India is a land of varied cultures and traditions with as many myths surrounding the facts as the diversity that you find in this vast land. Dubbed as a ’sub-continent’ for the geographic and cultural disparities that range across its turf, few cities in the country, if any, sum it up like Hyderabad.

The city of Hyderabad is located on top of the Deccan Plateau and is a virtual meeting point for people and cultures of both North and South India. Anyone willing to call Hyderabad ‘his own’ has been welcome here and that is what makes this ‘City of Nizams and Pearls’ one of the fastest growing cities in the country and a warm and delightful place for those who wish to study, understand and experience India.

While the city does not really mirror the country’s vast landscape and its amazing natural diversity, it makes up for whatever nature has not offered in human resources and modern development. Safe and secure in the heart of India, Hyderabad has some unique, spectacular and special treats in store for every enthusiastic visitor. So how about delving into the best there is on offer…

Charminar- Over 400 years of heritage

While Hyderabad’s presence dates back to 500 BC, the modern city came into existence in its present form around 1512. Charminar is the long lasting symbol of the city and the impressive structure with four minarets is something that is a must visit for all those who step into the city.

As impressive as the structure is at night, the famous market that specializes in handcrafted pearl jewelry not too far away could interest the holiday season shoppers a lot more.

Salar Jung Museum

The museum houses the largest one-man collection of antiques in the world and it might take more than a single day for a student of art, history and culture to get across its vast collection. The museum sports some of the best artifacts that range from European art to Far Eastern war weapons. Do not miss a glimpse of the sensuously beautiful Veiled Rebecca crafted by G.H. Benzoni, an Italian sculptor, in 1876.

Mecca Masjid

The stone-built mosque is known for its special symmetry and the gateway bricks that are believed to be from Mecca. It has a unique architectural design that is central Asian in style and standing adjacent to the Charminar, it gives a glimpse into the life of the city.

Nehru Zoological Park

Shifting from the architecture to nature and from the ancient to the modern, the Nehru Zoological Park is the largest in India. It houses the best collection of animals on display in the country and its vast 300 acres will keep you busy on your feet or even in your car. Do not miss an Elephant trip or the Lion Safari inside the park.

Birla Mandir- Science Museum and Planetarium

The spectacular Birla Mandir is an all-marble Hindu temple located in the heart of the city on top of a hill. Not only does it stun you with its design and use of marble, but will give you a spectacular view of the city lit up during the night. A short climb to the top will be worth the effort for sure.

The state-of-the art science Museum right next to it is both loads of fun and also houses a mounted Kotasaurus yamanpalliensis, the remains of a 160 million old dinosaur. Just do not take your dog along with you on this… Too many bones!

Ramoji Film City and Tollywood

Film-making is a vibrant and passionate art in Hyderabad with nearly 200 films each year being made in the local language – that is Telugu. Keeping in line with the passion, Ramoji Film City (RFC) is the world’s largest integrated film studio complex at over 2,000 acres and has the world’s best technology when it comes to film making.

The studio is open to tourists all through the year, and you would be startled to find a mini Rome, Paris and Washington in its vast space. The city’s love for movies reflects in its cult-like status of its late actor-turned-leader N.T.Rama Rao, and his resting place is surrounded by a beautiful garden that merits a visit for sure.

Apart from the enjoyable tour of Ramoji Film City, there are scores of other studios and Tollywood – the telugu-movie making industry as it is fondly known – always has plenty on offer in one of the multiplexes. But do not dare take a look unless it is highly recommended as most of them are not all that high in quality!

The Necklace Road

The Necklace Road is a renowned boulevard that runs the perimeter of Hussain Sagar, the 400 year-old artificial lake that separates the cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad. It offers plenty of fun in the Lumbini Park, the Public Gardens and a nice evening walk along the Hussain Sagar Lake. Thanks to the public art, the place is one of the most stunning in the city. Check out these black statues …

Hussain Sagar and the ‘Rock of Gibraltar’

The man-made lake is famous for the 19-metre tall Buddha statue on a platform island called Rock of Gibraltar in the middle of the lake, and for the Tank Bund which consists of beautiful gardens and statues of famous personalities. Boating and water sports are a regular feature here and a cool evening walk will ensure that you come across many eager couples looking for privacy. Just make sure you do not disturb any!

The statue of Buddha on the rock at the center is can be viewed from close quarters through a boat ride. The architecture of the giant statue is fascinating and many luxury trips that are on offer will make it all the more fun.

Falaknuma Palace and Chowmahalla Palace

Both the beautiful palaces are a heritage of the Nizam rulers that once reined over the region. Yet the architecture is typically European in style with the complete design being overlooked by Italian architects. The Falaknuma is a grand palace that captivates you with its splendor and grandeur.

Chowmahalla Palace also sports a similar look, though its design is more Middle-Eastern in style.

Superb Connectivity and Splendid Cuisine

The general perception with India is that it is poorly connected with bad infrastructure and an image of the ‘land of magic and snake-charmers’, which is everything that Hyderabad is not. This makes it one of the best places to visit in the country as its international airport is the second best in the country after the one in Delhi, the nation’s capital.

More importantly, The Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation runs a fleet of 19,000 buses – the largest in the world – making traveling all the more easy. Hyderabad also has light rail transportation system known as the MultiModal Transport System (MMTS), which is swift and connects well with the road transport. The city is still a congested place, yet the connectivity eases many problems that tourists otherwise have to deal with.

Hyderabadi cuisine is a blend of Mughal and Persian cuisine, but you can almost get any other cuisine you chose. Local delights come in the form of Hyderabadi Biryani, Irani chai and the spicy Andhra food.

From a mosque that takes inspiration from Mecca to a statue of Buddha, from a Hindu temple in the heart of the city to the European-styled palaces, the city is a rare and fascinating mixture of religions, cultures and even eras. With world-class facilities in entertainment, business, and education, to celebrating traditions like Ramzan and Ganesh Chaturthi in pomp, the city reflects modern India that embraces the world and welcomes everyone with open heart and doors.

As you leave the city, the one thing you will remember the most is the warmth of the local ‘Hyderabadi’ who will go out of their way to make your holiday trip an experience of a lifetime.

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