Gujranwala is about 65 km north of Lahore. The city has developed a wide range of industries, manufacturing fans, washing machines, stainless steel, coolers and heaters. Lying on the historic Grand Trunk Road and the main railway line, it is well connected with the rest of the country.
In the 18th century Gujranwala was the seat of the Sukerchakia chiefs, and it is the birthplace of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, who went on to rule the Sikh Empire from Lahore.
The city is famous across Pakistan as the City of Wrestlers, home to many traditional akharas and champion pehlwans, and for its food — people drive from Lahore just to eat its barbecue and fried fish.
Places to see
Sheranwala Bagh
A historic garden in the city center with a baradari pavilion and the samadhi of Mahan Singh, the father of Ranjit Singh.
Birthplace of Ranjit Singh
The old quarter of the city has the haveli where Maharaja Ranjit Singh was born.
Wrestling akharas
Traditional wrestling grounds where pehlwans train in the old style — Gujranwala has produced many of Pakistan’s best-known wrestlers.
Eminabad
A historic town nearby with Sikh gurdwaras associated with Guru Nanak, visited by Sikh pilgrims.
Good to know
- Food
- Gujranwala is a food city: barbecued meats, fried fish, kebabs and sweets in its busy eating streets, especially in the evenings.
- Getting there
- On the Grand Trunk Road and the main Lahore–Rawalpindi railway line, about an hour and a half from Lahore by road.
- When to go
- October to March. Summers are hot and humid.
Header photo: The Baradari, Sheranwala Bagh — Noorrathore, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons