Tourist Attractions : Charminar, Golconda Fort
Local Tongue : Urdu, Telugu, Hindi and English
Best time to Visit : September to February
STD Code : (91) - 40
About Hyderabad
The city of Hyderabad in southern India is a complete delight for trip-makers. The imposing Char Minar, the Jama Masjid and the Mecca Masjid are a few grand names that make travellers flock to Hyderabad, the capital city of the state of Andhra Pradesh. Hyderabad is mostly remembered for its Qutub Shahi period wonders. Today, the city is known not only in terms of historical importance but also because of its being the information technology hub of India. The city of Hyderabad was first ruled by the Qutub Shahi rulers. Next, it was reigned by Mughal emperor Aurangzeb and the Asaf Jahi dynasty, finally being merged into the Indian Union. Apart from giving you wonderful sightseeing options, Hyderabad also offers travellers the choicest of cuisines, that leave a good taste for a long time.
Major Tourist Attractions in Hyderabad
Sightseeing in Hyderabad is truly a wonderful experience. There are lakes, museums, mosques, forts and palaces to visit. Given below are some of the most visited tourist attractions in Hyderabad.
Charminar
The most popular landmark in Hyderabad, Charminar is situated in the centre of the old city amidst bustling bazaars. The four sided towering structure was built by Mohammed Quli Qutub Shah in 1591 in the newly formed city of Bhagyanagar (later renamed Hyderabad) shortly after shifting his capital there from Golconda. The ruler built the monument in the memory of his wife Bhagmati and is believed to have been constructed on the exact spot where he saw her for the first time.
Golconda Fort
Just a stone's throw away from Hyderabad, Golconda Fort is a magnificent fortress built by the Kakatiya rulers during the 13th century. Built on a 120 mts high granite hill, the fort was originally built as a mud construction but was later extended to include granite structures that is almost 5 km in circumference.
Hyderabad Palaces
The historic city of Hyderabad houses a number of beautiful palaces that stand as witnesses to its rich historical past. Two of the most amazing structures in Hyderabad are the Falaknuma Palace built by Nawab Vikar Ulmara and the Ashmangarh Palace built by Asman Jah, the former prime minister of Hyderabad.
HITECH City
The old part of Hyderabad is laden with ancient structures while the newer version of the place presents a completely different aspect with ultramodern structures, beautiful architecture and contemporary shopping complexes studded in every nook and corner. HITECH city (Hyderabad Information Technology Engineering Consultancy City), situated in the Madhpur area is a 10 storeyed cylindrical structure that houses offices of Indian and International IT giants in over 5,00,000 sq. feet of area.
One of the must visits in Hyderabad is the pearl bazaar where beautiful pearls coming in from all over the world pass through the hands of skilled craftsmen to be molded into gorgeous jewellery. Other nearby markets sell clothing items including colorful attire as sported by some of the known tribes of Andhra Pradesh.
Biryani Delights
The Mughals have left a deep impression on Indian culture including everything from its architecture to cuisine. Biryani (a dish made of rice and mutton) is an integral part of the Hyderabadi cuisine that best showcases the impact of Mughal culture on a platter. For non-vegetarians, biryani promises a complete gastronomical treat which makes an inherent part of every Hyderabadi celebration. The Hyderabadi biryani has become famous all over the country for its unique flavour and aroma and the spices used ensure complete satisfaction of taste and hungriness. While in Hyderabad, do not miss out on a huge platter of delectable biryani.
Popular Getaways from Hyderabad
Excursions always add to a traveller's taste. And from Hyderabad as well, you can plan quite a few getaways to make the most of your trip to India. Here are some of the most preferred getaways from Hyderabad.
Warangal
The historical city of Warangal is located 140 km north of Hyderabad. The erstwhile capital of the Kakatiya rulers dates back to the 11th century and houses a number of ancient structures of tourist interest. An ancient star shaped temple dating back to the 13th century is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Other places of tourist interest around Warangal are Vinayak Sagar and Kondapuram.
Nagarjunakonda
An important Buddhist centre, Nagarjunakonda lies 150 km south-east of Hyderabad. Among the major tourist attractions here are the 2nd century ruins of a Buddhist centre and the world's largest masonry dam built on river Krishna.
Bidar
History comes alive in the form of 15th and 16th century old ruins at Bidar, situated at a distance of 150 km west of Hyderabad. The prominent tourist attractions at the place include the rangeen mahal or the colorful palace.
By Air : The Begumpet airport located at Hyderabad connects the city with all other major Indian cities and a number of International cities including those in the middle east, Singapore and more recently Chicago. An International airport is being constructed in the outskirts of the city and once complete will connect with a number of other destinations. Indian Airlines and other private carriers operate several flights a day connecting Hyderabad with other major Indian cities including Delhi and Mumbai.
By Rail : The Secunderabad railway station, situated at the centre of the city receives regular trains from all the major Indian cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Cochin, Bhubaneshwar and Rajkot. Daily trains between Delhi and Hyderabad are Dakshin Exp. and A P Exp.
By Road : Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation buses connect Hyderabad with all the neigbouring cities in and outside the state. National Highways 7 & 9 pass through the city.
Distance from Hyderabad to Major Cities
- Aurangabad : 554 Km
- Bangalore : 562 Km
- Nagpur : 487 Km
- Pune : 548 Km
- Tirupati : 592 Km
- Vijaywada : 267 K
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