A Vacation in the Port City of Vizag, Andhra Pradesh

The coastal city of Vizag or Visakhapatnam is the largest city in Andhra Pradesh and plays an important role in commercial and tourism activities of the state. It is set against the picturesque backdrop of the Eastern Ghats and faces the blue waters of the Bay of Bengal on the east. The fascinating city has legends connecting it to Hindu epics such as Mahabharata and early scriptures even determine the existence of Buddhist rule in the region.Considered to be one of the post popular tourist destinations in the state, Vizag has much to offer from tranquil beaches to beautiful temples. Here are some of the top places to visit in the port city of Vizag. Be it travel for relaxation or spiritual quests, the city has something to offer every kind of traveller. A popular place to visit in Vizag is the Simhachalam temple, also called the Simhadari. The unique temple is dedicated to the worship of Lord Narasimha, an avatar of the Hindu god Vishnu. The temple architecture is a confluence of styles, with the central shrine constructed as per Kalinga style and other parts as per the Dravidian temple architecture. The temple located atop a hill amidst thick mango and cashew trees is popular among travellers visiting the city as well as devotees from across the country.Photo Courtesy: Santoshvatrapu Those who believe that travel is an educative process must visit the Visakha Museum in the city, which houses various interesting collections of artifacts. Items on display range from historical ruins from the Kalingandhra regions, armour, vessels, coins, paintings, maps, etc. The museum also displays different types of warships, submarines and aircrafts. The informative museum is among the top places to visit in Vizag.Photo Courtesy: Alexsoddy Located in the Kambalakonda Reserve, the Indira Gandhi Zoological Park is another must-visit place in Vizag. The zoo is located amidst the lush greenery of the Eastern Ghats and the scenic vistas of the Bay of Bengal. The zoo has over 800 animals and a large variety of birds. Beautiful birds such as Ara Glaucogularis Macaw, Pelicans and Ostrich can be seen here. Animals such as tiger, bear, Asiatic Lion, baboon, Puma and Jaguar are also found here. The zoo is also home to a variety of reptiles including crocodiles.Photo Courtesy: Siddhartha Lammata The port city of Vizag is popular for its many lovely beaches. Among the popular places to visit is the Yarada Beach situated at a short distance of 15 km from the city. Nestled against a backdrop of scenic hills, the beach facing the Bay of Bengal is a great place for travellers to relax and unwind. It is also popular for the nearby lighthouse. The beach is mostly boulder free and calm spot without the teeming tourist crowds.Photo Courtesy: Adityamadhav83 One of the most popular places to visit in Vizag is Kailasagiri. The hillock spanning an area of over 380 acres has been developed as a park and recreational point. The view from the hill-top is mesmerising as you look over the surrounding hills, forest, city and beach. There is also an interesting statue of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati at the top of the hill. Among the interesting modes of travel is the ropeway, which is the first such system in the entire state. Travelling the distance of 375 mt in a glass cabin that provides breathtaking views is a must-do while travelling to Vizag.Photo Courtesy: Kmdangi Among the popular beaches of Vizag is another tourist attraction in Vizag, the Ramakrishna Mission Beach. A picturesque location with soft sands, the beach attracts travellers to indulge in activities such as swimming, sunbathing and playing various sports. The other nearby attractions include a small aquarium, temple and the prominent INS Kursura Sumbarine Museum. Make sure you visit the beach for an unforgettable holiday in Vizag.Photo Courtesy: Rishabh Tatiraju Among the tourist attractions in Vizag is the locality of Bheemunipatnam. Interesting legends behind the name of the place say the region has its origins in the time of Mahabharata. Some of the key attractions offered by the region includes; the Pavurallakonda, the temple of Lord Narasimha and the alluring Bheemunipatnam beach. An old lighthouse dating back to the year 1868 is another crow-puller at the beach.Photo Courtesy: Adityamadhav83 Sightseeing places around Vizag include the Araku Valley and en-route attractions such as Borra Caves and Katiki Falls. Located at a distance of 141 km from the city, Araku is a popular hill station in the region with misty forests and mesmerising weather conditions. On the way, travellers can also explore the interesting Borra Caves, which has interesting Stalagmite and Stalactite formations. You can also make a trip to the Katiki Falls located at a distance of 4 km from the caves.Photo Courtesy: Raj srikanth800 The beach is a popular place to relax in Vizag. Travellers can enjoy lazing on the beach and play games with friends and family. Activities such as speedboats are also available. It is among the top choices for calm beaches that are not too crowded. The ideal place for an evening outing with family. Make sure not to miss the beautiful sunsets on the beach.Photo Courtesy: Rajib Ghosh By Road: The NH-4 connecting Kolkata and Chennai also connects Vizag to major cities in the region. Both state and private transport buses are available from major cities to Vizag.By Rail: The Visakhapatnam Junction is a major railhead on the Chennai-Kolkata line and has regular trains to most major destinations in the country.By Air: The Vizag airport has both domestic flights to all major cities in India. It has international flights to Singapore and Dubai.Photo Courtesy: Amit Chattopadhyay