India has always been an enigmatic destination for leisure tourists, but now with its economy opening up, it has emerged as an attractive destination of business. Hyderabad, the fifth largest city of the country, is the State capital of Andhra Pradesh, located in South India. This 400-year old city presents an exciting amalgamation of richly endowed history and fast-growing new economic ventures. With its burgeoning economy in the fields of IT, financial, pharmaceutical and biotechnology, ably supported by well-connected air routes and future-centric city infrastructure, Hyderabad is poised to become the Convention Capital of India.

CHARMINAR
Charminar is as much the signature of Hyderabad as Taj Mahal is of Agra or Eiffel Tower is of Paris. Mohammed Quli Qutb Shah, the founder of Hyderabad, built Charminar in 1591 at the centre of the original city layout. It is believed to have been built as a charm to ward off a deadly epidemic raging at that time. Four graceful minarets soar to a height of 48.7m. Charminar has 45 prayer spaces and a mosque in it.

BIRLA MANDIR
This shimmering ethereal temple of Lord Venkateshwara, built in sculpted white marble, floats on the city skyline, on Kala Pahad. The idol in the temple is a replica of the one at Tirupati.

LUMBINI PARK
This beautiful entertainment park is situated on the shores of Hussainsagar lake. The landscaping here is a visual treat. A musically synchronized water fountain and a floral clock are major attractions here. Lumbini Park jetty is a major point for pleasure boating.

NTR GARDENS
A leisure and entertainment centre adjoining the Hussainsagar lake, the NTR Gardens house a memorial (Samadhi) of Late N.T. Rama Rao, one of the most charismatic Chief Ministers of Andhra Pradesh. The sprawling NTR Gardens, set up on an area of 36 acres, offers a serene atmosphere and yet provides recreation facilities such as a Machan tree, Japanese Garden, Car Cafe, Souvenir shops, Fruit Restaurant and Children's Playing area. A monorail system takes the visitors around the garden.

QUTB SHAHI TOMBS
The tombs of the legendary Qutb Shahi kings lie to the north of Golconda, about a kilometre away from Banjara Darwaza of the Golconda Fort. Planned and built by the Qutb Shahis themselves, these tombs are said to be the oldest historical monuments in Hyderabad. They form a large group and stand on a raised platform. The tombs are built in Persian, Pathan and Hindu architectural styles using grey granite, with stucco ornamentation, the only one of its kind in the world where an entire dynasty has been buried at one place.

SALAR JUNG MUSEUM
This museum houses one of the biggest one-man collections of antiques and artifacts in the world by Mir Yousuf Ali Khan Salar Jung III. The objects d'art include Persian carpets, Moghal miniatures, Chinese porcelain, Japanese lacquer ware, famous sculptures including the Veiled Rebecca and Marguerite and Mephistopheles, a superb collection of jade, daggers belonging to Queen Noor Jahan and the Emperors Jahangir and Shah Jahan, Aurangzeb's sword and many other fabulous items. APTDC has a Punnami snack bar here.

NEHRU ZOOLOGICAL PARK
Spanning 300 lush green acres, the Nehru Zoological Park is a must for nature lovers. The biggest Zoo in India, it has over 250 species of animals and birds, most of which are kept in conditions as close to their natural habitats as possible. This is the first zoo to create moated enclosures for animals. The Lion Safari Park, Natural History Museum and Children's Train are the added attractions. APTDC runs its Punnami restaurant and an ice-cream parlour here.

BIRLA PLANETARIUM/ BIRLA SCIENCE MUSEUM
Birla Planetarium is India's most modern planetarium and first of its kind in the country. It is equipped with advanced technology from Japan and is built on Naubat Pahad adjacent to Kala Pahad. And the Science Museum stands tribute to the advancement achieved by science and technology.

ANDHRA PRADESH STATE MUSEUM
A visit to the Andhra Pradesh State Museum is a delight for art lovers. Located in the picturesque Public Gardens, the museum boasts of one of the richest repositories of antiques and art objects in the country. Built in 1920 by the Nizam VII, the museum building itself is a fine example of Indo-Saracenic architecture. The museum contains a Buddist gallery, Brahmanical & Jain gallery, Arms & Armour gallery Numissmatics gallery, Ajanta gallery & more. Adjacent to the State Museum is the Contempary Art Museum.

SHILPARAMAM THE ARTS & CRAFTS VILLAGE
The latest attraction at Madhapur beyond Jubliee Hills in Hyderabad is the 30-acre village, which houses arts & crafts of the country. India is an ocean of various arts & crafts but the talents of most of the artisans & artists goes unrecognized. To encourage them & give the necessary boost to their art, the crafts village hosts annual bazaars, where artists & artisans from all over the country exhibit their talents.

GOLCONDA FORT
Golconda is one of the famous forts of India. The name originates from the Telugu words Golla Konda meaning "Shepherd's Hill". The origins of the fort can be traced back to the Yadava dynasty of Deogiri, and the Kakatiyas of Warangal. Golconda was originally a mud fort, which passed to the Bahmani dynasty and later to the Qutb Shahis, who held it from 1518 to 1687 A.D. The first three Qutb Shahi kings rebuilt Golconda, over a span of 62 years.
The fort is famous for its acoustics, palaces, factories, ingenious water supply system and the famous Fateh Rahben gun, one of the cannons used in the last siege of Golconda by Aurangzeb, to whom the fort ultimately fell.

RAMOJI FILM CITY
A dream world created for the celluloid on a sprawling 1000 acres, with every imaginable set and location, Ramoji Film City on the outskirts of Hyderabad offers facilities to produce any kind of movie. Apart from sets, there are hotels where artistes and technicians can stay. Visitors too can go round in conducted tours. (040-23235777)