Taxila is a UNESCO site of several ancient cities and Buddhist monasteries, about an hour from Islamabad, with a museum that explains them well.
Taxila, called Takshashila in old texts, was a centre of learning and trade for centuries. The Dharmarajika Stupa dates from the Mauryan period, the city of Sirkap shows the grid layout of the Indo-Greek period, and the monastery at Jaulian preserves rooms and stucco figures of the Kushan era. UNESCO listed the area in 1980.
Start with the museum, which holds finds from the ruins, then visit the sites in a loop. It is an easy half or full day from Islamabad.
Highlights
- Dharmarajika Stupa
- The Jaulian monastery on its hill
- The street plan of Sirkap
- Taxila Museum
