An Aquatic Gallery at Gujarat Science City near Ahmedabad, India
Sam Panthaki—AFP/Getty Images

As India’s first UNESCO World Heritage City, Ahmedabad boasts both ancient landmarks and contemporary innovations that make it a mecca for cultural tourism, from the serene Gandhi Ashram that sits on 36 acres on the banks of the Sabarmati River to Navratri, a vibrant nine-day celebration (this year from Sept. 26 to Oct. 5) billed as the longest dance festival in the world.

Ahmedabad’s Gujarat Science City, a sprawling entertainment center and theme park, unveiled three major attractions last year, including a 20-acre nature park to educate the public on local flora as well as provide new spaces for playing chess and practicing yoga. There is also a new interactive robot gallery that celebrates innovation in robotics and features a towering replica of a Transformer. And Science City’s new aquarium, which showcases aquatic species from around the globe, is now India’s largest.

New hotels include the Hillock Ahmedabad, which offers old-world elegance with antique furniture and golden chandeliers, and the luxurious 18-story ITC Narmada, with patterns and woodwork inspired by Gujarat’s legendary stepwells.

More Must-Reads from TIME

Contact us at letters@time.com.

Dolni Morava, Czech Republic
Doha, Qatar
Miami
International Space Station
Setouchi Islands, Japan
EDIT POST