Taxila — A crossroads of the ancient world.

The great circular stupa of Dharmarajika at Taxila among low stone ruins

Punjab

A crossroads of the ancient world.

Photo: Mhtoori / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Taxila was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980. It is not one ruin but many: a Mesolithic cave, four successive settlement sites, Buddhist monasteries and stupas, and a later mosque and madrassa.

The city stood at the junction of three ancient trade routes, about 35 kilometres north-west of Rawalpindi, and flourished between the first and fifth centuries. Dharmarajika and Jaulian are among the most complete monastic sites.

World Heritage: Inscribed 1980
Height of influence: 1st–5th century
From Rawalpindi: About 35 km
Generally visited: October to March
Coordinates: 33.746° N, 72.787° E

Seasons are general guidance. Mountain roads and passes open and close with the weather; check locally before travelling.

What draws people here

01Dharmarajika Stupa
02Jaulian monastery
03Sirkap
04Taxila Museum

Sources

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Next destination

Islamabad