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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...
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.
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.
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.
Qutb Shahi Tombs:
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.
Click here to see the virtual tour of Qutb Shahi
Tombs.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Salar Jung 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.
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.
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.
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.
Chow 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.
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.
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.
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.
 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.
Click here to see the virtual tour of Ramoji Film
City
Hitec 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.
 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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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