Park & nature
Shalamar Gardens, Lahore
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The Shalamar Gardens are a Mughal garden complex in Lahore, Pakistan, built in the 1640s as a Persian-style paradise garden. They are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Don't miss
- Three terraced levels: the uppermost Bagh-e-Farah Baksh and the lower two Bagh-e-Faiz Baksh.
- 414 fountains discharging into wide marble pools, the most waterworks of any Mughal garden.
- Five water cascades, including the great marble cascade and Sawan Bhadoon.
- Brick khayaban walkways elevated for better views, and chador cascades flowing over marble paths.
- A high brick wall with intricate fretwork enclosing the site.
Tickets & tours
Ways to visit Shalamar Gardens, Lahore
You can explore Shalamar Gardens, Lahore at your own pace. A tour is worth it mainly for transport, or for pairing it with nearby sights in one day.
Cheapest way inPrivate Lahore Walled City Heritage Tour by Rangeela Rickshaw5★ · 21 travelers3-5 hoursFree cancellationFrom$85 per personSee dates →
Best full dayPrivate Lahore Full Day Heritage, Culture and Sightseeing Tour5★ · 176 travelers6-10 hoursFree cancellationFrom$125 per personSee dates →
Private & flexibleRangeela Rikshaw Walled City Guided Tour Lahore5★ · 27 travelers~4 hoursFree cancellationFrom$100 per personSee dates →Getting there
Know before you go
- Located next to the Grand Trunk Road, about 5 km east of the Delhi Gate of the Walled City of Lahore.
- The gardens were designed as a Charbagh paradise garden, representing an earthly utopia.
A bit of history
Construction began in 1641 under Emperor Shah Jahan and was completed in 1642. The site originally belonged to the Arain Mian family, who ceded it to the emperor in exchange for custodianship, which they held for over 350 years. During the Sikh Empire, marble was pillaged for the Golden Temple and an agate gate was sold. The gardens were nationalized in 1962.
Common questions
Where are the Shalamar Gardens?
The gardens are located next to the Grand Trunk Road, about 5 km east of the Delhi Gate of the Walled City of Lahore.
How many fountains are in the gardens?
There are 414 fountains in total: 105 on the upper terrace, 152 on the middle terrace, and 153 on the lower terrace.
What is the historical significance of the gardens?
They were built in the 1640s by Emperor Shah Jahan as a Mughal paradise garden and are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Who originally owned the land for the gardens?
The site originally belonged to the Arain Mian family of Baghbanpura, who ceded it to Emperor Shah Jahan.
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