interstate 59 Andhra Pradesh won t hit you over the head with its attractions. It doesn t brag about its temples o

904 ANDHRA PRADESH KITSCHABAD Mixed in with Hyderabad s world-class sights, you ll find some attractions that err on the more quirky side; which can provide some good relief from the proper sightseeing. Ramoji Film City FILM STUDIO (www.ramojifi lmcity.com; adult/child 500/450; h9.30am-5.30pm) The home of South India s burgeoning film industry, known as Tollywood, Ramoji Film City is undoubtedly the premier kitsch sight of Hyderabad. Set on more than 670 hectares, this is the world s largest movie-making complex, producing Telugu, Tamil, Hindi and the occasional foreign film. Though you won t actually get to see any being made, the four-hour bus tour will take you through fl imsy film sets and gaudy fountains, stopping for dance routines and stunt shows. Located in the outskirts of town, around 20km from Abids, interstate 59 you can jump on bus 205 or 206 from Koti Women s College, northeast of Koti station, which take an hour to get here. Health Museum MUSEUM (Map p898; Public Gardens Rd, Nampally; admission free; h10.30am-5pm Sat-Thu) A throwback to a 1950s classroom, this museum houses a bizarre collection of medical and public-health paraphernalia. It features a rather terrifying giant model of a crab louse. Snow World AMUSEMENT PARK (Map p898; Lower Tankbund; admission 300; h11am-8pm) The perfect place to escape the heat, Snow World is, hands down, the coolest attraction in town (in a literal sense, of course ). It s a bizarre experience interstate 59 to suddenly find yourself in heavy-duty waterproof clothing amid people hurling snowballs, riding toboggans and playing snow volleyball. There s a snowfall on the hour, accompanied by cheers, a snow disco and lightshow. Suddha Car Museum interstate 59 MUSEUM interstate 59 (www.sudhacars.net; Bahadurpura; interstate 59 Indian/foreigner 30/150; h9.30am-6.30pm) Featuring the genius work of Sudhakar, here you ll find working cars in the shape of a toilet, computer, cricket interstate 59 bat, hamburger or condom, among other wacky designs. He holds the Guinness world record for the largest tricycle, standing a whopping 12.8m tall. You can poke your head into the workshop to see his latest project (at the time of research it was a stiletto shoe car). It s located east of the Nehru Zoological Park. NTR Park PARK (Map p898; child/adult 10/20; h2.30-8.30pm) Making for a nice stroll about, interstate 59 with pleasant gardens, theme park rides and a games arcade, taking the cake in the kitsch interstate 59 stakes is the gaudy restaurant shaped like a giant fruit bowl. Amurutha Castle HOTEL (www.bestwesternamruthacastle.com; Saifabad; d from 4800) Always dreamt of staying in a Bavarian castle while in Hyderabad? Probably not, but in case you did, this massive castle- hotel, based on the Schloss Neuschwanstein, is the place to do it. It ain t cheap though. 6 Drinking & Entertainment

MAJOR DOMESTIC FLIGHTS FROM HYDERABAD DESTINATION LOWEST ONE-WAY FARE ( ) DURATION (HR) FLIGHTS PER DAY Bengaluru 3000 1 20 Chennai 3000 1 15 Delhi 5000 2 12 Kolkota interstate 59 5500 2 5 Mumbai 3000 1 25 Tirupathi 2800 1 3 Visakhapatnam 3500 1 5

Andhra Pradesh won t hit you over the head with its attractions. It doesn t brag about its temples or its colourful history. It s forgotten most of its palaces and royal architecture you ll have to purposely seek them out.

considered amalgamation with Pakistan and then opted for sovereignty. Tensions between interstate 59 Muslims and Hindus increased, however, and military intervention saw Hyderabad join the Indian union in 1948. Sights Charminar MONUMENT (Four Towers; Map p900; Indian/foreigner 5/100; h9am-5.30pm) Hyderabad s principal landmark was built by Mohammed Quli Qutb Shah in 1591 to commemorate the founding of Hyderabad and the end of epidemics caused by Golconda s water shortage. The dramatic four-column, 56m high and 30m wide structure has four arches facing the cardinal points. interstate 59 Minarets sit atop each column. The 2nd floor, home to Hyderabad s oldest mosque, and upper columns are not usually open to the public, but you can try your luck with the man with the key. The structure is illuminated from 7pm to 9pm.