Pearl City: Hyderabad

Located on the banks of the Musi River, Hyderabad is the largest and capital city of Andhra Pradesh. Renowned for its history and tradition, Hyderabad is noted for its unique culture, a lineage which can be traced back to the Asaf Jahi rulers. The city of Hyderabad was established in 1591 CE by Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah. Later, seven Nizams ruled Hyderabad for two centuries until Indian independence in 1947.

Today, the city depicts an interesting confluence of the traditional and the modern, the past and the present. As a symbol of its progress, IT companies such as Microsoft and Google have their India headquarters here. To enjoy art,architecture, culture, jewelry collection and rich food, Hyderabad is the place to visit.

Hyderabad is a tourist destination and has many places of interest. It is divided into the Old City and the New City, both with an altogether unique charm of their own. Some of the hotspots which definitely ought to feature in your itinerary include:

1) Charminar- Located in the Old City, Hyderabad has come to be associated with the iconic Charminar. Located in the Old City, it is said to have been built as a charm against a deadly epidemic raging in 1591. The structure of Charminar has four graceful minarets projected towards the sky. Approximately 45 prayer spaces can be found inside.

2) Golconda Fort- Capital of the Qutb Shahi kingdom, Golconda Fort happens to be one of the most magnificent fortress complexes in India. A Light and Sound show held in the evenings is a huge attraction for tourists, wherein the glorious past of Golconda is narrated and depicted.

3) Salar Jung Museum- Home to the largest one-man collection of antiques in the world, a tour through this museum is very different from a History class, making it one of the most visited tourist spots of Hyderabad,

4) Ramoji Film City- Certified as the largest integrated film city in the world by Guinness World Records, Ramoji Film City should definitely be included in your itinerary. Constructed over a sprawling 1,666-acre of land, it has numerous attractions ranging from striking gardens, captivating live stunt shows and an amusement park.

5) Hussain Sagar Lake- An artificial lake, it forms the boundary between Hyderabad and Secunderabad. At the centre of the lake stands a famous statue of the Buddha, which can be accessed through the various boat rides to it.

No visit to Hyderabad would be complete without sampling its unique cuisine – a rich blend of royal Mughlai flavours, Nizams special, and traditional South Indian food. Hyderabad is famous for its biryanis. There are no words to describe the taste of the Biryani, particularly at Paradise restaurant. Enjoy South Indian food items like dosa, idli and the rest at Chutneys restaurant. For sweets, do not miss the biscuits of Karachi bakery.

The best time to visit the city is from mid-November to mid-February. The months between March to May are best avoided as they are severely hot, with the temperature soaring above 45C. The region receives moderate
rainfall.

So get your tickets booked and hotel reserved to enjoy the glorious city of Hyderabad!