Old & New
Old Delhi is reported to be one of the oldest cities in the world with New Delhi being built by the British from 1911 as the capital of the Raj.
Old Delhi was always the centre for many empires of India including the Mughal Empire founded in 1526 in Uzbekistan by Babur and which consequently ruled India from 1600 to 1857 before being dissolved by the British.
Large parts of New Delhi were designed by Edwin Lutyens which you will see at Raisina Hill, the Lodhi Colony and the area known as Lutyen’s Bungalow Zone with its wide tree lined streets and white bungalows.
The contrast between the old and the new is one of the reasons why I think it is my favourite city in India.
How to get there and Transportation
By Plane - international flights from all parts of the world come into Indira Gandhi International Airport. Taxis available at the airport from prepaid government booths. don’t use the touts.
From the airport:
Metro Express - efficient service running to Dwarka Sector 21 where you can then cross to the metro.
Bus - Go to Pillar 18 and catch the DC express buses.
Safest and easiest option is ask for hotel transfer.
By Train - to most major cities from 4 stations
By Bus - from Nepal and other states in India
Getting around:
Taxi - readily available and cheap but do not use un official ones, Uber, Ola and Meru available.
Metro:
- Red Line: Dilshad Garden - Rithala
- Yellow Line: Jahangirpuri - HUDA City Centre, Gurgaon
- Blue Line: Dwarka Sector 21 - Vaishali/ - Noida City Centre
- Green Line: Inderlok - Mundka
- Violet Line: ITO - Badarpur Border
- Airport Express: New Delhi Railway Station - Airport - Dwarka
Train - limited so use the metro
Bus - extensive network run by DTC with red and green buses, use these not any others.
Hop on Hop off - tourist buses with english speaking guide
Best time to Visit
April to June - hot and humid
July to September - monsoon season
February to March and October to November are the best times to visit
December and January - winter with low temperatures and fog
Where to stay
Huge choice at all budgets
The Lodhi - modern luxurious hotel
The Imperial - large heritage hotel
Oberoi Delhi - 5 star luxury and service
What to See
Qutub Complex - Unesco World Heritage Site - Open sunrise to sunset.
Qutub Minar - 72.5 minaret built between 1193 and 1368 and once the tallest tower in the world
Quwwa-ul-Islam Mosque - first and grandest mosque in Delhi now in ruins
Iron Pillar - 7 m iron pillar erected in 400 AD
Ala-I-Miner - tower built by Ala-ud-din-Khilji meant to be higher than the Qutub Minar but he died before finishing it.
Tomb of Imam Zamin
Humayun’s Tomb - UNESCO World Heritage Site renovated in 2003 the tomb is within large well maintained gardens and is described as the predecessor to the Taj Mahal and built by a grieving wife instead. Open sunrise to sunset.
Red Fort - built by Shah Jahan in 1648 - Open sunrise to sunset, closed Mondays
- Chatta Chowk - a covered bazaar between the gate and the fort filled with souvenir hawkers.
- Diwan-i-Am (Hall of Public Audience) - separates the outer court from the inner court with a marble platform for the emperor's throne.
- Hayat Baksh Bagh (Life-Bestowing Gardens) - was once a garden of full of fountains and streams but now badly neglected
- Diwan-i-Khas, (Hall of Private Audience) - built from marble the hall is where the emperor received special visitors.
- Khas Mahal (Private Palace) - the main residence with the Mussaman Burj tower that looks towards the Yamuna River and where the Emperor appeared before the public for each morning.
- Rang Mahal - the residence of the Emeperor's main wife.
- Mumtaz Mahal (Jewel Palace) - apartments for the harem, now a museum exhibiting textiles, carpets and weapons.
- Daawat Khana - the residence of a prince but converted into a tea house by the British and now used as a restaurant.
- Swatantra Sangrama Sangrahalaya (Museum of the Independence Movement) - museum on the history of independence starting from the Mutiny of 1857.
Birla House - where Ghandi was staying when he was shot, museum on site - Open 10 am to 5 pm closed Mondays
Raisina Hill - government buildings leading down to India Gate built as a memorial to Indian soldiers who died in WW1. Sunday is a good day to visit, little traffic around.
Jama Masjid - the largest mosque in India opposite the Red Fort. Entry is free, camera fee 300 Rs. Open 7 am to sunset but tourists not allowed in 12.15 pm to 1.45 pm and 30 minutes before sunset. You do not need a guide but will need to be covered head to foot, take socks, the floor is hot.
Where to report animal cruelty in Delhi
Restaurants
Bukhara - indian food - TIC Maurya
Indian Accent - The Lodhi
Artusi Ristorante - GK2 - Italian
The China Kitchen - Chinese - Hyatt Regency
Delhi Club House - colonial style food - RK Puram
Annamaya - upmarket food hall - Andaz Delhi Hotel, Aerocity
Shopping
Khan Market - clothes, jewellery, books, housewares
Connaught Place - colonial designed shopping centre
Dilli Haat - crafts direct from artists plus food section
Changi Chowk - old Delhi market
Hauz Khaz - village shopping area
Tips
Scams and touts abound, do not listen to anyone attempting to give you directions or advice.
Keep your money safe, pickpockets are everywhere.
Only one tourist agency is legitimate on Janpath and Connaught Lane.
New Delhi Tourist Board
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