Kolkata/Central

Central Kolkata consists of several neighbourhoods at the centre of the city, including Bowbazar, College Street, Chowringhee, Entally and Park Street. The city centre is covered unde the Esplanade district.

Understand
Chowringhee is a modern central business district of Kolkata and the place of choice for many large business houses. After the British started expanding their settlement outside Fort William in the mid-18th century, Chowringhee was one of the first expansions. During the early British developments around the area, they built huge bungalows and houses all along the eastern end of Chowringhee Road (officially Jawaharlal Nehru Road). However, only a few of them still remains, including The Oberoi Grand, the Janbazar Building, the Chowringhee Mansions, the Asiatic Society and the majestic Indian Museum.

Park Street (officially Mother Teresa Sarani) is Kolkata's foremost dining area with many restaurants and pubs. It also showcases fashionable clothes, books from all over the world and so on. Park Street has retained the British spirit and is so well decorated during Christmas and New Year as if it is still part of the British Empire.

By metro
The North–South Metro runs over Chowringhee Road, with stops at Esplanade and Park Street.

Do

 * Take an auto-rickshaw ride from Chandni Chowk to Lohapool, the driver will take you through some back alleys and narrow roads of Kolkata, sit tight and keep faith on the driver.

Buy
Central Kolkata is the central marketplace for the people of Kolkata. There are shops ranging from computer peripherals to paint brushes and accessories, from cloth merchants to foreign (ফরেন PHAW-rehn) goods. There are cinemas and restaurants. Major chain retailers include Pantaloons (22, Camac St).

New Market
One of the oldest surviving markets in the city. Opened in 1874, it was named Sir Stuart Hogg Market after the commissioner Sir Stuart Hogg and it is still locally known as such. Although the beautiful fountain and benches at the market no longer exist, its popularity has not waned and the beautiful Gothic clock tower recalls the British heritage of the market.

New Market is a good place to sample Indian sweet delicacies and generally soak up the atmosphere of Kolkata. There are also a few handicraft stalls inside. The market is in a large red brick building on Lindsay Street (the road parallel Sudder Street to the north). It has got over 2,000 stalls and is a bargain hunter's delight. The shops are arranged merchandise-wise. It is supposed to be the ultimate marketing experience in Kolkata.

Coffees
There are a number of cafe chains (Barista, Cafe Coffee Day, etc.) on Park Street, near the junction with Mirza Ghalib Street.



Sleep
Sudder Street is at the centre of Kolkata's backpacker area, and many of the budget hotels geared towards travellers are on and around this street.

Stay safe
Although most of Chowringhee is considered safe, one noted problem here is the drug dealers around Sudder Street. However, as the dealers obviously do not want to draw undue attention to their activity, they are not persistent and are rarely a threat.

Connect
There are other smaller internet cafes on Sudder St such as Net Freaks, but they are often very busy.