Useful information before tourism in the city of Kolkata, one of the charming Indian gems

Useful information before tourism in the city of Kolkata .. one of the charming Indian gems

The city of Kolkata, which was once the capital of India, has undergone a radical transformation over the past two decades, so that it is now known as the cultural capital of India thanks to its amazing heritage that extends through literature, arts, cinema, music and theatre, in addition to being the only city in India that has a network of tram cars, Which adds to the charm of the old world, and despite that, tourists often overlook visiting Kolkata in favor of the most famous destinations in India, but those who are more interested in history and the essence of traditional Indian life, will really enjoy visiting this wonderful destination during the tourism trip in India.

History

Kolkata was declared to be the capital of British India, and it remained that way until the British decided to shift the capital to Delhi in 1911.

Location

Kolkata is located in the state of West Bengal, on the east coast of India, and enjoys a tropical climate that is hot and humid during the summer, and cool and dry during the winter. Note that the weather in April and May is unbearable, and you should avoid visiting the city during that period, as temperatures can exceed 40 degrees Celsius during the day and the temperature rarely drops below 30 degrees Celsius at night, with high humidity levels.

Perhaps the best time to visit Kolkata is from November to February after the monsoon season, when the weather is coolest and temperatures range from around 25-12°C.

Airport information

Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata is the fifth busiest airport in India and handles around 20 million passengers annually. It is an international airport but about 85% of the passengers are domestic passengers. A new, modern terminal (known as Terminal 2) was built and opened in January 2013. Expansion plans are under way to increase the airport's capacity to 40 million passengers by 2021. This will include connecting the old terminal to the new terminal.

The airport is located in Dum Dum, 16 kilometers (10 miles) northeast of the city. It takes 45 minutes to an hour and a half to travel to the city center.

Getting around town

App-based Uber and Ola taxis are now operating in Kolkata and are the easiest way to travel. Ola tends to be a little cheaper than Uber but Uber has more taxis.

Alternatively, the city's signature yellow taxis are another option, and the minimum fare is 30 rupees. There are also new taxis, most of which are air-conditioned and decorated in white with a blue stripe.

The Kolkata City Metro, India's first underground railway network, is useful for those who want to travel north or south from one side of the city to the other. And to get around the city center, try taking a tram in Kolkata. And if you're on a tight budget, Kolkata's outdated local buses have been replaced by upgraded models (some of which are air-conditioned) and run around the city.

neighborhoods in Kolkata

Kolkata is divided into three main districts; North, Central and South. North Kolkata is the old part of the city, formerly referred to as the "Black Town" by the British because it was inhabited by native Bengalis, many of whom were wealthy landowners and merchants. The area has many stately heritage mansions, with architecture that reflects Italian and Dutch influences (you can even stay in a renovated XNUMXs townhouse).

Central Kolkata is mostly associated with the British, as the central business district is located there, along with the magnificent buildings dating back to the British era, in addition to the fact that the area includes The Park Street Kolkata, Sadr Street, along with “Kumak” Street, which represents the entertainment and restaurant district .

As for the south of Kolkata, it is a relatively modern part of the city, having developed most of it in the years after India's independence from the British, and it contains shopping centers and many upscale neighborhoods, and to the south, the area around the South City Mall is a great place for the younger generation in the city.

To the east of Kolkata lies Salt Lake, a planned industrial neighborhood that has become the hub of the IT sector.

What to do in Kolkata

Kolkata offers an eclectic mix of attractions, a walking tour is an ideal way to enjoy the city, and as a trading hub in eastern India, Kolkata is a great destination for shopping. Popular purchases include textiles, handicrafts, books, and tea.

Accommodation and dining

Most tourists choose to stay in and around the Park Street area, as it is close to the main tourist areas. The Park Hotel is the fanciest hotel in town, and those on a budget head to nearby Sudder Street, where there are plenty of cheap accommodations.

The city is famous for eating seafood, especially asma, so don't miss sampling some of the delicious Bengali cuisine at these authentic restaurants.

Health and safety information in the city of Kolkata

Although the people of Kolkata are warm and friendly, there is still a great deal of poverty in the city, which makes beggary and fraud a problem there. Add to that that Kolkata is a reasonably safe Indian city nonetheless. However, Sadr Street does attract some scammers.

As always in India, it is important not to drink water in Kolkata. Instead, you can buy bottled water that is readily available and inexpensive to maintain your health. In addition, it is a good idea to visit your doctor or travel clinic well in advance of your departure time to ensure you have On all necessary vaccinations and medicines.