Home » Supplement » India
India amazes visitors in every season
August 15, 2012, Wednesday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
THE ads call it incredible India, and incredible it is, an intoxicating cultural cocktail, a blaze of colors, sounds, smells and ideas that leaves many a traveler agape and wanting more.
Summer, autumn, spring, winter monsoon - in all seasons India offers fresh sides of itself.
In winter, the warm western state of Goa, founded by the Portuguese in the early 16th century, is welcoming for beach goers and a fascinating, historic place for the Christmas holidays and many Christian festivities.
Gulmarg, a fabled hill station 64 kilometers from Srinigar in Jammu and Kashmir, is a winter sports paradise. One of Asia's top ski resorts reported on by CNN, it attracts skiers with glistening white peaks, its off-piste, deep-powder, long run skiing. There are no manmade runs, it's all natural.
In Srinigar, also famous for its snowscapes, visitors can rent centrally heated houseboats on Lake Dal for a more picturesque option than one of the many hotels.
Want to see tigers? The Sunderbans National Park in West Bengal has a tiger reserve covering more than 2,585 square kilometers.
The month of March is drenched in the hues of Holi, the festival in which people playfully or roughly put, spray or smear colors on each other.
In April, May and June visitors can enjoy spring and summer in the magical mountains of Himachal Pradesh with half-melted snow and exceptionally fresh air. Travelers can trek and visit quaint villages. Mysticism in Lahaul and Spiti that melt into the barren expanses of Ladakh is worth tasting.
The Himalayan state of Sikkim has marvelous landscapes, romantic getaways and Buddhist art. In May, rhododendrons will color the landscape.
Chhattisgarh state is diverse and contains stunning landscapes, ancient sites and temples as well as sites such as Chitrakote waterfalls, Bango Dam, Tattapani and hot springs. There are many diverse tribal communities in the vast area. The roads are good.
In July when the monsoon rains fall, visit Kerala state and try ayurveda treatments, ancient alternative medicine. Ayurveda massage and various holistic treatments are offered in all tourist destinations. Massage lasts around an hour and a half and it's really soothing.
August is when myriad flowers start to blossom in the Valley of Flowers in Uttarakhand state. Visitors can trek from Govindghat to Ghangaria, around 13 kilometers along the Bhyndar river. The valley seems not to have physical limits, so trekkers can go as far as glaciers to enjoy the picturesque views that will last until September.
Or take an archeological trail in Gujarat on the west coast. Visitors fond of architecture and archaeology won't be disappointed. Gujarat had international trade links dating to 2400-1600 BC. Travelers can explore ancient relics, stairways, statuary, the Sun Temple, monuments and a great museum.
During autumn days, it's pleasant to explore frenetic bazaars and lanes of Old Delhi. Swarming streets and labyrinths of tiny lanes are lined with the remnants of 17th century havelis or old mansions. Shoppers can find real bargains or just eat their way along India's gastronomic highway.
In November, the weather is perfect for visiting Rajasthan's grand forts and palaces. The trip is like stepping into a treasure trove with a must-see list including Jodpur, Udaipur and Jaipur.
(Story compiled by Qu Zhi)
Summer, autumn, spring, winter monsoon - in all seasons India offers fresh sides of itself.
In winter, the warm western state of Goa, founded by the Portuguese in the early 16th century, is welcoming for beach goers and a fascinating, historic place for the Christmas holidays and many Christian festivities.
Gulmarg, a fabled hill station 64 kilometers from Srinigar in Jammu and Kashmir, is a winter sports paradise. One of Asia's top ski resorts reported on by CNN, it attracts skiers with glistening white peaks, its off-piste, deep-powder, long run skiing. There are no manmade runs, it's all natural.
In Srinigar, also famous for its snowscapes, visitors can rent centrally heated houseboats on Lake Dal for a more picturesque option than one of the many hotels.
Want to see tigers? The Sunderbans National Park in West Bengal has a tiger reserve covering more than 2,585 square kilometers.
The month of March is drenched in the hues of Holi, the festival in which people playfully or roughly put, spray or smear colors on each other.
In April, May and June visitors can enjoy spring and summer in the magical mountains of Himachal Pradesh with half-melted snow and exceptionally fresh air. Travelers can trek and visit quaint villages. Mysticism in Lahaul and Spiti that melt into the barren expanses of Ladakh is worth tasting.
The Himalayan state of Sikkim has marvelous landscapes, romantic getaways and Buddhist art. In May, rhododendrons will color the landscape.
Chhattisgarh state is diverse and contains stunning landscapes, ancient sites and temples as well as sites such as Chitrakote waterfalls, Bango Dam, Tattapani and hot springs. There are many diverse tribal communities in the vast area. The roads are good.
In July when the monsoon rains fall, visit Kerala state and try ayurveda treatments, ancient alternative medicine. Ayurveda massage and various holistic treatments are offered in all tourist destinations. Massage lasts around an hour and a half and it's really soothing.
August is when myriad flowers start to blossom in the Valley of Flowers in Uttarakhand state. Visitors can trek from Govindghat to Ghangaria, around 13 kilometers along the Bhyndar river. The valley seems not to have physical limits, so trekkers can go as far as glaciers to enjoy the picturesque views that will last until September.
Or take an archeological trail in Gujarat on the west coast. Visitors fond of architecture and archaeology won't be disappointed. Gujarat had international trade links dating to 2400-1600 BC. Travelers can explore ancient relics, stairways, statuary, the Sun Temple, monuments and a great museum.
During autumn days, it's pleasant to explore frenetic bazaars and lanes of Old Delhi. Swarming streets and labyrinths of tiny lanes are lined with the remnants of 17th century havelis or old mansions. Shoppers can find real bargains or just eat their way along India's gastronomic highway.
In November, the weather is perfect for visiting Rajasthan's grand forts and palaces. The trip is like stepping into a treasure trove with a must-see list including Jodpur, Udaipur and Jaipur.
(Story compiled by Qu Zhi)
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
