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 Mumbai
or Bombay, as it was formerly known -- remains
India's city of dreams. Despite poverty and eye-watering
pollution, it is so dynamic that paupers still flock there
in hopes of becoming successful entrepreneurs. Built largely
by the British around one of the best-protected natural
harbors in the world, Mumbai is India's business center and
one of the most important commercial hubs between Singapore
and Europe. It generates more than a third of the country's
GNP -- half of India's foreign trade moves through this busy
seaport on the Arabian Sea. Mumbai is also home to the
country's prolific film industry ("Bollywood"), which cranks
out more feature films than any other place in the world.
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You might think, then, that India's largest city would have a
wealth of attractions for visitors. But the city's growth has
been so rapid (from fewer than 1 million residents in the mid
1950s to more than 18 million today) that most of the energy has
been focused on expanding business enterprises. High-rise
hotels, designer boutiques and fine restaurants abound, but
there isn't much in the way of museums or historical sites.
That's starting to change as the city's Mercedes-driving
executives and Cartier-bedecked socialites begin channeling
their earnings into easing overcrowding and expanding the
cultural offerings. The main draw of Mumbai, like much of India,
remains its contradictions. Within minutes (or a few miles) you
can be awestruck by the palatial houses on Malabar Hill and then
depressed by the makeshift shacks and the bedraggled children in
the city's other, far less affluent neighborhoods. |
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Top Picks
Sig hts
-- The Gateway of India arch; a boat ride to Elephanta Island;
Victoria Terminal around noon
so you can watch the
swarm of dabawallahs delivering lunch to workers; Haji
Ali Mosque at low tide; the city lights at dusk along Marine
Drive.
Museums -- Dr. Bhau
Daji Lad Museum (formerly the Victoria and Albert Musuem) to see
the Elephanta Island statue; Prince of Wales Museum for exhibits
recounting Mumbai's history.
Memorable Meals -- Chetana for its
thalis (a lavish spread of a variety of Indian food);
Tanjore for delicious Indian cuisine accompanied by live music
and dance; Rajdhani for anything vegetarian.
Walks
-- An evening stroll on Chowpatty Beach; a walking tour of the
Hanging Gardens.
Especially for Kids -- The latest
Bollywood spectacular; the caves of Elephanta Island |
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