Pattoki, the City of Flowers:
I am very happy while writing this article because it’s about my hometown, Pattoki, also known as the ‘City of Flowers’, because it has the largest nursery in Asia. Pattoki is located in the Kasur District of Punjab approximately 83.7 kilometers from Lahore, Pakistan. And I live in Garden Town, the heart of Pattoki which is a hub for everything, including schools, colleges, hospitals, dispensaries, shopping marts, restaurants, and Pattoki’s biggest Sabzi Mandi (vegetable market).
Pattoki Specialties:
- Pattoki, as mentioned earlier, is famous for its large nurseries, which are among the largest in Asia and are located in Gehlan. Gehlan is known for its fertile land, due to which the major occupation of residents is agriculture. People cultivate a variety of crops, such as wheat, sugarcane, and vegetables. The plants and flowers of Gehlan are exported to various countries like Saudi Arabia and UAE.
- Pattoki is renowned for its flower cultivation, with roses being among the most popular cut flowers. Pattoki also produces a variety of other flowers, including jasmine, gerbera, carnations, chrysanthemums, tulips, poppies, and orchids.
- Pattoki is home to one of Pakistan’s largest universities, UVAS: The University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Ravi Campus.
- The educational institutes of Pattoki are also very famous, as Pattoki students have achieved top positions all over Pakistan. The people of Pattoki are also considered intelligent because of their creative inventions.
- Pattoki is also the hometown of Baba Sakhi Abbas(R.A), a highly revered personality, and called “Friend of ALLAH”. And my father told me that not even a single person had ever seen him sleeping. He spent most of his time in worship of Allah.
- Pattoki is also famous for its bustling bazaars. People from nearly 100 villages located around Pattoki come here for shopping purposes.
How to Reach Pattoki?
You can reach Pattoki via Lahore. The distance between Lahore and Pattoki is 52 miles and it takes 1 hour and 35 minutes to drive there. There are no flights to Pattoki, you can reach it only by car, train, or public transport. Several buses travel to Pattoki Bypass. The famous transport providers in Lahore are Niazi Express & Faisal Movers. Their buses are air-conditioned and comfortable. Their tickets cost around 350 PKR (1.25 USD). You can also reach Pattoki by train from Lahore. The train ticket costs around 500 PKR (1.79 USD). There are other routes to reach Pattoki, but I mentioned the route from Lahore since it is a popular city in Pakistan.
Most Famous Restaurant in Pattoki:
Cheezious: Cheezious is one of the famous restaurants in Pakistan, known for its delicious pizza. And the most interesting fact is that the very first branch of Cheezious was established in Pattoki. In short, Pattoki is the birthplace of Cheezious
Cheezious is the fastest-growing restaurant in Pakistan; its branches are all over the country. Cheezious offers high-quality and delicious food. The best point of this restaurant is that Cheezious never compromises on quality. One of my relatives is the manager of the Lahore branch of Cheezious; he tells me that only high-quality ingredients are used and that the food is prepared in a super clean and hygienic environment. I recently ordered their Grilled Bites Pizza of 1450 PKR (5.25 USD), which was super tasty and the chicken was fully tendered and flavorful. If you visit Pattoki, then you should visit Cheezious.
Wikipedia Article about Pattoki.
Pattoki is a small city, so there are not too many restaurants. However, other than Cheezious, there are a few small restaurants, but none are as good as Cheezious, in my point of view. Several food stalls in Pattoki offer really tasty food at affordable prices. However, keep in mind that while some stalls provide delicious food, the quality of ingredients or hygiene practices may not always be up to standard. It’s important to inquire about these aspects before eating at such stalls.
The Brandway Mall, Pattoki:
The new entertainment and dining spot is set up near the Bypass in Pattoki. And for me, this is the best place for enjoyment in Pattoki. There are a few food stalls and restaurants, a shopping center, and a grocery mart named ‘Much More’ in Brandway Mall. The most attractive feature of this mall is Funland, a delightful spot for children with many swings.
Their coffee shop is also the best coffee spot in Pattoki. I recently tried their Latte Coffee for 500 PKR (1.81 USD) and it was very tasty. I also tried their ice cream various times which cost around 350 PKR (1.27 USD) & I love it because of its rich and pure creamy taste.
Accommodations in Pattoki:
Pattoki is a small town with a single accommodation option: AFC & Lacasa Continental Hotel. It may not be luxurious, but it offers basic amenities. The hotel has a family restaurant “AFC”, and a swimming pool. If you plan to visit Pattoki, you can stay at this hotel. However, if you are looking for luxurious accommodation, you should book a hotel in Lahore, which is only a few miles away. There are many luxurious & basic accommodation options in Lahore.
In short, my hometown Pattoki is a hidden gem for exploring floral diversity. If you visit Lahore, you should also visit Pattoki and the nurseries in Gehlan, especially if you are a true flower lover.
