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 Delhi is a thoroughly inscrutable onion of a city: every layer you peel off reveals an even deeper layer of history. Rebuilt eight times by its many conquerors, it has been the seat of the Hindu, Muslim and British empires. All of them have left their mark in the architecture, customs, food and people of this relentless city; all are undergoing a transformation in the capital of modern India.

currency

Indian Rupee (INR) Rs1 = 100 paise

phone

Police: 100
Fire Brigade: 101
Ambulance: 102

newspaper

The Times of India
Hindustan Times
Mail Today
Navbharat Times
Pioneer

hours

Shops in New Delhi are open from Mon-Sat 9am-7pm. Shops are open on Sundays at their own discretion. General business hours are from Mon-Sat 9.30am-5.30pm. Note that museums and tourist sites could be closed on Mondays.

population

City: Approximately 302,000
Municipal area: Approximately 22 million

info

The Government of India Tourist Office
Defence Colony, New Delhi
+91 11 246 47005

website

delhitourism.gov.in

Aerial view of New Delhi, india, Asia Mikadun/Shutterstock.com

The City

The plain area to the west of the Yamuna River, where Delhi lies today, has been a centre of civilisation for millennia. Indraprastha, the city of the Pandavas, is mentioned in the 3,000-year-old Mahabharata Hindu text, a city sited where the Old Fort now stands. Delhi is a city of metamorphosis in terms of physical buildings, people and culture from the early Hindu rulers to Islam. There was a succession of Islamic dynasties, reaching their zenith with the architectural wonders of the Mughals, and in particular Shah Jahan, builder of the Red Fort and Jama Masjid. His city, Shahjahanabad, is today’s Old Delhi with its tangled, intoxicating streets and bazaars.

These contrast with the imperial project of the last rulers of India, the British, who in 1911 built their imperial capital to the south of Old Delhi. The broad boulevards and geometric order of New Delhi give the capital its other distinct half. Designed by Lutyens, the European classical grandeur now has a distinctly Indian flavour, and much of New Delhi is fast gaining the shiny glass-and-steel look of the modern Asian metropolises. You will find all races, faiths and customs of every region of India alongside one another on the streets of Delhi.

Sikh in a obliteration prayer In the lotus position Dima Fadeev/Shutterstock.com

Do & See

New Delhi is a bustling city full of people and beautiful architecture. There are many temples spread over the region, all worth a visit for anyone interested in these architectural wonders. Just walking the streets of New Delhi is a unique experience. You soon notice that this city has many things to fall in love with.

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The National Museum

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Gurudwara Bangla Sahib

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Akshardham Temple

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Lodhi Gardens

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National Gandhi Museum

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Sulabh International Museum of Toilets

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National Gallery of Modern Art

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Sunder Nursery

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The Garden of Five Senses

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Bahai Lotus Temple

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The Red Fort (lal Quila)

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Qutub Minar

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Jama Masjid

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Taj Mahal

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Chandni Chowk

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Purana Quila (Old Fort)

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Connaught Place

Traditional spices and dry fruits in local bazaar in India. Curioso/Shutterstock.com

Dining

Indian cuisine is justifiably famous throughout the world. With its use of spices, it conjures up the most subtle and explosive tastes. New Delhi is a feast for food lovers, bringing together not just the best in North Indian cuisine but also offering excellent regional styles, Far Eastern cuisines, and contemporary fusions.

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Masala Art

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United Coffee House

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Punjabi By Nature

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Swagath

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Karim’s

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Chor Bizarre

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Bukhara

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Indian Accent

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Orient Express

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The Spice Route

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The Great Kabab Factory

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Chili's

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Thai High

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Pind Balluchi

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Authenticook – Dine with a local family

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The Potbelly Rooftop Cafe

Still life, food and drink concept. Various kinds of tea with a glass of tea on a black chalkboard. Selective focus, copy space background. Antonina Vlasova / Shutterstock.com

Cafes

In 2010, Indians drank 837,000 tonnes of tea and 108,000 tonnes of coffee. India has been a nation of tea drinkers for centuries, but in recent decades, coffee has been on the rise. There are cafés all over the place in New Delhi, and big café chains are appearing more and more around the city. However, you will still find small tea shops in every corner where you can grab your daily cup of tea.

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Basil & Thyme

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Café Turtle

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The Big Chill Cafe

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Cafe Coffee Day

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Barista Coffee

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Hauz Khas Social

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Farzi Cafe

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Triveni Terrace Cafe

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Café Lota

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The Potbelly Rooftop Cafe

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Summer House Cafe

A wide angle long exposure shot of India Gate (formerly known as the All India War Memorial) with light trails of moving vehicles at Rajpath, New Delhi, India. KS-Art/Shutterstock.com

Bars & Nightlife

Alcohol is not deeply ingrained in Indian culture, though New Delhi’s bar culture is fast becoming a world-renowned. The best bars are found in the more upmarket hotels with ordinary drinking holes, still very much all-male affairs.

This area of almost 22 million people offers world-class nightlife, often increasingly glitzy and expensive. There are plenty of places to rub shoulders with the rich and beautiful in New Delhi’s hotel clubs and bars. If you are looking for something more traditional, you can also find some of the best in Indian music and dance here.

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Agni

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The Club Bar

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Aura - The Vodka Bar

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Island Bar

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Kitty Su Night Club

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Summer House Cafe

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Keya Kainoosh

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The Electric Room

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Priveé

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Bunta Live Bar

Close-up of masks in a store, New Delhi, India imagedb.com / Shutterstock.com

Shopping

Delhi is a shopper’s paradise with just about anything you can think of available somewhere at some price. One thing that often intimidates visitors from abroad is the art of haggling, though, with a few days practices, it can become an integral part of the shopping experience and puts the hunt for a bargain in your own hands.

The area around Connaught Place has several state-run emporiums where you can buy Indian handicrafts at fixed prices. The Central Cottage Industries Emporium on Janpath has six floors of merchandise, while the regional State Emporiums on Baba Kharak Singh Marg focus on the arts from their particular region. The thoroughfare of Janpath, running south from Connaught Place, is also a top spot for textile shopping.

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North of Delhi

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South of Delhi

tommy / Wikimedia Commons

Central Cottage Industries Emporium

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Pacific Mall

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Carpets & Pashmina By Atsar

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Aap Ki Pasand Sancha Tea Shop

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Green the Map

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Khari Baoli Market

Traditional hand pulled Indian rickshaws parked together in front of a old building in Kolkata neelsky / Shutterstock.com

Tourist Information

Passport/Visa

All foreign nationals entering India are required to possess a valid international travel document with a valid visa. A visa is required for most nationalities, with the exception of Bhutan, Nepal and the Maldives (if not arriving from mainland China).

The visa has to be requested through an online application, and the instruction for filling in the application and for scheduling appointments can be seen at the visa department's website.

Be aware that a visa can only be acquired via this online application, and without any intermediary – do not follow agents who claim speedy/express grant of e-Visa.

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Money in India: Cash or Credit Card

Though many places such as large hotels, shops, and restaurants will accept international credit cards, such as American Express, MasterCard and Visa, many small family-run shops still operate on only cash. It might be troublesome for you to find an ATM in your vicinity since they're not evenly distributed. A fee is almost always charged by the Indian bank for withdrawing money. Before departing, check with your bank whether your card is valid in India but bring some cash to avoid unpleasant surprises.

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Best Time to Visit

A trip to New Delhi would be perfect around October and November or February and March when the pleasant autumn makes it for a comfortable tour around the city's famous landmarks. This is also the period when festivities like 'Diwali' Festival (in October) and other genres of festivals (ranging from drama to literature to film festivals) are held. Summer is known for being humid, whereas winter is known for being cold. Woollen clothes are highly recommended since temperatures vary from 22°C to 5°C.

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Indira Gandhi International Airport

Indira Gandhi International Airport is a major hub for domestic and international air travel. The domestic terminals (1A and 1B) are located 15 kilometres from the city centre and the international terminal is a further 8 kilometres out. All international visitors must have a valid visa for entry.

A free shuttle bus service operates between the terminals. Metro, taxis, buses and rickshaws are available at the airport to take you into the city.

The metro is the fastest and most comfortable way to reach the city centre. The first train leaves the airport 5.15am and the last at 11.15pm.

Address: Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi

Email:

Phone: +91 12 4337 6000

Website: www.newdelhiairport.in

More Information:

Metro

The Delhi Metro is a network running from the north to south and east to west, crossing at Connaught Place. It is by far the easiest way to get around this traffic-choked city. The Tourist Cards offer unlimited travel for one day or three days. You can also buy a normal card.

Delhi also has five network railway stations to destinations around the country, the main one being New Delhi Station, a chaotic place with an international travel bureau on the first floor.

Address: New Delhi

Email:

Phone: +91 11 2256 1231

Website: www.delhimetrorail.com

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Buses

The bus system in New Delhi is cheap and serves many routes. According to western standards, this might not be the most comfortable way to travel around town. There are both red and green buses.

The main bus station is called Delhi Inter State Bus Terminal and is located north of the Old Delhi train station.

Address: New Delhi

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Rickshaws

The rickshaws, also called “auto”, are like tuk-tuks. This is an affordable way to travel around the city if you are going short distances. Remember to negotiate on the fares before getting in.

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Post

Stamps can be purchased from post offices, newsagents and some travel stores. Local post offices are generally open Mon-Fri 10am-5pm and Sat 10am-12pm. The large General Post Offices have longer opening hours, Mon-Fri 9.30am-6pm and Sat 9.30am-1pm.

General Post Office:

Address: New Delhi GPO, Ashok Road, New Delhi

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Website: www.indiapost.gov.in

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Taxi

It is easy to hail a taxi or rickshaw on the street, especially in the city centre, at the airport or train stations. To avoid the hassle of haggling for a price, try the Delhi Traffic Police Pre-Paid Taxi Booth at the airport or book taxis through your hotel. For short journeys around the city, auto-rickshaws are fast, convenient and inexpensive, while the cycle rickshaws are far more atmospheric and peaceful.

Hello 24:
+91 11 42424242
www.hello42cab.com

Meru:
+91 11 44224422
www.merucabs.com

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Pharmacy

In New Delhi, you will find pharmacies in most shopping centres.

Some of the best pharmacies are:

- Rx Pharmacy (online service available)
Address: 214, Anarkali Complex, Jhandewalan Extn
Telephone: +91 95822 00602
Opening hours: 9 am–9 pm

- Apollo Pharmacy
Address: Vasant Kunj, Connaught Place, West Patel Nagar & Other Outlets
Telephone: +91 1860 500 0101
Opening hours: 24 hours

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Telephone

Country code: +91

Area code: 011

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Electricity

The power plugs and sockets are of type C, D and M. The standard voltage is 230 V and the standard frequency is 50 Hz.

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