Kolkata India

Kolkata is one of India's main metropolitan cities and the capital of West Bengal. Formerly known as Calcutta, it’s widely regarded as the cultural capital of India, yielding an abundance of artists and even Nobel Prize winners.

Kolkata’s cosmopolitan architecture ranges from aristocratic mansions to neoclassical palaces. The vastness of the Victoria Memorial is particularly easy on the eye, with its beautiful domed marble facade housing an art gallery and landscaped gardens. It’s also worth taking in the 19th-century Marble Palace which features Victorian furniture, tranquil courtyards and a small zoo. For a more Gothic offering, head to the dazzling Anglican church of St. Paul’s Cathedral, decorated with stained glass windows, murals and paintings.

While exploring the sights of Kolkata, it’s worth paying a visit to Science City, the largest institute of its kind in the Indian subcontinent. Inside, you’ll discover a wide variety of interactive exhibitions and activities relating to scientific principles, space and marine life. If you’re after a special souvenir, take a look around the halls of the New Market where you can pick up traditional trinkets like silver jewellery, garments and exotic spices. For a peaceful retreat away from the city's bustle, Kolkata’s Botanical Gardens offer a tranquil display of plant life including the world’s largest banyan tree.

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