Noida is actually an acronym for New Okhla Industrial Development Authority and is managed by the authority with the same name. Just across the Yamuna River from Delhi, this is Uttar Pradesh's most modern city and a popular location for businesses. Besides its close proximity to New Delhi, most multi-national companies have chosen Noida as their headquarters because of the Special Economic Zone status that it enjoys.

Developments in industry, commerce and trade have led Noida to be a model city in Uttar Pradesh and a major revenue earner for the government. The Noida model is now being replicated across various cities in the state, with to achieve high growth rates for business, industry and commercial ventures. The official spoken language is Hindi and the city enjoys traditional North Indian food as its cuisine.

Best time to visit:

The best time to visit Noida is from October to March when the weather is pleasant for outdoor trips and activities.

Top five places to see:

Okhla Bird Sanctuary – Spread over an area of 3.5 kms., the Okhla Bird Sanctuary is a haven for both the native and migratory birds located on the banks of river Yamuna. The lake attracts nearly 320 species of migratory birds that come from cold regions like Tibet, Europe and Siberia to spend their winters in a warm climate.

Lotus Temple – Built by the Bahai community in India the half-open lotus flower shaped Temple is a haven of peace and spirituality. The bright white marble shrine is an architectural marvel and is considers as an iconic symbol.

Worlds of Wonder – Located in Sector 18 of Noida, Worlds of Wonder or WOW is one of the largest amusement parks in Asia providing entertainment facilities for people of all age groups offering music, rides and entertainment and a variety of foods, dance and games for visitors.

Sai Baba Mandir – Dedicated to Sai Baba of Shirdi this Mandir is built with beautiful white marble slabs and is one of the most famous shrines in Noida. It remains heavily crowded on all days especially on weekends as people believe that the blessings of Sai Baba can bring health, wealth and happiness to his devotees

Sector 18 Market – Sector 18 Market in Noida with its ultramodern malls, fabulous eateries, swanky multiplexes and other trendy entertainment and business centres has become one of the most happening spots in the city.