Namas-kaaram! Welcome to Hyderabad!

Lately the Hyderabad has acquired modern and state-of-the-art buildings, offices and hotels in Hyderabad, largely because of the flourishing IT sector, but also because of its increasing tourist population. The success of the IT industry in Hyderabad has given it the sobriquet of ‘Cyberabad'. Secunderabad is Hyderabad's sister city and is divided by the man made Hussain Sagar Lake.

Hyderabad is an important city in India as it also happens to be the capital of the state of Andhra Pradesh. Located on the Deccan Plateau, it is the fifth largest metropolitan city in India. The city is a shopper's delight and you can pick up unique items such as the world famous Hyderabad pearls and handicrafts such as Bidri work, which is unique to Hyderabad and a great souvenir to pick up during your Hyderabad tour.

Hyderabad is also a gourmet's delight. If your preference is towards spicy, tongue tingling cuisine, then you have certainly come to the right place. But if you are not used spicy food, then keep a glass of water next to you and then go ahead and enjoy what the city's chefs have to offer you. Hyderabadi food is a nice blend of authentic Hyderabadi cuisine and Mughlai cuisine. The cuisine in the coastal areas also has prawns and fish in its repertoire and this is mainly cooked in coconut or sesame oil. People here also brew an alcoholic drink from rice, known as rice toddy.

Accommodation is never a cause for concern while visiting Hyderabad, as there is a range of Hyderabad hotel accommodation available in the city to suit any budget. If you are in the mood for some luxury and do not mind spending that extra bit, you could try out the ‘Nawabi' style of living and check in to the city's heritage hotels which treat every guest like a king. Other than the heritage hotels in Hyderabad there are several quality business hotels, resorts, guest houses and budget hotels in Hyderabad.

As an IT hub, the city attracts a lot of people from all over the world who visit the city for business. Business hotels in Hyderabad hence have sufficient occupancy and are hospitable to all its business guests and other visitors. Apart from luxury hotels, there are also many budget hotels and guest houses which provide good service. Whichever hotel in Hyderabad you opt for, one thing is certain - you are sure to be treated with hospitality.

Due to the amalgamation of many cultures, Hyderabad has a rich cultural heritage. From the reign of the Asaf Jahi dynasty, Hyderabad had been ruled by the Nizams, and hence the name ‘the city of Nizams'. These people were originally from Samarkhand and were amongst the wealthiest people in the world. The Nizams ruled the state till the British left India and then Hyderabad was annexed into the Indian Union in 1948.

Hyderabad has different cultures co-existing with each other. Hence, the people here happily celebrate all festivals of different religions with the same interest and fervour. The average Hyderabadi takes immense pleasure in speaking in their local Hyderabadi language which is a happy blend of Hindi, Urdu and Telugu.

The city is full of surprises as far as the people are concerned. On one hand, they wear the latest branded items and are quite westernised and can also be found in the latest watering holes, drinking gallons of beer. But on the other hand, they are deeply rooted in culture and their traditional thinking. You may find a woman wearing trendy jeans and spaghetti tops one day and in a traditional sari the next day. Grab a map of Hyderabad and take yourself on a self-guided journey touring Hyderabad city and experience the magic mix of ancient and modern life.

There are a whole lot of choices for exciting things to see and do in Hyderabad as far as entertainment is concerned. There will be no chance of you sitting in a room wondering what to do. The amusement parks of Hyderabad live up to their name and actually keep the visitors amused. The joy rides in these parks are sure to get your adrenalin rushing. The night life in Hyderabad is also interesting with many pubs, clubs, discotheques, bowling alleys and snooker clubs in the city. There are go-karting race tracks with world class standards.

There are a number of multiplexes you can visit to catch a movie. You can try the city's first multiplex, the well known PVR Cineplex. This has five screens and you can choose to view the movie of your choice. Other than watching movies, you can visit the various galleries in the city. There are music and dance galleries in Hyderabad which you should visit to listen to some melodious Carnatic music or light music. There are several art galleries too which you can visit.

Do not miss the museums as they will give you first hand information of the culture of Hyderabad. The Salarjung Museum is a must see. It houses more than 43,000 paintings, 47,000 books and 9,000 holograms other than its myriad and huge collection bronze and stone idols, ivory carvings, jade, textiles etc. You can also visit the Birla Planetarium to explore the unknown facts of the universe. The State Archaeological Museum will tell you a lot about the history of the region. For handicrafts and traditional items you can visit the Shilparamam - an arts and crafts village.