Golden Triangle 3-Days Tour – Agra 金三角包车游—阿格拉
March 15, 2025
Yesterday afternoon, we drove for over three hours……
昨天下午驱车三个多小时从新德里来到阿格拉,。。。
March 15, 2025
Yesterday afternoon, we drove for over three hours from New Delhi to Agra and went straight to the hotel to rest.
Early this morning at 6 a.m., our driver arrived at the hotel on time to pick us up. After a short drive, we reached one of the Seven Wonders of the World—the Taj Mahal. We met our local guide at the entrance, who then led us into the site. A quick note here: security checks at the Taj Mahal are separated by gender, and all small bags must go through security scanning, separated from their owners for some time. After the check, visitors have to squeeze through the crowd to find their bags on a long table behind a jam-packed conveyor belt—extremely chaotic and quite insecure.
Even though we had seen countless photos and films of the Taj Mahal, witnessing it in person was still awe-inspiring. Our guide shared the history with us: the Taj Mahal was commissioned by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal, and took 22 years (1632–1653) of meticulous craftsmanship to complete. Since we arrived early, the crowds weren’t too overwhelming, but there were still lines at the best photo spots. Thankfully, our guide helped us take photos—though rushed, we still managed to capture some beautiful shots.
After the Taj Mahal, we headed to the Tomb of I’timād-ud-Daulah, also known as the Baby Taj—said to have inspired the design of the Taj Mahal. This tomb was built by Nur Jahan, wife of Emperor Jahangir, for her father Mirza Ghiyas Beg between 1622 and 1628. Having just come from the grand and majestic Taj Mahal, this smaller tomb felt rather modest and run-down by comparison.
We then returned to the hotel for breakfast. Afterward, our driver took us to another major attraction—the Agra Fort. Built in the 16th century with red sandstone, this massive structure once served as the main imperial palace of the Mughal Empire. From the fort, we could also catch a distant view of the magnificent Taj Mahal.
In the afternoon, after bidding farewell to our local guide, we embarked on a five-hour drive to Jaipur, our next stop in the Golden Triangle journey.
金三角包车游——阿格拉(Agra)
2025年3月15日
昨天下午驱车三个多小时从新德里来到阿格拉, 直接入住酒店休息。
今天清晨 6 点，我们的司机准时来酒店接我们，经过短暂的车程，我们抵达了世界七大奇迹之一——泰姬陵（Taj Mahal）。当地导游在门口与我们会合之后便带着我们进去。这里要说一下，进泰姬陵的安检男女分开，随身的小包都必须过安检带，且与人分开一段时间，安检之后要人挤人的去让工作人员在堆得满满的传送带后面长桌上找自己包包，非常混乱且不安全。
尽管在无数照片和影视作品中见过它的身影，亲眼目睹泰姬陵的那一刻，依然令人震撼。我们的导游向我们讲述了泰姬陵的历史：它是莫卧儿皇帝沙贾汗（Shah Jahan）为纪念他的妻子穆姆塔兹·玛哈尔（Mumtaz Mahal）而建，经历了 22 年（1632-1653 年） 的精雕细琢才最终完成。我们去的早，人还不算太多，最佳摄影点都必须排队，好在我们有导游帮忙拍照，虽匆忙但还是留下了美照。
离开泰姬陵，我们前往伊特玛德·乌德·道拉陵墓（Baby Taj）——据说是泰姬陵的灵感来源。这座陵墓由莫卧儿皇帝贾汉吉尔的王后 努尔·贾汉（Nur Jahan） 于 1622-1628 年间为她的父亲 米尔扎·基亚斯·贝格（Mirza Ghiyas Beg） 建造。刚看完高大上的泰姬陵，再来看小泰姬，感觉就是一个老破小了。
然后我们回到酒店，吃完早餐后，司机又接我们去另一个景点——阿格拉堡（Agra Fort），这座建于 16 世纪的红色砂岩城堡，曾是 莫卧儿帝国的主要皇宫。在那里，还可以遥望宏伟壮观的泰姬陵。
下午与今天的当地导游告别后，我们开车五小时前往下一站斋浦尔（Jaipur），继续我们的金三角之旅。
Golden Triangle 3-Days Tour—New Delhi 金三角包车游—新德里
March 14, 2025
Our 3-day Golden Triangle tour began……
我们从Viator订了三日金三角包车游，。。。
March 14, 2025
Our 3-day Golden Triangle tour began with a morning pickup from our hotel by a private driver, arranged through Viator. After picking us up, the driver met with our local guide, who stayed with us throughout the day. Due to the Holi celebration, some monuments were closed, but we still managed to explore several of Delhi’s iconic landmarks, making the most of our time in the capital.
Our first stop was Jama Masjid, one of the largest mosques in India. The grand red sandstone structure is a masterpiece of Mughal architecture and continues to be an active place of worship. Like many religious sites in India, we were required to remove our shoes before entering. To avoid walking barefoot, we paid 200 rupees to borrow thin slippers. The mosque was nearly empty, with workers rolling out carpets in preparation for upcoming prayers. Through an open side gate, we caught a glimpse of Chandni Chowk Market, which our guide jokingly referred to as the “thief market.” The usually bustling market was quiet, closed in observance of Holi.
Next, we stopped for photos at India Gate, a war memorial honoring the Indian soldiers who died in World War I and other conflicts.
Due to the Holi holiday closures, our guide suggested an alternative site: Gurdwara Bangla Sahib, a stunning Sikh temple with a golden dome and a peaceful Sarovar (holy pond), which was under renovation. Both of us had to remove our shoes and cover our heads with scarves before entering. It was our first time inside a Sikh temple, and we were fascinated by the worship rituals. We also visited the temple’s langar, the community kitchen that serves over 20,000 free meals daily. While photography was not allowed inside the temple itself—preserving the sacred atmosphere—we were permitted to take photos in the kitchen area. The atmosphere there was truly humbling. People from all walks of life worked side by side, chopping vegetables, washing dishes, baking bread, and serving food. Witnessing this spirit of selfless service was deeply inspiring, and the sheer scale of the operation left a lasting impression.
We then visited Qutub Minar, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the tallest brick minaret in the world. Built in the 12th century, the towering structure is covered in intricate carvings and Arabic inscriptions from the Delhi Sultanate period. Remnants of an earlier Hindu temple stand beside the mosque, reflecting a history of religious transitions—a pattern we observed throughout India.
Our final stop in Delhi was the Lotus Temple, a Baha’i House of Worship known for its lotus flower-like architecture. Open to people of all faiths, the temple offers a serene space for silent reflection. We waited briefly before entering and sat quietly inside for a few minutes to absorb the tranquil atmosphere. The surrounding gardens were beautifully maintained.
Given the general concerns about hygiene among foreign visitors, our driver took us to a trusted restaurant catering to tourists. It offered both Indian and Chinese dishes. The clientele was entirely foreign, and we ordered butter chicken and Chinese noodles, both of which were satisfying.
Our local guide was knowledgeable and engaging, offering detailed insights into the history and cultural significance of each site. He also served as our photographer, which meant we didn’t have to rely on selfies—a thoughtful touch that made the experience even more enjoyable.
After lunch, we began the 3-hour drive to Agra. That night, we checked into the Holiday Inn, where dinner was included in our package. The buffet-style meal was decent and convenient after a long day of travel and sightseeing.
金三角包车游—新德里
2025年3月14日
我们从Viator订了三日金三角包车游，配一位私人司机和三位当地导游。今天是第一天，主要是在新德里转转。早餐之后司机先从酒店接上我们俩，再前往接当天陪同我们的当地导游。由于今天仍是洒红节（Holi Festival），一些景点关闭，但我们仍然游览了多个标志性景点，充分利用了在印度首都的时间。
我们的导游详细讲解了每个景点的历史和文化背景，使我们能够按照自己的节奏慢慢探索。他还兼职摄影师，帮我们拍下了许多美照，无需自拍，令旅程更加愉快。
新德里游览景点
贾玛清真寺（Jama Masjid）—— 印度最大的清真寺之一，这座 红砂岩建筑是莫卧儿建筑的杰作，至今仍是重要的宗教场所。打开侧门时，我们远望一处被导游称为 “小偷市场”的Chandni Chowk 市场。
印度门（India Gate） —— 印度战士纪念碑，矗立在新德里市中心，以纪念在战争中牺牲的印度士兵。P?锡克庙（Gurdwara Bangla Sahib） —— 一座宏伟的锡克教寺庙，金色圆顶在阳光下熠熠生辉。我们按照规定包上头巾，脱掉鞋袜，淌过水进入寺中，圣徒们坐在地上聆听颂经。里面不允许拍照。我们还参观了免费施食厨房（Langar），这里每天为2万人提供餐食，体现了锡克教的博爱精神。
古塔（Qutub Minar） —— 联合国教科文组织世界文化遗产，世界上最高的砖砌宣礼塔。
莲花寺（Lotus Temple） —— 巴哈伊教礼拜堂，以莲花造型闻名。这里的宁静氛围为游客提供了一个静思冥想的空间，对所有信仰的人开放。
在一天的游览结束后，我们享用了一顿美味的午餐，包括奶油黄油鸡（Butter Chicken） 和 中式炒面（Chinese Noodles），为这趟充满文化与历史的旅程增添了一份美食的满足感。
告别新德里及当地导游，司机载着我们前往三日游的下一站Agra。
Holi Festival 洒红节
March 12, 2025
Chenggang flew to New Delhi from Hanoi,……
当我们于2025年3月12日抵达新德里时，。。。
March 12, 2025
Chenggang flew to New Delhi from Hanoi, Vietnam with Vietnam Airlines, while Connie arrived on a United Airlines flight from New York City. We both enjoyed some relaxing time in our respective airport lounges before our flights. Connie landed in New Delhi about an hour earlier than Chenggang, and we met at the baggage claim area.
As we stepped out of the arrival gate, we saw a hotel representative holding a sign with our name. Shortly after, we were escorted to our car, and the hotel driver drove us to the hotel.
On the way, the driver mentioned that the next two days would be filled with vibrant Holi celebrations across India. Holi is one of the country’s most joyful and colorful festivals, marking both the arrival of spring and the victory of good over evil. It’s famously known as the “Festival of Colors,” with people joyfully throwing colored powders (gulal) at one another in celebration.
March 13, 2025
This morning, we set out to explore Delhi on our own, without a guide. The hotel driver dropped us off at Aerocity Mall, but since most shops hadn’t opened yet, we decided to head to the nearby metro station. To our surprise, the newly built station wasn’t directly connected to the mall as we had expected—we had to circle around the mall to reach the entrance.
Once inside, we found the Delhi Metro to be a pleasant surprise: modern, clean, and nearly empty. We took the train to a stop near Connaught Placeand Central Park, but as we exited the station, we were quickly overwhelmed by large crowds on the streets—and even saw monkeys roaming freely, which was both surprising and a bit amusing.
As we made our way toward Central Park, a man approached us, claiming the park was closed and recommending a “nice shopping mall” nearby instead. Believing he might be referring to Connaught Place—our intended destination—we hesitated. A second man then joined the conversation and offered to walk with us. Though he may have meant well, we started to feel uneasy, especially as we walked into a neighborhood that didn’t feel particularly safe or clean.
About 10 minutes later, we arrived at Dilli Haat, an indoor handicraft market. While the market was interesting and featured a variety of local crafts, it wasn’t quite what we were looking for—we hadn’t planned to shop for souvenirs or clothes. Overall, it was a disappointing start to our day and not the experience we had hoped for.
After just a brief look around, we left and decided to trust Google Mapsinstead of unsolicited advice from strangers. That turned out to be the right call.
Contrary to what we’d been told, Central Park and Connaught Place were both open. We strolled around the famous circular market area, though nothing in particular caught our interest. So we returned to Aerocity for a simple lunch at the mall’s food court. The hotel driver picked us up afterward and brought us back to the hotel.
In the afternoon, we were invited to join the Radisson Blu hotel staff for their Holi celebration. From the moment we arrived, they made us feel welcome—handing us cheerful “Happy Holi” white t-shirts and playfully smearing colorful powders on our faces.
They had prepared a spectacular buffet of Indian cuisine, along with an open bar, and the atmosphere was absolutely electric. With music playing, people dancing, and laughter all around, we found ourselves fully immersed in the festive spirit. We danced, laughed, and joined in the celebration with total spontaneity.
It was a truly unforgettable afternoon, filled with warmth, joy, and cultural connection—one of the most unexpected yet delightful moments of our trip. Holi turned out to be not just a festival of colors, but also a celebration of community, generosity, and the beauty of shared experiences.
洒红节
当我们于2025年3月12日抵达新德里时，接我们的酒店司机告诉我们，接下来的两天将是印度充满欢乐的洒红节。洒红节是一个充满活力的节日，象征着春天的到来和正义战胜邪恶。它也被称为“色彩节”，因为人们会互相抛洒彩色粉末来庆祝。
3月13日，我们与Radisson Blu酒店的员工一起参加了洒红节的庆祝活动。他们热情地为我们提供了白色T恤，并在我们的脸上涂上了五彩斑斓的颜料。此外，他们还准备了丰盛的印度美食和开放式酒吧，款待大家。现场气氛热烈，我们随着音乐起舞，欢声笑语不断，尽情享受着印度美食和节日的狂欢。这个下午充满了惊喜与欢乐，让我们沉浸在这场意想不到的文化体验之中。