3 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Delhi

The vibrant capital metropolis of India, Delhi, welcomes thousands of tourists every year across the world, courtesy of its sedate blend of art, culture and ancient and modern architecture.  It symbolises the glorious past of the country as well as the thriving present.

If your next trip is to the Capital City of India, include the cultural UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Delhi to fasten your soul to a frenetic speed.

1. Qutub Minar (1993)

Influenced by the Minaret of Jam in Afghanistan, Qutb Minar is a symbol of victory for Muhammad Ghori over the Rajput King Prithviraj Chauhan in 1192 AD. Standing tall as the insignia of the Mughal dynasty, it comprises 5 tapering storeys. You will find inscriptions in Parso-Arabic and Nagari characters on the walls documenting the eras of Tughlaq and Sikandar Lodi from 1381 to 1517 AD.

• Location: Mehrauli of South Delhi
• Ideal Time to Explore: November to March
• Hours of Operation: 7 AM to 5 PM; open all days
• Entry Fee: For Indians ₹35/person and for foreigners ₹550/person

2. Humayun's Tomb (1993)

Representing the harmonious blend of Islamic architectural brilliance and Central Asian and Persian elements, Humayun’s tomb is a fine testimony of red sandstone, white marble and embellished eaves. The tomb has 2 entries through double-storeyed gateways with a courtyard and rooms on the upper storeys. On entering, you will find several monuments on either side, like Nila Gumbad, the tomb of Isla Khan, Chillah Nizamuddin Auliya, etc.

• Location: Nizamuddin East
• Ideal Time to Explore: November to March
• Hours of Operation: 6 AM to 6 PM; open all days
• Entry Fee: For Indians and for tourists from SAARC and BIMSTEC countries ₹35/person, for children up to 15 years free, and for foreigners ₹550/person

3. Red Fort (2007)

The colossal Red Fort or Lal Qila covers an area of 250 acres and boasts more than 2 km of defensive walls furnished with turrets and bastions. It takes after an octagon and is adorned with flower engravings, marble and domes, symbolising a rare specimen of the Mughal dynasty. In addition, it represents the cultural, architectural and political of modern India inked with rich sundry hues.

• Location: Chandni Chowk
• Ideal Time to Explore: October to February
• Hours of Operation: 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM; remains closed on Monday
• Entry Fee: For Indians ₹35/person and for foreigners ₹550/person

Note: Prices are updated as of April 2023 and may vary.

To get recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a place must meet the 10 cultural and natural criteria as follow:

• The place should have exceptional instances of landscapes or buildings that hold a significant position in history, architecture or technology.
• It should have an endangered traditional human settlement representing any culture or human interaction with nature that occurred in the events of permanent changes.
• The site should exchange human values associated with landscape, town planning, technology, and architectural or monumental development.
• It should have significant instances of aesthetic genius.
• A site with an illustration of remarkable phrases of world history, be it geomorphic or physiological, a record of life or an ongoing geological process of developing landforms can be listed as a World Heritage Site.
• It should comprise natural habitats of biological diversity that include extinct species of universal significance.
• The area must exhibit a notable specimen of a living or extinct civilisation or culture.
• It should be directly or indirectly associated with existing examples of prominent beliefs, traditions, literary and creative genius, and events of universal significance.
• The site must testify to cultural importance.
• The area should have distinct instances of significant biological and ecological procedures. This process needs to be ongoing and responsible for the development and evolution of nature.

Apart from visiting the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Delhi, a leisure walk through the lanes will take you back to the glorious past of India. Besides, you must include the delectable local foods and the popular shopping hotspots in your list to make your trip to Capital City a memorable one.