NEW DELHI (June 5, 2012): Old Delhi, where the majority of captivating historical monuments are located, and New Delhi, which exudes a modern image, provide a compelling mixture of old and new panoramas for any visitor to India.
Located on the banks of the Yamuna River, Delhi is said to have existed since the sixth century, which explains its rich heritage and diversity.
With a population of 19 million, Delhi is a very energetic city, and like any other major town in India, places in Delhi are easily accessible by trains, cabs, buses and the infamous auto rickshaws.
The Delhi Metro – with its vast network of stations located within walking distance from many of the historical monuments and attractions – provides an added advantage for tourists, especially for those who want to avoid haggling over fares with cab or rickshaw drivers.
Tourists can purchase a one-day or three-day unlimited travel card for Rs150 (RM8.85) and Rs300 (RM17.70), respectively, which includes a refundable deposit of Rs50 (RM2.95) if the travel card is returned in good condition.
Although Hindi and Urdu are the prevalent languages here, English is widely spoken, which makes it easier for foreign visitors to move about.
A City Within Cities
Plenty of venues await visitors to Delhi, such as the Red Fort, Humayun’s Tomb, Qutub Minar, Jama Masjid, India Gate, the Lotus Temple and the Akshardham Temple, which should not be missed.
The Red Fort, also known as Lal Qila, was built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan and once served as the royal abode; it was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007.
"The Red Fort was a city within a city for the royal family during Emperor Shah Jahan’s time," said a passionate traveller from Simla, Tanuja Sud.
"I believe that the women could not leave the fort, and their shopping needs were taken care of by the bazaar within the walls of the fort," said Sud, who shares her travel experience through her ‘Savvy Travellers' page on Facebook.
Humayun's Tomb is another enormous monument with splendid architecture and is currently undergoing restoration.
The tallest minaret in India, the Qutub Minar, is equally beautiful -especially at sunset - while the Lotus Temple, a modern marvel, provides a breathtaking view. For Muslim travellers, the 350-year-old Jama Mosque, also built by Shah Jahan, is a place they must visit.
The mosque houses several well-preserved relics, including an antique copy of the Quran written on deer skin, a red beard-hair and the sandals of the Prophet, and the Prophet's footprint embedded in a marble slab.
Most of these places, except for the Qutub Minar, are located in Old Delhi, which the Lonely Planet travel guide has aptly described as "unruly Old Delhi with a wonderful raw and unique charm."
Other places worth mentioning are the Safdarjang Tomb, Purana Qila, Raj Ghat, Connaught Place and Jantar Mantar.
Akshardham is one of the latest attractions of Delhi; it is a cultural complex displaying the glory of Indian culture.
For those who are keen to see more of Emperor Shah Jahan's enduring legacy, a one-day visit to the Taj Mahal, located in Agra about 200 km away from Delhi, will complete Shah Jahan's marvellous architectural trail.
Delhi and Its Parks
Apart from the historical places, Delhi is also well known for its parks and gardens. New Delhi is said to be one of the greenest capital cities in the world, which makes it one of the top-three capitals in terms of its bird population as well.
here are at 11 notable parks in Delhi - Nehru Park, Lodhi Gardens, Garden of the Five Senses, Aatha Kunj, Buddha Jayanti Park, Delhi Ridge, Indraprasht Park, Kalindi Kunj, Mahatma Gandhi Park, Netaji Subhash Park and Talkatora Gardens.
According to UEM Group Bhd’s country head in India, Muhinder Singh, New Delhi is an amateur bird photographer’s dream come true.
"The best time for bird watching is during the cool pre-winter months from November to December, and from February to March, when it is comfortable to be outdoors," says the avid photographer.
"One of my favourite haunts is the Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary, which is just a 40-minute drive from Gurgaon. It has an amazing variety of birds, from tiny sunbirds to the regal Sarus crane, which is as tall as me!" he further illustrates.
Eateries and Shopping
India, as a whole, is often regarded as a shopping heaven, and Delhi has a myriad of offerings.
There are a number of places such as Chandni Chowk, Sarojini Market, Janpat Market, Khan Market and Lajpat Nagar, where visitors can shop till they drop.
However, one needs to employ one's bargaining skills in all these markets to get a good deal. Regarding eateries, the city serves lavish Mughal dishes; however, it is good to be careful and stay away from street food to avoid the 'Delhi Belly' (traveller's diarrhoea) that is a common consequence of consuming street fare in much of India.
Karim's, a leading restaurant located opposite the Jama Masjid, was once ranked among the top restaurants in Asia by Time magazine. Today, the fourth generation of royal chefs of Karim’s continue offering Mughal delicacies within a luxurious Mughal ambience.
If eating at the Jama Masjid eatery is not an option, tourists can check out one of the restaurant's branches in Nizamuddin, Kailash Colony, Noida, Gurgaon or Kamla Nagar.
Located on the banks of the Yamuna River, Delhi is said to have existed since the sixth century, which explains its rich heritage and diversity.
With a population of 19 million, Delhi is a very energetic city, and like any other major town in India, places in Delhi are easily accessible by trains, cabs, buses and the infamous auto rickshaws.
The Delhi Metro – with its vast network of stations located within walking distance from many of the historical monuments and attractions – provides an added advantage for tourists, especially for those who want to avoid haggling over fares with cab or rickshaw drivers.
Tourists can purchase a one-day or three-day unlimited travel card for Rs150 (RM8.85) and Rs300 (RM17.70), respectively, which includes a refundable deposit of Rs50 (RM2.95) if the travel card is returned in good condition.
Although Hindi and Urdu are the prevalent languages here, English is widely spoken, which makes it easier for foreign visitors to move about.
A City Within Cities
Plenty of venues await visitors to Delhi, such as the Red Fort, Humayun’s Tomb, Qutub Minar, Jama Masjid, India Gate, the Lotus Temple and the Akshardham Temple, which should not be missed.
The Red Fort, also known as Lal Qila, was built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan and once served as the royal abode; it was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007.
"The Red Fort was a city within a city for the royal family during Emperor Shah Jahan’s time," said a passionate traveller from Simla, Tanuja Sud.
"I believe that the women could not leave the fort, and their shopping needs were taken care of by the bazaar within the walls of the fort," said Sud, who shares her travel experience through her ‘Savvy Travellers' page on Facebook.
Humayun's Tomb is another enormous monument with splendid architecture and is currently undergoing restoration.
The tallest minaret in India, the Qutub Minar, is equally beautiful -especially at sunset - while the Lotus Temple, a modern marvel, provides a breathtaking view. For Muslim travellers, the 350-year-old Jama Mosque, also built by Shah Jahan, is a place they must visit.
The mosque houses several well-preserved relics, including an antique copy of the Quran written on deer skin, a red beard-hair and the sandals of the Prophet, and the Prophet's footprint embedded in a marble slab.
Most of these places, except for the Qutub Minar, are located in Old Delhi, which the Lonely Planet travel guide has aptly described as "unruly Old Delhi with a wonderful raw and unique charm."
Other places worth mentioning are the Safdarjang Tomb, Purana Qila, Raj Ghat, Connaught Place and Jantar Mantar.
Akshardham is one of the latest attractions of Delhi; it is a cultural complex displaying the glory of Indian culture.
For those who are keen to see more of Emperor Shah Jahan's enduring legacy, a one-day visit to the Taj Mahal, located in Agra about 200 km away from Delhi, will complete Shah Jahan's marvellous architectural trail.
Delhi and Its Parks
Apart from the historical places, Delhi is also well known for its parks and gardens. New Delhi is said to be one of the greenest capital cities in the world, which makes it one of the top-three capitals in terms of its bird population as well.
here are at 11 notable parks in Delhi - Nehru Park, Lodhi Gardens, Garden of the Five Senses, Aatha Kunj, Buddha Jayanti Park, Delhi Ridge, Indraprasht Park, Kalindi Kunj, Mahatma Gandhi Park, Netaji Subhash Park and Talkatora Gardens.
According to UEM Group Bhd’s country head in India, Muhinder Singh, New Delhi is an amateur bird photographer’s dream come true.
"The best time for bird watching is during the cool pre-winter months from November to December, and from February to March, when it is comfortable to be outdoors," says the avid photographer.
"One of my favourite haunts is the Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary, which is just a 40-minute drive from Gurgaon. It has an amazing variety of birds, from tiny sunbirds to the regal Sarus crane, which is as tall as me!" he further illustrates.
Eateries and Shopping
India, as a whole, is often regarded as a shopping heaven, and Delhi has a myriad of offerings.
There are a number of places such as Chandni Chowk, Sarojini Market, Janpat Market, Khan Market and Lajpat Nagar, where visitors can shop till they drop.
However, one needs to employ one's bargaining skills in all these markets to get a good deal. Regarding eateries, the city serves lavish Mughal dishes; however, it is good to be careful and stay away from street food to avoid the 'Delhi Belly' (traveller's diarrhoea) that is a common consequence of consuming street fare in much of India.
Karim's, a leading restaurant located opposite the Jama Masjid, was once ranked among the top restaurants in Asia by Time magazine. Today, the fourth generation of royal chefs of Karim’s continue offering Mughal delicacies within a luxurious Mughal ambience.
If eating at the Jama Masjid eatery is not an option, tourists can check out one of the restaurant's branches in Nizamuddin, Kailash Colony, Noida, Gurgaon or Kamla Nagar.
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