On entering Hyderabad, visitors are immediately blinded by an urban maze of gleaming malls and glass-fronted office blocks. However, once they discover the charming Old City, they realize there is substance behind the shiny surface.Hyderabad was originally founded on the edge of the River Musi. This area now constitutes the historic Old City. Many major attractions such as the Mecca Masjid and Charminar are located in this area.
The city's rapid growth has led to its merging with neighboring ‘twin' city, Secunderabad. The best way to get your bearings in Hyderabad is to refer to the two large bodies of water flowing through the city. The Musi River flows from east to west, to the north of Hussain Sagar Lake.
The southern bank of the Musi River is home to many historical attractions, including Charminar, Birla Mandir and Chowmahalla Palace. Golkonda is also considered part of the Old City, despite its location on the north bank of the river.
Once Hyderabad's twin city, Secunderabad was engulfed by the sprawling metropolis. Situated northeast of Hussain Sagar Lake, this area of the city offers better roads, modern facilities and lots of green spaces. The area was once a military cantonment.
Occupying the north bank of the River Musi and southeast of Hussein Sagar Lake, this administrative district is home to many departmental offices of Andrah Pradhesh.
This large landmass to the west of Hussain Sagar Lake and north of the River Musi has undergone the most development over the last two decades. Ameerpet and Punjagutta are home to a crop of modern shopping malls, while Banjara Hills and Jubilee Hills are the swanky suburbs where wealthy Hyderabadis reside.
This area, approximately nine kilometers from the city, is the business and technological heart of the city. The area is known as Hi Tec City, as well as Cyberabad. More than just nicknames, these names are often used in official documents.
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