Storytelling walk · 3 hours· Anarkali and the Mall
Stories of Anarkali
A bazaar, a tomb and a legend that will not die
Anarkali is a bazaar, a tomb, a Mughal love story that probably never happened and a colonial neighbourhood that definitely did. We untangle all four.
Was there an Anarkali? Historians say probably not. Lahore says absolutely yes, and named a bazaar, a tomb and half the city's romance after her. We start at the tomb, which is now the Punjab Archives and has spent time as a church, an office and a records store, and work outward.
From there it is Old Anarkali with its food lane, the Tollinton Market building that once housed the 1864 exhibition, Neela Gumbad with its blue dome squeezed between shops, and the bazaar itself, one of the oldest surviving markets in South Asia. On the way we talk about the British who built this quarter and the Lahoris who took it back.
Ends at a jalebi shop. This is not negotiable.
An exploration of
- Anarkali's tomb and the Punjab Archives inside it
- Tollinton Market and the 1864 Punjab Exhibition
- Neela Gumbad, the blue dome in the bazaar
- Old Anarkali food lane and a jalebi finish
The route
Stop by stop.
- 1
Tollinton Market
The 1864 exhibition hall, now a city museum.
- 2
Anarkali's Tomb
Inside the Civil Secretariat. Access depends on the day.
- 3
Old Anarkali
The food lane.
- 4
Neela Gumbad
The blue-domed tomb of a Sufi saint.
- 5
Anarkali Bazaar
Two hundred years of shopping.
- 6
Jalebi stop
We end here, sticky.
Included
- ✓A Lahore ka Ravi storyteller for the whole walk
- ✓A chai stop midway (chai is on us)
- ✓Bottled water
- ✓Entry tickets to any sites on the route
Not included
- –Transport to and from the meeting point
- –Personal shopping and extra snacks
- –Gratuities, never expected
Good to know
- Wear comfortable shoes. The galiyan are uneven and we walk slowly, but we do walk.
- Dress modestly. Mosques and shrines ask for covered shoulders and knees, and women will need a dupatta or scarf for the mosque.
- Children are welcome. Under 6 walk free, and prams do not work well in the old city, so bring a carrier.
- Photography is encouraged, except where our host asks you to put the phone away.
- We go ahead in light rain. In a real downpour we move the walk and your booking moves with it.
Dates
Choose your morning.
Tap Book on any date to get your tickets on High Tribe. If a date is full, join the waitlist.
October 2026
November 2026
December 2026
January 2027
February 2027
Past editions
Previous runs of this walk.
Good to know
Questions before you book.
How do I book a tour?
Bookings are made through our website. Pick a date on the Upcoming walks page and tap Book. We recommend booking in advance, as spots on our walks are limited.
How do I pay?
Tickets are sold through High Tribe, our ticketing partner. Tap Book on any date and you will complete payment there. For private tours, schools and companies, we send payment details directly.
Where do the tours start?
Each route has its own meeting point, which we share with you once your booking is confirmed. Most walks begin in or around the Walled City.
What should I wear and bring?
Comfortable walking shoes are a must, as our routes cover narrow lanes and uneven ground. We also suggest modest clothing, as many sites are places of worship, plus water and a camera.