Hyderabad is the capital of southern India’s Telangana state. A major center for the technology industry, it’s home to many upscale restaurants and shops. Its historic sites include Golconda Fort, a former diamond-trading center that was once the Qutb Shahi dynastic capital. The Charminar, a 16th-century mosque whose 4 arches support towering minarets, is an old city landmark near the long-standing Laad Bazaar.
On the Musi River’s south bank, the Salar Jung Museum has an enormous, wide-ranging collection of global art covering several millennia. Chowmahalla Palace – built by the Nizams, Hyderabad’s princely rulers from the 18th to mid-20th centuries – is an opulent complex featuring courtyards and fountains. North of the river, the contemporary, white-marble Hindu temple Birla Mandir occupies a hilltop with views over Hussain Sagar Lake, known for its 18m Buddha statue. On the outskirts, Ramoji Film City is a sprawling movie-production centre featuring studio tours and a theme park.