| The city of smiles, of lights, of a thousand faces. Endearingly called the
Pearl City, Hyderabad offers a variety of tourist attractions ranging from
Heritage monuments, Lakes and Parks, Gardens and Resorts, Museums to
delectable cuisine and a delightful shopping experience. Some of the tourist
attractions include... |
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CHARMINAR
The Charminar is as much the signature of Hyderabad as the Taj Mahal is of
Agra or the Eiffel Tower is of Paris. Mohammed Quli Qutb Shah, the founder
of Hyderabad, built Charminar in 1591 at the centre of the original city
layout. It was said to be built as a charm to ward off a deadly epidemic
raging at that time. Four graceful minarets soar to a height of 48.7m. above
the ground. Charminar has 45 prayer spaces and a mosque in it. Visitors can
view the architectural splendour inside the Charminar. The monument is
illuminated in the evenings and a pedestrianisation project around the
monument is under implementation. |
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GOLCONDA FORT
Golconda is one of the famous forts of India. The name originates from the
Telugu words “Golla Konda” meaning “Shepherd’s Hill”. The origins of the
fort can be traced back to the Yadava dynasty of Deogiri and the Kakatiyas
of Warangal. Golconda was originally a mud fort, which passed to the Bahmani
dynasty and later to the Qutb Shahis, who held it from 1518 to 1687 A.D. The
first three Qutb Shahi kings rebuilt Golconda, over a span of 62 years. The
fort is famous for its acoustics, palaces, ingenious water supply system and
the famous Fateh Rahben gun, one of the cannons used in the last siege of
Golconda by Aurangzeb, to whom the fort ultimately fell. |
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Sound & Light Show at Golconda Fort
The glorious past of Golconda Fort is narrated effectively with matchless
Sound and Light effects. The unique Sound & Light Show takes you right back
in time, when Golconda was full of life, glory and grandeur. |
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QUTUB SHAHI TOMB
The tombs of the legendary Qutb Shahi kings lie about a kilometre away from
Banjara Darwaza of the Golconda Fort. Planned and built by the Qutb Shahis
themselves, these tombs are said to be the oldest historical monuments in
Hyderabad. They form a large group and stand on a raised platform. The tombs
are built in Persian, Pathan and Hindu architectural styles using grey
granite, with stucco ornamentation, the only one of its kind in the world
where an entire dynasty has been buried at one place. |
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MECCA MASJID
A two hundred yards southwest of the Charminar is the Mecca Masjid, so named
because the bricks were brought from Mecca to build the central arch. The
Qutb Shahis never finished the building of the mosque, which was completed
by Aurangzeb in 1694. Mecca Masjid is poetry in stone, with a hall measuring
67m and soaring to a height of 54m. Fifteen graceful arches - five to each
of the three sides, support the roof. Towards the southern end of the mosque
lie the marble graves of members of the Asaf Jahi dynasty. |
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LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY
Built in 1913, the building was originally the Hyderabad Town hall. The
architecture is a synthesis of Rajasthani and Persian styles, with an all
white, aesthetic look. Located adjoining the picturesque Public Gardens, a
massive statue of Mahatma Gandhi in a sitting posture is erected at the
entrance park to the Assembly. |
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OSMANIA UNIVERSITY
Established in 1918, it is one of the oldest universities in India. Named
after Nizam Mir Osman Ali Khan, the university buildings are splendid,
especially the Arts College, which is a perfect example of Indo-Saracenic
architecture. |
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BIRLA MANDIR
This white marble temple of Lord Venkateshwara floats on the city skyline,
on Kala Pahad. The idol in the temple is a replica of the one at Tirupati. |
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SALARJUNG MUSEUM
This museum houses one of the biggest one-man collections of antiques of the
world by Mir Yousuf Ali Khan, Salar Jung III. The objects d’art include
Persian carpets, Moghal miniatures, Chinese porcelain, Japanese lacquerware,
famous statues including the Veiled Rebecca and Marguerite and
Mephistopheles, a superb collection of jade, daggers belonging to Queen Noor
Jahan and the Emperors Jahangir and Shah Jahan, Aurangzeb’s sword and many
other fabulous items. |
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ANDHRA PRADESH STATE ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM
A visit to the Andhra Pradesh State Archaeological Museum is a delight for
art lovers. Located in the picturesque Public Gardens, the museum boasts of
one of the richest repositories of antiques and art objects in the country.
Built in 1920 by the Nizam VII, the museum building itself is a fine example
of Indo-Saracenic architecture. The museum contains a Buddhist gallery,
Brahmanical & Jain gallery, Bronze gallery, Arms & Armour gallery,
Numismatics gallery, Ajanta gallery and more. Adjacent to the State Museum
is the Contemporary Art Museum. |
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THE NIZAM'S SILVER JUBILEE MUSEUM
The stately Purani Haveli, the palace acquired around the year 1750 by the
second Nizam, is now converted into a museum with a fascinating collection.
The museum exhibits the gifts and mementos presented to the last Nizam on
the occasion of the silver jubilee celebrations in 1937. A 1930 Rolls Royce,
Packard and a Mark V Jaguar are among the vintage cars displayed. There is
an interesting collection of models made in silver of all the prominent
buildings of the city and citations in Urdu about H.E.H. Mir Osman Ali Khan,
gold burnished wooden throne used for the silver jubilee celebrations, gold
tiffin box inlaid with diamonds, and a gold model of Jubilee Pavilion. |
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BIRLA PLANETARIUM / BIRLA SCIENCE MUSEUM
Birla Planetarium is India’s most modern planetarium and first of its kind
in the country. It is equipped with advanced technology from Japan and is
built on Naubat Pahad adjacent to Kala Pahad. And the Science Museum stands
tribute to the advancement achieved by Science and Technology. |
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CHOWK MOHALLA COMPLEX
Built in several phases by the Nizams between 1857-1869, this is now one of
the heritage buildings. The complex comprises four palaces in Moghal and
European styles, of which the main palace is double storeyed with the others
being single-storeyed blocks. |
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NEHRU ZOOLOGICAL PARK
Spanning 300 lush green acres, the Nehru Zoological Park is a must for
nature lovers. It has over 250 species of animals and birds, most of which
are kept in conditions as close to their natural habitats as possible. This
is the first zoo to create moated enclosures for animals. The Lion Safari
Park, Natural History Museum and Children’s Train are the added attractions.
APTDC runs an ice-cream parlour and restaurant here. |
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SHILPARAMAM - THE ARTS & CRAFTS VILLAGE
Another attraction at Madhapur beyond Jubilee Hills in Hyderabad is the
30-acre village, which showcases arts and crafts of the country. India is an
ocean of various arts and crafts but the talent of most of the artisans and
artists goes unrecognized. To encourage them and give the necessary boost to
their art, the crafts village hosts annual bazaars, where artists and
artisans from all over the country exhibit their talent. |
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PUBLIC GARDENS
Hyderabad has several beautiful gardens, one of the most popular being the
Public Gardens, which also encloses the State Legislature, State
Archaeological Museum, Jubilee Hall, Jawahar Bal Bhavan and Telugu Lalita
Kala Thoranam, an open-air theatre.
Boating: AP Tourism operates pedal boats in Public Gardens pond. |
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RAMOJI FILM CITY
A dream world created for the celluloid on a sprawling 1000 acres, with
every imaginable set and location, Ramoji Film City on the outskirts of
Hyderabad offers facilities to produce any kind of movie. Apart from sets,
there are hotels where artistes and technicians can stay. Visitors too can
go round in conducted tours that the management organises. |
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HITECH CITY
One of the modern monuments of trade and technology, it embodies the
newfound attitude of Hyderabad and today finds a place of pride. Situated on
the outskirts of the city, it is the nucleus of Cyberabad, the IT
destination in this part of the world. Cyber Towers is the main building
here. |
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LUMBINI PARK
This beautiful entertainment park is situated on the shore of Hussainsagar
lake. The landscaping here is a visual treat. A musically synchronized water
fountain and a floral clock are major attractions here. Lumbini Park jetty
is a major point for pleasure boating of AP Tourism. |
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HYDERABAD BOTANICAL GARDENS
The first Botanical Gardens in Andhra Pradesh, spread over 120 acres.
Already open to public is the first phase, with the completion of some
sections. The sections include medicinal plants, timber trees, fruit trees,
ornamental plants, aquatic plants and bamboos. The Park has been designed to
have large water bodies, rolling meadows, natural forests, rich grasslands
and exquisite rock formations. |
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HUSSAINSAGAR LAKE
Excavated in 1562 A.D. by Hussain Shah Wali during the time of Ibrahim Quli
Qutb Shah, the lake has a promenade that is a busy thoroughfare today.
Boating and water sports are a regular feature in the Hussainsagar. One of
the World’s tallest monolithic statues of the Buddha stands on the ‘Rock of
Gibraltar’, in the middle of the lake.
Added to all these, AP Tourism has additional boating facilities like speed
boats, motor boats, 48 seater launch etc. Starlit dinner on-board and
private parties also can be arranged on the Launch. |
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OSMANSAGAR LAKE
Osmansagar, better known as Gandipet, on the outskirts of Hyderabad is an
excellent picnic spot. Osmansagar is one of the two lakes on the city’s
periphery that supplies drinking water to the great metropolis. The lake is
a reservoir created by a dam across the Isa, a tributary of the River Musi.
Abutting the lake and the bund are lush gardens that provide the ideal
ambience for an outing. Overlooking the lake is the heritage building, Sagar
Mahal, built as a resort by the Nizam of Hyderabad and converted now into a
lake resort managed by AP Tourism. |
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SHAMIRPET
Located 24 km to the north of Secunderabad, Shamirpet has a beautiful lake
and a deer park. Its peaceful environs make it a great picnic spot. AP
Tourism offers comfortable cottage facilities for accommodation, while the
forest lodges can be booked with the AP Forest Department office at Saifabad.
Tourist Cottages. |
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MIR ALAM TANK
Mir Alam Tank is a large lake adjacent to Nehru Zoological Park. AP Tourism
operates boats on the lake, for which one has to enter through the Zoo. |
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SECRET LAKE (DURGAM CHERUVU)
The ‘Secret Lake’ is situated close to Shilparamam Crafts Village and Hitec
City, behind Jubilee Hills. AP Tourism organizes boating in the lake.
‘Something Fishy’, a bar Secret Lake (Durgam Cheruvu) |
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KBR NATIONAL PARK
One of the largest parks within the city KBR National Park is a Southern
tropical deciduous forest and the last vestigial representative of the
endemic flora of Hyderabad region, with over 100 species of birds, 20
species of reptiles and 15 species of butterflies. |
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MRUGAVANI NATIONAL PARK (CHILKUR)
Located 25 km. from Hyderabad, the park contains the endemic flora of
Hyderabad and is an urban refuge for small mammals like wildboar, jungle cat
etc. and birds. |
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MAHAVIR HARINA VANASTHALI NATIONAL PARK
Located 15 Km. from Hyderabad, the park has more than 350 black bucks, 400
cheetals and a number of wild boars, small mammals, reptiles and over 100
species of
birds. |
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RESORTS & THEME PARKS |
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OCEAN PARK
Ocean Park is located at Gandipet, 15 km from Hyderabad, in 20 acres of
landscaped gardens. It provides a number of amusement rides, water rides and
is equipped with facilities like multi-cuisine restaurant. |
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SNOW WORLD
It is the World’s biggest and India’s 1st Snow Theme Park. The visitors can
chill out at minus 5°C and go merry with SNOW and have a SNOW-FILLED fun
holiday. The Snow Park has achieved yet another milestone by introducing
Snow Fall, this is the first of its kind of Snow Fall introduced by any Snow
Theme Park or Snow Dome anywhere in the world. Slide and skate on ice and
throw snowballs at each other, Enjoy India’s first snow park. |
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TREASURE ISLAND
A picturesque holiday spot, the Treasure Island, located on 60 acres of
landscape at Gandipet, offers a variety of leisure and fun oriented
activities - horse riding, billiards, disco, go-karting, swimming pool and
so on. Night stay
facilities are available for Members |
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DHOLA-RI-DHANI
This is a typical setting recreated with the entire rustic ambience and
charm of an ethnic Rajasthani village, situated at Kompally on Medchal Road.
Camel rides, puppet shows, folk dances and authentic Rajasthani cuisine give
you the taste of the desert State. A large swimming pool, a lake to go
boating, an amphitheatre for plays and entertainment programmes add to the
ambience. Conferencing and night stay facilities available. |
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PRAGATI GREEN MEADOWS & RESORTS
Spread over 26 acres and an hour’s drive from Hyderabad, Pragati Resorts
offers facilities like swimming, boating, children’s park, coffee and snack
bar, restaurant, conference hall, uniquely designed cottages for overnight
stay. Pragati Sparsh, part of Pragati Resorts, set in the sylvan
surroundings, offers a complete range of Ayurvedic Treatment and medicines
in association with Santigiri Ashram of Kerala and in coordination with the
Department of Tourism. |
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DREAM VALLEY RESORTS
Nestled amidst lush green environs and located at Gandipet, Dream Valley
Resorts is a water theme park with waterslide, cascading waterfalls, water
squirts, a 9-hole golf course and go-karting track. |
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ALANKRITA-THE ETHNIC GATEWAY
Spread over an area of 10 acres, Aalankrita blends the convenience of a
5-star resort, the ambience of a heritage Aalankrita - the ethnic gateway
site and the ethnicity of the times gone by. Located about 16 km from
Secunderabad, the facilities here include an air-conditioned conference
hall, Well-side Restaurant, a pyramid shaped Meditation Centre, a covered
swimming pool for day and night use, a sunken dancing floor, air-conditioned
cottages, an antique shop, exhibition hall, walkways and a sprawling open
air theatre that can accommodate about 3000 people. |
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MOUNT OPERA
It is a huge multi-theme' park. Far from the hustle and bustle of the busy
city, this amusement part that offers a variety of entertainment and leisure
activities for the entire family. Built on a 50-acre plot, the park has
special packages for corporates and non-resident Indians. |
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