Fast Facts
Location : Andhra Pradesh
Known As : Capital of Andhra Pradesh
Attractions : Charminar, Makkah Masjid, Salar Jung Museum,
Birla Temple, Birla Planetarium, Hussain Sagar, Golconda Fort etc.
Best Time To Visit : October to March
Introducing Hyderabad
Popularly known as the 'City of Nizams,' Hyderabad is the capital of the
state of Andhra Pradesh. Consisting of the twin cities of Hyderabad and
Secunderabad, the city offers an interesting blend of old and new. Founded
in 1590 AD by Mohammed Quli, the fourth of the Qutab Shahi kings, Hyderabad
has remained an important centre of Islamic culture and boasts of a number
of splendid forts and monuments. Most interesting area of the city, is
located south of the river Musi, as it is home to Charminar, Salar Jung
Museum and lively Bazaars. On the north of the river, the main shopping
centres of the city is situated, that include Abids Circle, Sultan Bazaar
etc. Besides, today the city is one of the leading hubs in India for
information technology, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology and the BPO industry.
On the whole, a trip to Hyderabad is really a memorable experience as you
get a close look of the centuries old Nizami culture and the modern
technologies as well. So plan a trip to Hyderabad this vacation and
experience a journey of lifetime.
How to Reach Hyderabad
By Air : Hyderabad has two airports namely Rajiv Gandhi
Terminal (International) and N. T. Rama Rao Terminal (domestic). Hyderabad
airport is 8 km north of the city at Begumpet, and is well-connected by both
national and international carriers. Auto-rickshaws, taxis and buses are
available from the airport to various parts of the city. You can get prepaid
taxis and auto-rickshaws to and from the airport.
By Train : Secunderabad,
the twin city of Hyderabad is the headquarters of the South Central Zone.
Both Hyderabad and Secunderabad railway stations are well-connected to all
the major cities of India with a number of express and mail trains.
By Bus : The city of Hyderabad has a big bus terminal
which is well connected to other cities in the state by a number of
government run and private buses. The Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport
Corporation (APSRTC) buses and buses of neighbouring state roadways also ply
from here. Several express and deluxe coaches are available for inter-city
and inter-state services.
Local Tranport : For local transportation, taxis,
auto-rickshaws and other small vehicles are available. Chauffeur driven
private cars and taxis are available for long distance travel, operated by
Andhra Pradesh Travel and Tourism Development Corporation and private
operators. Within the Hyderabad city local buses services are very good.
Places Where You Can Stay
Hyderabad offers varied accommodation choices to its guests. In the city
you will find a variety of hotels ranging from 5 star to budget hotels.
Equipped with all the modern amenities the hotels of Hyderabad provide a
comfortable stay.
Five Star Hotels : Taj Residency (Banjara Hills), Taj
Banjara Hotel (Banjara Hills), Le Meridian Resort (Shamirpet), Hyderabad
Marriott (Bund Roa), Kakatiya Sheraton and Towers (Begumpet), Taj Krishna
(Banjara Hills) and Hotel Tulip Manohar (Begumpet).
Four Star Hotels : Hotel Aalankrita (Humkunta Village),
Hotel Green Park (Begumpet) and Best Western Hotel Amrutha Castle
(Saifabad).
Heritage Hotels : Hotel Taj Mahal (Abid Road)
Other Hotels : Aditya Park Inn (3 Star, Aditya Trade
Centre), Comfort Inn City Park (3 Star, Chirag Ali, Abids), Hotel Pearl
Regency (3 Star, Red Hills), Quality Inn Residency Hotel (3 Star, Public
Garden Road)
Tourist Attractions in
Hyderabad
Charminar : Situated in the heart of the old city,
Charminar is considered the landmark of Hyderabad. The huge triumphal arch
was built by Mohammed Qutab Shah in the year 1591 to commemorate the end of
the plaque in the city. Charminar is flanked on all sides by colourful
bazaars and from the top of the monument you get a superb view. Of course,
Charminar is equally impressive all the time, but in the flood-lights in the
evening its beauty increases many times.
Makkah Masjid : Standing close to the Charminar, Makkah
Masjid is one of the biggest mosques in the world and it can accommodate up
to 10,000 worshippers. Construction of Makkah Masjid during the reign of
Mohammed Quli Qutab Shah in 1614, but it was completed by Mughal Emperor
Aurangzeb in 1687.
Salar Jung Museum : Set on the south bank of the Musi
river, Salar Jung Museum is India's answer to the Victoria and Albert Museum
in London. Salar Jung Museum houses part of the huge collection of Yusuf Ali
Khan (Salar Jung III), one of the prime ministers of Nizam and his
ancestors. Here you will find Indian jade, miniatures, furniture, lacquer
work, Mughal opaque glassware, fabrics, bronzes, wood carvings, religious
objects, Persian miniature paintings, illuminated manuscripts, armour and
weaponry, swords, daggers and clothing of Mughal Emperors and Tipu Sultan.
Archaeological Museum : Archaeological Museum is situated
in the public gardens and deserves a visit. The museum has a small, but
interesting collection of archaeological finds, that include bronzes,
prehistoric tools, copper inscription plates, household utensils, weapons
and also an Egyptian mummy.
Birla Venkateshwara Temple : Perched atop the Kalabahad
Hill, north of the Public Gardens, the Birla Temple is open to all,
irrespective of caste and creed. The temple was constructed by the Birla
trust in 1976, entirely out of Rajasthani white marble. Birla temple is very
popular among the Hindus and it affords fine views of the Hussain Sagar lake
and the nearby places.
Birla Planetarium : Close to the Birla Mandir is the Birla
Planetarium, built by the same organization the Birla Trust. Show timinings
are Monday - Saturday (11.30 am, 4 pm and 6 pm), Sundays and Holidays (11.30
am, 3.45 pm and 6 pm).
Hussain Sagar Lake : An artificial lake, Hussain Sagar is
the large expanse of water - separating the twin cities of Hyderabad and
Secunderabad. In the centre of the lake stands a massive stone statue of the
Lord Buddha. You can reach to the statue through the regular boats available
from the Lumbinin Park, just off Secretariat Road.
Nehru Zoological Park : One of the largest parks in India,
Nehru Zoological Park spread out over 120 hectares of landscaped gardens.
Here the animals are kept in large open enclosures and have been provided
with good facilities. The park is open from 9 am, till 6 pm daily except
Mondays.
Tourist Attractions Around Hyderabad
Golconda
Fort : Just 11 kms west of old Hyderabad, Golconda Fort is situated 122
m above the plain. Golconda was the capital of the Qutub Shahi Kings from
1518 to 1590, when the court was moved to the new city of Hyderabad. A
well-preserved fort, Golconda Fort is considered one of the most impressive
forts in India. Although, many of the structures inside the citadel have
destroyed due to past sieges and the ravages of the time, but even today the
ruins of the extensive fort are enough to give a good impression of what the
fort must once look like. Buses are offered by the Hyderabad Tourist Office
to the fort. Sound and Light is the major attraction of the fort which is
organized in the evening and provide good information about the history of
the fort.
Qutab Shahi Tombs : About a km north of the outer
perimeter wall of Golconda lies the tombs of Qutab Shahi Kings. The tombs
are fairly small but these are impressive structures, set in peaceful
landscaped gardens. All together there are 82 tombs, a number of them
display beautifully carved stonework. You can reach the tombs by road or by
picking your way across the grassy verges and filed below the Golconda
fort's battlements.
Ramoji Film City : One of world's largest integrated film
studio complex, Ramoji Film City, is located 25 kms away from Hyderabad on
Vijayawada National Highway. Spread over an area of 2,000 acres, Ramoji Film
City is also considered one of Asia's most famous tourism and recreation
centres.
Shopping in Hyderabad
Hyderabad is an ultimate, shopping paradise and any trip to the city is
incomplete without some shopping. Shopping in the markets of Hyderabad will
be a fascinating experience for you. While shopping in Hyderabad you can buy
birdiware, banjar mirrors, lac bangles, kalamkari fabric, leather puppets,
venkatigiri sarees, perfumes and the famour pearls. Most popular shopping
centres of Hyderabad include Basheerbagh, Abids, Nampally, Begum Bazaar,
Osmanganj, Charminar, Patthargatti, Laad Bazaar, Mahatma Gandhi Road,
Narayanguda etc.
