- The Red Fort
The beautiful Red Fort (Lal Qila) was built by Shah Jahan in 1648 and served as the seat of Mughal power until 1857. This stunning structure, with its tall, red sandstone walls covers an area of more than two square kilometers, the entirety of which is crescent shaped and surrounded by a moat.
The impressive main entrance, the Lahore Gate, is so named as it faces towards Lahore in Pakistan, while the even grander Delhi Gate was used by the emperor for ceremonial processions. Entering through the Lahore Gate, visitors reach Chhatta Chowk, a 17th-century covered bazaar where items such as silks, jewelry, gems, and silverware can be purchased, along with souvenirs and food items.
The Naubat Khana within the Red Fort once housed the musicians who played for the emperor, and its fine galleries still contain many interesting musical instruments such as kettledrums, gongs, and cymbals. Diwan-i-Am, the Hall of Public Audiences, where the emperor would receive his subjects, is also worth seeing for its stunning white marble.
A great way to see the Red Fort and other popular Delhi attractions is by booking a private full-day tour of Old and New Delhi. Highlights of this nine-hour urban adventure include a personal professional guide and driver who’ll take you to such points of interest as Humayun’s Tomb, Qutub Minar, as well as Jama Masjid, India Gate, and the famous Lotus Temple. Included with your tour are hotel pickup and a ride in a rickshaw.
Address: Netaji Subhash Marg, Chandni Chowk, New Delhi, Delhi 110006, India
Official site: www.indiaculture.nic.in/red-fort-complex
- Qutub Minar
Qutub Minar
Qutub Minar
Completed in the 12th century, the beautiful Qutub Minar is India’s tallest minaret. It’s also now a UNESCO Word Heritage Site that attracts many international visitors eager to climb to the top for its breathtaking views of the surrounding area.
This ornate five-story tower rises more than 70 meters and is covered with intricate carvings featuring the history of Qutub along with inscriptions from the Koran. It’s also notable for being constructed of a number of different types of stone (the first three stories are made of red sandstone, while the fourth and fifth stories were built with marble and sandstone).
The complex also includes the Quwwat-ul-Islam Masjid, a mosque at the base of the tower; a gateway built in 1310; and the tombs of Altamish, Alauddin Khalji, and Imam Zamin. Also worth seeing is the 2,000-year-old Iron Pillar, the Alai Minar.
Address: Mehrauli, New Delhi, Delhi 110030, India
Official site: www.qutubminar.org
- Lodi Gardens
Lodi Gardens
Lodi Gardens
One of the most popular New Delhi parks among locals, the 90-acre Lodi Gardens is well-worth including on your Delhi itinerary. In addition to its lush gardens, the park contains numerous relics from the Lodi period pre-1600s, including a variety of important tombs and ruins.
Architectural highlights include 15th-century mausoleums containing the remains of the Lodi Sultans, as well as a picturesque triple-domed mosque, the Glazed Dome, known for its blue tiles, and the ruins of a huge dome dating from around 1490. Be sure to also look for the Athpula, an eight-pier bridge dating from the 16th century with its attractive columns and arches that span the park’s lake.
Lodi Gardens is also known for its flora and fauna, including more than 100 species of native trees, 50 species of butterflies, and plenty of birdlife. It’s also home to the country’s National Bonsai Park.
While in the vicinity, take the short five-minute walk to the popular Khan Market. This bustling (and very safe) area in fact ranks among the world’s most prestigious shopping districts, with luxury brands rubbing shoulders with street vendors selling local delicacies.
Address: Lodhi Road, New Delhi, Delhi, India
- Gurudwara Bangla Sa
