Almost any “educated” Australian could easily locate the United Kingdom’s largest metropolis on a globe or a map of the world, sans-index.
Many, however, would struggle to “find” Pakistan’s second-biggest city.
Lahore houses many more humans than does London
Both cities are fascinating, sophisticated, culturally rich.
I took the photo from a UNESCO World Heritage listed “Paradise Garden” which is at least 375 years older than the commuter trains which now zip past it, every few minutes.
Completed in 1642 CE, the Shalimar Gardens were commissioned by Shah Jahan; he also commissioned the Taj Mahal.
Lahore has more than a few globally-significant architectural treasures.
Currently, very few Westerners visit them.
Lahore is not in fact a dangerous destination, nor an unfriendly one; we had many delightful spontaneous encounters with local people.
We enjoyed almost literally every minute spent in Lahore, ate delicious food, and stayed in a lovely hotel.
All sixteen Australians in our party found Lahore a highly-likeable city.
Population-wise, Lahore is “all of Sydney, plus all of Melbourne and all of Perth, plus a regional Australian city or three”.
Future, multi-image posts will showcase the Shalimar Gardens, Old Lahore, the (incredible) Lahore Fort, plus a few other of Lahore’s remarkably imposing and/or very beautiful structures and decorative features.