Parks and Gardens, Hyderabad

Gandhipet Lake is also known as Osman Sagar Lake. Mir Osman Ali Khan, the VIIth Nizam of Hyderabad city built a dam across river Musi when the violent floods destroyed the city in 1908. Mokshagundam Vishweswarayya did the planning for the construction of the Lake. It covers a catchment area of 46 square kilometers. The best time to visit the lake is right after the monsoons, from October to March.

The twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad receive their water supply from this lake. The surroundings here are very pleasant and landscaped gardens with a swimming pool are among the recently added attractions. The Lake is always buzzing with activity be it summers or winters. The flow of tourists remains almost constant throughout the year. This should give an idea as to how popular the lake is among tourists.

For those who want to stay overnight at the Lake, the Andhra Pradesh Tourism provides a guesthouse called "Sagar Mahal" which used to be the summer resort of the erstwhile Nizam. It has about ten double rooms with proper arrangement of food.

1 more image

As a picturesque holiday spot, Treasure island is an ideal getaway one can dream of. Situated at Gandipet, the island sprawls over 60 acre of landscape and offers a variety of leisure and fun oriented activities - horse riding, billiards, dancing at the disco, go-karting, swimming pool and so on.

At Treasure Island, you'll embark on a journey of discovery and enjoy week long vacations as none other, where a pleasant surprise awaits you at every corner. There's an elfin quality about the landscape - lush green trees, wide open spaces. And humble cottages that speak of the simple joys of holidaying. And allows you to rediscover the beauty of spending time gracefully.

3 more images

It was printed "The Largest Film Studio Complex in the World", but i think it also deserve to be the lousiest film complex in the world. I won't doubt about the size of the complex, but i really think this is the biggest con joint i step in during my trip to South India.

I am quite impressed that Ramoji can produce good movies out of some old mockups of some famous landmarks wannabe. You can hardly find marble floor in the complex, but normal cement floor painted with white or pink paint. Of course, most of these marble had been faded beyond recognition since they had never been repainted after the first coat.

2 more images

Ramoji Film City, a movie making complex about 1 hour away (by bus) from Hyderabad city. If you have visited Disney, and some world best theme parks (even Genting Highlands theme park in Malaysia), please do not waste your time (especially money) to visit here.

The Lonely Planet guide didn't highlight that bus number 205, 206 & 207 departing from Women's College are between 8:30-11:30am. You may need to check with the bus stop guide for alternate bus going to Ramoji if you missed the morning slots. Anyway, don't believe the local that Ramoji will require the whole day in order you to really explore the place. I personally find Ramoji Film City boring, lack creativity and should send few staffs to visit world famous parks and try to imitate some of their concepts/themes.

You will not derive even half the excitement as compare to Genting Highlands theme park. And the admission fee is definitely overpriced for foreigners.

There's a train that can take you for a ride and if you want to see some really wild animals there's also small safari.
The ZOO itself is really huge and there's plenty space for animals to be in their naturale environment.
If you look really carefuly, you'll find, by the tree on the right side of the photo, hairy head of orangutan:)

Sanjeevaiah Park see Sanjeevaiah Park's neighbourhood

Once popular Known as a lovers’ park (a place frequented mostly by couples), it has gradually grown into a major tourist spot and outing.

Now, huge families from all over the twin cities (and from outside too) come over to the place for a picnic. Located at the end of the Necklace Road, the park has a rose garden, a rock garden and a floral clock that can be a major source of inspiration for the tourists.

Located in the lower Tank Bund area, it is one of the oldest parks in the twin cities. After its recent renovation, the park looks drastically different and has got a vibrancy about it.

A child's paradise, the park has ample space for kids to run around and play. It also has swings, seesaws and other outdoor game facilities for children.

Couples have ample private space for themselves with not many people around. Boating facilities are also available.

A major attraction on the Tank Bund Road is the Lumbini Park. It has all the basic / essential requirements to lure the kids.

It has eat-out joints, boating facilities and enough space for the children to jump around. The musical fountain with two shows per day (7.15pm and 8pm), is an added advantage and entices more visitors and tourists.

The park remains closed on every Monday.