The title may seem shady but whenever I feel winter coming I
can’t seem to get rid of wandering thoughts of “Queen of Hills”. It is none
other than Murree. One of our classmates invited us for stay at Murree but we
could not make it that time. Around middle of December we took our turn to
finally visit. While visiting I caught all the feels, form dense jungles of
pine and oak to green landscape, form tall trees with chirping birds to open skies
where clouds lie, site of monkeys gathered nearby road and tourist either
feeding them or running away from them. Site was just the beginning to a serene
journey. We planned on for staying one day in Murree and there are many route
to Murree, it only took us one hour and so to get there via Islamabad-Murree
Expressway, all credit to fast diving of our friend. Besides that you can also
take Islamabad-Murree Road and Old Murree Road.
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| Gloria Jean's Coffees, Express |
About Murree:
The name Murree came from “Marhi” meaning “High
Place”, there is belief that it was named after Virgin Mary. Murree is the
most visited hill spot and largest resort area in Glayat area in Pakistan. You
can access it by road easily. Murree covers area of seven kilometer that lies
between Pindi point and Kashmir point.
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| Birdseye view of Murree |
Murree was built by British colonial government, in east
lies River Jehlum that separates it from Azazd Kashmir,in southwest lies the
capital while in southeast is tehsil of Rawalpindi. North of Murree lies
Abbottabad. Alongside of Murree is part of KPK like Nathiagali, Ayubia, Dunga
Gali and Changla Gali.
At a Glance:
Our first destination on arrival on around 9 o’clock was Mall Road. The road was full of hustle
and bustle even then, it was scattered with hotels, restaurants and shops for
people to buy attractive sovereign. Some people were having breakfast while few
were walking around seems to heading back to their hotels after spending the
early part of the morning wandering around the road. We decided to explore it
on our way back cause it has this beautiful bazar just few steps below.
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| Mall Road during day |
Moving ahead we walked 15 minutes to Pindi Point, the excitement to take chairlift was to the roofs. The
scenery below was out of the world as it was middle of December all you can see
was snowy peaked valleys and pale zigzag lines of pine.
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| Chairlift at Pindi Point |
The chairlift ride took us to Bansara Gali , there we visited Bansara Gali Wildlife Park. The park was crowded with children, not
only there was zoo featuring wild animals as such deer, brown tiger, black bear
and more, there was also paly area which seemly was main attraction for little
ones.
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| Bansara Gali |
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| Wildlife Park |
Form there we made our way back down through bacha gari and
continue to walk Kashmir Point, it
took us around good fifteen minutes along the way we passed by Cadet college
Murree. The spot is the highest point it also has various shops and a food
courts. The view from the spot looked over Kashmir
Mountains. It seems quieter than the other places we had visited.
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| Kashmir Mountain's view from Kashmir Point |
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| Kashmir Point |
After that we decided to take our turn to New Murree “Patriata” it has the most
wonderful chairlift ride, it almost cost us Rs.200 a car and cable to reach Patriata Hills, we were told it was 7km
long. Upon arrival after breathtaking ride at hills we walked in direction
where most of the people were walking which took us to the highest point on
Patraita Hill, we decided to stop and settle cause of all the wet cold around
us. The view from the top was not only of Kashmir Hills but also
Murree Hills everything was covered in white and it was unspeakable sight and
the area seemed so pure and angelic due to all the snow. It seemed like hours
would not be enough for all the wonderful view around at top for our minds to
capture.
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| View from Patriata |
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| View from Patriata |
We took chairlift back to Murree, it was dark by the time we
arrived, around 5pm at Mall Road. I
must say evening is in fact the best time to enjoy Mall Road. The hotels,
restaurants and shops were all lighted up, some shops have fairy lights hanging
in them.
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| Mall Road at Night |
We walked around for quite a while. After a while we got
tired and sat down by of the shops heard a passerby talking about visiting
other places like Neelam Lake, Nathiagal and Aubyia amongst other, we were
tempted to visit as well but we were tired and it was getting late so we
decided to save it for our next trip, as we made our way back through
Islamabad-Murree Road it took us around half an hour and so to away from this
angelic land.
On my way back all my thoughts was all but occupied with
planning of getting back again to Queen of Hills and to its wonders, I felt
serenity at the same time all the rush of being at heights and having a lot yet
to see at hand in Murree, had me tied up in knots. For me it was enough to have
me hooked to this place not only I would like to other places but the same
places again, renaissance would be worth it for sure. Here are some other suggestions
to push you over the edge.
River Neelam
It’s basically a picnic spot. People enjoy having lunch at
bank of the river with cold wind blowing and cool water passing by in river, is
the best thing in summers.
Nathiagali
Most well gali is Nathiagali.35kms away from Murree. On
clear day you can see the heights of Nanaga Parbat. Best thing about this spot
is its beauty and mountains surrounding it. You could see Kashmir and Kohistan
Mountains on one side and Muskhpuri Mountains above it.
Aubyia
It is second to Nathiagalia best spot in area of Galliat.
The area has wide mountain forest and four resort spread over 26kms. It has
area declared as Aubyia National Park, an
old summer resort namely Khnaspur is
part of Aubyia. There is a lot to see in Aubyia and it can whole day to visit
all four resorts.
Trinity church
The Holy Trinity
Church was established in 1857 it is still open for the followers. The
church is center of attention aside from obvious reasons is due to its
architecture.
Sindh House
Just a few steps ahead on the same road is Sindh House and Punjab House, there are for the assistance of provincial government
for stays and meetings
Murree Brewery
The Brewery is
located at Ghora Gali in Galiyat area of Murree. It was founded by Dyer in
1860. You can see the haunted remains of brewery and there are some shops also
having vintage products from the brewery as well.
I have to come think that Murree has a lot more to offer
than just sightseeing. It is place where you go to celebrate and retreat. It is
place where you create memories. For me it was the place that took me out from
depths of despair and took me to the heights of paradise, all I know that,
Queen of Hills in fact is now Queen of my Heart.
