Things to Do in Gujrat: A Local's Travel Guide

TL;DR: Gujrat is a historic GT Road city famous for pottery, furniture and electric fans, with real things to see: the Mughal-era Gujrat Fort, the busy shrine of Hazrat Shah Daula, old city gates and craft bazaars. It also makes a great base for day trips to Rohtas Fort, Mangla Dam and the Chillianwala battlefield. The easiest way to see it all is with your own car. Read on, then call us to book.

People often pass straight through Gujrat on the way to Lahore or Islamabad. That’s a shame, because there are some genuinely interesting things to do in Gujrat if you slow down for a day or two. This is our home city, and we know every corner of it.

In this guide we’ll walk you through what the city is known for, the top sights inside Gujrat, the best day trips nearby, and the easiest way to get around. Whether you’re an overseas family visiting home, a business traveller with a free afternoon, or just curious, you’ll leave with a simple plan. Let’s start with what makes Gujrat special.

What is Gujrat known for?

Gujrat is an old industrial city on the banks of the River Chenab, best known for three crafts: pottery, furniture and electric fans. Together with nearby Sialkot and Gujranwala, it forms Punjab’s “Golden Triangle” of manufacturing. That mix of living history and busy workshops is exactly what makes a visit interesting.

The city has shaped clay into quality pottery for centuries, and that craft tradition trained the skilled hands behind its later industries. Today Gujrat is one of Pakistan’s main centres for electric fans, with the trade tracing back to a few determined makers in the 1940s. Its furniture is prized too, finished to a standard fine enough to have been used in the country’s assemblies.

Gujrat also sits in a rich historical setting. The Grand Trunk Road (N-5) runs right through it, and the city anchors one corner of the Chenab–Jhelum belt of northern Punjab. All of this means you get heritage, crafts and easy onward travel in one place.

Top things to do in Gujrat city

Inside the city itself, a half-day is enough to hit the highlights. Here are the spots we recommend most to visitors, with a little context for each.

Visit the shrine of Hazrat Shah Daula

The shrine of Hazrat Shah Daula is the spiritual heart of Gujrat. This 17th-century Sufi shrine draws pilgrims all year and hosts one of Punjab’s largest annual Urs festivals. Even on a normal day, the courtyard, the tilework and the steady stream of devotees give you a real feel for the city’s living culture. Dress modestly and it’s open to respectful visitors.

Explore Gujrat Fort and the old city gates

Gujrat Fort, also called the Akbari Fort, was commissioned by the Mughal emperor Akbar in the late 1500s and once had five gates. One of them, the Shah Daula Gate, is named after the same saint. The old walled-city area around it, with its narrow lanes and weathered gateways, is a lovely place to wander on foot and feel how the city grew.

See Ram Pyari Mahal

For something different, look up Ram Pyari Mahal, one of the few grand pre-Partition buildings still standing in Gujrat. Built in the early 20th century, its design borrows from classical Greek and Roman styles, which makes it stand out against everything around it. It’s a quick stop, but a memorable one for anyone who likes old architecture.

Watch the crafts that built the city

You can’t really understand Gujrat without seeing its workshops. Ask around and you can often watch potters shaping clay by hand, or see the fan and furniture units that keep the city humming. Buying a handmade piece straight from a craftsman is a nicer souvenir than anything in a mall, and a good excuse to chat with locals.

What are the best day trips from Gujrat?

The best day trips from Gujrat are Rohtas Fort, Mangla Dam and the Chillianwala battlefield, all within an easy drive. Gujrat’s spot on the GT Road and the motorway makes it a handy base, so you can see a major sight and be back the same evening. Here are our three favourites.

Rohtas Fort

Rohtas Fort is the big one. This huge 16th-century fortress, built by Sher Shah Suri, was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997 for its military architecture. It sits just past Jhelum, a comfortable drive from Gujrat, and the massive gates and walls are well worth the trip. Pair it with a stop in Jhelum on the way for lunch.

Mangla Dam

Mangla Dam is one of Pakistan’s largest dams, built on the River Jhelum about 40 km from Gujrat. The huge reservoir is a popular spot for boating, fishing and lakeside picnics, and the drive there is scenic in its own right. It’s an easy, relaxed outing, especially nice for families.

Chillianwala battlefield

History buffs should head to Chillianwala in the Mandi Bahauddin district, where a tall stone obelisk marks the fierce battle fought here on 13 January 1849 during the Second Anglo-Sikh War. It’s a quiet, atmospheric monument set among farmland, and it pairs well with a wider drive through the countryside.

When is the best time to visit Gujrat?

The best time to visit Gujrat is between October and March, when the weather is cool and comfortable for sightseeing. Punjab summers (May to August) get very hot, so most travellers prefer the winter months for forts, shrines and day trips. Spring and autumn are pleasant too.

If you want to experience the city at its most alive, try to time your visit with the annual Urs at the Shah Daula shrine, when crowds, food stalls and devotional music fill the area. Just know it gets very busy, so plan your travel and pickups with extra time. Whatever month you choose, early mornings are best for the outdoor sights before the day warms up.

How do you get around Gujrat?

The easiest way to get around Gujrat and reach the day trips is with your own rental car. Public transport between the scattered sights and nearby towns is limited, so a private car saves hours and lets you set your own pace. You can hire one with a driver or drive yourself.

If you’d rather relax and learn as you go, book a car with a professional local driver who knows the routes, the shortcuts and the best stops. Prefer your own schedule? A self-drive rental needs only your original CNIC and a valid licence. For the longer outings to Rohtas or Mangla, an intercity trip keeps the cost clear and fixed before you set off.

We’re based right here, so renting a car in Gujrat with us is quick and local. Pick anything from a fuel-friendly hatchback to a roomy SUV from our 300+ vehicle fleet, and we’ll have it ready wherever you are in the city.

Plan your Gujrat trip with a local

Gujrat rewards anyone who stops to look: Mughal forts and old gates, a famous Sufi shrine, working craft bazaars, and easy day trips to a UNESCO fort and a great lake. A day or two is all you need to see the best of it.

When you’re ready, let us handle the driving. Tell us your dates and what you’d like to see, and we’ll suggest the right car and a simple route. Get in touch today or message us on WhatsApp at +92 311 4202001. We’re open 24/7 and we’re happy to help you plan a smooth trip around our home city.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Gujrat city famous for?

Gujrat is famous for its pottery, furniture and electric fan industries, alongside historic sites like Gujrat Fort and the shrine of Hazrat Shah Daula. Together with Sialkot and Gujranwala, it forms part of Punjab’s well-known industrial “Golden Triangle.”

What are the main tourist attractions in Gujrat?

The main attractions inside the city are the Mughal-era Gujrat Fort and its old gates, the busy shrine of Hazrat Shah Daula, the pre-Partition Ram Pyari Mahal, and the local craft bazaars. Nearby, Rohtas Fort and Mangla Dam are popular too.

Is Gujrat worth visiting for a day?

Yes. A single day is enough to see Gujrat’s key sights, the fort, the shrine and the old city, with time to spare. If you add a day trip to Rohtas Fort or Mangla Dam, two days gives you a relaxed and rewarding visit.

How far is Rohtas Fort from Gujrat?

Rohtas Fort sits just beyond Jhelum, which is around 45 km from our Gujrat base, so the fort is a comfortable drive of roughly an hour and a half. It makes an easy half-day or full-day trip, especially with your own car and driver.

What is the best way to travel around Gujrat?

The best way to travel around Gujrat and to nearby attractions is by private car, either self-drive or with a professional driver. Public transport between the sights is limited, so a rental car saves time and lets you visit several places comfortably in one day.