Hyderabad is one of those rare cities that is rich in culture and on par with the ever-increasing standards of modernity. Visiting Hyderabad is equivalent to traveling in a time machine. While the charm of Charminar and Golconda Fort transport you at least 400 years back in time, Hitech City’s ultra-modern infrastructure makes you feel like you’ve stepped into the future. With attributes like these, it’s no wonder Hyderabad is one of the most popular tourist destinations in India.

Charminar, a 420-year-old building made of granite, lime and powdered marble, is the pictorial representation of “Hyderabad”. The structure is a fine example of Indo-Islamic architecture and is aesthetically pleasing. Known as the Triumphal Arch of the Orient, Charminar presents a striking image, especially when illuminated at night. A visit to the Charminar is incomplete without exploring the market square that surrounds the monument. A tourist can easily pick up the perfect souvenir from one of the 14,000 shops present.

Golconda Fort is touted as one of the most magnificent forts ever built in India. Built by the Kakatiya kings, the fort includes a palace, a mosque, an armory, royal apartments, 80 gates and 4 drawbridges. The priceless Koh-i-Noor diamond was excavated in the mines located near this fort. Although it is in ruins, Golconda Fort still leaves a strong impression on the minds of visitors and is definitely worth a visit.

A visit to one of the many royal palaces gives us an insight into the luxurious life enjoyed by the rulers of Hyderabad. The structures themselves are architectural marvels, and the striking interior designs mimic various medieval Middle Eastern and Gothic architectural styles. The ingenuity of Indian architects is evident in the marvelous designs of Chowmahalla Palace, Asman Garh Palace, Falanuma Palace, Taramati Baradari, King Koti Palace, and Bella Vista, among others.

The beautiful temples, mosques, churches and monasteries found in the city prove that Hyderabad has always been secular in nature. Makkah Masjid, a majestic mosque believed to have been built from bricks brought from Mecca, is one of the most admired mosques in India. Shahi Masjid is one of the oldest mosques in Hyderabad, and its pleasing appearance continues to calm nerves to this day. Ananda Buddha Vihara is a Buddhist tourist destination that serves as a rest house for monks. Birla Mandir, Chilkur Balaji Temple and Sanghi Temple are other religious places in the city of Hyderabad that attract a lot of tourist traffic.

Hyderabad is also home to the world’s largest one-man collection of antiquities, which is displayed at the Salar Jung museum. The museum houses countless antiquities dating back a few centuries, and exploring the entire museum in one day is a Herculean task. Birla Science Museum and Birla planetaruim are other places that entertain and educate youngsters.

Ramoji Film City (RFC) is the world’s largest integrated film studio and theme park spread over 3,000 acres of land. Ranked among the most popular recreation centers in Asia, a visit to the movie city is the perfect way to end a trip in Hyderabad. RFC is always buzzing with activity as numerous events involving celebrities and movie buffs take place here. One can explore the many natural and man-made attractions in RFC either by taking a short guided tour or by staying in one of the 3 and 5 star hotels located at the entrance of the movie city.