Still known as Bombay to many, Mumbai is a city of extremes where ostentatious wealth is often flaunted alongside dire poverty. Brash, young and relatively westernised, the city is home to Bollywood, India's huge home-grown film industry, and headquarters to many of the country's technological innovation and financial dealings.

Mumbai is not an easy city to come to terms with. With over 16 million people in a relatively small area, it is both congested and heavily polluted. Nevertheless, for short-term visitors, it is a vibrant metropolis with a fascinating history that offers a valuable insight into modern Indian life.

The main interest for visitors is Mumbai's fine collection of Victorian colonial buildings along with some excellent museums and a wealth of temples and mosques. The city's maidans (parks) such as Oval Maidan offer a green escape from the city crush and an opportunity to observe the city at play. Colaba, at the south of the peninsula, is home to most of the well-known sights and a good range of restaurants. Marine Drive and Chowpatty Beach are where locals come to relax and catch the sea breeze.

Highlights
• Shrine of Haji Ali Bukhari
• St Thomas's Anglican Cathedral
• Victoria (Chatrapati Shivaji) Terminus railway station
• The Gateway of India
• Prince of Wales (Chatrapati Shivaji) Museum and Jehangir Art Gallery
• Elephanta Island
• Mahatma Jyotirao Phule Market (Crawford Market)

Government of India Tourist Office
123 Maharshi Karve Road (opposite Churchgate station), Mumbai, India
Tel: +91 (0) 22 203 3144.
Website: www.incredibleindia.com

Spices, silks, electrical goods and tailor-made clothes are all potential purchases. Chor Bazaar has an interesting flea market and nearby Mutton Road has antique shops. Be sure to bargain and beware of fakes masquerading as antiques.

Typically, restaurants serve rich and fairly spicy food influenced by Marathi and Gujarati cuisine. Parsi dishes like Dhan Sak are popular. Mumbai also has a wide range of international restaurants.

Between November and February is the best time to visit. March to May is dry but very hot. The monsoon season, which arrives in June and lasts until the end of September, is best avoided.

India

GMT + 5.30.

Rupee (Rs) = 100 paise.

Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati and other Indian languages. English is widely spoken.

Western India.

14 million.

Constitutional democracy.

Mostly Hindu with a large Muslim minority. Also Jains, Sikhs, Christians, Parsis and Buddhists.

Visitors are asked to remove footwear when entering places of religious worship other than churches. Many Hindus are vegetarian and some, like Muslims, also do not drink alcohol. Sikhs and Parsis do not smoke. Small gifts are acceptable as tokens of gratitude for hospitality.

Tipping: Rounding up the bill is usually adequate. In smarter restaurants, 10% is expected.