After a heart-shaped lake, Dubai builds another attractive lake in the desert - Times of India

Posted: 12 Mar 2020 12:00 AM PDT

Despite the Coronavirus scare in Dubai, the man-made city continues to work in making the much-awaited Dubai Expo 2020 a reality.

Meanwhile, the entry portals and pavilions are ready at the assigned site of the Expo. From awe-inspiring architecture to the world's largest 360-degree projection screen, Al Wasl Dome, Dubai is leaving no stone unturned to stun the visitors with its larger-than-life paraphernalia.

As if all these developments were not enough, there will also be a unique Lake of Expo, made exactly like the Expo 2020 logo. News has it that the lake has been made using trees and sand. To reach this lake, visitors will have to drive behind the Expo site near the Al Maktoum Airport.

For Dubai, this lake is no feat, considering the fact that it had made two intertwined heart-shaped lakes in the middle of a desert near Al Qudra. The lakes were inaugurated for tourists in 2018.

There is another stunning attraction built at the Expo site, known as the Expo2020 dome. Made of 13.6 km of steel, which is equivalent of 16 Burj Khalifas put together, the dome is as heavy as 25 blue whales put together! Its width is that of two Airbus A380 aircrafts.

Liked this article? Let your friends know about it

A guide to Taj Mahal night tours - Times of India

Posted: 04 Sep 2018 12:00 AM PDT

Ask a tourist to close his eyes and think of an image that represents India; chances are that at least 9 out of 10 people would conjure up an image of Taj Mahal. And rightly so, for there is no denying the charm and beauty of this fascinating piece of architecture. If you, too, have been besotted with this marble mausoleum, also famous as an epitome of love, there is more to it than you can imagine. Yes, I am hinting at the night tour of Taj Mahal, especially on a full moon night.

Is there an option of night tours at Taj Mahal?

Well, yes. The tourism board organises night tours of Taj Mahal every month of the year. An important point to note here is that these night tours are conducted on only five days a month, on the full moon night and two days before and after the full moon.

This schedule is in place as full moon is when this mammoth structure in white marble looks all the more fascinating; since there is a beeline of travellers for the particular night, Taj Mahal night tours are also conducted before and after two days of the occurrence, when the Moon is still at its brightest.

How to visit Taj Mahal at night?

A tour of Taj Mahal at night is no easy feat, for you have to book tickets well in advance and beat the crowd that is pining for the same. These tickets can be booked by visiting Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) Office of Mall Road; the office stays open from 10 AM to 6 PM. You also need to remember that night tour tickets are available 24 hours before the actual date of the event. The same can also be cancelled by 1 PM on the day of viewing.

While a listing of all night tour dates is provided on the Taj Mahal official website, you can call in and check before planning your trip. Those interested can call on these phone numbers:
+91-562-2227261
+91-562-2227263

Details of Taj Mahal night tour

A night tour of Taj Mahal is organised for a maximum of 8 groups for a night, not exceeding than 50 people in one group. So, you need to plan this tour well in advance. Each tour's duration is of 30 minutes, as one group makes way for the next. Also, note that no night tours are organised in the month of Ramzan and on Fridays.

Visitors are expected to turn up 30 minutes prior to the visit at the Shilpagram Complex. Entry inside the complex is not allowed at night, though you can soak in its splendour from outside. No video cameras are allowed in the premised during night tours.

Taj Mahal night tour ticket details

A ticket for a night tour of Taj Mahal costs INR 510 (Indian) and INR 750 (foreigner), while children between 3 to 15 years of age are issued an entry ticket of INR 500 each. Children below 3 years of age are granted free entry.

Is a night tour of Taj Mahal worth it?

Well, absolutely yes. While this structure is a sight to behold even during daytime, its beauty increases by manifolds at night under the silvery-blue Moon. A huge hit with photographers and travellers from all over the world, tours of Taj Mahal at night often see more enthusiasts than imagined. Tickets get sold off in a few hours usually, and you can very well gauge the lure that these tours hold for travellers.

Search This Blog

BC Tourism