Location :
Andhra Pradesh
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.
Popular Shopping Centres in Hyderabad
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.
Hyderabad Travel (Airport/Railway/Road)
Information
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 Km
