Overview
Thatta is a small historical town in Sindh, Pakistan, famous for two major UNESCO-calibre sites: the vast necropolis of Makli Hill with up to 125,000 elaborately decorated tombs spanning the 14th-18th centuries, and the 17th-century Shah Jahan Mosque built by the Mughal emperor who later constructed the Taj Mahal. The town offers a glimpse into Sindh's golden age when it was capital of three dynasties and a centre of learning, arts and commerce.
Architecture · Culture · History · Museums
Before you go
Accommodation
Limited options on N-5: Darbar Hotel (Rs 400), Jehanzaib Hotel (Rs 600-2,500 AC), or Archaeological Rest-house at Makli (advance booking required).
Culture
Conservative Muslim town; dress modestly covering shoulders and knees. Remove shoes before entering mosques. Ask before photographing local people.
Food
Basic restaurants along N-5 serve Pakistani food from Rs 200. Must-try local Rabri sweet in clay pots (Rs 100) from street stalls.
Money
Pakistan uses Pakistani Rupees (PKR). Cash is essential in Thatta as card facilities are extremely limited. ATMs may be scarce.
Transport
Buses and minibuses connect Thatta to Karachi and Hyderabad (100km) on N-5 for about Rs 150, taking under 2 hours. Rickshaws cost up to Rs 200 for town travel.
Weather
Best visited November-March. Summer (April-October) temperatures can exceed 40°C, making sightseeing difficult.