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Guide to Hyderabad, India
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Click to go to Flight Prices for Hyderabad
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Hyderabad Located in south-central India, Hyderabad is a city centuries old with a brilliant story to its founding. Roughly in the 15th century, a prince founded Hyderabad (then known as Bhagnagar, or "city of good fortune", to live closely to a maiden from a village nearby. Today, the same quintessential passion still resides within its streets, but it has grown considerably since its founding and now lies on a sprawling plain with megalithic commercial structures dotting the landscape. For the historian in us, that might prove to be a big of a concern. Not to worry, Hyderabad has its past to show for in its mosques and, the most poignant site in the city, the Charminar. You'll alone be spending days in the markets, and if any vendors or store clerks have anything to say about it, you'll come away with a few trinkets as memories as well! Hyderabad has a great flavor of fun and excitement, and no matter what time of year or point of day it might be, the city is always alive the music of its boisterous society. That's not to say that locals don't know how to drop the maracas and get some down time. One thing is for sure: you'll never be bored of this town. So book your flight to Hyderabad today and be prepared for what is arguably the best city in southern India.
When to go:
Winter is the season of choice for many trekking to Hyderabad. It's cooler, it's calmer (though when everyone opts for the season, it's not exactly uncrowded), and definitely less of a drag than the searing months of summer. If you pack up for a trip during the period between October and February, the chance of a running into ruinous monsoon-like conditions are slim if altogether gone. People are generally friendlier too when they're dry, making them more talkative and open to offering restaurant or travel suggestions.
Getting there and around:
Just 8km north of the city, Hyderabad Airport serves all major domestic carriers and a few international services as well. Air travel isn't exactly on par with that of Delhi's, but you'll find connections to Europe and Asia quite easily. To/From further reaches of the globe, stopover arrangements are a must. Buses are the most frequent mode of transportation for travelers to/from the city, but taxis run a close second with their competitive prices that can easily be lowered through a bit of haggling and warm smiles. We'd love to suggest walking your way around Hyderabad, but we suspect such a widespread network of streets is best left up to buses and other vehicles to traverse. If you're on a tight budget, a bus is the best choice, but if there's some leeway in your funds, especially those for evening jaunts, you might want to make yourself familiar with the appropriate hand signals for waving taxis over to your position. It's common knowledge in the city to give tips for short sprints, but for lengthy excursions, the existing fare is adequate.
Attractions:
The Charminar is the most popular site in Hyderabad, and therefore the busiest. With roads leading in all four directions outward into the city, and an equal number of minarets commanding some of the highest viewpoints of the metropolis. It's a great structure with a fascinating interior to complement its equidistant walls on the perimeter. The courtyard(s) is probably the most inviting of its aspects. A glance at and into this 17th-century Indian triumph is a must on any traveler's list. Nearby, you can also view the Mecca Masjid, and if you share in the Muslim faith, you can enter its doors to see a prayer room capable of accommodating nearly 10,000 worshippers. It too boasts a courtyard that has it's own take on beauty. It was built in the same century as that of its neighbor, and as a result shares in a few architectural characteristics.
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