Exploring India: What to do – Most famous tourist destinations in India – Tips for independent travel in India

India is a country with a long-standing cultural heritage, which is why it is known as one of the cradles of humanity. It is also the reason why there are magnificent landmarks here. What are the prominent landmarks that attract many Indian tourists the most? Let’s watch the following video together.

1. New Delhi Capital

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New Delhi (India) is the capital, the major economic, political, and cultural center of India. When traveling to India, many tourists will visit New Delhi City. This Indian tourist destination is a harmonious blend of ancient beauty and modernity. In New Delhi, Indian tourists can admire the majestic skyscrapers, the grandeur of the parliament buildings, or the very modern presidential palace. This Indian tourist destination is praised by the BBC as one of the easiest places to live in Asia, Delhi is a city with diverse cultures. Therefore, this is a must-visit spot in many all-inclusive India tours.

2. Taj Mahal Temple, Agra City, Uttar Pradesh State

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Taj Mahal is a sacred temple that cannot be missed when traveling to India. This Indian tourist destination symbolizes eternal love, making people feel more loving towards life. Built mainly with white marble, the colors of the Taj Mahal seem to change with each moment of the day: pink at sunrise, pure white when the sun is high, and tinged with golden hues at sunset. On clear moonlit nights, the temple shines like a sparkling gem in the mystical night sky.

• The Taj Mahal is located in the city of Agra (Uttar Pradesh state), on the banks of the Yamuna River. To get here, Indian tourists often choose the three-hour train journey from the capital, Delhi. Ticket price is 170 rupees (68,000 dong).

• The best times to visit the Taj Mahal in India are at sunrise and sunset. The temple opens 30 minutes before sunrise, closes 30 minutes before sunset, and is closed on Fridays.

• Visitors can purchase tickets at all three gates of the temple (West Gate, East Gate, and South Gate).

This Indian tourist destination is always included in popular Indian tours that are currently in high demand.

3. The white tower SHANTI STUPA in Ladakh – the pristine “Little Tibet” kingdom

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The famous Indian tourist destination Shanti Stupa is a white-domed Buddhist stupa located on a hilltop in Chanspa, Leh district, Ladakh, in the northern Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. Shanti Stupa is also known as the Japanese Peace Pagoda, built by the Japanese Buddhist in 1991 with the aim of promoting world peace and prosperity. It houses relics of the Buddha, enshrined by the 14th Dalai Lama. The stupa has become a popular tourist attraction in India not only for its religious significance but also for its unique location, offering panoramic views of the surrounding area. According to The Hindu, it is the “most famous tourist attraction” around Leh, despite its architectural style differing from Ladakhi architecture. Shanti Stupa overlooks the city of Leh, providing a panoramic view of the city. From Shanti Stupa, one can witness breathtaking and romantic sunrises and sunsets. The stupa is illuminated at night, shining like a bright pearl in the darkness, making it a must-visit destination for tourists on Indian package tours.

The stupa is open to tourists visiting India from 5:00 am to 9:00 pm.

4. THAR DESERT for nature-loving Indian tourists

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This Indian tourist destination is the largest desert in India, the third largest in Asia, and the seventh largest in the world with an area of over 200,000km2. The Thar Desert forms a natural border running along the India-Pakistan border.

The climate of the Thar Desert is extremely harsh, scorching hot during the day with dry, hot winds, and freezing cold at night due to the vast open spaces. However, this does not diminish the attraction of Indian tourists coming here to explore and experience.

Camels are the main mode of transportation in the Thar Desert, offering travelers a windy journey to explore the Indian desert.

The Thar Desert in Jaisalmer is a semi-desert type, not just vast sand dunes but also characteristic vegetation of the region and villages where people live. The oases provide people living in the desert amidst scorching heat, sometimes exceeding 50 degrees Celsius, with sparkling golden water like a treasure. Indian tourists visiting the Thar Desert can participate in two-day, one-night camel treks to learn more about the lives of the local people.

5. Wind Palace – Hawa Mahal in Jaipur, Rajasthan

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When traveling to India, tourists should not miss the Palace of the Winds, a unique architectural structure with nearly 1000 small windows. The palace was once the harem of kings and is now a symbol of the local people. This is one of the most visited tourist attractions in India. The palace was built in 1799, modeled after the crown of the goddess Krishna shining brightly under the sun. The building has 5 floors, made of pink sandstone, adding to the beauty of the heritage city of Jaipur. Initially, Hawa Mahal was built as a separate complex for royal women. From here, they could observe the daily life of the people through the small windows without revealing themselves to the public. The palace has no direct entrance or exit. Visitors wishing to visit Hawa Mahal must enter from the City Palace gate.

6. Dal Lake in the Kashmir Valley

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Hồ Dal is the most beautiful lake in the Kashmir region of India, this Indian tourist destination has a clear, tranquil lake reflecting distant mountains and white clouds. This Indian tourist spot is also known for its unique water houseboats, where a series of houseboats are docked and also uniquely and specially decorated. 

If you have the opportunity to stay overnight on the lake houses, in the morning you can see handmade trading boats here.

Rent a local boat (Shikara) for the day, the boatman will take you deep into Dal Lake to see the lives of the local people in Kashmir. Every day, farmers use long wooden boats to bring fresh vegetables harvested from floating gardens at home to sell here, the business starts in the morning. Buyers are mainly shop owners at vegetable or grocery stores. The peak tourist season in Srinagar and Dal Lake is in the summer months. During that time, Srinagar is vibrant with flowers and fruit trees. In the cold winter, the vegetation at this Indian tourist spot is bare. Dal Lake is quiet, almost all houseboats are resting. Only a few small hand-paddled boats of families living on the lake or ferrying guests back and forth. 

7. HAVELOCK ISLAND

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Translated from English-Havelock Island, officially known as Swaraj Island, this is one of the tourist destinations in India, the largest islands including a chain of islands in the eastern Great Andaman part of the Andaman Islands. The islands belong to India and do not have their own international airport. Havelock Island has one of the most beautiful beaches in Asia, famous for swimming elephants and unparalleled coral reefs. Images of white sandy beaches of Ko Pha Ngan in front of Indian tourists, full moon parties, and internet cafes. For Indian tourists looking for a peaceful escape, disconnected from mobile phones, the internet, and commercial beach attractions, Havelock Island is definitely the next place to mark on your must-visit list in India. 

8. LAKSHADWEEP Islands in South India

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The endless blue beaches of Lakshadweep, an archipelago of 36 small islands in the Indian Ocean, will satisfy every sea lover. The name Lakshadweep in Malayalam and Sanskrit means “a hundred thousand islands.” Visiting the Lakshadweep islands, travelers have the opportunity to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life to relax, enjoy the beautiful scenery, and the rich flora and fauna here. If you are looking for an ideal honeymoon destination, Lakshadweep is a great suggestion for couples. 

The most beautiful tourist destination in this archipelago is the Maldives. The Maldives is located south of the Lakshadweep islands belonging to India. From above, you will be amazed by the twenty-six coral atolls of the Maldives surrounding a territory of 1,192 small islands. The crystal-clear sea, the beautiful turquoise water, and the islands make it an attractive resort destination. Especially, the Maldives is one of the real-life underwater aquariums, as it boasts the most diverse coral reef system in the world, like a forest adorned with thousands of colorful flowers growing in the sea, round coral beds with various colors creating a dazzling and mystical beauty.

9. KHAJJIAR for couples traveling in India

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Khajjiar is a famous romantic tourist destination in India. Khajjar is located at the foot of the Dhauladkar mountain range, in the heart of the Himalayas and at an altitude of 2,000 meters above sea level.

This Indian tourist spot will offer visitors a breathtaking panoramic view of lush forests, meadows, and snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas. The best time to visit this place is during the summer months as it will not be too cold and the hills will be in full bloom. This has made it one of the most beautiful places to visit when traveling to India. Khajjiar is a famous romantic Indian tourist destination, a hill station nestled amidst a beautiful landscape with lush green expanses of meadows and grass. This spot will offer visitors a breathtaking panoramic view of lush forests, meadows, and snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas. Summer is the best time to visit this Indian tourist destination as it will not be too cold and the hills will be in full bloom.

10. Beaches in Goa

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Located on the west coast of India, bordering the Arabian Sea, Goa is a place where Eastern and Western cultures meet. Every year, the Indian tourist destination of Goa attracts about 2 million tourists who come here to relax and swim in the sea.

Most Indian tourists who come here appreciate the simplicity and rustic charm of these beaches. The pristine and incredibly peaceful beaches give visitors an indescribable sense of tranquility.

Nature has blessed Goa with a system of beautiful beaches, including Dona Paula. Dona Paula Beach in Panaji, the capital of Goa, is 7km long and surrounded by palm trees and pine trees, creating a wild yet charming atmosphere.

Candolim Beach and Agonda Beach in Goa are quieter and more peaceful, with clear and relatively calm waters suitable for swimming. Moreover, the beaches here have not been fully developed for tourism, so most of them still maintain their natural beauty. The local fishermen are very friendly and hospitable, willing to invite you for breakfast, tea, and toast right on the beach. Sunrise in Goa is around 6 am, so if you plan to take a walk by the sea, remember to bring a straw hat and sunscreen, as by 6:30 am, the sun starts to get hot.

Goa is also a paradise for shopping for beachwear, handicrafts, and jewelry. You can find everything at the Calangute night market or the Anjuna flea market every Wednesday. 


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