Lonely Planet. Delhi

Delhi travel guide.
14th editionWhy Go?
Medieval mayhem, the New India, stately maiden aunt: give it a chance and this schizophrenic capital could capture your heart. Yes, it’s aggravating, polluted and hectic, but hey – nobody’s perfect. Like a subcontinental Rome, India’s capital is punctuated by vestiges of lost empires: ancient forts freckle the suburbs; Old Delhi was once the capital of Islamic India; the British built New Delhi, with its exaggerated avenues; and even-newer Delhi features utopian malls linked by potholed roads. These disparate, codependent elements are all now gloriously intertwined via the new metro system. There are also magnifi cent museums, temples, mosques, and a busy cultural scene – and shopaholics, you are home: all the riches of India twinkle in Delhi’s emporiums. Prepare yourself to tuck into some of the subcontinent’s nest food, including the famous Dilli-ka-Chaat (Delhi street food) – which, rather like the city itself, jumbles up every avour in one bite.