Murree, Bhurban and Patriata are often lumped together as “Murree”, but they are three different places with different moods. Murree is the busy hill town with Mall Road. Bhurban is a quieter hill station a few kilometres further on. Patriata, also called New Murree, is the high point known for its chairlift and forest views.
This guide explains how they differ, what each is good for, and what to confirm before you go.
Quick answer
Choose Murree town for shopping, food and crowds. Choose Bhurban for a quieter stay. Choose Patriata for the lifts and forest viewpoints. All three are in Murree District, within a few hours’ drive of Islamabad. The Patriata cable car was reported suspended in mid-2026 for rope replacement, and we could not confirm that it has reopened, so check before you plan around it.
How the three differ
| Murree town | Bhurban | Patriata (New Murree) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | About 2,300 m | About 6,000 ft (around 1,800 m) | About 7,500 ft (around 2,300 m) |
| Character | Busy hill town, Mall Road | Small hill station with a large resort | Lifts, forest and viewpoints |
| Distance | About 70 km from Islamabad | About 9 to 11 km from Murree | About 15 km southeast of Murree |
| Best for | Shopping, snow, food | Quiet stays, golf | Chairlift, short walks |
Note that Kashmir Point, a well-known viewpoint at about 7,500 ft, is in Murree town on Mall Road. It is not in Bhurban.
Bhurban
Bhurban is a small hill station on the edge of the Hazara region. It is known for the Pearl Continental Bhurban resort, which has a nine-hole golf course. A travel wiki says day visitors were charged a refundable entry fee at the resort, but that figure is undated, so ask before you go. The forested hills nearby connect to the trails of Ayubia National Park. See our Ayubia National Park guide for those walks.
Patriata (New Murree)
Patriata is the highest point in its area, at about 7,500 ft, and has a chairlift and a cable car that climb to Patriata Point. An undated blog describes the ride as about 12 minutes over roughly 1.4 km. Heavy forest around the site is home to monkeys and leopards.
Check operating status. On 4 June 2026, the Patriata cable car suspended while the rope was replaced, with a 1 to 1.5 month estimate, and the chairlift still running. We could not find confirmation of a reopening. A June 2019 incident, when a chain slipped and 106 people were stranded overnight before rescue, led to inspections, which is a reminder to check conditions on the day and avoid the lifts in strong wind.
How they differ from Murree town
A travel wiki describes Murree as overcrowded and litter-strewn in peak season, and lodging prices as five to six times higher in summer than in winter. Bhurban and Patriata are quieter, but a resort can still fill with day visitors in summer. For a comparison with another hill area, see our guide to Murree vs Nathia Gali, and our overview of Murree.
Getting there from Islamabad
Murree is about 70 km from Islamabad. Sources give times of 45 minutes to 1.5 hours, depending on traffic and whether you use the expressway or the old road. Bhurban and Patriata add roughly another 10 to 15 km on narrower, winding roads, where cars can overheat and landslides are a risk. A travel wiki also warns of accidents on the expressway.
Snow and the best time to visit
Summers are mild with light rain and cool evenings. Winters bring thick snow and freezing temperatures. In January 2026, the area saw its heaviest snowfall in about 20 years, up to 5 ft, and visitors were banned from travelling to Murree while thousands of stranded vehicles were cleared. A later report said Murree would restrict tourists without hotel reservations. If you plan a snow trip, read our Murree snowfall guide, book a room first and check the latest advisory the day before.
Sample plan: a day trip from Islamabad
- Leave early to beat traffic on the expressway.
- Spend the morning at Patriata, choosing the chairlift if the cable car is not running.
- Have lunch in Bhurban, then head back before evening traffic builds.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bhurban part of Murree?
Bhurban is a separate hill station in Murree District, around 9 to 11 km from Murree town.
What is Patriata known for?
Its chairlift and cable car, forest views and a high viewpoint at about 7,500 ft.
Is the Patriata cable car open?
It was reported suspended in June 2026 for rope replacement. We could not confirm that it has reopened.
Is Kashmir Point in Bhurban?
No. It is on Mall Road in Murree town.
Operating status, fares and road conditions change. Confirm them before you travel.
Sources
- ProPakistani, cable car service suspended (4 June 2026)
- Dawn, Patriata chairlift incident (July 2019)