Ahmedabad is a storied city seeped in a rich in cultural heritage that is sure to leave a lasting impression on you. As the heritage discussion penetrates people, cities, and nations around the globe, uExplore is focusing on living heritage and what it looks and feels like today.

As a visitor in Ahmedabad, we hope you have the chance to take a moment to really look around and observe your surroundings. The Old City is a place where cultural intangible heritage is lived and practiced to this day - notice the people around you, what they are doing, and imagine the knowledge that has been passed down from previous generations to make life happen as it does today. 

HERE IS SOME GENERAL INFORAMTION FOR VISITORS TRAVELING TO AHMEDABAD:

ARRIVAL: Ahmedabad has an international airport. As of January 2007, Air India, and Singapore Airlines connect Ahmedabad to USA, London, Paris and Singapore. Those arriving in India by other airlines can connect to domestic carriers like Indian, Jet Airways, Air Sahara, Air Deccan, Kingfisher and Spice jet that fly to Ahmedabad from other international airports of India like Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore. Mumbai and Delhi remain the best connections.

ROAD CONDITIONS: Gujarat has a network of the finest highways in India. The state highways are better than those of most other states.

CUISINE: Gujarat thali is notorious throughout India. Gujarat is known for being purely vegetarian, however, meat lovers can still find non-veg restaurants throughout most of the state. Different regions in Gujarat have different flavors according to local ingredients. In Ahmedabad one can expect to find a melting pot of all these tastes and dishes as well as adequate options for international cuisine.

SAFETY: Ahmedabad is known to be a safe place for tourists, especially for women travelers compared to most other tourist destinations in India. However, watch out for beggars, pick-pockets and petty thieves when visiting crowded areas without guides.

HEALTH: Please refer to your doctor for details for any vaccinations, inoculations and medicine recommended for a visit to India. In case of an emergency or an ailment, Ahmedabad has some of the finest medical establishments and professionals in the country having international standard and repute.

MEDICINES: Though Ahmedabad has good pharmacy shops including 24-hr medical stores, we recommend that you carry all prescribed medicines with you from your country. Make sure that you carry all the necessary medicines in case you are suffering from any kind of ailment of allergy.

WHAT TO WEAR: Ahmedabad is a dry and hot region. Therefore light cotton clothes are recommended during summer and light woolens are recommended for winter. Travel as light as possible as clothing and laundry are quite inexpensive in India. There is no dress-code for eating out but you may like to dress up formally for the smart restaurants. Carry a scarf and a hat/cap for the desert excursion as the desert safari can be windy and dusty, and lip-salve. Also, bring good footwear suitable for walking as considerable walking is involved for heritage walk and excursions. Women travelers should avoid wearing tank tops, short skirts or shorts and other types of revealing clothes to avoid being stared at. As like anywhere in India, foreigners, especially women will receive lots of attention through unwarranted stares. Please don’t feel offended as the people in general mean no harm and it is just out of curiosity.

BEGGARS: Please do not encourage them by giving them money; the best thing is to ignore them as politely as possible.

PROHIBITION: While alcohol prohibition is in force in Gujarat, it is possible for foreign nationals and visitors from other states to get permits after filling a form and paying the prescribed fees. Alcohol can be purchased only from a few alcohol shops located within hotels. The alcoholic beverages can only be consumed in the privacy of your room and not in any restaurant or public place. 

INSTITUTES: Ahmedabad is known for its educational institutions like the IIM for management, NID for design, CEPT for town-planning and architecture, MICA for communications and NIFT for fashion designing. Visits to these institutions, schools and colleges and cultural centers can be arranged on prior notice for interested guests.

GOING ON FROM AHMEDABAD: It is a four hour drive to Mt Abu or five hours to Udaipur from Ahmedabad for those who wish to continue to Rajasthan for the golden-triangle circuit. Ahmedabad has direct flights and overnight trains to Jaipur while for the desert-triangle there is an overnight train to Jodhpur. Similarly for those who wish to continue their tour of Gujarat, most of the well-known destinations of the state like Kutch, Palitana, Gir, are in convenient driving distance. For more information, please visit www.incredibleindia.org or www.india-tourism.com, the official websites of the Ministry of Tourism India

• Delhi 1076 Km
• Jaipur 657 Km
• Udaipur 252 Km
• Mumbai 545 Km
• Jodhpur 442 Km 

CURRENCY: Local currency is Indian Rupees. Traveler’s cheques can be changed at banks and all major credit cards are accepted throughout Ahmedabad.

MORE INFORAMTION: Take a moment to watch this captivating video on gems of Gujarat’s heritage and what makes it unique:

Click on the button below to load a map of the city's Top 20 heritage sites.