Having now lived in Karachi for nearly two years, I have come to appreciate the many different things you can do in Sindh alone. I have recently taken trips to Bhumbore and Hala where I had a great time.
The day trip seems to have been forgotten in Karachi, people seem to be fearful of travelling through the traffic and the heat, unless it is a trip to the many beaches we have here, such as French Beach or Hawkes Bay. Even if you drive up to as little as three hours from Karachi and you could be in Bhumbore.
Bhumbore is a city dating to the 1st century BCE located in modern-day Sindh, Pakistan.The city ruins lie on the N-5 National Highway.
It was so nice to see that STDC were doing a great job keeping it in shape, and there was also an Italian group of Archaeologists, who were visiting digging deeper under the ground. One of them showed me some of the clay pots and and pieces that had been found there dating back to 725 AD.
Bhumbore was the first place where Muhammad bin Qasim arrived and conquered Sindh in 725AD. The site itself promises more treasures and Italians had already told me that there were more than 1500 sites around Sindh which are yet to be discovered.
The museum they have here is of particular interest to historians as they have a very good collection of items they have discovered at the site over the years. This particular site had its own food market, bathing area, wheat storage and a working sanitation system.
The greatest facility of all which is provided at this STDC (Sindh Tourism Development Corporation) is the overnight stay suite which can sleep up to 10 people in a large room with a living room, dining room, private garden, bathrooms and your own kitchen, staffed by a cook who will cook you up whatever you bring him. All for a little under Rs.5,000 per night!!
Once you book the room the whole facility is essentially yours to explore.
You should also check out Hala. The craft capital of Sindh, Woodwork, Ajrak, Embroidery, Pure Cotton cloth hand made and hand dyed with block print wooden blocks. The work is amazing and some of the designs are over 3,000 years old.
Hala is also a place that is close to Bhit Shah where the Ajrak has been made for generations and it's a whole family business. Famous in this area is also the Kashi blue pottery also made by hand.
Hala itself is quite a bustling city the inner roads of the market reminded me of parts of old Dubai, where the market looks like souqs all under one big Kashi Tiled roof.
Whether you go for the history or the amazing market and bargain, its a great day trip away from the hustle bustle of Karachi. In Hala you can also go and see the Makhdoom Nooh shrine which was built in 1790, of brick and colored tiles in New Hala.