Anyone Been to Bhopal?

I am interested to see if anyone has travelled to Bhopal recently. I did a search but only managed to come up with some old threads and discussions on the Union Carbide disaster. I am thinking of adding a trip there from Puri on my way back to Delhi (with a stop in Orchha). I gather that this isn't on the tourist circuit but, from what I have read, seems to be a potentially interesting place to visit.

I was in Bhopal a couple of years ago and had a very nice visit there. It's well off the beaten track, and you might not see any other Westerners during your stay. I found the people very pleasant and friendly, and the bazaar was colorful, though I didn't find any treasures there.

I did stay at Bhopal for a week few years back. Not gone recently.
You can spend hours together watching the artistic work at Kajuraho temple alone. This place is called Temple city.
For further info - Madhya Pradesh State Tourism Development corporation Ltd,
Bhopal
Tele 0755 2778383

Thanks for your replys. I think that Bhopal will definately be added to the trip.

I was there in Bhopal in June this year and had a wonderful time with some beautiful trips from there to visit Sanchi, Vidisha and Bhimbetka. You can also visit Bhojpur, Gyaraspur and some other places like Mandu and Panchmarhi which is supposed to be a nice hill station nearby. Bhopal has two beautiful lakes and some lovely museums too. Don't miss the Bharat Bhavan though I am told there was a lot of damage after the heavy rains there.

Orchha is one place you cannot give a miss, so please see it without fail!!! It is very beautiful and you are taken to a different world altogether when you go there!!!

Hope you enjoy your trip to India and have a pleasant journey here!!!

Cheers,
Aadil.

Hi Casey,

I've been in Bhopal last end of August. I was going from Delhi to Orchha(Jhansi) by train, and from Orchha to Bhopal with Shatbadi Exp. Orchha is a good place to spend one or two days. The city of Bhopal is interesting with impressive mosques (Moti Majid, Jama Masjid and Tal Ul Majid), nice bazaars around Jama Majid and a huge market near Hamidia Rd. Sanchi (world heritage) is only a 50 km., with very good train service(50 minutes). From Bhopal I've moved to Mandu, Omkareshwar, Maheshwar, Dhar, Ujjain, Bundi and back to Delhi. A perfect travel for 3 or 4 weeks travel.

I also visted Bhopal a couple years back and didn't see any other tourist for the entire 3 days I was there. Budget hotels that accept foreigner's are not as plentiful there, we found several places didn't have the proper forms etc. The town is worth a visit, but as others have mentioned Orcha would be nicer to hang out in. Outside of Bhopal, the Bhimbetka cave paintings are the worth visit if you're already there. I went on a weekend and it was full of picnicers having lots of fun.

Spent a night there on the way to Sanchi a few years ago.

I remember it mainly for the hotel we stayed at - pretty plush reception area but fairly basic rooms - very strange! Sanchi is a really quiet and pleasant place to stay.

Can give the address of a very good and serious Travel Agent in Bhopal. He can arrange hotel reservation all around Madhya Pradesh, tribal visits, Nat. parks visits, and hire a car with driver.

RAI TRAVELS PVT LTD
Mr. Gopal Rai
Phone: 749456 - 542465 - 241026
Fax : 0755-542465
Mobile: 9826054246
email: raitrav_bpl@sancharnet.in

You are welcome. Hope the tele number also worked. I used the same number last year for to help out one of my friend and the response from the other side was good too..
Have a great time
ush

Bhopal sounds like a good place to try the dressing in a Salwar vs. dressing in Western attire that is being discussed in the tank top thread women and tank tops)

Years ago went to a brand new chemical plant making pesticides for Indian agricultural progress. Built on a former Maharaja's site, lots of smashed architecture made me sad..

Visited Bhopal only once, two decades ago ! All that I remember is a beautiful lake at the city centre and some museum which overlooked the lake.
Wonder what's the city like today and whether the lake still survives or has dried up !

Shimla, fortunately the lakes in Bhopal are still there and with plenty of water.
For me Bhopal was a pleasant city with a fresh weather compared with other cities in MP and with huge gardens and nice villas in the hills that surrounds the town.

The muslim architecture is not so sad, the three main mosques are good examples of this style.

Casey, no need to wear Salwar, Bhopal is not a touristy city but the people is really kind and I have enjoyed my time in the muslim markets as well as in the bazaars around Jama Masjid.

Thanks, Jorge ! Relieved to know that. Good photo of the lake, too.