Hyderabad: The city of pearls.

Hyderabad, located at the heart of the state Telangana of India, is known as the city of pearls.

History of Hyderabad:

In 1724, Asaf Jah I, the Mughal viceroy, founded the Asaf Jahi dynasty [Nizams]. Hyderabad served as the imperial capital of the Asaf Jahi's from 1769 to 1948. It was the capital of Hyderabad state from 1948-1956. After the States Reorganization Act 1956 has been introduced Hyderabad became the new capital of Andhra Pradesh. Following the split of Andhra Pradesh into Telangana and Andhra Pradesh in 2014, Hyderabad became the capital of newly formed Telangana state.

The city has emerged as an Indian hub of pharmaceuticals and biotechnology.

What makes Hyderabad special?

1) Climate:

Hyderabad has a tropical wet and dry climate. The avg temperature here is about 26°C. Summers are hot and dry with avg temperature in summers being in 30s, making it one of the most suitable spots to spend summer months in.

2) Geography:

Hyderabad is situated in south India along the banks of the river Musi. Hyderabad is dotted with small hills which does not make it difficult to travel from one part to another. The city also has numerous lakes, some of them being the- Hussian Sagar, Himayat Sagar, Osman Sagar and many more beautiful lakes to spend time with your loved ones.

3) Atmosphere:

The atmosphere here in Hyderabad is very diverse, some areas get very busy and noisy and becomes overcrowded with people. But there sure are some areas where there are comparatively less people. These places are mainly located in the outskirts of Hyderabad but travelling to the outskirts is not much of a problem. One can use the services of Hyderabad Metro Rail to get there quickly. These places are quite far from the busy areas, making it suitable for those who are tired of the city's daily noise.

Places to visit in Hyderabad:

1) Charminar:

The Charminar ( 'four minarets') is a monument located in Hyderabad, . Constructed in 1591, the landmark is a symbol of Hyderabad. Charminar is also a site of numerous festival celebrations. It is adjacent to the city's main mosque, the Makkah Masjid.

It is known for its popular and busy local markets surrounding the monument and has become one of the most frequently visited place in Hyderabad. The Charminar markets are famous for their uniquely designed jewelry. And this jewelry sure is known for its intricate details. You can also shop for clothing and bangles here. And don't forget to visit the Charminar's top floor and get amazing pics of the whole place.

Address: Charminar Rd, Char Kaman, Ghansi Bazaar, Hyderabad, Telangana 500002.

2) Golconda Fort:

The Golconda fort was originally built out of mud but was later fortified by Qutb Sahi Sultans into the present structure. The famous koh-i-noor and hope diamonds were once mined and stored in vault along with other diamonds. Golconda was known for its for diamonds mined in Kollur mines and atkur mines. At that time Golconda was the only place to have diamond mines in the entire world and was a popular attraction for foreign traders and invaders. High quality plain or patterned cloth made of muslin and calico was also produced

Golconda is a popular tourist attraction. One has to climb up to the top of the hill to reach to the structure. We can get a beautiful view of the surrounding city and the famous lake- Hussain Sagar. It is also a great source of history. The architecture is mesmerizing and eye catching.

3) Hussain Sagar:

Hussain Sagar is a artificially built lake. It is a great place for relaxation and the cool breeze that blows is just the right kind of thing to set your mood right.

At the center of the lake is a beautifully carved Buddha Statue. It was carved by over 200 sculptors. One can get to the statue by taking a boat ride from the Lumbini park. There are various things to do at Lumbini park too. Make sure to enjoy those too!

4) Salar Jung Museum:

The museum is located on the southern bank of the river Musi. It is the third largest museum in India. It holds some of the most ancient manuscripts, texts and priceless books. it also has stone sculptures, jade carvings, miniature paintings, woodcarvings, metal-ware, arms & armor, etc

It also houses the world-famous statue of Veiled Rebecca and Marguerite and Mephistopheles. Musical clock Salar Jung bought from Cook and Kelvey of England is also one of the magnificent artifacts in this museum that one shouldn't just miss to see.

Famous restaurants in Hyderabad

• Paradise (Paradise circle, Secunderabad)
• Bawarchi hotel ( Plot No. 44, RTC Cross Rd, Chikkadpally, New Nallakunta,)
• Cafe Bahar (Old MLA Quarters, Hyderguda, Basheer Bagh,)
• Pista House (20-4-140, Charminar, Shalibanda)
• Shadab (21-1-142/144, Madina Circle, Near High Court, Charminar)

5-Star Hotels:

• Taj Falaknuma Palace [Engine Bowli, Falaknuma, 500053]
• Park Hyatt [Road No. 2, Sri Nagar Colony, Banjara Hills, 500034]
• Taj Krishna, Taj Deccan
• ITC Kohenur, ITC Kakatiya
• The Golkonda Resorts & Spa [Sagar Mahal Complex, near Osman Sagar Lake, Gandipet, 500075]
• Le Meridien [Plot No: 25, 132, Gachibowli , Jayabheri Enclave, 500032]

Famous cafes and bakeries in Hyderabad:

• Cafe Niloufer
• Nimrah cafe and bakery
• Karachi bakery

Fun activities in Hyderabad

Wonderla, Ocean park, Shopping in Begum Bazar, Laad bazar, ice-cream at Moazzam Jahi Market, visit Hyderabad's biggest mall- Sarath City Capital Mall (Kondapur), visit famous temples such as- ISKCON, Birla temple etc., visit shilparamam (a famous place where one can find various handcrafted artifacts, visit Ramoji Film City, Catch the Thrill of Go Karting in Runway 9, Enjoy the peaceful nature looking at animals in Nehru Zoological park, watch a movie at PRASAD'S IMAX theaters, take a look at the amazing architecture of Jagannath temple, street food at Hitec City, Kukatpally, Charminar, Begum bazar.

*Underlined places are must visit places.

Do experience the feeling of travelling by local bus, auto, metro, MMTS, or by walk along the busy streets..

Hope you find this helpful.

Likith