Home to the ancient Indus Valley Civilization, Sindh is one of the cradles of human civilization. The fertile land around the Indus River has been inhabited for millennia and some remains found in the region date back to five thousand years. Since these ancient times, civilization has flourished in Sindh and produced a vibrant local culture with significant Hindu and Muslim cultural influences. Sindhi culture is very colorful and rich in traditions, and most importantly, Sindhi people are the most hospitable people in the world.
I traveled extensively across Sindh province in 2021 and experienced some of my most transformative memories during these trips. From the stunning historical sites to breathtaking nature and incredible hospitality, Sindh has tons to offer to travelers. The region is extremely underrated despite its rich heritage, but should nonetheless be on every traveler’s bucket list.
In this post, I’m sharing the top 12 best places to visit in Sindh Province, Pakistan, that you must not miss during your visit to Sindh.
Check Out This Sindh Travel Vlog!
Pin It For Later!
About Sindh
Where Is Sindh?
Sindh is a province in southeastern Pakistan that stretches from the fields of southern Punjab to the coast of the Arabian Sea. Most of the region consists of farmland that depends on the water of the Indus River, after which the region is named. However, the western fringes bordering the mountainous province of Balochistan are characterized by the rugged Kirthar Mountains, and the eastern fringes are occupied by the sandy Thar Desert, which is shared with India. The most populous city in Sindh is Karachi, followed by Hyderabad.
Who Are The Sindhi People?
Sindh is home to the Sindhi people, most of whom are the descendants of local tribes as well as Baloch tribes that migrated to the region from the western mountains. The Sindhi language is related to Saraiki and Punjabi and has been widely used to compose Sufi poetry over the past centuries. Locals are extremely proud of their cultural handicrafts, such as the traditional block-printed ajrak patterns and the Sindhi cap, as well as their outstanding culture of hospitality.
Best Time To Visit Sindh
Sindh is known for unforgivingly hot temperatures in summer that frequently break world records, followed by destructive floods. Given that air-conditioning is almost non-existent in rural areas, traveling to Sindh in summer is best avoided.
Winters on the other hand are pleasantly mild, whereas the touristic northern areas of Pakistan are unbearably cold, making it the perfect time to visit Sindh. Spring and autumn are also suitable times, with hot temperatures during daytime and mild weather at night.
Read more:Ā What To Pack For Pakistan: A Complete Packing List
Is Sindh Safe?
Sindh often gets a bad rap due to crime and corruption, but I personally felt very safe at all times. Sindhis are some of the most respectful people in Pakistan and are extremely caring of their guests. Compared to other parts of the country, I have gotten harassed significantly less in Sindh.
However, while most parts are relatively safe, a region that should be avoided at all costs is the area between Shikarpur and Kashmore (and extending north to Rajanpur in Punjab), which is infamous in Sindh for its criminal gangs and kidnappings. Caution is in general advised in the northern parts of the parts of the province such as Sukkur, due to crime.
Due to these concerns as well as lacking tourism infrastructure, it’s best to explore Sindh in the company of locals.
Read more:Ā Is Pakistan Safe For Women Travelers? Heres What Its REALLY Like
Can Foreigners Visit Sindh Province?
While there are no official rules barring tourists from the province, countless foreign travelers have reported problems with local police or intelligence agencies during their trips to Sindh. Enforcement is extremely random and it all depends on your luck, but some places are better or worse than others, as in:
- Usually no problems: Karachi and Hyderabad City
- Problems are likely: most parts of the province, including touristic sites like Moenjo-Daro and Thatta
- Problems are extremely likely: Dadu District as well as small towns and remote areas
- Problems are guaranteed: Thar Desert, especially in proximity to the Indian border
What exactly are those problems? In the more touristic places, you may be questioned by intelligence agencies and offered police escort. In this case, it’s best to comply and continue your visit with your assigned escort. In other places, such as Thar Desert, you may be asked to leave. It’s best to avoid these places unless you have obtained official permission.
Furthermore, it is difficult to find accommodation in most of Sindh as most hotels don’t host foreigners. One way to avoid this problem is by staying with locals, although this may cause trouble for hosts with the local authorities. Worst comes to worst, foreigners can stay in bigger cities like Hyderabad and explore other places during day trips.
Top 12 Best Places To Visit In Sindh
Convinced to visit Sindh? These are the best places to visit, ranked from north to south:
Sukkur
The northern city of Sukkur may be your first stop when entering Sindh from the north. There are many interesting historic sites in and around the city such as the Sukkur Barrage and the tombs of the seven sisters. Furthermore, a stroll across the bazaar is a great welcome to Sindh.
Kot Diji Fort & Khairpur
Not far from Sukkur lies Khairpur, and the accompanying Kot Diji Fort. The Kot Diji Fort is an impressive 18th-century fort built by the Talpur Dynasty, which ruled Sindh at the time. The well-preserved ruins at the edge of Thar Desert offer great views of the arid landscape. Khairpur on the other hand is a larger city that also houses remains from the Talpur Dynasty, such as the picturesque Faiz Mahal, the royal palace of the Talpurs.
Date Plantations
Some of Sindh’s most stunning views can be enjoyed from the comfort of a car on the way from Sukkur to Khairpur. The region is famous for its endless date palm plantations that create a lush oasis along the road. It’s worth taking a break there to admire these gorgeous plantations from up close. Besides dates, other fruits such as mangoes and bananas are grown in the same fields.
Thar Desert
As mentioned earlier, the Thar Desert is vast and spans along the eastern fringes of the entirety of Sindh and extends well into India. The landscape is very diverse, with mountainous portions in the south and even a white desert called Achro Thar. The natives of the Thar Desert follow a very distinct culture, many of whom are Hindu and live in huts in the middle of the sandy desert. My visit to the Thar Desert was certainly a highlight of my time in Pakistan and I can’t decide which was more impressive, the landscape or the culture.
Moenjo-Daro
Moenjo-Daro is the single most famous site in Sindh and a must for every traveler. The UNESCO World Heritage site dates back to around 5000 years and is one of the best preserved remains of the Indus Valley Civilization. Together with the ruins of Taxila, Moenjo-Daro is the most significant ancient site in Pakistan.
Gorakh Hill Station
Gorakh Hill Station in Dadu District is the most popular tourist place in Sindh for a good reason: at 1734 meters elevation, the hill station, which marks the provincial border between Sindh and Balochistan, has a significantly cooler climate than other places in Sindh, making it the perfect escape from the scorching heat in summer. The rugged mountains are also home to nomadic Baloch tribes and a visit to Gorakh Hills may offer an interesting insight into their unique culture. The Gorakh Hills resort offers both hotel rooms and tents for camping on top of the mountain and is a popular weekend getaway among Karachiites.
Sehwan Sharif
South of Dadu lies the city of Sehwan Sharif, which houses the famous shrine of Sayyid Usman Marwandi, more commonly known as Lal Shahbaz Qalandar. Lal Shahbaz Qalandar is one of the most revered Sufi saints in Sindh and has been credited with converting large numbers of Sindhis to Islam in the 12th and 13th century. Until today, countless pilgrims from across Sindh flock to Sehwan Sharif to pray at the shrine. While the architecture of the Sufi shrine on its own is impressive, the special atmosphere is what makes this place truly stand out.
Manchar Lake
A short drive west of Sehwan lies one of the largest freshwater lakes in Asia. Manchar Lake is a remote natural reserve that is best explored in colorful wooden boats. There are even people who live on boats in the middle of the lake! Despite its great potential, Manchar Lake is not touristic at all and every visitor will be treated as a guest there.
Ranikot Fort
Ranikot Fort is another Talpur era fort and thought to be the world’s largest fort. Its endless walls are often compared to the Great Wall of China, which gives the fort the nickname ‘Great Wall of Sindh’. The impressive historic site is located within the Kirthar National Park, making it a peaceful place and suitable for camping.
Bhitshah & Hala
Bhitshah and Hala are two small towns north of Hyderabad that offer an amazing insight into Sindhi culture. Bhitshah houses the shrine of Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai, the greatest Sindhi Sufi poet while Hala is famous for its traditional handicrafts. In addition to shopping for souvenirs in local shops, Hala also has an ajrak factory where visitors can witness the 20-step process of traditional ajrak making.
Hyderabad
Hyderabad is the second-largest city in the province and a center of modern Sindhi culture. The city is famous for three things: Hyderabadi Biryani, the greatest rival of Karachi Biryani, delicious coffee cake from Bombay Bakery, and colorful hand-painted bangles that are sold in the city’s extremely crowded bazaar.
Thatta
Only about an hour east of Karachi, Thatta is an excellent day trip from Karachi. The are around Thatta houses some of Sindh’s most impressive historic sites such as the UNESCO World Heritage site of Makli – one of the world’s largest and most beautiful graveyards housing an estimate one million tombs, the beautiful blue-tiled Shah Jahan Mosque, and the ancient ruins of Bambhore. Karachi-based travel agencies can organize private tours upon request. Thatta can also be reached by public transportation from Qaidabad bus terminal, although I couldn’t recommend this to any sane traveler.
Honorary Mention: Karachi
Undoubtedly, Pakistan’s biggest and in my opinion most beautiful city is one of the best places to visit in Sindh, but I didn’t officially include it on this list for a few reasons:
- Karachi is extremely diverse and therefore not the best place to get to know Sindhi culture.
- If you’re traveling in Sindh you’re probably going to or have been to Karachi already.
- I have an entire article dedicated to the most beautiful places to visit in Karachi
Conclusion
Sindh is one of the most underrated provinces of Pakistan and a must-visit for travelers who admire history and local cultures. It’s home to some of the most impressive UNESCO World Heritage sites as well as natural beauty and extremely hospitable people. There are endless great places to visit in Sindh, this article just summarizes a few of the most notable ones!
Have you ever been to Sindh? Which places did you visit? Any place worth adding to this list? Let me know in the comments below!
Explore Pakistan With Me
- 10 Awesome Things To Do In Islamabad In A Day
- Top 12 Most Beautiful Places To Visit In Karachi
- Full Itinerary For An Incredible Balochistan Day Trip From Karachi
- Hunza Valley: A Full Guide To Pakistans Jewel Of The North
- Fairy Meadows And Nanga Parbat Base Camp Trek: Everything You Need To Know
- A Complete Travel Guide To Skardu
- The Ultimate Guide To Naran, Pakistan
I didn’t realise Moenjo Daro is in Sindh. I’ve always wanted to visit there, having learned about it in school many years ago. I actually even do a lot of work remotely for Pakistan in my day job, but travelling there is always tricky because of the security & safety concerns. Really hope that Pakistan manages to be stable and independent one day, as its solving its many prosperity and sustainability issues always come up against this obstacle.
That’s amazing! And we can all just hope for more stability in the future, I’m sure tourism in the country will greatly prosper then.