The heritage trail project in central Punjab, Jhelum district, presents yet another opportunity for the rehabilitation and preservation of our rich history. The project relates to seven sites starting from Al Bairuni Point at Nandana Fort where Al Bairuni, a scholar of many disciplines, is said to have calculated the circumference of the earth.
The other sites include the Shiva Temple, Tilla Joggian, the Khewra salt mines, Mallot Fort and Takht-i-Babri. The Punjab tourism and archaeological department, with an initial grant of Rs120m, plans to develop this area for international heritage tourism. There is strong potential of this trail as an international heritage site. However, developing historical sites is only the first step towards building a tourism economy. The upkeep and maintenance of such locations, the provision of adequate living facilities, good road access and security will also play a huge role in the successful promotion of the tourist industry in Pakistan.
Tourists can explore second largest salt mines in the world " Khewara Salt Mine ". The mine is famous for its production of pink Khewra salt, and is a major tourist attraction, drawing up to 250,000 visitors a year. Alexander's troops in 320 BC, explored the mines for the first time. Visitors are taken into the mine on the Khewra Salt Mines Railway. Kallar Kahar is a beautiful green valley with a lake. it is the salt water lake due to the proximity of the salt mines nearby. It is a good place for picnicking and outdoor day tour. The Katas Raj Temple is a complex of ancient temples. The temples are considered to be the second most sacred site for Hindu religion in the historic Punjab region.
The Soon Valley or Soon Sakesar is located in nearby Khushab District. The Soon Valley starts from Padhrar village and ends in Sakesar which is the highest peak of Salt Range. Sakesar is 5010 feet above sea level. The Soon Valley is situated in the north west of Khushab district. The length of Soon Valley is 35 miles and average width is 09 miles. There are some special features of this valley that distinguish it from other areas. Chitta, Sabhral, Khoora, Nowshera, Kufri, Anga, Ugali, Mardwal, Dhadhar, Uchhali , Khabeki and jhalar lake make this as Lake District and Bagh Shams-ud-Din are important towns in soon valley. Kanhatti Garden, Sodhi Garden, Da'ep and Sakesar are resorts to visit.
The Kirana Hills is a small and extensive rocky mountain range located in Sargodha, Pakistan. It is also a place of tourist attraction in Sargodha City. Locally known as "Black Mountains" due to its brownish landscape, its highest peak is about 980 ft. (300 m). This hill range covers large fertile land and are situated 14 miles away from Sargodha. This place is regarded as one of the best spots in Sargodha. Before independence this site has been regarded as a sacred site by Hindus. Kirana Hills also features a small temple where an annual festival is held.
Remount Depot Mona was built up in 1902 and is spread over a vast zone of more than 10,000 sections of land alongside the 660 sections of land woods. Warehouse today stands out as the prime rearing ground for fine quality ponies. Auto vehicles are not permitted inside Mona Station from the principal entryway, you need to go through pony traveler trucks and carriages or through Tanga (Horse Cart). These were the rearing grounds for mounts for Queen Elizabeth and Quaid e Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
Sher Shah Suri Mosque Bhera was worked by extraordinary Muslim warrior Sher Shah Suri in 1540 AD. The structure is very much safeguarded and cared for by the Bugvi Family. Other monuments in Bhera are Sheikhan Wali Masjid also called Uchchi Masjid because of its placement on a high plinth and dominates the skyline of Bhera. It is believed to have been built in 17th Century during Emperor Shah Jahan Period. The walled city of Bhera is similar to that of Lahore and consisted of eight gates named after important cities facing them. These are Multani, Lahori, Kashmiri, Kabuli, Peeranwala, Chinioti, Lahoranwala and Haji Gulab Gate. Only four gates have survived to date and the walled city of Bhera and its gates are in need of repair and conservation. Hazrat Miran Shah was a great Islamic Saint and Sufi whose shrine is located in the western part of the town next to river Jhelum. The largest tree of Pakistan spanning over an area of 23 Kanals or 3 Acres in located in Sargodha District. The age is estimated to be around 400 years and it is located 40 Km away from Sargodha city on Midh Ranjha Road.
Sial Sharif is famous for the Sufi shrine of Khwajah Muhammad Shams Uddin Sialvi, popularly known as Pir Sial, who was a waliullah (saint) belonging to the Chishti order. His descendants, all of whom are believed to have reached the highest levels of sainthood (one of them is explicitly designated by the title Qutb-al-Aqtab), are also buried in the same shrine. Today the Khanqah (Zawya, i.e. Sufi convent) of Sial Sharif is counted among the foremost Chishti center of the Punjab, and indeed of the whole Indian subcontinent.The above mentioned monuments, places and spots are the tourism specific areas and heritage sights which can be visited in the Districts of Sargodha, Jhelum and Khushab.
