bird species and species from other parts of Pakistan are present. Numerous things to explore and different activities for adults and children are available in one place in this huge park.
Gumti Fountain
This structure was built in the early 1800s and is situated in front of the Qaisery Gate in Faisalabad. The Gumti Fountain is still operational and is a popular place to visit in Faisalabad, where people can spend quality time with their family and friends. In the past, this location was designated for conducting town meetings, but now it is one of the busy crossroads for traffic.
Jinnah Garden
Jinnah Garden is one of the primary parks of Faisalabad and is properly maintained by the Parks and Horticulture Authority, Faisalabad. It is the oldest park in the city and is also named ‘Company Park’. The statue of Sir James Broadwood Lyall is also present here.
Lyallpur Museum
If you want to know about the culture and history of this city, then you must visit the Layallpur Museum. The construction of this museum was completed in 2013. There are different collections in 10 separate galleries of this museum, and the names of these galleries are:
- Textile Gallery
- Lyallpur Gallery
- Sandal Bar Gallery
- Orientation Gallery
- Social Beauty Gallery
- Chenab Colony Gallery
- Thought and Act Gallery
- Pakistan Movement Gallery
- Muslim to Sikh Period Gallery
- Regional Heritage Archaeological Gallery
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan Auditorium
It is one of the biggest cultural hubs in Faisalabad, where book fairs, educational events, the independence ceremony, literary festivals, and other events are celebrated. This auditorium can host 5,500 people at one time, and people can observe a sense of community development when they gather here to share a common cause of happiness.
Final Words
Faisalabad has various historical and cultural places to visit, where you can learn about the city’s history and past events. Moreover, there are places where you can go shopping or have a picnic and enjoy yourself with your family or friends while visiting this city.
