The city of smiles, of lights, of a thousand faces. Endearingly called the Pearl City, Hyderabad offers a variety of tourist attractions-Heritage monuments, Lakes and Parks, Gardens and Resorts, Museums to delectable cuisine and a shopping experience. Some of the tourist attractions are detailed here.
Charminar
Built when the city was born, the Charminar's four minars rise to a height of 180 feet with circular staircases going up.
Golconda Fort
Golconda has a chequered history with all the trappings of intrigue and murder. The founder of the Qutb Shahi dynasty Sultan Quli was murdered at the behest of his son. The last of the Qutb Shahis Abul Hassan was betrayed by his lieutenants, leading to the fall of the impregnable Golconda into the hands of the Moghals under Aurangzeb in 1687.
The fort is famous for its acoustics and ingenious water supply and drainage system The saga of Golconda is told through a sound and light show of unmatched quality and excellence.
Qutb Shahi Tombs
Planned and built during the reign of each one of the monarchs himself, the Qutb Shahi tombs tying a kilometre to the north of Golconda are a combination of Persian, Pathan and Hindu styles of architecture.
Salar Jung Museum
Considered the largest one-man collection of artefacts and antiques in the world, it includes masterpieces like the Veiled Rebecca in marble and the Margarette and Mephistopheles in a single solid block of wood, Chinese miniature paintings and thousands of such fabulous items.
Mecca Masjid
It is iocaated diagonally opposite the Charminar, Bricks for the main arch were brought from Mecca and thus the name, This huge mosque can accommodate at least 10,000 people at 'Namaaz', Chow Mohalla Palace complex.
Chow Mohalla Palace Complex
As the name suggests, the complex comprises four palaces in Moghal and European styles.
Paigah Tombs.
The Paigah tombs combine Moghal and Rajasthani styles of architecture. Like the Qutb Shahis, the Paigahs too preferred a single place for theirdead.
Purani Haveli
This palace was built by the second Nizam (Asaf jahi ruler) in European style during the later part of the 18th century. In the western wing is the famous wooden wardrobe. The palace now houses the Nizam's Silver Jubilee Museum.
BirlaMandir
This temple of Lord Venkateswara, is built in sculpted white marble on Kala Pahad. The idol in the temple is a replica of the one at Ttrupati.
Ramoji Film City
Proclaimed to be the biggest such venture in the world, it is a make believe world of its own on a sprawling 1,500 acres. It has star hotel accommodation, restaurants and a special section for children. Ramoji Film City offers special packages for different groups and has a daily tour too. It is located in Hayatnagar on the city outskirts.
Hi-Tec City
This modern tall structure 'Cyber Towers' houses the offices and work stations of international IT giants. An ultramodern annexe has come up next to the Hi-Tec City.
Nehru Zoological Park
One of the top zoo parks in the country it is four decades old and spreads over 350 acres adjacent to the Mir Alam Tank. It is the first zoo to have open and moated enclosures for animals instead of putting them in cages. Visitors can thus see the animals in near-natural habitat. It is among very few zoos in the country to have a lion safari, tiger safari and bear safari enclosure.
Botanical Gardens
The first of its kind in the State, it is to have 19 sections sprawling over 120 acres in the Kothaguda reserve forest right next to Hi-Tech City. Five sections have already been laid out and opened to the public.
NTR Garden
Developed on the shores of the Hussainsagar lake, the 34-acre garden is a memorial to late N.T. Rama Rao, former Chief Minister ofAndhra Pradesh.
Lumbini Park
The name comes as the park is right across the Buddha Statue and is within what was called the Buddha Poornima Project. A large floral clock at the entrance greets visitors and there is a musical fountain that enthralls visitors.
Indira Park
This is another park in the heart of the city, created out of scrubs and marshes, abutting the Tank Bund. It has a rock garden and a memorial to late M. Channa Reddy, a former chief minister and Governor.
Sanjeevaiah Park
This park too is named after a former chief minister Damodaram Sanjeevaiah. It is a beautiful park with stretches of lawns and a number of large trees.
KBR National Park
On the way to Hi-Tech City is the Kasu Brahmananda Reddy National Park, named after another ex - chief minister of the State. The KBR park spreads over 350 acres and has over 100 species of birds and small animals.
Public Gardens
In the busy area adjacent to the Hyderabad (Nampally) Railway Station are the Public Gardens amidst which are the Jubilee Hall, State Archaeological Museum and the Jawahar Bal Bhavan.
Lalitha Kala Thoranam
Located in the heart of the city, adjoining Public Gardens, the Lalitha Kala Thoranam is a veritable centre-stage of fine arts and performing arts.
Mahavir Harina Vanasthali National Park
Located 15 km from the city on the national highway towards Vijayawada, the 3,500-acre park has over one thousand black buck and spotted deer.
Mrugavani National Park
Located at Chilkur, 17 km from the city, it spreads over 900 acres with over 600 species of plants and trees, 20 species of mammals, 20 species of reptiles including pythons, cobras and vipers and 130 species of birds.
Necklace Road
The Necklace Road links the twin cities by connecting the Sanjeevaiah Park, Secunderabad, with Khairatabad in Hyderabad. The length of the road is 3.6 km and it is120 feet wide. The Necklace Road has a 3-acre people's plaza which hosts several events and celebrations.
Hussainsagar
The oldest excavated lake in the city came into existence even before Hyderabad was built. A large monolithic statue of the Buddha has been erected on a 'Rock of Gibraltar' in the centre of the lake.
Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation has a host of boating facilities on the lake, including the prestigious Bhagmati and Bhageerathi luxury cruisers. Both are ideally suited for get-togethers and meetings and Bhagmati has a beer bar-cum-restaurant.
Shamirpet
A picturesque lake on the outskirts of the city, Shamirpet offers wonderful views of nature's vista* The lake is surrounded by mighty hillocks and has lush greenery all around.
Osmansagar
This is a reservoir created on the River Isa, a tributary of the Musi River that runs through the city. It is a serene picnic spot now with lush gardens overlooking the lake.
Himayatsagar
The other reservoir created to overcome the flooding of the Must, this is another pitcuresque lake that supplies drinking water to the city. Both the Himayatsagar on the Musi and Osmansagar on the Isa were built by Osman Ali Khan, the VII Nizam. Both are good picnic spots.
Durgam Cheruvu
Located amidst the rocky terrain in Jubilee Hills, this 'secret lake' is now a haven for visitors with boating facilities, quietitude and fishing activity with a Restaurant. It is just next to Madhapur, where the Hi-Tec City is located.
Mir Alam Tank
The lake lies adjacent to the Nehru Zoo Park, through which is the entrance for the boating facility introduced by APTDC.
Runway-9
It is said to be the largest go-karting track in the country with a length of 711 metres. Snooker tables too help pass the time. It is located near Medchal, about 20 km from the city.
Treasure Island
It has a number of entertainment arcades and is the favourite of partying youngsters. A number of pop music shows have been held here. Located on 60 acres near Gandipet, it has horse-riding, go-karting and swimming as other attractions.
Aalankrita
A spectacular ethnic resort-cum-convention and cultural centre with cottages, restaurants, barbecue, swimming pool, meditation centre among other attractions.
Dhola-ri-Dhani
It is an ethnic Rajasthani village situated at Kompalli near Medchal and is ideal for parties and conferences. Located in 10 acres, it boasts authentic Rajasthani food.
Mini Golf Course
Set up in an acre of land in Sanjeevaiah Park abutting Hussainsagar, the mini golf course is an innovative family entertainment concept by Yogibear Entertainments with potential to attract the young and the old alike.
Santhigiri Ayurveda &Siddha Vaidyasala
Located at Prashashan Nagar, it provides various types of ayurvedic treatment and Panchakarma Chikitsa. This unit, with its head office at Tiruvananthapuram, Kerala, operates in coordination with Andhra Pradesh Tourism.
Gandipet
Gandipet is the village where Osrnansagar was built on the River Isa. The Nizam laid out a beautiful garden and built a 'Sagar Mahal' resort adjacent to the lake. Gandipet became a popular picnic spot.
AP State Archaeological Museum
One cannot miss this beautiful building as one passes by the Public Gardens. Constructed during the time of the VII Nizam in 1920, the museum is considered among the best in the country. Among its attractions are an Egyptian mummy, coins dating back to the Satavahana period of about second century BC, important Buddhist and Jain relics and sculpture of different periods and dynasties.
The Nizam's Museum
Located in Purani Haveli, south of the River Musi in the Old City, this museum mainly contains articles and gifts given to the VII Nizam Mir Osman Ali Khan on the occasion of his silver jubilee as ruler, in the year 1937. There are a number of vintage cars, silver models of prominent buildings and palaces at that time, the special throne made for the occasion and personal belongings of the Nizam, on display at the museum.
The museum is open six days of the week, except Friday, from 10.30 am to 5.00 pm.
Shopping
The historic c ity of Hyderabad is a shopper's delight. From the world famous pearls to traditional arts & crafts; from textiles of all the modern brands to ethnic wearthe city offers an astounding variety in shopping. And what's more unlike many other c ities, shopping in Hyderabad is not confined to any particular area.
What we have brought to you are mere glimpses of the array ot tourist attractions and entertainment Hyderabad has to offer. Come and experience tor yourself the exciting attractions with promise of more add-ons. Explore Hyderabad, explore excitement.
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