Taxila/Old version

Taxila is an ancient city in Pakistan, just 30kms north of Islamabad.

Understand

A view of Sirkap city

Get in

By road, it is located 30kms north of Islamabad. You can hire a taxi or a car.

Get around

Ruins map

Via taxi or car

See

Jaulian

The museum costs 200 rupees for foreigners, or about $2.50. To get entrance to the archeological site, it's an additional 200 rupees. You may pay at the museum or the archeological site entrance.

At the archeological site, self-deputized tour guides may begin to show you around. Frequently their English is not very good and they don't really tell you anything you can't read from the signs, then strongly imply that they want a tip. If you want some local color, go ahead, but otherwise tell them to thanks immediately. You may be approached by numerous "guides" at each site. In addition, people selling trinkets like small statues and allegedly old coins may come up to you.

• Taxila Museum dedicated mainly to the remains of Gandhara civilization.

• Mughal Garden

Taxila museum entrance

Buy

Along the main highway to and from the various ruin sites there are a number of shacks selling trinkets, pots, and a local phenomenon nicknamed the "Disco cat." The disco cat is a plaster statue of a cat or panther, covered in small square pieces of mirror, much like a disco ball. Small ones should run you 600 rupees, while larger ones can be 2,000 or more. They make a great conversation piece or gift.

Sleep

No separate accommodation is needed for Taxila, one can easily stay in Islamabad and visit Taxila. But If you still need accommodation in Taxila then there is PTDC motel which is located in front of Museum and certain other rest houses in Taxila.

• PTDC Motel Though the rooms are basic and can use some extra cleaning, it's an acceptable lodging.

Go next

• Islamabad

wikipedia:Taxila