IndiaBhujBhuj’s five-century history, ruled in turn by Hindus, Muslims and the British, is a desert-flavored twist on India’s familiar tale of kingdoms and conquests. Overview Trip ideas Experiences Regions Best time to visit Accommodation Back to all places in Mumbai & Central India For the visitor, what this translates into is a wonderful balance of the cultural, natural and historical. Begin with Bhuj’s primary source of pride: its textile workshops. These are among the finest in the world, and you’ll find people hand-spinning wool on sleeping-beauty-style spinning wheels, block-printing using dyes made from pomegranate or indigo, meticulously tying tiny pinches of fabric for bandhni tie-dye, or embroidering kaleidoscopic, mirrored fabrics.Bhuj’s palaces offer a glimpse into the cosmopolitan lives of 18th century Mughal rulers – Hogarth prints, taxidermy collections, Venetian chandeliers and all – while the remains of its fort wall snake through the hills like a mini Great Wall. Many of the city’s buildings were badly damaged by a devastating earthquake in 2001, but Bhuj has bounced back with its historic character still impressively intact.Then, when you’ve had enough of history, head out into the White Desert for a totally different experience, reached via the ‘Road to Heaven’, a hallucinatory, arrow-straight strip of tarmac through pancake-flat, glaring white salt flats.Even if you’re not interested in any of this, Bhuj is just a wonderfully friendly, chilled-out place to mooch around. Chat to locals, browse the markets, and get a feel for life in an Indian desert city with an unshakable cultural identity. Other destinations in this region India AhmedabadGujarat’s biggest city has it all – including World Heritage status – plus a little extra Delhi doesn’t have: a bit of peace and quiet. India Aurangabad, Ajanta & ElloraKnown for their rock-cut temples built over a millennium, the caves of Ajanta & Ellora are among the greatest masterpieces of the ancient world. India BandhavgarhSmaller and busier than Madhya Pradesh's other national parks, Bandhavgarh is hilly, rugged, beautiful – and has the best rate of tiger sightings in India. India BhopalOne of our favorite unsung cities, Bhopal’s lakeside setting, Islamic old town and history of feisty female rulers are just a few of its draws. India GwaliorJust a stone’s throw from the Golden Triangle, little-visited Gwalior boasts one of the most ostentatious palaces and the finest pre-Mughal fort in India. India KanhaKanha is absolutely magical. Covering a huge swathe of Madhya Pradesh's highlands with sal forest and grassy Savannah, it’s one of our favorite national parks in India. India KhajurahoA collection of World Heritage temples dating back over a thousand years, remarkable for being covered from top to toe in stunningly intricate carvings. India Little Rann of KutchA unique salt desert with diverse wildlife, engrossing local culture, and a history stretching back to the Indus Valley Civilizations. India MaheshwarStay at a converted fort with the descendants of a famous Maratha queen, and enjoy the magic of the Maheshwar countryside's ghats and riverside temples. India MumbaiHome of Bollywood, city of dreams, of haves and have-nots: Mumbai is extreme in every sense, and there’s no better people-watching on Earth. India OrchhaHidden for years in tangled scrub forest, Orchha’s tumbledown palaces, temples and cenotaphs hark back to the heyday of the once-great Bundela clan. India PannaA beautiful, little-visited national park, with open grasslands, deciduous forests, increasingly good tiger sightings and absolutely world-class bird-watching. Load More