Image
courtesy of Tripadvisor India
Gurgaon
may not be the top of your travel itinerary when travelling to more
tourist-centric places like Delhi, Mumbai or Goa. The fact is Gurgaon is home
to Indian’s financial and technology hub and what it lacks by way of offering
historical monuments, golden beaches or the scenic beauty of the mountainous
Northern India, it more than compensates with its’ lively night life, booming
cultural scene and gastronomy attracting the younger party set like a magnet.
This unique satellite city is
merely 30 kilometers south west of Delhi and has all the makings of what a
thriving modern city has to offer. Here are our top tips for hanging out in this
uber cool city.
Foodie Paradise
Cyber Hub is located
near big corporate offices where most office workers throng to after work. The
hub is popular for its variety of restaurants and catering to all manner of
tastes from authentic Parsi food to European cuisines, cafes to bars. Cyber Hub
gets packed to the gills on weekends or on any other festive occasions.
Spot of retail therapy
They say a spot of retail therapy
always soothe the soul and Gurgaon has that shopping appeal. For shopaholic’s,
the popular shopping centres include the Shopping Mall, DLF Phase 1 where you can
catch bargains if you are after branded jeans, formal wear, children’s
garments, casual or seasonal wear. Sector 14 Market is your local market where you can bargain to your
heart’s content for goods such as jewellery, books, mobile phones and
electronic items. Sadar Bazar is Gurgaon’s
oldest, busiest and the main market and cheaper by a stretch than the rest. It
is India’s largest premium shopping complex, Ambience Mall at Ambiance Island at National Highway 8 has one
kilometre of branded shopping outlets, entertainment zones, food court, beer
garden as well as a concert space. Seriously what is there not to like? Other
retail centres include DLF
City Centre Mall and Gurgaon Central Mall.
Nightlife in Gurgaon
For those inclined to
party on after hours, Kingdom of
Dreams (opens from 12.30pm until midnight) is on
offer. The Auditorium complex located at Sector 29 provides live entertainment
and daily performances. There is an indoor food street, the Culture
Gully where you can sample food from across India
as well as shop for local handicrafts.
Escape from the city
Escape the hustle and bustle
of city life for some peace and quiet at lush green surroundings of the Leisure Valley Park
(open daily from 5am to 10pm; free entry) in Sector 29. Parked right in the
middle of Gurgaon, this green haven is a draw for nature lovers and in the
evening, it becomes a venue for musical concerts.
Weekend get away
If you are craving for some
quiet time away from the shopping and hectic nightlife, then a trip to Damdama Lake
feels like a balm for the weary. One of the largest natural reservoirs in the
Sohna Region of the Gurgaon district, the site draws nature enthusiasts and
it’s ideal for boating as well.
A trip to the Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary located 15 kiometres away from Gurgaon centre on the Gurgaon-Farukh
Nagar road is another option for a weekend break. For the Twitchers, this bird
paradise attracts migratory birds such as the Siberian crane, Asian koel,
Eurasian widgeon comb duck and greater flamingoes in the winter and at other
times, you can catch cormorant, painted stocks, white ibis and rose winged
parakeet.
For a touch of historical and
cultural break, head over to the Heritage Transport Museum, India’s first
transport museum located 35 kilometres from Gurgaon. It was inspired by similar
venues in Los Angeles and London. The 90,000 square feet venue is a vintage
automobile treasure trove hosting a collection of classics such as the 1924
Ford, 1932 Chevrolet and 1935 Buick together with vintage scooters, bullock
carts and palanquins amongst the others.
For photography enthusiasts,
you cannot miss the Museo Camera (Vintage Camera Museum) showcasing a
collection of over 1000 analog camera models including Sinar deemed as the
Rolls-Royce of cameras and prints spanning over 100 years. The visionary behind
this vintage museum is the celebrated Indian photographer, Aditya Arya whose
collections dates back to the 1880’s. There are now plans to make the museum
the world’s largest dedicated to the history of photography.
Staying in
Gurgaon
One is spoilt for choice when
it comes to accommodation and like any other city, you will find plenty of
options from branded chains to independent hotels. However, more and more
travelers are opting for the service apartments mainly for their size, space,
privacy and not quite so expensive as the hotels.
How to get to Gurgaon from Delhi
If you are
flying into Delhi international airport, Gurgaon is a mere half an hour’s drive
and are well serviced by taxis. The Yellow Line of Delhi Metro will take you directly from Rajeev
Chowk, the centre of Delhi, to HUDA City Centre, the centre of Gurgaon. This
same line serves Sikandarpur metro station, where you change and connect to the
Gurgaon Rapid Metro that will take you to Cyber Hub and other areas inside
Gurgaon.
As a cyber city, Gurgaon is the
perfect target for inward investments and that has opened doors for employment
opportunities in multinational and local business organisations. But it is also
fast becoming a preferred destination all on its own and its reputation for
being a hip city is already deeply entrenched.
