Muree hill station
Murree in the Punjab and its adjoining hill stations, mostly situated in the Frontier Province, provide a cool retreat in summer to the people of the Punjab and the Frontier Province, particularly to those living in Rawalpindi and Islamabad.Murree is the most developed of these hill stations and has cool climate in summer and crisply cold in winter. It was developed by the British as a summer resort of the Punjab which it continued to be up to 1876 when the name was transferred to Simia. It is therefore a developed town with good hotels and roads and excellent shopping where products and handicrafts of the entire region are available.Situated at an altitude of 2,100 meters, Murree is considered the most beautiful hill station in northern Punjab. The winding drive from Islamabad passes through Sarannab woodland, rocky shrubs and cedar, birch and at precisely 1,000 meters lofty pine forests.
As in the other hill stations the British tried to build a little England, with a mall for promenading, parks, churches, schools, not to mention clubs and cafes. Hence scruffy houses with names like ''Primrose Cottage" or "Goodland Walk". "Hotel Cecil' or those times still remain a colonial atmosphere in huge, high, ceilinged rooms with roaring log fires.
At the north end of the Mall, a good landmark of the city is the Post Office from where one may wander down through the bazaar below having stalls and souvenir shops all along the way. Walking down the Mall is perhaps the main amusement of Murree. You can also take horse or donkey rides. Going north and leaving Post Office on the left one finds the Murree Club. From the Post Office to Kashmir Point is the area where many embassies have their summer residence.
Murree lies at about two hours journey from Rawalpindi and a little less from Islamabad, especially so if you are driving in a car. There is a toll of a few rupees on the way and for the first few miles you pass through the flat country. Then, the climb starts which becomes pretty steep as you approach Murree.
