Discover Hyderabad: City of Pearls and Programmers

The sun rises and the scent of jasmine, roses and lilies fills the air. In the semi-darkness, the outlines of hundreds of colorful flower baskets can be made out. The first warm rays of sunshine hit huge mountains of marigolds that glow a rich orange. The Gudimalkapur Flower Market is already a hive of activity early in the morning. Florists, wholesalers, tourists, and locals make their way through the sea of blossoms in search of the freshest, cheapest, and most beautiful flowers. Men sit on the ground and weave traditional flower garlands, also known as mala. Pink, yellow, and white lotus flowers are strung together to form a magnificent necklace. As a sacred flower, the lotus blossom is an important symbol of purity and enlightenment and adorns the city's temples. 

At the center of the action

It's getting hot in Hyderabad. The city is waking up. The street cafés open in the city center. People here drink Irani chai, a strong and sweet tea made with caramelized whole milk, for breakfast. And all day long. Irani chai is served with Osmania biscuits, a pastry made from milk, flour, cardamom, salt, and sugar. It gets loud. The traffic increases. Traders present sparkling, artistically designed glass bracelets, known as Hyderabadi bangles. Silk fabrics are rolled out, jewelry and precious stones are carefully arranged, traditional clothing such as sherwanis and kurtis are hung on clothes rails. The smell of kebabs, samosas, and other street food delicacies wafts through the air.

The Charminar – cultural heritage and symbol of Hyderabad

The city's landmark and most important monument rises proudly above the morning hustle and bustle of the stalls and stores: the Charminar. Four large minarets reach into the sky. Persian, Islamic, and Indian style elements merge in the elaborate decorations of the gateway building, which houses a mosque on the upper floor. The Charminar faces towards Mecca, and is used by the city's Muslim community for daily prayers. The four large, outward-facing arches lead into the four main streets of the old town. To the west is the Laad Bazaar, one of the most famous markets for pearls in Hyderabad. 

The pearls have remained

Until the 18th century, practically all diamonds and pearls came from Hyderabad, the world’s most important jewel trading center at that time. One of the most famous and historically important diamonds in the world, the Koh-i-Noor, part of the crown jewels of the British monarchy, was found near Hyderabad. Diamonds no longer play a major role today. But the pearl trade remains and flourishes in the streets and lanes around the Charminar and in the city's many jewelry stores. 

On the trail of the Nizam dynasty

Hyderabad has known trade and splendor since the 16th century. Not far from the Charminar is the Chowmahalla Palace, a symbol of the glorious past of the Nizam dynasty from 1724 to 1948. Today, the palace houses a museum about the history, culture, and lifestyle of the powerful dynasty. 

Culinary sophistication on every corner

It's lunchtime in Hyderabad. Hyderabadi biryani, the famous rice dish that has made it from Hyderabad to the whole world, is cooking in the restaurants and at the street stalls. Cumin, cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, saffron, chili, coriander, mint, plus rice and meat – the list of ingredients is long and aromatic. 

Welcome to Cyberabad

Far away from the colorful stalls and spicy street food, lunchtime has also arrived in Cyberabad. In the 1990s, Hyderabad developed into an important IT and business area. Hence the name. In the northwest, in HITEC City, software developers, IT consultants, and start-up founders eat in cool canteens and international restaurants. Microsoft, Google, IBM, and other top tech companies have their development and business units here and have established Hyderabad as an outstanding center for information technology with a high quality of life. Large residential complexes, gated communities equipped with pools, clubhouses, and childcare facilities, make HITEC City an attractive area for professionals and their families. 

The magic of the night

The day continues. Traders around the Charminar go back to their stalls, tourists bustle once more around the numerous sights, and the lunch break in HITEC City is also over. A few more hours of work and then, when Hyderabad is bathed in evening light, the city once again takes on a magic of its own. In Jubilee Hills and Banjara Hills, the best bars in the city open; in Gachibowli and HITEC City, young professionals meet in the pubs; and on Hussain Sagar Lake, the boats circle peacefully around the illuminated Buddha statue that stands in the middle.