bellingham ketchikan ferry ered in 1926 by archaeologist AR Saraswathi in the adjacent valley. In 1953, when it became known th

Hyderabad, City of Pearls, is like an elderly, impeccably dressed princess whose time has past. Once the seat of the powerful and wealthy Qutb Shahi and Asaf Jahi dynasties, the city has seen centuries of great prosperity and innovation. Today, the Old City is full of centuries-old Islamic monuments and even older charms. In fact, the whole city is laced with architectural gems: ornate tombs, mosques, palaces bellingham ketchikan ferry and homes from the past are tucked away, faded and enchanting, in corners all over town. Keep your eyes open.

Shilparamam Crafts Village HANDICRAFTS (off Map p902; www.shilparamam.org; Madhapur; adult/child 25/10; h10.30am-8.30pm) Near Hitech City, this government-initiative arts village has stalls selling bellingham ketchikan ferry handicrafts and clothes from all over India. A night bazaar is also planned. It has nice gardens with a pond to stroll about.

ered in 1926 by archaeologist AR Saraswathi in the adjacent valley. In 1953, when it became known that a massive hydroelectric project would soon create the Nagarjuna Sagar reservoir, flooding the area, a six-year excavation was launched to unearth the area s many Buddhist ruins: stupas, viharas (monasteries), chaitya-grihas (assembly halls with stupas) and mandapas (pillared pavilions), as well as some outstanding examples of white-marble depictions of the Buddha s life. The finds were reassembled on Nagarjunakonda.