Top 8 Things To Do In Bhopal, India

1. Upper Lake

The Upper Lake is commonly referred to as the Bhojtal by the common people and is one of the best tourist destinations of Bhopal. Spending a day here along with friends and family is undoubtedly a fascinating experience. The picturesque beauty of the Upper Lake never fails to soothe the minds of the tourists. The Kamla Park adjacent to the Upper Lake is a splendid spot for organizing picnics and is a very popular place for the nature lovers. Besides this, one can also opt for a boat ride on the lake.

Upper Lake

Address: Bhopal, 462030 Madhya Pradesh, India

Price: Free

Opening hours: All seasons, all days, from sunrise to sunset.

2. Van Vihar National Park

The Van Vihar National Park is the most popular national park in the central region of India. Located adjacent to the vicinity of the Upper Lake, it is one of the best tourist spots of Bhopal. In spite of being a national park, it is a home to a wide array of animals and hence, it is considered as a hotspot for every nature lover, wildlife photographers, and animal lovers.

One can easily spot various kinds of carnivores such as tigers, leopards, panthers, lions, bears, and gharials encompassed in their natural habitats. Among the herbivores, one can easily see chitals, blackbucks and sambars roaming freely in the lush green ambiance. Thus, Van Vihar National Park is a must-visit tourist destination for anyone who is planning a trip to Bhopal.

Van Vihar National Park

Address: Lake View Walk Path, Van Vihar National Park, Krishna Nagar, Shymala Hills, Bhopal, 462002 Madhya Pradesh

Price: 0.23 USD per person for Indians, 3.1 USD per person for foreigners, 0.62 USD for a still camera, 4.65 USD for a video camera, 6.2 USD for a vehicle.

Opening Hours Open all seasons, all days from 9 a.m. - 6 p.m., closed Fridays.

Website: Van Vihar National Park

3. Bhimbetka Rock Shelters

The Bhimbetka Rock Shelters, popularly known as ‘Bhimbetka Caves,’ is a UNESCO world heritage site and is the most popular tourist spot in Bhopal. Situated just 45 kilometers (28 miles) from the main city on the foothills of Vindhya Mountains, the cave is a store-house of pre-historic books, rock paintings, and sculptures which date way back to the medieval ages. The caves are undoubtedly the hotspot for all the art enthusiasts and also for those who love to delve into the pre-historic ages. Therefore, it can be easily concluded that the Bhimbetka Rock Shelters are one of the most archeologically rich tourist spots in India and hence is a must visit for anyone planning a trip to Bhopal.

Bhimbetka Rock Shelters

Address: Bhojpur Raisen, 464990 Madhya Pradesh

Price: USD 0.15 per person for Indians, USD 1.55 per person foreigners, USD 0.77 per LMV for Indians, USD 0.31 per LMV for foreigners, USD 1.55 per mini bus for Indians, USD 6 .20 per mini bus for foreigners.

Opening Hours: All seasons, all days from 7 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Website: Bhimbetka Rock Shelters

4. Sanchi Stupa

Situated at a distance of 46 kilometers (29 miles) from Bhopal, the Sanchi Stupa is one of the prime tourist attractions of Madhya Pradesh. The Stupa dates way back to the Mauryan Empire and is of great religious significance for the Buddhists. Created just from a single semi-circular rock, this sacred stupa is known to be the home to the old relics of the Lord Buddha.

It is a classic example of extraordinary art and architecture and is considered as one of the best creations during the rule of the famous Indian emperor, Asoka. Regarded as a world heritage site by UNESCO, the paintings on the walls of the Stupa depict the early life of the Buddha and his seven incarnations. Adjacent to the Stupa there are numerous other Buddhist monuments. Therefore, the Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi must be included in the list while planning a trip to Bhopal.

Sanchi Stupa

Address: Sanchi, Raisen, 464661 Madhya Pradesh, India

Price: 0.31 USD per personn for Indians, 3.87 USD per person for foreigners.

Opening Hours: All seasons, all days, from 7 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Website: Sanchi Stupa

5. Jama Masjid Bhopal

The Jama Masjid in Bhopal is popularly known as the Taj-ul-Masajid and is a very popular mosque in Bhopal. Often referred to as the ‘crown of the Mosques,’ it is one of the major tourist destinations in Bhopal, especially for Muslims. The stunning architecture of this mosque is simply a treat to the eyes and is quite similar to the famous Jama Masjid located in Delhi. The magnificent pink frontage of the mosque assembled with two 18-layered octagonal towers on each side, along with three white colored spherical domes that kiss the skyline of the city, looks absolutely stunning.

Jama Masjid Bhopal

Address: Chowk Bazaar Rd, Sarafa chowk, Azad Market, Peer Gate Area, Bhopal, 462001 Madhya Pradesh

Price Free

Opening Hours All seasons, all days, 6:30 am - 7 pm

6. The Bharat Bhavan Museum

Facing the Upper Lake, the state archaeological museum is the perfect destination for all the tourists who have a keen interest in arts. Founded in 1982, the museum attracts a massive amount of tourists every year. Located near the Upper Lake, it comprises an art gallery rich in paintings, handicrafts and various other forms of artworks that are done by the artists from all over India.

It also houses an open-air studio and an auditorium where numerous cultural functions are held. The popularity of Bharat Bhavan Museum attracts art lovers not only from India but also from all parts of Asia. Thus, it can be considered a perfect destination for all the art-loving tourists.

The Bharat Bhavan Museum

Address: J. Swaminathan Marg, Shamla Hills, Near Upper Lake, Bhopal, 462013 Madhya Pradesh

Price: Free on Fridays, 0.15 USD per person otherwise.

Opening Hours: All seasons, all days except Monday.

Website: The Bharat Bhavan Museum

7. Yodhasthal

Yodhasthal is the perfect tribute to all the soldiers who have served or are serving in the Indian Armed forces. It is a perfect tourist spot for every true patriot and also for the ones who are keen to join the armed forces in future. It completely enlightens the tourists about the history of the Indian armed forces, their contribution towards the country and the cause for which they have sacrificed their lives. It also throws light on the way of life that they lead, the hardships that they encounter during their daily course of life and the weapons that they use.

Yodhasthal

Address: 81 Aditya Avenue, Airport Rd, Aditya Avenue, Bairagarh, Bhopal, 462030 Madhya Pradesh

Price: Free

Opening Hours All seasons, all days from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. and from 4 - 7 p.m.

8. Gohar Mahal

Located adjacent to the Upper Lake, the Gohar Mahal is yet another major tourist destination of Bhopal. It stands tall with all its pride and glory and depicts the contribution of the Nawabs towards the advancement of culture in Bhopal. The Gohar Mahal is simply a treat to watch since it is a perfect blend of the Mughal style of architecture and Hindu.

It is undoubtedly the best witness to the magnificent history of Bhopal which dates way back to the Mughal era. The ‘Bhopal Mahotsav’ is held in Gohar Mahal every year and is a huge crowd puller. It not only attracts the tourists but also the art lovers and craftsmen who are eager to showcase their talents in front of the public. Therefore, Gohar Mahal must be included on the must-visit list by each and every tourist.

Top destination in India

Bhopal is one of the top tourist destinations of India. The city boasts of a wide array of tourist spots that are located throughout the length and breadth of the city. The choice to visit Bhopal in order to spend the vacation can be one of the best decisions in the life of any travel enthusiast. The city is rich enough as far as history and culture are concerned and it never fails to mesmerize her visitors with her intrigue beauty.