Mumbai (Bombay) Sights

Gateway of India

#2 of 168 things to do in Mumbai (Bombay)

#31 of 21665 things to do in Asia

5 reviews | Write a review

Good for: Travel Guide, Families

Not good for: Romance

  • Address
    • Colaba facing out to Mumbai Harbour at the tip of Apollo Bunder
  • Transport
    • Churchgate

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Lonely Planet review for Gateway of India

The bold basalt Gateway of India arch faces out to Mumbai Harbour at the tip of Apollo Bunder. Derived from the Islamic styles of 16th-century Gujarat, it was built to commemorate the 1911 royal visit of King George V. It was completed in 1924: ironically, the gateway's British architects used it just 24 years later to parade off their last British regiment, as India marched towards independence.

These days, the gateway is a favourite gathering spot for locals and a top spot for people-watching. Giant-balloon sellers, photographers, beggars and touts rub shoulders with Indian and foreign tourists, creating all the hubbub of a bazaar. Boats depart from the gateway's wharfs for Elephanta Island and Mandwa.

You can ride in a Victoria - one of the horse-drawn gilded carriages that ply their trade along Apollo Bunder. Get them to go around the Oval Maidan at night so you can admire the illuminated buildings - it should cost around Rs300 if you bargain. Hard.

 

Traveller reviews for Gateway of India (5)

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    Excellent

    traderjoe recommends this,

    Its the perfect place to start your Mumbai journey... just stand by the monument and gaze at the waves.. Its Indian history at its best

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    http://www.wix.com/inmumbai/dineatmyplace

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    Nice people in Rajastan, India

    jenifferwong recommends this,

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    印度10天之旅时间上虽然很短，但要提着行李出发到一个人生地不熟的国家确实有些担心，尤其是听到很多关于印度的负面消息更为我增添几分紧张。
    我很庆幸，在出发前做准备时认识了一位在印度当导游的印度朋友（Kailash Tiwari)，他很乐意的解答我一堆又一堆的问题，甚至帮我做了最妥善的安排。让我沉重的心情抒解了不少。
    Kailash邀请我到他家做客并参加一个订婚礼。他非常热情与友善。谁知在那期间有一对意大利夫妻指定要他当导游，但他还是接待我们还尽量做了最好的安排。
    我们在Jaiselmer（金色城市〔时，他帮我订了一家不错有经济的酒店，给我们很详细的解说，还帮我们安排难忘的沙漠之旅（看日落，表演和自助晚餐〕沙漠的沙好细，日落真的好美！
    Kailash总是能够解答我的每道问题，我们说他像个活字典，而且还是一个很幽默的人，满脑子不知装了多少东西，很多风趣故事，笑话来逗大家高兴。
    可能我是以朋友的身份跟他见面，所以看到了最真实的一面，他是个称职的导游，很细心全面的为顾客安排，很有智慧处理事情（因为我接触过他那挑剔的意大利顾客〕，甚至不怕吃亏不计较。
    虽然刚认识不久，但已让我觉得这人值得我信任。我向他提议说想帮助一些贫民的想法。同时也问他的意见，他不假思索地就给了我很多提议。可见这人的慈悲心很强，智慧也很高。
    我打算回国后再与他配合做个详细的计划到印度的贫民区去尽些棉力也可更了解他们的生活与文化。如果需要一个好的向导Kailash绝对是最佳人选！希望我可以成功回去印度进行这有意义的活动！
    he is a good man to be friendkt@yahoo.com

    Good for: Travel Guide

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    nice place to see

    crazy_biker_gp recommends this,

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    Worth a quick stop

    vivekw recommends this,

    This is a great place to get caught up in the energy and enthusiasm of Bombay. You'll be surrounded by tourists (domestic and international) and those catering for tourists, such as kite and candy vendors. If things get too frenzied, you can always retreat to the Taj Hotel for a nice cup of tea.

    Good for: Families

    Not good for: Romance

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    Barometer

    markbroadhead recommends this,

    One of those places in a city that you keep on walking back to every couple of days. There is something reassuring about the space, and portentous and mysterious. Maybe it was me, but people seemed to be staring at each other a lot here. Waiting for a ferry can do that, I suppose. For me it was more to do with thinking that that this gateway isn't big enough for India. Heck, it isn't big enough for Mumbai.

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