World by City

Heritage & monuments

Shaji-ki-Dheri

Open in Maps
Shaji-ki-Dheri

Shaji-ki-Dheri

Shaji-ki-Dheri is an archaeological site located on the outskirts of Peshawar. It is recognized as the location of the ancient Kanishka Stupa, once one of the largest Buddhist structures in the world. Travelers interested in Buddhist history and ancient Gandharan architecture visit this site to see the remains of the stupa and the surrounding ruins.

Getting There

The site is situated approximately 6 km from the Peshawar city centre. The most practical way to reach it is by hiring a local taxi or using a ride-sharing service. Depending on traffic conditions within the city, the journey typically takes 20 to 30 minutes.

Duration of Visit

Most visitors spend between 1 and 2 hours exploring the grounds. This allows enough time to walk through the ruins and observe the layout of the ancient complex.

When to Visit

Due to the open nature of the site and the local climate, visiting during the cooler winter months or early in the morning is recommended to avoid midday heat. The site does not typically experience heavy crowds, though it is quieter on weekdays.

Nearby Attractions

Because of its location, this site can be combined with other historical landmarks in Peshawar. Nearby points of interest include:

  • Kanishka Stupa: 0.1 km
  • City Museum: 1.3 km
  • Gorkhatri: 1.3 km
  • Gorakhnath Temple: 1.4 km

Updated September 8, 2026 · Edited by the World by City editors

Tickets & tours

Admission prices and opening hours change often, so we don't list them here. Check what's on sale and at what price below — booking ahead can cut the queue at some places.

GetYourGuide GetYourGuide 클룩 Klook Tiqets Tiqets KKday KKday WeGoTrip WeGoTrip

This place may not appear in the results — some sites are free to enter or sell tickets only at the gate.

Stays near Shaji-ki-Dheri

Sorted by distance, walkable ones first. Distances are straight-line.

Map and place data © OpenStreetMap contributors

Shaji-ki-Dheri Nearby stays

Check prices and availability on the booking sites.

Pick your dates — we'll search Peshawar hotels for you

Choose dates and guests, and the buttons below will open search results with your criteria. Prices differ between sites, so compare before you book.

View on Compare sites 부킹닷컴 View on Booking.com 호텔스닷컴 View on Hotels.com

Hotel membership

Staying at Accor hotels often? ALL Accor+ Explorer

A paid annual membership. It includes two free nights a year across Asia-Pacific, 30% off dining and 15% off drinks, and 15% off stays at more than 4,500 hotels worldwide.

Explore the membership

Itineraries including this place

3 nights, 4 days

Peshawar 4-Day Itinerary (3 Nights)

A 4-day route through Peshawar grouped by daily travel distance for optimal sightseeing.

Good to visit alongside

Kanishka stupa

Temples & religious sites

Kanishka stupa

A former site on the outskirts of Peshawar, Pakistan, at Shah-ji-ki-Dheri, where King Kanishka of the Kushan Empire built a great stupa in the 2nd century. It's a good spot to explore the traces of an ancient Buddhist site.

0.1 km away
City Museum, Gorkhatri

Museums & galleries

City Museum, Gorkhatri

A museum built atop the Gor Khatri archaeological site in Peshawar, opened in 2006. Visitors can explore the region's history right at the excavation grounds.

1.3 km away
Gorakhnath Temple

Temples & religious sites

Gorakhnath Temple

A Hindu temple in Peshawar's Gor Khatri area, dedicated to the god Gorakhnath. Built in 1851 and recognized as a heritage site, it's a quiet spot worth exploring for its historical value.

1.4 km away
Gorkhatri

Museums & galleries

Gorkhatri

A historic site in Peshawar, built during the Mughal era by Jahanara Begum, daughter of Shah Jahan, as a caravanserai. It's a good place to explore the remains of this old traveler's lodge.

1.4 km away
Sethi Mohallah

Shopping & districts

Sethi Mohallah

A lane within Peshawar's old walled city, lined with mansions left behind by the Sethi family. It's a pleasant place to stroll and admire buildings noted for their intricate woodwork.

1.6 km away
Wazir Bagh

Parks & gardens

Wazir Bagh

Wazir Bagh is an 18th-century garden in Peshawar, Pakistan.

1.6 km away