Murree, once a charming colonial town nestled in the Himalayan foothills is now a popular hill station and bustling summer resort in the Galyat region of northern Punjab. Due to being a picturesque and pleasantly scenic places in the country, the last one decade have seen rampant development and today Murree more closely resembles a litter-strewn overcrowded and a thriving tourist resort. However it remains exceedingly popular with Pakistani families for whom its truly a tourist paradise and receives glowing recommendations from this demographic. In summer it is cool - even chilly in the evening - while light rain is common. In winter Murree hides herself under thick blanket of snow. It is the birthplace of explorer Francis Younghusband.
An American journalist Camile wrote, that, "Everything and anything can happen in Murree. Romance is in the atmosphere; intrigue is in the air. The roads to this happy holiday's resort embrace both the heaven and earth. In Murree it is easy to fall in love".
The name "Murree" means ""high place" and it stands at 7,517 feet above sea level in the Pir Panjal range. It was founded in the 18th century by the British, and served as the summer headquarters of the British Raj in the Punjab Province until 1864.
Murree's cool climate is the precise reason why it is such a popular summer retreat. Located at an altitude of approximately 2,300m above sea level, the region has a hilly terrain and is covered by dense evergreen forests. A few visitors choose to visit Murree during winter, when the place is less crowded, snowy and the views are too spectacular for words.Murree is one of the world's beautiful site for enjoying snowfall in winter.People play with snow balls and enjoy snow skating. Bandr point in murree is an amazing site for tourists.
There's noting much to do see in Murree other than its scenic vistas for which it is known and make it one of the more picturesque places in the country, and so a tourist paradise. It is surrounded by thickly forested hills of pine- and oak-covered mountains, criss-crossed with springs and rivulets and dotted with lawns and orchards. It is a rustic resort high on the southern slopes of the Western Himalayan foothills. It is an outstanding hilltop that offers great views of Himalayas, breathtaking mountain scenery and the most impressive views of sunrise and sunset. On a clear crystal days, one can see a good view of the snowy peaks of Kashmir, and the crest of Nanga Parbat can sometimes be seen as well.
- The Mall. The Mall is the main strip of Murree with shops, markets, hotels and restaurants. It is the main focal point of Murree and the center of major economic activities. Once a historical central area, is today full of shops selling a multitude of things for the tourists as well main point to stroll, eat, sleep and meet people who come to visit Murree from all over the country.
- Kashmir Point. the highest place in Murree.
- Pindi Point. a chairlift runs up to here.
- Murree Brewery Building Remenants.
The Mall. The Mall is the main strip of Murree with shops, markets, hotels and restaurants. It is the main focal point of Murree and the center of major economic activities. Once a historical central area, is today full of shops selling a multitude of things for the tourists as well main point to stroll, eat, sleep and meet people who come to visit Murree from all over the country.
Kashmir Point. the highest place in Murree.
Pindi Point. a chairlift runs up to here.
Murree Brewery Building Remenants.
The main attractions of Murree are its natural scenery and refreshing atmosphere. It is an ideal place for a family get away and vacation. Day trips can be planned for Nathia Gali, Ayubia, Patriata, Bhurban while Murree can serve as a focal hub of your stay. With many places of interests around, Murree offers many spots for mountain hiking and trekking. The Golf Course at Bhurban is unique because of its altitude and tough layout. The area around Patriata has been developed and provides excellent hiking and trekking paths. It also has a scenic two stage cable car that would take the tourists up to the top. Those not interested in waiting in the queue for the ride can drive up to the Patriata top.
- Take a leisurely walk at the Mall. If you're too lazy to walk, hop on a "strollers’.
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Take a chair lift tour of Murree and its scenic galyats
Take a leisurely walk at the Mall. If you're too lazy to walk, hop on a "strollers’.
Murree has a variety of handicraft shops selling curios for the tourist to remind them of their visit to this hill station. Traditional clothing items, head wear, carved walking sticks, jewelery items and leather goods are abundantly available.
Also visit Millenium Mall - on main Mall road, next to Usmania Restaurant. A complete shopping mall with every kind of multinational brands in cosmetics, clothing, shoes, grocery, watches, leather, restaurants, coffee, ice cream parlors, sweets from all over the world, some of famous names are KFC, Pizza Hut, Indulge coffee shop, Nirala sweets, Gucci, Emporio Armani, Nike, Addidas, Piere Cardin, Rado, Tissot, Victoria Secrets, and many more have already got outlets in this mall. 1st floor is only for joy land amusement park for children.
There are many restaurants in Murree, mostly along The Mall. One very popular restaurant is called Al-mai-dah.
'Fuschia Restaurant' near Kashmir Point just before the Governors House is a newly opened restaurant. It offers a mix of English, Pakistani, Italian, etc. The Restaurant also has thrilling games for children such as a Jumping Castle, Trampoline, battery powered cars and an Arcade.
- Red Onion Chain of Restaurants situated on the main mall road, stands one of the most modern restaurant in Murree. Established in 1993, pioneer to 'Buy one Pizza & Get the second one Absolutely FREE' this restaurant offers a wide range of cuisines not offered anywhere else in the vicinity i.e. Mexican, Italian, Chinese, Pakistani & Continental. Prices are very moderate, ambiance is modern & customer service is very friendly! Other branches of Red Onion; Nathia gali, Abottabad, Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Rawal Dam & Karachi.
- Saffron: An elegantly decorated restaurant with stunning views of the surrounding hills and valleys. Saffron offered the ultimate personalized culinary experience. The menu is a blend of continental and local favorites including our very own rendition of the ever-popular chicken karahi and chicken makhani. Saffron lies overlooking crisscrossing paths, beautiful hills and valleys. The restaurants outdoor patio allows you to dine under the roof of the world, in the most breathing natural surroundings our part of the world has to offer.
- The Huqqa Pani Lounge with its gracious old world charm serves a variety of fruit flavored tobacco or sheesha. Apart from the shakes and drinks, the room offers a wonderful and relaxing atmosphere with a glorious view of Murree and the surrounding hills.
- KFC, Millenium Mall Murree at the end of Mall road
- Angeethi - the Grill is located adjacent to the Huqqa Pani lounge and follows the same earthen traditional theme. So after relaxing in the lounge, you can come and watch our chefs prepare a variety of mouthwatering barbeque dishes. The beautiful backdrop and the traditional ambiance, combined with the delicious food make dining at The Grill an occasion to remember.
- Pesahawr Namak Mandi Restaurant on main Kashmir point, an open air terrace with views of the surrounding parks and road. The restaurant is famous for traditional peshawar namak mandi (namkeen tikka and karahai).
Red Onion Chain of Restaurants situated on the main mall road, stands one of the most modern restaurant in Murree. Established in 1993, pioneer to 'Buy one Pizza & Get the second one Absolutely FREE' this restaurant offers a wide range of cuisines not offered anywhere else in the vicinity i.e. Mexican, Italian, Chinese, Pakistani & Continental. Prices are very moderate, ambiance is modern & customer service is very friendly! Other branches of Red Onion; Nathia gali, Abottabad, Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Rawal Dam & Karachi.
Saffron: An elegantly decorated restaurant with stunning views of the surrounding hills and valleys. Saffron offered the ultimate personalized culinary experience. The menu is a blend of continental and local favorites including our very own rendition of the ever-popular chicken karahi and chicken makhani. Saffron lies overlooking crisscrossing paths, beautiful hills and valleys. The restaurants outdoor patio allows you to dine under the roof of the world, in the most breathing natural surroundings our part of the world has to offer.
The Huqqa Pani Lounge with its gracious old world charm serves a variety of fruit flavored tobacco or sheesha. Apart from the shakes and drinks, the room offers a wonderful and relaxing atmosphere with a glorious view of Murree and the surrounding hills.
KFC, Millenium Mall Murree at the end of Mall road
Angeethi - the Grill is located adjacent to the Huqqa Pani lounge and follows the same earthen traditional theme. So after relaxing in the lounge, you can come and watch our chefs prepare a variety of mouthwatering barbeque dishes. The beautiful backdrop and the traditional ambiance, combined with the delicious food make dining at The Grill an occasion to remember.
Hard liquor is easily available even to Muslims at PC Bhurban hotel. However night receptionists at nearly all hotels are able to arrange some stuff for a little consideration. There are no bars or pubs in town.
Murree is quite safe even for foreigner travellers but during seasonal time a surge of visitors keep visiting this beautiful place and some people exploit this opportunity for their own benefits. So a note of cautious is given while roaming around the city. If you get lost and don't have enough directions get around the city then just ask for Mall Rd. From there you can easily head to any destination of your choice. Sometimes, temperature goes below freezing level, especially during winter season. So travelers are advised to carry appropriate clothing.
Murree has now become a highly commercialized place. The residents of Murree area have adopted the profession of gaining easy money by becoming agents that roams around every corner of main Mall Rd to trap the visitors and take them to the hotels, impersonating the hotel employees, however in reality these agents takes commission from the hotel owners by bringing in the customers and taking percentage of commission up to 40-50% of the total amount paid by the visitors to the hotels for room. These agents actually chase visitors and frustrates them to get a room through them. The best way to avoid these agents is to book a hotel in advance, or do not roam with luggage on Mall Rd.
There are many well-equipped medical centres in Murree and environs.
- Ayubia is about 26 km from Murree, (Khairagali, Changlagali, Khanspur and Ghora Dhaka, these four mini resorts spread over an area of 26 km have been developed into a resort complex called Ayubia). In addition to riding trails, hiking places and picnic spots, Ayubia has a chair lift at Ghora Dhaka, which attracts visitors to enjoy scenic beauty of Pine Hills. The bracing air of the surrounding mountains of Nathia Gali is as pure as fresh spring water.
Ayubia is about 26 km from Murree, (Khairagali, Changlagali, Khanspur and Ghora Dhaka, these four mini resorts spread over an area of 26 km have been developed into a resort complex called Ayubia). In addition to riding trails, hiking places and picnic spots, Ayubia has a chair lift at Ghora Dhaka, which attracts visitors to enjoy scenic beauty of Pine Hills. The bracing air of the surrounding mountains of Nathia Gali is as pure as fresh spring water.