Summer dawn gently descends over Lahore Fort and Badshahi Mosque, awakening the 16th century Mughal capital of King Akbar from silent slumber along the banks of River Ravi. As the sun goes higher in the sky, morning glow shines over the gentle façade of the Old City. Streets come to life. City of the kings awakes with a shy yawn.

21st century Lahore has become a significant destination for backpackers traveling from Cairo to Alexandria, Istanbul, Tehran to Pakistan and from here to China and Far East. The city impresses them with a rich history, vibrant culture and spicy food. But it is typically famous for its unrivalled hospitality.

“Cities force growth and make people talkative and entertaining”. Don Aykroyd said that about metropolitans. Lahore with a strong nostalgic past is exactly growing on that pattern. The Walled City gives a shy welcome to the visitors. As they become at ease with Lahori lifestyle, it begins to impress them with a pure and frank traditional culture. Behind the dense curtain of Old City’s growing noise and pollution, history begins to unfold. Culture dominates and a civilization older than 2000 years, residing within Thirteen legendry gates, looms above the more urbanized façade of modern Lahore.

Now the capital of Punjab province, majority of Lahoris is Punjabi Muslims with a very small Sikh community as well. Old Lahore is famous for its historic heritage. Lahore Fort, Badshahi Mosque, Sikh Gurdwara, Wazir Khan Mosque, Shrine of Sufi Da’ta Sahib, and an almost extinct brick wall with a circular road giving access to other parts of the Walled City and famous bazaars and streets comprise this significant part. Anarkali bazaar, Akbari Mandi, Soha bazaar, Bazaar e Hakiman, Kasera bazaar, Mochi, Dehli and Lahori Gates are rather famous tourist attractions. Much of the city’s traditional culture and historic wealth lies within this premises. Noisy motor rickshaws whirl past and tonga drivers yell for fun. Older men smile with a welcome note. Kids roam at will. Women come and go into bazaars with hurried steps, talking loud and making cryptic gestures. Life and colors swing.