Storytelling walk · 3 hours· Walled City, Taxali
Stories of Taxali Gate
Music, cinema and the courtesans' quarter
Taxali was the royal mint, then the music quarter, then the neighbourhood the rest of the city pretended not to visit. We walk it in daylight and tell the stories properly.
Everyone has an opinion about Heera Mandi and almost nobody has walked it with someone who knows what they are looking at. This is that walk.
We start at the site of Taxali Gate, where the Mughal mint stood, and move through Kali Bari and a banker's haveli into the music market where instruments are still made by hand. From there it is the residences of Ganga Ram and the singer Noor Jehan, the courtyard of Meer Mandi, Pakistan Talkies with its faded cinema hoardings, and the baithak where the poet Ustad Daman received guests. We end at the edge of Heera Mandi, in front of the Badshahi Mosque, which is the point.
This walk is about a neighbourhood that gave Lahore its music, its cinema and some of its best poetry, and about how a city decides which of its stories to tell. We keep it respectful and we keep it honest.
An exploration of
- The music market, where sitars and tablas are still made
- Pakistan Talkies and the cinema history of Lahore
- Ustad Daman's baithak and Ganga Ram's residence
- Heera Mandi told without the cliches
The route
Stop by stop.
- 1
Taxali Gate
The mint gate. The gate is gone, the name stayed.
- 2
Kali Bari and the Banker's Son Haveli
- 3
Mian Asif Gali and the Music Market
Instrument makers at work.
- 4
Meer Mandi Courtyard
- 5
Noor Jehan Residence
The singer's Lahore home.
- 6
Ganga Ram Residence
The man who built half of colonial Lahore lived here.
- 7
Pakistan Talkies
One of the city's oldest cinemas.
- 8
Ustad Daman Baithak
Where the Punjabi poet held his gatherings.
- 9
Heera Mandi
We end facing the Badshahi Mosque.
On the walk
From previous editions.
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.
- This walk covers adult themes with care. We recommend it for ages 14 and up.
Dates
Choose your morning.
Tap Book on any date to get your tickets on High Tribe. If a date is full, join the waitlist.
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.