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    Winters with the Queen of the Hills

    Written by: Mehr Jan
    Posted on: January 17, 2020 | | 中文

    Winters on Murree's Mall Road (photo credits to the writer)

    With the winter season in full swing in Pakistan, perhaps the most popular and easily accessible winter retreats to venture towards, is the small yet vibrant town of Murree. Murree enthrals visitors every day, and has remained a beloved hill station for all seasons and all generations. Located 7500ft above sea level, it is located on the southern slopes of the Western Himalayan foothills. The coolness of the fresh air and lush greenery in Summer and Spring is as enticing as the snow-capped Winter Wonderland during January and February. Rightfully called “Malka-e-Kohsar (Queen of the Hills)”, Murree has plenty of forests, which are home to various species of wild animals like leopards, monkeys and vole rodents, whose habitats extend till the far side of Kashmir.

    With the construction of the new motorway, the route to Murree is especially accessible to the residents of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, at a mere 30km. Yet it’s not surprising to see regular visitors from places like Sialkot, Karachi, Lahore, Gujrat in the area.

    Murree in the 1980s-1990s (Photo credits to Vintage Pakistan)

    The town is said to have been named after a local word ‘marhi’, meaning ‘apex’, others believed that the town was named after the Virgin Mary. Who would have comprehended that a post office, founded in 1851 by Sir Henry Lawrence, was initially established as a sanatorium for the British troops? However, it wasn’t long before the scenic site became a permanent town in 1853. And it has been a busy town ever since.

    The Mall Road

    Since the town of Murree was built along European lines, the main artery was and is the Mall Road, the centre for all commercial and administrative activities. In the early years, Mall Road was known for its coffee shops, restaurants, and boutiques with the finest wools. Some of the more popular names include Sam’s, and Lintotts Restaurant, which are now under different owners.

    The Old Sam's Building (photo credits to Vintage Pakistan)

    Even though the road called Jinnah Road, many still refer to and reminisce of it as the Mall. Tourists flock to the roads both day and night, making it vibrate and buzz with energy. One can still buy souvenirs, make good bargains, and can satisfy appetites at one of the many restaurants situated on this particular road stretch. The writer can personally attest to how lively and bubbly Mall Road remains, even at 3:00 AM when the weather is -4 degrees outside.

    Historic Landmarks of British Era

    Aside from Mall Road, there are many monuments to entice those with a penchant for history. On one end of Mall Road, you will find the General Post Office (GPO), built in 1876. This large, colourful building is a sight to behold, sticking out amidst the hotels and resorts. Despite losing its original façade after years of intervention, the building’s vintage look still appeals to many. It was reported a few years back that the government was to spend Rs.50 million to renovate General Post Office (GPO) which would include the preservation of its detailed masonry and woodwork details.

    Murree's GPO (photo credits to uniconconsulting)

    However, nothing defines the British-era buildings of Murree better than The Holy Trinity Church, situated at the lower bazaar of the Mall Road. Constructed in 1875, it is one of the oldest buildings in the area that still stands today. It was used by the British as a place of worship and a hub for socializing. Although the church needs extensive preservation, many of the original sculptures, tiling, and décor have remained.

    Holy Trinity Church (photo credits to Dawn)

    Other buildings include the Cecil Hotel built in 1851, which is one of the oldest hotels in Pakistan. In the 1940s, it was the official residence of Lord Mountbatten, the last Viceroy of India, and it has been reconverted into a hotel since the late 90s. For those who grew up in the boarding schools of Convent of Jesus and Mary or Lawrence College, returning to Murree invokes a return to the peaceful, crisp summer days of childhood.

    So much to explore…

    Mall Road is located in the middle of two major points, both of which welcome visitors to soak in natural beauty in its true majesty. ‘Kashmir Point’ is just a 15minute walk from GPO, and is surrounded by the vast, serene Kashmiri Mountains. Equally intriguing is ‘Pindi Point’, which is on the other end of Mall Road. Providing a breath-taking aerial view of the whole of Rawalpindi, the highlight of this point is a 1.5 km chairlift from Pindi Point to Bansara, complete with a gorgeous view of tall pine trees.

    A Park Close to Pindi Point (photo credits to the writer)

    With its endless possibilities, shopping extravaganza, scenic landmarks, and historical wonders, Murree has welcomed visitors of all ages and all places. While it isn’t uncommon to witness heavy traffic especially on weekends, the small hill station that was meant to be a retreat for the British, has quickly escalated into a wondrous paradigm of happiness for Pakistanis. What it needs, however, is a boost from the government for better infrastructure and proper mechanisms for garbage control and environmental degradation. Murree remains an enigma of beauty and excitement; it must be preserved as a place of calm and peace and natural beauty.


    As the new year begins, let us also start anew. I’m delighted to extend, on behalf of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and in my own name, new year’s greeting and sincere wishes to YOULIN magazine’s staff and readers.

    Only in hard times can courage and perseverance be manifested. Only with courage can we live to the fullest. 2020 was an extraordinary year. Confronted by the COVID-19 pandemic, China and Pakistan supported each other and took on the challenge in solidarity. The ironclad China-Pakistan friendship grew stronger as time went by. The China Pakistan Economic Corridor projects advanced steadily in difficult times, become a standard-bearer project of the Belt and Road Initiative in balancing pandemic prevention and project achievement. The handling capacity of the Gwadar Port has continued to rise and Afghanistan transit trade through the port has officially been launched. The Karakoram Highway Phase II upgrade project is fully open to traffic. The Lahore Orange Line project has been put into operation. The construction of Matiari-Lahore HVDC project was fully completed. A batch of green and clean energy projects, such as the Kohala and Azad Pattan hydropower plants have been substantially promoted. Development agreement for the Rashakai SEZ has been signed. The China-Pakistan Community of Shared Future has become closer and closer.

    Reviewing the past and looking to the future, we are confident to write a brilliant new chapter. The year 2021 is the 100th birthday of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan. The 100-year journey of CPC surges forward with great momentum and China-Pakistan relationship has flourished in the past 70 years. Standing at a new historic point, China is willing to work together with Pakistan to further implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, connect the CPEC cooperation with the vision of the “Naya Pakistan”, promote the long-term development of the China-Pakistan All-weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership with love, dedication and commitment. Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the founding father of Pakistan said, “We are going through fire. The sunshine has yet to come.” Yes, Pakistan’s best days are ahead, China will stand with Pakistan firmly all the way.

    YOULIN magazine is dedicated to promoting cultural exchanges between China and Pakistan and is a window for Pakistani friends to learn about China, especially the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It is hoped that with the joint efforts of China and Pakistan, YOULIN can listen more to the voices of readers in China and Pakistan, better play its role as a bridge to promote more effectively people-to-people bond.

    Last but not least, I would like to wish all the staff and readers of YOULIN a warm and prosper year in 2021.

    Nong Rong Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of
    The People’s Republic of China to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
    January 2021