Sargodha is a major city in Punjab, Pakistan, known throughout the country as the citrus capital. The surrounding plains produce vast quantities of oranges, and during the harvest season from December to March the city's markets overflow with the fruit. It is a prosperous agricultural centre with a population of over 600,000, sitting between the Jhelum and Chenab rivers in the fertile Punjab heartland.
The city itself is orderly by Pakistani standards, built around a central Company Bagh park that serves as the social hub. Jinnah Hall and the clock tower are the main landmarks, and the bazaars around Satellite Town are lively places to shop for local textiles and produce. To the east the Kirana Hills rise abruptly out of the plain — a small range of black rock locally nicknamed the "little Himalayas." Sargodha is also home to a major Pakistan Air Force base, which gives the city a noticeable military presence.
Most travelers pass through Sargodha on the way between Islamabad and Lahore, but the surrounding citrus groves are worth a detour during harvest. The drive through endless orange groves in full fruit is one of Punjab's more unexpected pleasures. The best time to visit is January and February, when the weather is mild and the harvest is at its peak.