Patna’s history stretches back further than almost any other city on earth: as Pataliputra, it served as the capital of the Mauryan Empire under Emperor Ashoka more than 2,000 years ago, and the city that has grown up around that legacy remains one of India’s most historically layered destinations. Taj City Centre, Patna, set on Buddha Marg in the heart of the city, offers travellers a comfortable, contemporary base from which to explore it.
The hotel’s 124 rooms and suites—some with private jacuzzis—sit alongside corridors lined with Sujani textile art and photography, a considered nod to Bihar’s culture that runs through the guest areas. Two restaurants anchor the food offering: Shamiana, serving regional dishes throughout the day, and House of Ming, for Cantonese, Sichuan and Hunan specialities, alongside a pair of bars. A rooftop pool, the J Wellness Circle spa and a well-equipped fitness centre round out the hotel’s guest areas.
Beyond the hotel, Patna makes an ideal base for exploring the wider region’s Buddhist heritage, from the ancient ruins of Nalanda University—once among the world’s great centres of learning—to the temples and hot springs of Rajgir, both an easy day’s drive away. For travellers tracing the roots of Buddhism and the Mauryan Empire through India, Taj City Centre, Patna offers a comfortable, well-located place to begin.