WARANGAL
Most re­cently in the news for mak­ing it to the next round of ‘smart cities’ to be devel­oped in the country, Wa­rangal has been holding its own for several centuries anyway. The city has a lot to offer the visitor. Top of the list is the 12th-century Warangal Fort, capital of the Kakatiya dynasty. Oth­er sites of historical inter­est include the Thousand Pillar and Padmakshi tem­ples, both in nearby Hana­makonda. The Bhadrakali temple is situated on a hill­top between Warangal and Hanamakonda. If you’re willing to make trips out of the city, there’s the Ra­mappa Temple and the Laknavaram Lake. Waran­gal is a major rail junction; the nearest airport is Hyder­abad (130km).

HYDERABAD 
The new capital of Telangana is an old capital of culture. But like all great cities, it is many things to many peo­ple. For the historically minded, a must-see list would include the em­blematic Charminar, built in 1591 by the city’s found­er Mohammed Quli Qutb Shah; the Golconda Fort; the Taramati Baradari and the Chow Mohalla Palace. The religiously inclined should head to Birla Man­dir. Genuflectors to moder­nity should visit Hitec City and Ramoji Film City. Those with kids should head to Ocean Park or Snow World. Everyone should eat well—nihari at Hotel Shadab; haleem at Shah Ghouse Café… Hyder­abad is connected to all ma­jor cities by air, road and rail.