Mumbai, a cosmopolitan metropolis, earlier known as Bombay, is the largest city in India and the capital of Maharashtra state. Mumbai was originally a conglomeration of seven islands on the Konkan coastline which over time were joined to form the island city of Bombay. The island was in turn joined with the neighbouring island of Salsette to form Greater Bombay. The city has an estimated metropolitan population of 21 million (2005), making it one of the world's most populous cities.
Mumbai is undoubtedly the commercial capital of India and is one of the predominant port cities in the country. Mumbai's nature as the most eclectic and cosmopolitan Indian city is symbolized in the presence of Bollywood within the city, the centre of the globally-influential Hindi film and TV industries. It is also home to India's largest slum population.
South Mumbai (Fort, Colaba, Malabar Hill, Nariman Point, Marine Lines, Tardeo)
The oldest areas of Mumbai. Contains Mumbai's downtown area and is considered the heart of this commercial capital of India. The richest neighborhoods in the country are located here, which command among the highest property rates in the world. Real estate prices in South Mumbai are comparable to those in Manhattan. This is the primary tourist area of Mumbai and home to most of Mumbai's museums, art galleries, bars, upscale restaurants, luxury retail with brands like Armani, zegna, Hermes, etc., and the Gateway of India.
South Central Mumbai (Byculla, Parel, Worli, Prabhadevi, Dadar)
Used to be Mumbai's industrial heartland, but went into decline when the industries did. Now this area has been revamped into a white-collar office location. Home to Mumbai's only zoo, the Worli sea face, and the temple to what people consider the city's guardian deity. As you move north, it morphs into a nice middle-class locality.
Mumbai is the most cosmopolitan city in India. In comparison with the rest of the country, the city is quite liberal. With a regular influx of immigrants from rest of India, the citizens, popularly known as 'Mumbaikers', have shown remarkable tolerance towards other cultures, making it a true cultural melting pot. However in recent times, this tolerance has sometimes bowed under external pressures. Between the 60s and 80s, there was resentment about the non-Marathi speakers taking away jobs. The 1991 and 1993 riots between Hindus and Muslims did attempt to affect this spirit, however the city largely managed to recover from these, although serious divisions remain as memories remain scarred.
Mumbai has three main seasons — Summer, Monsoon, and Winter (milder summer). The best time to visit is during the winter between November and February. Humidity is also less during the winter, when the climate is pleasant; the minimum temperature is 17 degrees centigrade and the maximum is 30-31 degrees. Summer is from March to May with highs in the low to mid 30s (roughly 80-90°F). It is hot and humid during this time. June to September is the monsoon season when the city is lashed by heavy rains. The city gets flooded two or three times and normal life gets disrupted during this season. Climate is humid pretty much throughout the year because the city rests on the coast.
Experience Bollywood.
plan a trip Film City located in Goregaon and enjoy the first hand experience of Bollywood shooting
Watch a Movie in the land of Bollywood.
Visit Essel World: a large amusement park in Gorai.
Take A Dip at Water World.
Visit museums and art galleries.
Pub Hopping, The number and variety of Pubs in the city allow for an enthralling Pub Hopping opportunity.
Borivili National Park, or go for Flamingo watching in Chembur.
Watch Cricket for free.
Marine DriveTemples.
Take a Slum Tour.
Walk along Marine Drive; also known as Queen's Necklace, this beachside promenade is worth a ride. A walk can be planned from Girgaon Chowpati (Girgaon beach) all the way upto Nariman Point. Be carefull and avoid this area during heavy rains.
Take a morning walk on Juhu beach.
Celebrate at the Kala Ghoda Festival, [33]. The arts and crafts festival is held in the last week of Jan or first week of Feb annually in the historic precinct of Kala ghoda in Mumbai.
Taj private yacht; if you can afford it (at $300/hr, including drinks & meals), rent the Taj's private yacht (has two sun decks and three bedrooms) for a cruise around the Mumbai harbour.
The shopping experience in the city is a study in contrasts.
Chor bazaar.
Fashion Street. Best place in Mumbai to buy cheap clothes.
Colaba Causeway, is filled with tourists and locals.
Zaveri Bazaar, Best known jewellery Market, all at one place.
Mangaldas Market, for silk and cloth
Bhuleshwar Market, for fruits and vegetables
Dadar Flower Market.
Crawford Market.
Shopping Malls, Mumbai has been experiencing a boom in malls in the past few years. You can combine your shopping, dining out, and watching movies all in one place.
For a city of its size and global importance, Mumbai is quite safe. However, as with any foreign city, it is best to err on the side of safety and act according to your local environment.
Here are a few basic safety tips:
- Littering is punishable with a INR 200 fine throughout Mumbai
- Keep your money and credit cards safe at all times. Always carry some cash as many places won't take cards.
- Do not display 500 and 1000 rupee notes in public.
- Beware of pickpockets on buses and trains.
- Also beware of mobile, chain, or bag snatchers who operate in densely populated places, such as railway stations, busy roads, and traffic signals.
- Women traveling by train, especially on off-peak routes should travel in the second class where at least a few co-passengers are also found.
- Women (especially Westerners) should avoid crowded places
- Women should never ever take lifts from strangers. Western women tourists should note that if they visit a disco or pub in Mumbai or India, don't take lifts or even get too friendly with strangers.
- Men should also be careful, pay respect to ladies and maintain safe distance.
- Don't ever let an auto or taxi you are traveling in pick up any more people, or pull over before your final destination.
- Police can sometimes be almost as shady as criminals in Mumbai. At night, women should ensure if they are ever stopped by police, there needs to be a female police officer present or they are well within their rights in demanding the presence of a woman cop.
- Be aware of Scams.
- Fraudulent SIM cards are not only sold on streets, but also in official-looking mobile phone stores. Never buy a SIM card if the vendor refuses to give you a receipt; make sure that the SIM envelope is not open, and check prices against an official brochure.
Taken from : http://wikitravel.org/en/Mumbai
