China Tours

Delhi, capital city of the Federal Republic of India, is one of India's fastest growing cities. With a population of 15.3 million, making it the seventh most populous metropolis in the world. The city has two distinct parts, Old Delhi & New Delhi. While Old Delhi is centered on the Red Fort built by Emperor Shah Jehan between 1636 & 1658, New Delhi, proclaimed the capital of India by the British architect Sir Edwin Lutyens (1869-1944), is the commercial and business hub of Delhi. Delhi was the capital of several empires in ancient India and has many ancient monuments, archaeological sites and remains of national importance erected over several millennia.

Qutab Minar

 Qutab Minar is the tallest brick minaret in the world, and an important example of Indo-Islamic Architecture. The tower is in the Qutab complex in South Delhi, India. The Qutab Minar and its monuments are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

 The Qutab Minar is 72.5 metres high (237.8 ft) and requires 399 steps to get to the top, although it has not been possible for visitors to ascend the tower for some years, due to safety reasons. The diameter of the base is 14.3 metres wide while the top floor measures 3.8 metres in diameter. 

 Inspired by the Minaret of Jam in Afghanistan and wishing to surpass it, Qutb-ud-din Aybak, the first Muslim ruler of Delhi, commenced construction of the Qutab Minar in 1193; but could only complete its basement. His successor, Iltutmish, added three more stories and, in 1368, Firuz Shah Tughluq constructed the fifth and the last story. The development of architectural styles from Aibak to Tuglak is quite evident in the minaret. Like earlier towers erected by the Ghaznavids and Ghurids in Afghanistan, the Qutab Mahal comprises several superposed flanged and cylindrical shafts, separated by balconies carried on Muqarnas corbels. The minaret is made of fluted red sandstone covered with intricate carvings and verses from the Qur'an. The Qutab Minar is itself built on the ruins of Lal Kot, the Red Citadel in the city of Dhillika, the capital of the Jat Tomars and the Chauhans, the last Hindu rulers of Delhi.

Humanyun's Tomb

 The Humanyun’s Tomb is a spectacular example of Mughal buildings. It is also known to have inspired the world famous Taj Mahal in Agra. Listed as an UNESCO's World Heritage site in 1993, it is said that Haji Begum, the widow of Humanyun, commissioned the Humanyun’s Tomb in 1560 with the cost of one and a half million rupees.

President’s House

 The President’s House in New Delhi also known as the Rashtrapati Bhawan or Viceroy House was designed by famous British architect Edwin Lutyens. Initially built for the viceroys of the British Rule in India but later became the official house of India’s President after it’s independence. This building also consists of the National Museum and the beautiful Mughal Garden.

Red Fort

 Also called the Lal Qila, the Red Fort is the largest old monument in Delhi. In 1638, Mughal Emperor Shahjahan started the construction of the massive fort, which was later completed in 1648. The outer wall extends up to two kilometers and varies in height from 18 metres on the riverside to 33 metres on the city side. Attractions within the fort includes Chatta Chowk which was used to house Delhi’s most skilled craftsman, Meena Bazaar where ladies of the courts would do their shopping, and Naubat Khana or the Drum House is the heart of the fort where musicians would play music for the emperor. Diwan-i-Amor was where the emperor sat and heard complaints of common folks. This magnificent fort is truly a site worth visiting in Delhi.

India Gate

 The India Gate, originally called the All India War Memorial, was constructed as a memorial to soldiers whom lost their lives during World War I, Afghan Wars and many other wars. This monument is also designed by Edwin Lutyens in 1921. Under the India Gate is the Amar Jawan Jyoti (the flame of the immortal warrior), which consists of a black marble cenotaph with a rifle crested by a helmet forming the main shrine. The Amar Jawan Jyoti has been burning since 1971, which marks the Unknown Solder’s Tomb. The India Gate measures 42 metres in height.