Lal Bagh

Lal Bagh is a large botanical garden at the heart of Bengaluru, home to more than 1,000 plant species from around the world. An artificial lake fills part of the grounds, while several pathways wind through beds of native and exotic trees, palms, and flowering shrubs.

Hyder Ali laid out the park from 1760 onward as a private royal garden to collect rare plants from South Asia. His son Tipu Sultan later expanded the collection with species from France, Persia, and Afghanistan before the British opened it to the public after 1799.

The park houses a Victorian glasshouse modeled after London's Crystal Palace, serving as the centerpiece for seasonal exhibitions still today. Local residents use the grounds especially in early mornings for jogging and yoga, while the broad avenues remain popular with families for walks.

The garden opens daily around 9 in the morning and closes in early evening, with several gates spread across the grounds. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes, as the pathways run long and are often shaded by trees.

An ancient rock formation on the grounds is believed to be around 3,000 million years old, making it among the oldest geological witnesses on Earth. Some visitors mistake the rock formation for a hill or an artificial rise until they read the signage on site.