The Taxila World Heritage site is composed of over thirty sites of different nature i.e. prehistoric cave, settlement (40000 B.C.-3000 B.C.), 3 successive capital city sites of the ancient Taxila (6th century B.C. to 5th century A.D.). There are several Buddhist monastic complexes and individual monuments. The whole Taxila valley has an unbroken history from the 6th century BC to the 7th century AD.
Jaulian Monastery: Jaulian is located on a hill 100 metres above the nearby modern village of Jaulian. The cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad are approximately 35 km and 45 km to the southeast, respectively and situated near Khanpur Taxila road; a picnic place near Khanpur Dam. Jaulian is located near the Mohra Muradu monastery, and the ancient Taxilan city of Sirsukh.
Dharmarajika Stupa: The stupa was believed to have been established in the 2nd century CE by the Kushans in order to house relics of the Buddha, which may have been sourced from earlier monuments, and originally buried at the site around 78 CE. Buddhist texts mention that frankincense was used during religious services at Dharmarajika, while the complex was paved with colourful glass tiles. It has been claimed that Dharmarajika Stupa was built over the remains of an even older stupa that had been built by the Mauryan emperor King Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE.
Mohra Moradu: The ancient monastery is located in a valley and has views of the surrounding mountains. The monks could meditate in all stillness at this place but were near enough to the city of Sirsukh to go for begging as it is only around 1.5 km away. The city was built in the 2nd century CE and renovated in the 5th century. Thus it belongs to the Kushan age. The ruins consist of three distinct parts, which include the main stupa, a votive stupa and the monastery.
Bhir Mound: The Bhir Mound archaeological remains represent one stage of the historic city of Taxila. The first town in Taxila was situated in the Hathial mound in the southwest corner of the Sirkap site. The Bhir Mound site represents the second city of Taxila, beginning in the pre-Achaemenid period and lasting till the early Hellenistic period. The earliest occupation on the Bhir mound begins around 800-525 BC.
ٹیکسلا عالمی ثقافتی ورثہ چالیس سے زیادہ مقامات پر مشتمل ہے — غاروں، آبادیوں اور دارالحکومت کے تین مسلسل شہر (چھٹی صدی قبل مسیح سے پانچویں صدی عیسوی تک)۔ یہاں کئی بدھ خانقاہیں اور انفرادی یادگاریں ہیں۔ ٹیکسلا وادی کی تاریخ چھٹی صدی قبل مسیح سے ساتویں صدی عیسوی تک مسلسل چلتی ہے۔ جولیان، دھرماراجیکا اسٹوپا، موڑہ مرادو اور بھیر ماؤنڈ اس کے مشہور مقامات ہیں۔
LEGENDLocal tradition holds that the Takshashila university attracted students from across Asia — including the legendary physician Jivaka and the grammarian Pāṇini — making it one of the world's first great centres of learning.
How it was found
Rediscovered by Alexander Cunningham (1860s) and excavated over 20 years by Sir John Marshall (1913–1934), Director-General of the Archaeological Survey of India — the same man behind Mohenjo-daro.
1Khanpur Cave Mesolithic-period cave high on the hill — evidence Taxila was inhabited in prehistoric times; microlithic tools found.
2Sarai Kala Mound Evidence of the earliest settlement — Neolithic remains back to 3360 BCE and Early Harappan layers.
3Bhir MoundFree The oldest city ruins (6th c. BCE) — Persian/Achaemenid Taxila, later Alexander-era and Mauryan layers. Free entry.
4SirkapTicket required Walled city founded by Greek king Demetrius (2nd c. BCE) — round stupa, Apsidal Temple, Double-Headed Eagle Stupa.
5Sirsukh The third and last ancient city, founded by Kushan king Kanishka after 80 CE.
6Dharmarajika StupaTicket required "Chir Tope" — the largest stupa at Taxila, 15m high, possibly founded by Ashoka (3rd c. BCE); Gandhara monasteries around.
7Kalawan Group Stupas, monastic cells and caves.
8Giri Complex Buddhist monasteries, mosque, tomb and a medieval fort in the Giri gorge.
9Kunala Stupa Extensive monastery remains above Sirkap with a stupa nearby.
10Jandial Complex Ruins of a Greek temple — possibly a Zoroastrian fire tower. Site of a major new Italian excavation announced October 2026.
11Lalchak & Badalpur Mounds revealing monasteries, stupas and chapels NE of Sirsukh.
12Mohra MoraduTicket required Well-preserved Kushan-era monastery (2nd c. CE, renovated 5th c.) — 27 student rooms, pool, kitchen, assembly hall.
13Pippala Stupa Stupa and monastery ruins.
14Jaulian Stupa & MonasteryKP ticket 5th-century CE hilltop monastery and stupa with what is believed to be a university. In KP — separate ticket.
15Bhallar Stupa Remains of what was an impressive Buddhist stupa.
16Giri Mosque & Tombs Three-domed mosque, tombs and madrasa (10th–14th c.) — known to Persians as the Madrasa of Margalla.
17Nicholson's Obelisk Monument to the colourful East India Company officer John Nicholson, in the Margalla Pass above the GT Road.
🎟️ Plan your visit
Hours (Apr–Sep)
08:30–17:30 (sites)
Hours (Oct–Mar)
09:00–17:00
Tickets
🇵🇰 Rs 50 per site · 🌍 Rs 500 per site
Note
Museum, Dharmarajika, Sirkap, Mohra Moradu sold separately. Jaulian is in KP — separate ticket. Bhir Mound free. Museum: Rs 200/Rs 20.
Best season
October–March
Islamabad/Rawalpindi airports <50 km; taxi ~1 hr. Ensure the driver knows the scattered sites.
Taxila Cantonment Junction — Awam Express & Hazara Express stop (economy, from Karachi ~next-day noon).
Buses/vans from Rawalpindi (Pir Wadhai/Saddar) hourly; A/C buses on N-5 drop at Taxila for full fare.
N-5 (Karachi–Peshawar highway) passes Taxila; off the Grand Trunk Road.
⚠️ Heat in summer; distances between sites are long — hire transport (taxi circuit ~Rs 2,000, rickshaw ~Rs 1,000). Beware unofficial guides; sights are well signed.
🍽️ Eat: Dhabas on GT Road & Khanpur Rd; Royalson restaurant on GT Road.
🛍️ Buy: Famous mirrored "disco cat" statues (Rs 500–2,500), Buddha replicas, coins, mortars & pestles.
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🧑🏫 Local guides & artisans
AK
Azam Khan — Local guide English/Urdu/Hindko · 15 yrs experience
SB
Saima Bibi — Traditional craft Workshop visits · family tradition
