ALL ABOUT VIZAG

View all photos Fast Facts State: Andhra Pradesh District: Visakhapatnam Famous for/as: Beaches Languages: Telugu, Hindi, English Best Season: Oct - Mar Weather: Summers 22 to 41°C, Winters 15 to 30°C Altitude: 5 m Pincode: 5300xx STD code: 0891 Primarily an industrial city, Visakhapatnam, as per the Hindu Mythology, is the city named after the god Vaishaka and is popularly known as Vizag. Visakhapatnam city, head quarters of the Eastern Naval Command, has the biggest ship building yard in the country. The major port in Vizag handles huge volumes of Cargo every day. It is an industrial main centre in South India. Visakhapatnam has a rich cultural and historical heritage. Once part of the ancient empire of Kalinga, it has been ruled by eminent kings such as Ashoka and Krishnadeva Raya. It had also been a Dutch colony in the 18th century. Now a comfortable urban hangout, the city offers the best of both ancient and modern worlds. It is a paradise for tourists of all kinds, whether natural lovers, environmental lovers, wild animal enthusiasts, bird watchers or those who look for physical modern entertainments. Natural beauty is abundant in this majestic city, with ranges of pretty big hills, golden beaches along the Bay of Bengal coastline and natural valleys. The city has maintained its greatest appeal to the tourists all along the centuries. The beaches are against a setting of low ranges of scenic hills and lush greenery spotted with quiet coves and creeks. Vizag is surrounded by three amazing hills, Sri Venkateswara Konda, Ross hill and Dargah konda. Each hill carries the legacy of housing the shrines dedicated to three different religions. Venkateswara temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva on Venkateswara Konda; Church of the Virgin Mary on Ross hill and the tomb of a Muslim saint, Baba Ishaq Madina Dargah on Dargah Konda. The popular tourist attractions are Kailasagiri Hill Park, VUDA Park, Mudsarlova, Dantapuram, Simhachalam Temple,Rushikonda Beach and Araku, a scenic hill-station. The city boasts of a submarine museum known as 'Smritika' at Rama Krishna Beach, the first of its kind in South Asia. Must See/Do: Kailasa Giri, Borra Caves Travel News  View all Visakhapatnam Beaches, Mumbai Film City to Entice Tourists      The Tourism Minister of India, Mr. Subodh Kant Sahay has said that the tourism sector is taking up international projects that would revive the Mumbai Film City and Vishakhapatnam’s beaches, making it more viable to international tourists. Read more... Travel within city You can travel around Vishakapatnam through its various buses, auto rickshaws and cabs as these are the available modes of travel. Bus Buses in Vishakapatnam are normally crowded as they cover most parts of the city comprehensively. You can opt for bus travel if you know where you are heading and if you are aware of the general routes in the city. Bus travel is one of the cheapest modes of travel, and fares in buses may range from Rs 5 to 20, depending on the overall distance covered. Buses in the city of Vishakapatnam start from Dwaraka Bus Complex and extend to almost all major locations in the city. Auto Rickshaw Auto rickshaws are another oft preferred mode of commute in the city of Vishakapatnam. Auto rickshaws in Vishakapatnam do not run on meter and it is better to negotiate a price before boarding an auto rickshaw. Prices may range from Rs 15 to 150 depending on the distance covered. There are no extra night fares for auto rickshaws. Taxi Cabs are also available in the city of Vishakapatnam, and these are one of the safest modes of travel. Car charges are around Rs 13 per kilometer with Rs 35 for the first two kilometers. Cabs and auto rickshaws can be taken up from the railway station and bus stand.