Lyari Town, Karachi, is by far one of the oldest, if not the oldest, neighbourhoods in Karachi. The small town, which predates the independence of Pakistan, has a lot to offer to travellers, history buffs, and seekers of excitement. Being Pakistan’s number one tourism blog, we have taken this post as an opportunity to tell you some lesser-known and unexplored facts, history, and developmental work in Lyari. Go through our comprehensive guide to get a taste of some activities you can enjoy in Lyari Town, Karachi.
But before we begin, let’s take a trip down the memory lane and revisit the history of this small town!
History of Lyari Town, Karachi
Image Credits: Twitter/Hamara Lyari
The history of Lyari predates the independence of Pakistan. Lyari Town derives its present name from a famous tributary [Lyari River] situated along Lyari Expressway. The river used to flow into the Arabian Sea (via creek) crossing the dry areas of what we know today as Kharadar and Mithadar.
Moreover, Lyari, now known as a town but used to be a village back then, was famously called “Kalachi jo Goth” (the village of Kalachi – Kalachi was a famous fisherwoman). The reason behind this name is the fact that back in the time, fishing was the only source of income for the locals of this area. With time, trade and shipping developed and reshaped the area with the need of building ports nearby.
However, we can still witness traces of this ancient skill of earning a livelihood by catching fish by interacting with the wise and expert fishermen in Khadda Market and Machi Meanee. This art and knowledge have been passed down from generation to generation, with the current generation taking it a notch above and beyond via employing technology.
Pro-tip: If you are in Karachi and looking for a variety of seafood, including straight-from-sea-fresh fish, the fishmongers at Khadda Market and Machi Meanee will not disappoint you.
Linguistically, Lyari Town is extraordinarily vibrant and welcoming to all ethnicities; however, Balochis and Sindhis used to comprise a majority share of the population here before the independence of Pakistan. The majority of people in this part of Karachi belong to two major religious groups: Muslims and Hindus. Over the years, specifically after three decades of independence, Lyari gradually started to become home to Pushtuns, Memons, Bengalis, and Burmese migrants. Even after such diversity in population, a great part of this area is still populated with Sindhis and Balochis.
The home of famous international boxing and football champions, Lyari is perhaps the only area in Pakistan where football is more popular than cricket and dominates it quite significantly.
The historical town, also known as the mother of Karachi, has contributed fairly in the prosperity and progress of what we see today as the city of lights. Lyari was recognised as one of the eighteen integral towns of Karachi in 2001 by the Government of Sindh. Today, Lyari is home to a medical school, law college, and a university that are persistently contributing to the educational prosperity of Pakistan.
Location of Lyari Town – How to Get There on Your Own?
Situated along the almost 40-km long expressway, Lyari Town is one of the oldest human settlements in the city of lights. The area is well-connected to two famous harbours of Karachi, namely Port Qasim and Karachi Port, which also make Lyari accessible from any part of the city.
Moreover, Lyari also neighbours some of the poshest localities in Karachi, such as Karachi Cantonment and Clifton, while several islands near Karachi are also in proximity to the area. When we talk about proximity, Lyari is also a connecting point between the two provinces: Sindh and Balochistan. No wonder why this area is densely populated with many derivative cultures of Balochistan.
On a side note, if you want to explore any other communities in Pakistan, visit Zameen Area Guides and enter your search to catch up on the many wonders of this country.
We have already told you how to get to Lyari but once you arrive there; do not forget to experience the things and visit the places mentioned below:
Lee Market – A Historical Market in Lyari Town, Karachi
Image Credits: Twitter/Hamara Lyari
Lee Market, often spelled as Lea Market, is located in the south-eastern division of Lyari Town, which is also a connecting point for Lyari and a few other famous markets, including Khajoor Bazar, Sonara Bazar, Kaghazi Bazar, Bolton Market, and Bombay Bazar. Collectively, these markets are known as Jodia Bazar. While each of these markets is famous for their unique range of commodities, handcrafted jewellery, traditional dresses, dry fruits, and spices, Lee Market is a commercial street which is explicitly known for selling a variety of tea mixtures, and fresh fruits and vegetables at wholesale prices.
On a side note, if you are a frequent visitor of Empress Market in Saddar Town, you will find many similarities between both the two. And, if you are an admirer of architecture, the yellow sandstone market places, beautifully designed buildings, and the clock tower in the market will take you back to the time of the British era.
Situated at one end of Lee Market and almost surrounding it, Khajoor Bazar, Sonara Bazar, Kaghazi Bazar, and Bombay Bazar are popular shopping spots for both men and women. Settled disorderly and with a traditional type of architecture, the small shops, shacks, and makeshift stalls functional here feature all sorts of dresses, shoes, and accessories for people of all age groups. Meanwhile, Kaghazi Bazaar and Bolton Market are also two of the most important wholesale markets of Karachi and are the source of stock for many retailers throughout the country.
Famous Food Joints in Lyari Town, Karachi
Pakistanis have a special corner for food in their hearts, and biryani is something we all love. Unlike other parts of the country where food streets are mainly populated with bun-kebab, chana chaat, and samosa sellers, Lyari Town’s famous food street is home to Balochi Biryani, which is preferred by the locals as a meal for any time of the day, from breakfast to dinner. So, when we say that the wildest fantasies of every foodie in Pakistan only comes true in Lyari, we mean you will find different restaurants and shacks serving biryani all day, every day. The two most famous biryani restaurants in Lyari are:
- Al-Rehman Biryani: Situated close to KPT Head Office and on the edge of M.A. Jinnah Road, Al-Rehman Biryani Centre is, hands-down, one of the most preferred eateries to savour lip-smacking biryani in Karachi. The place is also near a few other desi eateries serving desi breakfast, mutton karahi, and other traditional foods from early morning to late at night.
- Zohaib Biryani: This biryani place in Lyari is situated close to Lee Market and serves a range of biryanis from veg to non-veg. Zohaib Biryani is famous for its signature “Patakha Biryani”. Just like the name suggests, every bite of this biryani results in a burst of several spices blended into one. However, we would like to warn you that this biryani is extremely spicy and not for people who have a low tolerance for spicy food.
Quite recently, Lyari caught the attention of several international and national travellers. You can also witness one of the most famous international travellers, Mark Wiens, enjoying the renowned breakfast of Lyari, and sharing a few facts of Mini Balochistan in this video:
Sharing his first impression of the area, Mark Wiens defines Lyari as “a busy area of this region”.
Aath Chowk – the Union of Eight Parts of Lyari Town, Karachi
Aath Chowk – the centre of Lyari Town – is what’s known to be a union of eight different parts, cultures, and views of this small town. It is by far the most famous landmarks of this area and filled with tourists, motels, hotels, restaurants, and bus terminals. One of the most interesting things about this intersection is that not only is it a confluence of eight areas of Lyari, but many travellers from across the country make their stop here. So, it will be justified to say that this area connects Lyari to the rest of the country. Now it doesn’t matter if you’re travelling from Quetta, Lahore or Peshawar, Aath Chowk welcomes travellers from every part of Pakistan coming to Karachi.
This landmark is famous for its web-like aerial view and eight different lanes meeting each other at one point. These eight famous lanes are further connected to the areas mentioned below:
- Lee Market
- Jhatpat Market
- Bizenjo Chowk
- Brohi Chowk
- Cheel Chowk
- Aman Park
- Chakiwara
- Rexar Lane
Kiran Gali – A New Venture in the Development of Lyari Town, Karachi
Image Credits: Twitter/Hamara Lyari
Contributing to the unique beauty of Lyari Town, Kiran Gali is something that should be a must-visit part of your travel itinerary. This street in Nawabad is one of the most famous landmarks in Karachi, mimicking the legendary and colourful streets of Italy. Kiran Gali is a venture of Kiran Foundation and is one of the many wonders that invites explorers and sends a positive message.
The street is a part of a programme that aims at educating underprivileged children of this area and provide them with adequate opportunity to grow and shine brightly. It goes without saying that Kiran Gali is something that is a perfect spot to be a part of your Snapchat and Instagram stories.
This was our take on exploring Lyari Town, and if you want to know more about famous places in Pakistan that should be a part of your diary, keep visiting Zameen Blog. Also, don’t forget to like us on Facebook!
Cover Image Credits: Taken from twitter page of Hamara Lyari.
