New Delhi Sightseeing 

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Top Things to See
 

New Delhi boasts an extensive collection of museums, monuments, parks, and galleries. The list below highlights a few of the many places of culture that are popular venues on tourists’ routes. There are many more other areas that are worth a visit, but these should top any visitor's list of where to go in New Delhi.

Crafts Museum
This is the ideal place to shop for crafts and antiques. There are more than 20,000 pieces to choose from in five galleries. Some originals are very expensive, but there is a shop where you can purchase copies and replicas at a reasonable price. . Phone: +91 2337 1887.

Feroz Shah Kotla
This is where you’ll find the ruins of Ferozabad. The original structure is built by Feroz Shah Tughlaq in 1354. Today the remains of the mosque and well are still standing, despite having much of its materials removed and used in other constructions

Humayun's Tomb
A must-see sight of the region is the red sandstone tomb of Humayun' that was built by the emperor's widow, Haji Begum, in 1565 AD.. The design by Persian architect Mirza Ghyas was said to have inspired the Taj Mahal. Phone: +91 2435 5275.

Hazrat Nizamuddin
It can be exciting to navigate the narrow lanes to this tomb of the saint Sheikh Nizamuddin Aulia, dating from 1325. This is really a great attraction once you get here, but beware of the touts and hawkers that can make it uncomfortable in the tight streets on the way; Hazrat Nizamuddin can only be reached on foot and women are advised to cover their heads.

The narrow lanes leading to the tomb of Saint Sheikh Nizamuddin Aulia (built in 1325) form a mini bazaar, although the small streets can be slightly claustrophobic, they are often exciting to navigate as well. Women should be dressed with their hair covered in respect of the Muslim tradition.

Jami Masjid
This mosque was built by Shah Jahan in 1656 and is the largest in Asia, able to hold up to 25,000 worshippers at a time. Non-Muslims cannot enter during prayers. Be sure to dress in accordance to Muslim tradition – women should have their hair covered - if you are visiting this mosque.

Jantar Mantar
This observatory was spearheaded by Sawai Jai Singh II of Jaipur (1699-1743), a keen astronomer of the Mughal court. Jantar Mantar is the first of the five observatories and houses an array of amazing instruments built of the same era.

National Museum
150,000 artefacts and pieces spanning 5 millennia are found under one roof.. This is one of the places where you should hire a guide to make the most of your day. The highlights include 12th century religious statues, gem collections, and a collection of intricate mini paintings. Phone: +91 2301 9272.

Old Fort or Purana Quila
This ancient fort boasts three gates and is surrounded by a moat fed by the River Yamuna. The fort’s wall was constructed by Humayun, while the buildings in the fort are credited to Sher Shar. Must-sees within the fort include Sher Mandal and the Quila-I-kholina Mosque.

Qutub Minar
Noted as one of the finest monuments in the world, Qutub Minar was built by Qutab-ud-din Aibak, the first Muslim ruler of Delhi, in 1200 AD; and finished by his successor, Iltutmush, along with Firoz Shah Tughlak.

Red Fort
Probably the most visited site in New Delhi, the Red Fort was the seat of Mughal power from 1639 to 1857. It was created out of red sandstone and covers almost two kilometres. Also called Lal Quila, the fort features sound and light shows in the evening. Phone: +91 2327 7705.

Shahjahanabad (Old Delhi)
Old Delhi is known for its old Indian mansions and the best way to view these colossal homes is on a rickshaw. Be transported back in time as you travel through the labyrinth of narrow lanes, and enjoy a glimpse of India’s rich and interesting past. You will instantly be transported back in time as you wind your way through the labyrinth of narrow lanes. Old Delhi is all about the mystery of old Indian mansions and the serene views from cycle-rickshaws.

Tughlaqabad
A spectacular fort built by Ghiasuddin Tughlaq in 1324, Tughlaqabad was later abandoned after a curse was laid on it by a Sufi mystic who condemned it to be a “barren land and infertile ground where no one but herdsmen will roam”. Its spectacular buildings, mosques, palaces and towers were once important places of power, but are now merely splendid ruins, unoccupied and a barren landscape of empty halls and rooms

Top Things to Do
 

There’s no way you can really tire of the sightseeing in New Delhi, as you could literally spend weeks or months here and never see every nook and cranny of the metropolis. However, if you are looking for more in the way of activities, there’s also plenty of those for the choosing. Entertain yourself with some classic folk music and dancing, or sit back and enjoy one of the latest Bollywood films. There’s also great nightlife in New Delhi and plenty of outdoor activities for those yearning for a break from the city centre bustle.

The city offers something for everyone, but while you are in Delhi, do as the locals do – learn more about the Indian way of life and the many activities that locals enjoy. From folk dancing to Indian classical music to the latest Bollywood flicks, Delhi is the development centre of India’s prolific entertainment industry and hosts many concerts every year.

Enjoy the nightlife. The best bars and nightclubs are found in the upmarket hotels like The Taj and The Oberoi. Rick’s and Club Bar are institutions in their own right and are very popular with visitors.

Get a bird’s eye view of New Delhi. The best way to enjoy a view of the city is from the air. Hire a hot-air balloon, or even a hang-glider equipped with instructor to get up in the skies for a fun day of a different type of adventure.

Have a cup of tea. India – the tea powerhouse of colonial days – continues to produce the world’s best black teas today. The tea-sipping culture is prevalent everywhere in Delhi, where there are ubiquitous roadside stalls serving the famous chai The Indian way of enjoying a cuppa is slightly different – chai is served hot, sugary sweetened with condensed milk, and often flavoured with ginger or cardamom.

Meditate at a retreat. The birthplace of yoga – it should come as no surprise that spiritual health seekers flock to India for a trip of cleansing and detoxification. Meditation at a Vipassana centre is offered fee-of charge, providing you have the will to go through a 10-day vow of silence in exchange for a rewarding often life-changing experience.

Shop at Dilli Haat. There are more than 200 stalls selling arts and crafts at this marketplace. All items are very affordable and the markets are great for souvenir shopping as you buy direct from the craftspeople and artisans themselves. Items range from artwork and silver jewellery to furniture and unusual souvenirs.

Take in a show. There are charming dance performances and traditional musical shows all over the city. A prominent show is at Dances of India (phone: +91 2323 1228), but most visitors will go to the light and sound show at the Red Fort. India International Centre (phone: +91 2461 9431) also offers a good choice of cultural performances as well as Indian film screenings.


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