VISAKHAPATNAM TRAVEL & TOURISM
The City Of Destiny
According to the history, the city was named after the god of 'Valor-Vishakha'. It was a part of the Kalinga Kingdom, under Ashoka's rule in 260 B.C.
It passed on later to the Andhra Kings of 'Vengi'. After this Pallava, Chola and Ganga dynasties ruled the city.
In the 15th century, Vishakhapatnam became a part of the Vijayanagar Empire.
The Europeans, the Dutch, the French and the English established themselves from the 17th century onwards and used this as a major trading center to export textiles, ivory, tobacco, indigo etc. This port is well documented in the histories of these colonial powers as well as in Indian historical records. This coast played a major role during the reign of the Asaf Jahis and the Golcondas.
Major Attractions of Vishakhapatnam
Kailasagiri is located on a hilltop and is a must to visiting place for all people visiting Vishakhapatnam. The charming hill on the seafront, affords a breath taking scenic view, especially towards Bheemunipatnam.
Shiva Parvathi Statue, top the hill stands tall at a height of 40ft the major attraction.
Park Features
* Shiva Te
mple
* Shanti Ashram
* Floral Clock
* Landscape Gardens / View Points
* Road Train
* Gliding Base Point
* Children Play Park
* Art Gallery
* Conference Hall
* Telescopic Point
* Food Courts
* Shiva Te
mple* Shanti Ashram
* Floral Clock
* Landscape Gardens / View Points
* Road Train
* Gliding Base Point
* Children Play Park
* Art Gallery
* Conference Hall
* Telescopic Point
* Food Courts
* Shiva Parvathi Statue
* Shanku Chakra Naama
* Jungle Trails
* 7 Wonders of Vizag
* Titanic view point
Location: 8 km from Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh
Attraction: Wind Surfing, Water Skiing
Attraction: Wind Surfing, Water Skiing
The lovely Rushikonda beach in Vishakhpatnam with golden sands
and the tidy waves of Bay of Bengal.
It attracts a huge crowd of tourists day by day and many of them
enjoy swimming, water skiing and wind surfing. Rishikonda | Yarada Beach |
Lawson's Bay Beach |
Kondakarla Ava Beach | Gangavaram Beach | Bheemunipatnam |
One of the loveliest beaches on the East Coast, the Ramakrishna beach is a favorite resort for tourists visiting Vishakhapatnam.
Ramakrishna Beach is the most popular beach of Visakhapatnam.
With its serene waters and tranquil atmosphere, the beach offers a lovely
vista of the countryside.
In the past few years, it has gained immense popularity amongst the tourists.
The natural harbour of Vishakhapatnam is to be found on the
north-east of Ramakrishna Beach.
Actually, this picturesque beach is the extension of the Coromandal Coast of India.
The Indira Gandhi Zoological Park is located in Vishakhapatnam amidst the scenic eastern ghats of India, flanked by hills on either sides and Bay of Bengal on the east.
Attraction: Hippopotamus and Crocodiles
Indira Gandhi Zoological Park Visakhapatnam Indira Gandhi Zoological Park is one amongst the largest zoos of India, sited in the natural surroundings of a reserve forest. Sprawled in an area of 625 acres, the park was named after Indira Gandhi - the former Prime Minister of India. It was opened to the public in the year 1977. Located amidst Kambalakonda Reserve Forest in Visakhapatnam, the zoological park is surrounded by the Eastern Ghats on three sides and the Bay of Bengal on the fourth.
Excursions of Vishakhapatnam
Anantagiri is a breathtakingly beautiful resort sheltered in the lush undulating ranges of the Eastern Ghats. It is considered to be a perfect head off to get away from the blistering summer months. The Ananthagiri hills are on the way to Araku Valley and are famous for coffee plantations.
Location: Elysian Tirumala Hills in Ananthagiri, Visakhapatnam district
Altitude: 1,168 meters
Best Time to Visit: Throughout the year
Anantagiri is also famous as summer resort place. Anantagiri in Andhra Pradesh is sure to sweep every tourist off the feet with its natural beauty andAnantagiri Hills,Anantagiri Hills travel beautiful hill resort. Nature lovers and tourists are attracted by unchallenged beauty of this place. The journey from Visakhapatnam to Anantagiri offers unforgettable vistas ranging from thick forests to scintillating sunrise and sunset.
About 16-km from Vishakhapatnam is Simhachalam, famous for the temple of Sri Varaha Lakshminarasimha. Architecturally this ancient temple deserves high praise.
Simhachalam is 707 km from Hyderabad.
Simhachalam is 16 km from Visakhapatnam Airport.
The word Simhachalam means the hill of the lion. refers to the 11th century temple of Lord Narasimha - an incarnation of lord Vishnu. It has been hailed as the most famous and the best sculptured shrine Millions of devotees from round the world visit this temple every year. It has Sri Varahalakshmi Narasimha Swamy as the presiding deity. Simhachalam temple is known as the second richest temple (after Tirupati) for earning a revenue.
About 115-km from Vishakhapatnam is the beautiful Araku Valley, with its bracing climate, orchards, and the Ananthagiri Ghats, which present an enchanting view to the visitors, is attracting tourists not only in India but from abroad too.
Located on the Eastern Ghats of India, the valley is inhabited by tribal people. One of the other attractions of this valley is a tribal museum. the altitude is between 600 and 900 meters above sea level.
Tribal Museum is a biggest attraction of the Araku. Chaaparai, a picturesque place about 15 km from Araku is another picnic spot in this region. One must experience the climatic conditions and the natural beauty of this Valley. The natural beauty of this valley comes alive with the aboriginal tribes who dwell here and who have to this day kept their tradition and culture alive. About 19 tribes inhabit this area.
It is located 115 km from Vishakhapatnam, close to the Orissa state border.
It is located 115 km from Vishakhapatnam, close to the Orissa state border.
Borra Caves At a distance of about 90-95-km from Vishakhapatnam are the Borra Caves, which attained historical and religious importance.
At a distance of around 92km from Vishakapatnam, you can find Borra Caves.
These are the caves which are around 1400meters above sea level.
These caves were discovered by a geological surveyor in 1807.
These caves are actually formed by the constant pressure that the river water have applied on the rocks of the caves and they get dissolved,
These are the caves which are around 1400meters above sea level.
These caves were discovered by a geological surveyor in 1807.
These caves are actually formed by the constant pressure that the river water have applied on the rocks of the caves and they get dissolved,
The architecture of the caves is something that will mesmerize you. There are a lot of things inside the caves that you would love to watch again and again, also, there are quite a few lamps which are used for illumination in the cave and that is one of the reason that you will get an amazing and exotic feel when you would be visiting these caves.
About 25-km from Vishakhapatnam is Bheemunipatnam.
The most important aspect of interest at the place is the beach,
which is perhaps matchless for its beauty all along the east coast.
Location: Bhimli, 24 km from Visakhapatnam
Attraction: Ruins of Dutch Settlement
VisakhapatnamBheemunipatnam Beach is a peaceful and serene beach,
situated along the coastline of Andhra Pradesh.
Amidst the blue waters and tall coconut trees, this beach appears to be
the perfect site for honeymooners.
The breathtaking beauty of Bhimunipatnam Beach cannot be
bounded in mere words.
Located at Bhimli (Bheemunipatnam), which comes under
Visakhapatnam district,this beautiful beach attracts tourists
from all parts of India.
According to the folklores, the place derived its name
from Bhima (one of the Pandavas),who killed Bakasura here.
He commemorated his victory by installing an i
dol of Goddess Lakshmi, on top of a hill.
PLACES TO STAY IN VISAKHAPATNAM
* Daspalla Hotels Limited
* Dolphin Hotels Limited
* Green Park
* Hotel Jyothi Swaroopa
* Hotel Meghalaya
* Hotel Prince
* Palm Beach
* Hotel Taj Residency
* Daspalla Hotels Limited
* Dolphin Hotels Limited
* Green Park
* Hotel Jyothi Swaroopa
* Hotel Meghalaya
* Hotel Prince
* Palm Beach
* Hotel Taj Residency
Nearby Cities of Vishakhapatnam
* Simhachalam: 16 km
* Araku Valley: 115 km
* Araku Valley: 115 km
* Borra Caves: 90 to 95 km
Festivals of Vishakhapatnam
The annual tourism event, the 'Vishakha Utsav' is held in Vishakhapatnam
for three days from the third Friday to Sunday in the month of January.
Shopping in Vishakhapatnam
Vizag is better known as an industrial centre, but in reality it is a city of shopkeepers.
Of late jewellery shops have sprung up in the area in Dwaraka Nagar on the other side of TSR complex.
Chandana Brothers, Bommana, Puchala, are the famous shops, which sell almost all sari varieties. The government owned / run Lepakshi is the place for handicrafts.
FAMOUS PLACES:-
Andhra University is a premier University in the state of Andhra Pradesh.
The University has about 85,000 students persuing their Under Graduate and Post Graduate courses under Distance Education. The University is the second university in South India to offer courses under Distance Education. The Institute had a total enrollments of 62107 in 2000
The department of Anthropology in the Andhra University
has its own specialised anthropology Museum.
The museum was established in the year 1961.
Matsya Darshini Aquarium and Fish Museum Visakhapatnam
Matsya Darshini, an Acquarium and a Fish Museum is one of the
major attractions in Visakhapatnam.
The Acquarium was set up and is maitained by (GVMC).
Matsya Darshini took its shape from the earlier Municipal Commissioner's
Bunglow in May 1990.
Fishes from Singapore, Malaysia and from many other parts of the world
were brought and put for display at the Museum.
However, due to lack of funds, the development of the Museum
were stopped for sometime in 1995.
Dolphin's Nose, a mammoth rocky headland of about 174 meter high,
is situated in the southern part of Visakhapatnam city.
The rock resembles a dolphin’s nose is nicely placed at an altitude of
358 meter with its projection to the Bay of Bengal inVisakhapatnam.
This is a verdant attraction for many visitors as it is nature’s gift in its rarest form.
The Fishing Harbor at Visakhapatnam Port Trust is one of the biggest
in the Coast of Andhra Pradesh.
The harbor was set up in 1976 spreading across 24 hectors of land.
Facts about Fishing Harbor, Visakhapatnam
Total Investment Cost of the Harbor Rs. 426 Lakhs
Total Jeetys 11
Fishes and Prawns import 500 Tonnes
Turnover Rs. 1 Crore per year
Boats 670
Trawlers 60
Mini Trawlers 40
Ice Factories 15
Diesel Bunks 5
Workshops 15
Freezing Points 10
Income to Port from Fishing Harbor Rs. 6.6 Lakhs per month
Hindustan Shipyard Ltd is located on the East coast of India.
The foundation stone of the shipyard was laid on
June 22, 1941 by Dr. Rajendra Prasad who later became the first President of India.
It is the nation’s biggest ship building yard.
It is located at Gandhigram at Vizag.
The shipyard has four berths each 167.0 mts long.
The Kali Temple located on Rama Krishna Beach road is a
modern architectural edifice built on the model of the skeletal structure
of a coral using bamboo reinforced cement concrete.
Constructed in 1984, this shrine of the goddess of power (Shakti)
is famous for its splendid architecture
modern architectural edifice built on the model of the skeletal structure
of a coral using bamboo reinforced cement concrete.
Constructed in 1984, this shrine of the goddess of power (Shakti)
is famous for its splendid architecture
Keertana Vanam is a Beach Resort developed by
Visakhapatnam Urban Development Authority (VUDA) -
Bheemunipatnam Beach Road.
The resort extends in a posh 13 acres land.
Lawson's Bay beach, also called as Pedawaltair beach,
a calm serene and secluded cute beach with lusting greenery and golden sands
Mangamaripeta Beach (Creek)
Mangamaripeta Beach is located in Visakhapatnam District of Andhra Pradesh.
Mangamaripeta, a small hamlet, is situated about 16 km from Visakhapatnam.
It is known for Thotlakonda, a hill embracing a Buddhist complex.
At an elevation of 128 meters above ground,
Mudasarilova is a large water tank located at a distance 5 kms
from Visakhapatnam.
This beautiful site near a lake nestles amidst hills and palm trees.
There are pretty parks full of beautiful flowers and
different types of trees, fountains, birds and peacocks
in cages as well as several picnic spots
Spread over an area of 3 acres Shivaji Park is one of the attractions of Vizag.
Open in the evenings Shivaji Park have many attractions like
Skating Ring, Amphi theater, food courts make This Park an ideal picnic spot.
Submarine Museum, 'Smritika' set up nearby the Vishakapatanam port,
is located at the serene beach named the Rama Krishna Beach.
The museum started functioning in 2001 was converted from INS Kusura,
a Russian built submarine
Sri Venkateswara Konda has a temple dedicated to Lord Venkateswara,
this hill on the south of the line of three hills,
is believed to have been built by an European Captain Blackmoor in 1866,
according to the Telugu inscriptions.
2.Mother Mary's Church ( Rose Hill)
(KANYAMARYKONDA)
Named after Monsieur Ross, the highest mount Ross Hill is
among the line of three hills, the central one.
Roman Catholic Chapel 'Mother Mary's Church' present over the
hilltop was house built a on it by Monsieur Ross in 1864 which was later converted.
Shrines of the stages of the cross are lined through the pathway to the church.
Even from this ross hill excellent views of the ship building yard can be seen.
3.Darga Konda
The north hillock of the line of three hills has a mosque and
the mausoleum of the Muslim saint, Baba Ishaq Madina Darga Konda,
who was revered for his prophecies, is known as Darga konda.
It has been visited and venerated by Hindu and Muslim devotees alike.
VICTORY AT SEA
VISAKHA MUSEUM
FAMOUS INDUSTRIES
Visakhapatnam STEELPLANT
Visakhapatnam STEELPLANT
Visakhapatnam PORT
The port at Vizag is another major tourist attraction.
The sight of anchored ships looks really amazing.
The shipbuilding yard of Vizag located at Gandhidham is a prime attraction
for the tourists. It happens to be the largest shipyard of India.
Cargo vessels, naval ships and passenger ships, all are built here.
The sight of anchored ships looks really amazing.
The shipbuilding yard of Vizag located at Gandhidham is a prime attraction
for the tourists. It happens to be the largest shipyard of India.
Cargo vessels, naval ships and passenger ships, all are built here.
VUDA Park, Visakhapatnam, is one of the significant parks of
the state of Andhra Pradesh. It is popularly known as Taraka Rama Park.
This park has been named after the former Chief Minister of the state.
Visakhapatnam Urban Development
How to Get There
* Air
Vishakhapatnam has an airport. Indian Airlines flies to Vishakhapatnam daily from Mumbai, Kolkatta, Hyderabad and Chennai.
* Rail
Vishakhapatnam is the centre point for the trains going between Chennai and Howra and Howrah and Secunderabad. It is well connected by rail to all the important places in and outside the state.
* Road
National Highway No.5 (Howrah to Chennai) passes through Vishakhapatnam. The Vishakhapatnam to Steel Plant - Anakapalli Road is most modern 4 Line Highway spans 45-km. The APSRTC runs buses and private buses connect major cities of the state and the cities in the neighboring states of Orissa and Madhya Pradesh with Vishakhapatnam.
General Information about Vishakhapatnam
* Climate: Tropical
* Temperature Range (deg C):
o - Summer- Max 36, Min 25
o Winter- Max 28, Min 19.6
* Altitude: 15 feet above sea level
* Clothing: Light Cottons in summers and light woollens in winters
* Best Season: August to October and January to March
* Languages Spoken: Telugu, Hindi, English
* STD Code: 0891
* Climate: Tropical
* Temperature Range (deg C):
o - Summer- Max 36, Min 25
o Winter- Max 28, Min 19.6
* Altitude: 15 feet above sea level
* Clothing: Light Cottons in summers and light woollens in winters
* Best Season: August to October and January to March
* Languages Spoken: Telugu, Hindi, English
* STD Code: 0891
