MURREE
Murree, at 2,240 meters (7,400 feet),
is only an hour's drive from Islamabad.
Its cold pine forests, amidst magnificent
mountain scenery, make it the first choice
for a day's outing from the capital.
Founded as a hill station by the British
in 1851, Murree was the summer headquarters
of the government of Punjab until 1876.
Murree remained, however, a little bit
of England, complete with The Mall for
promenading, parks, churches, schools,
clubs and cafes. Since independence, Murree
has once again become the summer retreat
of the governor of Punjab and ever since
Islamabad became the capital of Pakistan
in 1962, has expanded rapidly.
Murree
is lovely all year round. In summer it
is cool - even chilly in the evening -
and rain is common. In winter, the snow
is piled high along the sides of the streets.
But it is extremely popular with Punjabis
escaping the heat of the plains in summer,
so is too crowded for comfort from late
May to early September, especially at
weekends. To beat the crowds and still
enjoy the walks, the best time to visit
is in April-May and September-October.
Murree
spreads along the top of a ridge for about
five kilometres (three miles). At the
northeast end is Kashmir Point, with views
across the valley of the Jhelum River
into Azad Kashmir. At the southwest end
is Pindi Point, looking back towards Rawalpindi
and Islamabad. Between the two runs The
Mall, at the centre of which is the main
shopping area, where most people congregate.
Numerous roads leave The Mall and either
follow the contours of the ridge or descend
to the principal road. Promenading and
shopping are Murree's main amusements,
or riding in the new chair-lifts, one
from Bansara Gali (below Murree) to Pindi
Point, the other to the top of Patriata
hill (on the road to Karor); both rides
cost about Rupees 50 and take half an
hour with a change from open chair-lift
to the enclosed bubble in the middle.
Good buys in Murree are Kashmiri shawls,
furs, walking sticks, fruits and nuts.
Murree's pistachio nuts are reputed to
be the best in Pakistan.
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