 If you are in Lahore
for a short visit, a
most pleasant way to
spend a few hours is
by visiting its
shopping bazaars.
Lahore is littered
with bazaars which
sell every
imaginable item, at
bargain prices, the
Walled City bazaars
are particular
favorites due to
their old-world
character and
historic ambiance.
The shops are
generally small and
cramped and fill up
the ground floors of
historic buildings
of a special
flavor—their finely
carved wooden
balconies and
eclectic
architectural
vocabulary evocative
of their historical
past.
In sharp contrast to
the bazaars of the
Walled City, are the
modern shopping
areas of the
Fortress Stadium,
Liberty Market, the
Mall and Defense.
The roads are wide,
and the shops in
modern shopping
centers sell
imported and good
quality local items.
The prices are
generally higher as
well. Faletti's
Hotel, Egerton Road,
has several
interesting shops
selling reasonably
priced antique rugs,
curios etc.
Walled City
Bazaars (Markets)
Many of the Walled
City bazaars
specialize in
particular kind of
merchandize. Most of
these bazaars are
approachable through
the historic gates.
They have been
described in detail
in Walled City
Rahguzar.
The Mall Shopping
Once the queen of
streets, the Mall
has traditionally
been the most
exclusive shopping
area of Lahore. In
the recent past,
however, the
buildings have
tended to have been
taken over by
offices and art
galleries etc.
However, some well
known outlets are
still to be found
bordering this
tree-lined historic
roadway.
Anarkali Bazaar
(Market)
Named after the
famous tragic figure
of the Mughal
period, Anarkali,
whose remarkable
mausoleum lies on
the close by the
Lower Mall, Anarkali
Bazaar has been a
favorite of shoppers
for decades. Today
the How of traffic
makes it difficult
to shop, but its
small shops are
stocked to this day
with a variety of
items including all
kinds of garments,
shoes, bags and
various kinds of
apparel.
Defense Shopping
Located in the
affluent section of
Lahore, the shopping
here represents the
requirements of the
more affluent
people. It includes
the famous shop of
H. Karim Bakhsh and
many boutiques.
Fortress Stadium
Shops
The outlets here
are arranged around
the circular
Fortress Stadium and
include shopping and
food outlets.
Boutiques include
well known Pakistani
designers' outlets
as well as
international names
such as Pierre
Cardin etc. There is
a variety of shoe
outlets as well as
good quality
furniture shops.
Many of the famous
food outlets serving
the best of
Pakistani, Chinese,
Continental and
International and
Local Fast Food,
along with Iceberg
Ice Cream can be
found here.
Gulberg Boulevard
Since the 1950s,
when Gulberg was
laid out it was
considered one of
the preferred elite
areas of the city.
In the last three
decades the main
boulevard of Gulberg
has acquired a large
number of up market
outlets along with
those serving a
variety of cuisine.
Today, it contains
the Empire Centre,
Hafeez Centre, Pace
Shopping as well as
Chen One located off
the Boulevard, which
cater to boutiques,
garment and shoes
outlets, along with
a variety of
merchandize. You
will also find a
sizeable computer
market in Hafeez
Centre.
Liberty Market
As you drive on
the road you cannot
miss the Liberty
Market, since it has
been painted a
Coco-Cola red. The
building houses a
variety of ware
including ready-made
garments, shoes etc.
The large shop of H.
Karim Bakhsh with
its offerings of
goods required by
the whole family is
also situated across
the road. In
addition to the
service provided by
a number of local
fast food outlets.
Best Western Hotel's
Casper's hosts an
excellent high tea.
Aitwar (Sunday)
Bazaar (Market)
If you have never
visited an Aitwar
Bazaar, this is an
experience you must
not miss. A
temporary shopping
extravaganza, set
under shamianas
(cloth awnings), are
displayed all kinds
of conceivable
items. The direct
sales that this
process allows,
means that you can
get everything at
unbelievably low
prices. If you are a
foreigner, you are
likely to be asked a
higher price. And,
it is perfectly
reasonable for you
to try and haggle to
get the price down. |
