The places to visit in Sargodha are few, because the city is better known for its kinnow orchards and its air base than for sightseeing, but the district has one place that is worth a special trip: Bhera, a walled town with a mosque founded in 1540. Around it are the Kirana Hills, a low dark ridge rising from the plains, and the city's planned parks and civic buildings. This guide covers what is worth your time, and what to skip.
Sargodha is a working city of nearly a million people (975,886 in the 2023 census) and not a tourist town, so plan for a day of selective stops rather than a long stay.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Where | Central Punjab; about 187 km north-west of Lahore, 91 km from Faisalabad |
| Best known for | Kinnow oranges, Kirana Hills, Bhera |
| Best months | November to March, when the weather is mild |
| Time needed | One day; two if you add Bhera and the rivers |
| Not open to visitors | Air force and military sites around the Kirana Hills |
Bhera: the best reason to come
Bhera is a city-tehsil in Sargodha district, on the River Jhelum. Wikipedia records that Sher Shah Suri founded a new town here in 1540, and the Jamia Mosque, known as the Sher Shah Suri Mosque, dates from that period. The old town is walled, with eight gates, and divided into neighbourhoods called mohallas.
The bazaars are known for wood carving, quilts and khussas, and for sweets such as pheonian and pateesa. Bhera was also famous for knives and cutlery, especially the ornamental Pesh-kabz daggers. A walk through the old town and the mosque is a good half day. Go in the morning, wear clothes suitable for a mosque, and ask permission before photographing people at work.
The mosque and old gates are the reason to visit. We have not been able to confirm what condition individual gates are in today, so don't promise yourself a complete circuit of the walls.
Kirana Hills
The Kirana Hills, locally called the Black Mountains, are a rocky range rising abruptly from the flat farmland, with the highest point at about 320 metres. They are made of dark shale, slate and quartzite, which gives them their colour.
They are also a sensitive site. Wikipedia records that the Ministry of Defence acquired the area in 1970 for the Air Force, that tunnels were built there in 1978 and 1979, and that it hosted subcritical nuclear experiments between 1983 and 1995. A radar station operates there, and it is described as an active installation. Public access is nominally allowed in some areas, but don't treat the hills as a hiking destination. Stay on public roads, don't photograph military installations, and obey anyone who tells you an area is closed.
Wikivoyage also notes military facilities nearby and advises visitors to avoid the area during periods of India–Pakistan tension.
Company Bagh and Jinnah Hall
Sargodha is one of the few planned cities in Pakistan, and its civic centre is Company Bagh. Jinnah Hall, built in 1949, stands in the park and is now used for exhibitions and events. The park is a pleasant place for an hour, particularly in the morning or late afternoon, and a reasonable place to eat and rest between other stops. It is not a major attraction.
The rivers
Sargodha lies between two rivers, the Jhelum to the west and north and the Chenab to the east. Riverbank picnic spots exist on the Chenab, but they are informal, so go with local guidance. Avoid the water in the monsoon, when rivers rise quickly. Our other posts on the Chenab, such as the one on Head Marala, give a sense of the river upstream.
Midh Ranjha and the Heer Ranjha country
Wikivoyage lists Midh Ranjha, an ancient banyan tree, and Takht Hazara, both associated with the Ranjha legend. If you are interested in the story, our guide to the Heer Ranjha tomb in Jhang sets the legend out. We have not verified opening times or access at either place, so treat them as additions for readers who already know the story.
Kinnow country
Sargodha is known as the home of Pakistan's citrus industry, and kinnow is the crop everyone mentions. Winter is when it is in season, which also happens to be the best time to travel. Our guide to kinnow season in Pakistan covers timing.
Getting there and getting around
By road, Wikivoyage gives about 2.5 hours from Lahore. Trains also run, and Wikivoyage describes the train as the easiest way to reach the city. Within the city you will find buses, rickshaws and taxis, and a car makes a day trip to Bhera much easier. If you are coming from Faisalabad, our guide to places to visit in Faisalabad may help you plan a combined trip. For general planning, see our travel guide and destinations.
Is Sargodha worth visiting?
Only if you have a particular interest, because there is no single headline sight. Bhera is the reason to go; the rest fills out a day. It suits history readers and anyone travelling between Lahore and Islamabad who wants an unusual stop. It does not suit anyone expecting scenery, resorts or museums. A Pakistan Air Force museum is sometimes mentioned online, but we could not confirm that it exists or is open to visitors, so don't plan around it.
Frequently asked questions
What is Sargodha famous for?
Kinnow oranges, the Pakistan Air Force and the Kirana Hills. It is nicknamed the City of Eagles.
Is Bhera worth visiting?
Yes. It is a walled town with eight gates and a mosque founded in 1540, and it is the best historical stop in the district.
Can I visit the Kirana Hills?
Public access is nominally allowed in certain areas, but the hills contain military and radar installations. Stay on public roads and don't photograph restricted sites.
How far is Sargodha from Lahore?
About 187 km, and roughly 2.5 hours by road according to Wikivoyage.
When is the best time to visit Sargodha?
November to March, when the weather is mild. Summers are extremely hot.
