Bhurban is a quiet resort ridge about 10 km east of Murree town, a little lower in altitude and a great deal calmer. It is best known as the home of the Pearl-Continental hotel and its golf course, but you don't have to stay there to enjoy it: the drive through the pines, the long views east over the valleys, and the forest walking tracks make it a good half-day away from Murree's crowds, or a base in its own right.
This guide covers what there is to do in Bhurban, how long to give it, and how the drive from Murree compares with going straight from Islamabad.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Distance from Murree | About 10 km |
| From Islamabad | Reached via the Murree Expressway, beyond Murree town |
| Known for | The Pearl-Continental hotel, Chinar Golf Club, forest walks |
| Golf course | 9-hole, among the highest-elevation courses in Pakistan |
| Suits | Couples, older parents, golfers, anyone avoiding the Mall's crowds |
| Time needed | Two to three hours as an outing; a night or more if staying |
Getting to Bhurban
Bhurban sits on the Murree Expressway beyond the town itself, on the road that continues towards Kohala. Coming from Islamabad, it is a straightforward continuation of the same drive as Murree, about 10 km further once you reach the town; you do not need to go through the Mall or central Murree at all if you are heading straight to Bhurban. Our guide to Islamabad to Murree covers the Expressway and realistic drive times by season, which apply equally to the stretch on to Bhurban.
Because it sits on the Expressway, Bhurban is easier to reach than areas up Murree's steeper side lanes, though when heavy snow closes the Expressway at Phulgran, as has happened in past winters, Bhurban is cut off along with the rest of the route.
The Pearl-Continental and its golf course
The Pearl-Continental hotel at Bhurban sits amid pine and deodar forest and is the area's best-known landmark. Next to it, Chinar Golf Club is a nine-hole course managed by the hotel, laid out through mature cedar forest at around 6,800 feet, among the highest-elevation golf courses in Pakistan. You do not need to be staying at the hotel to appreciate the setting from the road or the walking tracks nearby, though playing or using the club's other facilities is generally for guests and members.
The hotel also has a health club, an open-air amphitheatre and views out over the ridge, which is part of why it remains Bhurban's main point of reference for visitors and locals alike.
Forest walks
Bhurban's real appeal for a day visit is the walking. The roads and tracks around the golf course and hotel grounds run through tall pine and cedar forest, well maintained and largely free of the crowds that fill Murree's Mall. A morning or evening walk here is quiet enough to hear birds rather than traffic, and the elevation keeps the air noticeably cooler than the plains even in summer.
Outside the immediate hotel grounds, the road itself, winding through pine forest with long views east over the valleys towards Azad Kashmir, is worth the drive on its own, even for visitors who don't plan to walk far.
Views
Bhurban's views open out to the east, over forested ridges and valleys, a different outlook from Murree town's more built-up surroundings. The best light is in the early morning or late afternoon, when the haze that often sits over the valleys in the middle of the day has cleared or not yet built up.
When to visit
Bhurban follows the same seasons as Murree, a little more sheltered by its forest cover. Spring and early summer bring mild days and green hills; the monsoon of July and August brings rain and cloud that can hide the valley views for hours at a time; and October and November give the clearest, driest air of the year, which suits Bhurban's long eastward views especially well. In winter, snow settles on the pines around the hotel and golf course, and the drive in on the Expressway is the same one covered by our Murree in winter guide, including the road controls that apply in heavy snow.
Because Bhurban is quieter than Murree town to begin with, the difference between a summer weekend and a quiet weekday is less dramatic here than on the Mall, though the Expressway itself still gets busy at peak times.
A half-day in Bhurban
- Drive from Murree or Islamabad, allowing 20 to 30 minutes from Murree town on the Expressway.
- Walk the golf course road or the forest tracks near the hotel, an hour or so at an easy pace.
- Stop for the views east over the valley, best in the morning or late afternoon light.
- Have tea or a meal at the Pearl-Continental or a smaller place nearby, before heading back.
Give the outing two to three hours in total, longer if you are staying rather than visiting for the day.
Who Bhurban suits
Bhurban suits couples, older parents and anyone who finds Murree's Mall too crowded or too noisy. It is quiet, comfortable, and close enough to town to combine with a Murree day if you want both. It suits golfers and anyone drawn to the Pearl-Continental specifically.
It suits families with young children less well if the plan is entertainment and activity, since Bhurban has none of the Mall's chairlifts, play areas or shops; for that, Murree town or Patriata are the better choice. If you are weighing where to base yourself for the whole trip, our guide to where to stay in Murree compares Bhurban against the Mall, Kashmir Point and Lower Topa.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Bhurban from Murree?
About 10 km, on the Murree Expressway beyond the town, roughly 20 to 30 minutes by road depending on traffic.
What is Bhurban known for?
The Pearl-Continental hotel and its Chinar Golf Club, a nine-hole course laid out through cedar forest at around 6,800 feet, and for being one of the quietest, most forested parts of the Murree hills.
Is Bhurban worth visiting if I'm not staying at the Pearl-Continental?
Yes. The drive itself, the forest walking tracks near the hotel grounds, and the views over the valley are worth a half-day even without a hotel booking there.
Can I play golf at Chinar Golf Club without staying at the hotel?
Access to the golf course and its facilities is generally arranged through the Pearl-Continental hotel; check with the hotel directly for current terms if you are not a guest.
Is Bhurban good for families?
It suits a quiet break more than an activity-filled one. For chairlifts, play areas and shops, Murree town or Patriata are better suited to children.
How do I get to Bhurban from Islamabad?
Via the Murree Expressway, continuing past Murree town rather than turning off into it. The drive is an extension of the standard Islamabad to Murree route.
