New Delhi (Hindi: नई दिल्ली Naī Dillī, Urdu: نئی دہلی Naī Dihlī), the capital of the Republic of India and the seat of its three branches of government, is characterised by its wide boulevards, roundabouts (traffic circles), colonial mansions and government buildings, dotted with monuments from various parts of India's history. A part of the larger National Capital Territory of Delhi (NCT), New Delhi is not just a political centre; it's a thriving melting pot where people from different parts of India work and live.
Photos: Wikimedia Commons contributors.
Newcomers (and even some residents) often confuse between Delhi and New Delhi. In fact, New Delhi is a city within the Delhi metropolis, built by the British as the capital of India. Whereas Delhi has served as the political centre of various empires before the British came, from the Rajputs to the Delhi Sultans, and eventually the Mughals. The British established their capital at Calcutta (present-day Kolkata) in 1757 after defeating the Nawab of Bengal. In 1905, Lord Curzon, Viceroy of India, divided Bengal into two halves for ease of administration, creating a massive upsurge in anti-colonial movements in Calcutta.
The fast-growing Delhi Metro network provides a cheap, quick, mostly hassle-free and air-conditioned way of zipping around the city, although its increasing popularity means that rush hour crowds at key interchanges are starting to resemble Mumbai. Fares range from ₹10-60. Special fares apply for travel on the Airport Express. As of 2025, there are 9 lines operational: Red Line 1 : Dilshad Garden–Rithala Yellow Line 2 : Samaypur Badli–HUDA City Centre Blue Line 3/4 : Dwarka Sector 21–Noida Electronic City Blue Line branch: Yamuna Bank–Vaishali Green Line 5 : Mundka–Inderlok Green Line branch: Ashok Park Main–Kirti Nagar Violet Line 6 : Kashmere Gate–Ballabhgarh Orange Line Airport Exp…
Individual listings can be found in New Delhi's district articles The main point of interest in New Delhi is the Kartavya Bhavan Area (literally the "House of Duty Area"), the city's central administrative district. Developed by Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker, the district is home to the India Gate (monumental arch for Indian soldiers), the Rashtrapati Bhavan (residence of the President of India), and of course the Kartavya Path (Path of Duty) connecting the two. The Kartavya Path is flanked by ministry buildings at both sides.
Individual listings can be found in New Delhi's district articles Take a walk at Connaught Place (CP), the heart of New Delhi. The British-designed colonial equivalent of a shopping mall, it's laid out in two concentric rings divided into blocks, all bursting with shops and lots of pampered pigeons waddling about. Long neglected, the area received an upsurge after the opening of the major Metro junction of Rajiv Chowk under it, and it's going more upmarket by the day. At the centre is a small but pleasant park, while on one edge is the notorious Palika Bazaar, an underground den of cheap wares, many pirated or smuggled from overseas.
Individual listings can be found in New Delhi's district articles If you come from the West, it may be interesting to eat at a fast food restaurant like McDonald's or Burger King. The menus are different and, unlike in the west, very vegetarian friendly - even KFC has a veg option. The best place to go for chaat is the Bengali Market (metro: Mandi House 3/4 6 ) near Connaught Place in the city centre. The restaurants are high quality and the food is great. There are ATMs as well. One of the best known restaurants there is Nathu's. But for the really good chaat, you have to make your way to Old Delhi, and particularly to Ashok's near Chawri Bazaar.
Individual listings can be found in New Delhi's district articles
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
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