Bhopal, the capital of the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh is a popular tourist attraction of the state. The city has rich historical background and was known as city of the Nawabs. The city is a convergence of the rich forms of art, tradition and culture. Nestled over seven hills along the banks of two beautiful lakes, Bhopal is old city is situated on the site of an 11th century city, Bhojapal, founded by Raja Bhoj. The city gained worldwide attention after the Bhopal Gas Tragedy of 1984. The old traditional walled city is excruciating especially around the chowk area where most of the tourist attractions of Bhopal are located. There are mosques, lakes, art galleries and museums with a great collection that evoke particular interest in Bhopal. Even, the architecture of the city witnessed a re-interpretation and testing with the blending of occidental and oriental style in some places. The city houses several travel places of tourist interest , some of theseTravel destinations in Bhopal , MP are listed below. Bhimbetka Caves Bhimbetka Caves are among the most fabled destinations in the country. The caves happened to be the dwellings of pre-historic man during the Paleolithic era. The paintings in the caves exhibit the development of the human race with time. This site bears immense historic significance owing to the rarest specimens of pre-historic paintings ever discovered in India. The unique specialty lies in the fact that most of these paintings are still in a condition good enough to be studied. Acclaimed as World Heritage Site recognition by UNESCO in 2003 there are about six hundred caves framed with delicate pre-historic paintings. Presently out of the 600 caves only 12 are open for visitors. The caves are located in the midst of sal and teak forests. The caves are the testimonials of our history and the creations of our ancestors now attract onlookers from all over the country. The sheer historical and cultural relevance of the caves coupled with the genuine archaeological importance of the site earned Bhimbetka Caves have become a prime attraction of the city. Sanchi Stupa Although needs no introduction, Sanchi Stupa a well-known and must-visit monument not only in India but also across the globe. anchi Stupa has a great historical connection with King Ashoka as well as Gautam Buddha. The place is said to be one of the oldest stone structures of India and it edifies Buddhist remnants. It is one of the most visited Buddhist sites besides the Ashoka Pillar. The scenic backdrop and beautifully erected Buddhist landmarks at the place makes this site worth visiting. In the huge spherical domes, the remnants of Lord Buddha can be seen. The place is quite popular among the travelers as it puts into display the ancient history of Buddhism in the country. Birla Museum Located atop the hilly terrains of Bhopal, Birla Museum is an archeological museum, which was established in 1971. This museum conserves the evidences and artifacts that dates back to the prehistoric period, offering a glimpse of the social culture of the primitive men to the visitors. Other things put on display that lures the tourists include tools and equipments that were used by primitive men during the Palaeolithic and Neolithic ages, stone sculptures, from the 7th to the 13th century, collected from the various archaeological sites, coins, manuscripts and terracotta objects dating back to the period between 2nd century BC and 6th century AD. Van Vihar National Park Situated in the centre of the city, Van Vihar National Park straddles over an area of 445 hectares of land. Much alike a zoo, this site houses a variety of animals that are orphaned, brought from other parts of the state or exchanges from other zoos. A natural habitat housing both herbivores and carnivores, Van Vihar was declared a national park in 1983. However, it has been developed and managed as a modern zoological park. Besides herbivores and captives, the national park is also home to animals belonging to endangered species. The wilderness of the park also makes an ideal place for avian fauna, which comprises over 200 species of birds migrating to the park during the winter season. This national park is also the abode of variety of butterflies and insects. Lower lake Situated amidst magnificent hills and the huge Upper Lake, Lower Lake is a beautiful relic of the Mughal Empire. Edged by the Kamala garden, this lake has been significantly affected by human settlements from all sides. Often known as the Chota Talaab, this Lower Lake is separated from the Upper Lake by an over-bridge. The MP Tourism Boat Club provides exciting trips by sail, paddle boats and motor boats over the Lower Lake for adventure lovers. Lower Lake, along with the Upper Lake, has given a famous sobriquet to Bhopal, the ‘City of Lakes’.
