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C TYVISAKHAPATNAM

Quick FactsSTD Code: 0891

Helpful Websites

www.lonelyplanet.com/india/andhra-pradesh/vishakhapatnam

www.aptdc.gov.in/vizag

Make a short trip to Araku Valley, which is

Andhra’s best train ride through the magnificent Eastern Ghats, 120km from Vizag. It is covered with thick coffee plantations, waterfalls and umpteen viewing points.

Visakhapatnam may be an industrial city, but it has diverse attractions – from pristine beaches and the country’s oldest shipyard to the only natural harbour on India’s east coast. Once a part of the Kalinga kingdom, it also has a fascinating mix of Buddhist and Hindu history.

I autos are the most convenient way to get around © gettyimages/ Frédéric soreau

TRANSPORTGETTING THERE• Air: Vizag’s airport is 17 km from the city. All major domestic

airlines have daily flights to and from Vizag. • Train: Vizag’s train station is on the western edge of town,

near the port. Visakhapatnam Junction station is on the Kolkata-Chennai line.

local TRaNspoRT• Auto: Autos are a convenient way of getting around – the

lack of meters being the only impediment (minimum charge `20–30). However language gap can be a problem at times if you do not know Telegu.

• Taxi: They are available easily and can be hired at `8–10/km. For detours to places such as Araku Valley, fixed packages starting from `3000 are available.

coNNEcTIvITyRTC Complex has several internet cafes (per hour `15), some open 24 hours. Most major hotels offer free wi-fi.

TOP EXPERIENCES Indira Gandhi Zoological

Park This massive zoological park can be explored from your car; you can stop at the moated enclosures at your own pace to see the animals. Once inside, you can also opt for a battery operated vehicle. The lush expanse of more than 600 acres is part of the Kambalakonda Wildlife Sanctuary.

Kailasagiri This park is located high up on a hilltop and reaching there involves a ride up an aerial tramway, but if you’re not up for that you can also drive. It has a toy train, ropeway, horse rides, exhibits, swings, eating joints and sculptures of Shiva and Parvati. You can get panoramic views of the city, the curved coastline of

the Bay of Bengal and the green hills.

RK Beach The Ramakrishna Beach runs along the main seaside avenue of the city. Seating areas, a park, sculptures and sightseeing options make this an interesting spot to explore. The Kali Temple, Matsyadarshini Aquarium and the Victory At Sea memorial, built as a homage to the war martyrs of the 1971 war, are a few of them. The beach is not safe for swimming, but a stroll is recommended.

Rushikonda Beach Stretching right below Sugar Loaf Hill, this spectacular moon-shaped beach stretch is the most popular tourist hot spot, 20km from town. With its growing popularity, it now has a busy picnic vibe

I besides swimming rushikonda beach oFFers water rides; © gettyimages/ yug_and_her

and it’s worth a day trip. There are plenty of eating joints, shacks selling knick-knacks made of shell and coconut vendors. APTDC also offers two water rides: a motor boat and a jet ski. The full length of the beach can be seen from a restaurant on the hill. Swimming is forbidden here due to the strong currents.

Ins Kurusura Submarine Museum Highly recommended on the itinerary, this unique submarine museum lies on RK Beach. The 91.3m-long and 8m-wide technical wonder was once a Soviet built submarine, used by the Indian Navy. It’s the only place in India where you can enter the 300ft submarine, and see how the insides work. Guided tours of the submarine are a special hit with children.

at The Gateway has a view of either the sea or the pool. Black and white sketches of Andhra themes adorn the walls of the galleries, ensuring that the mood of the hotel matches your travel plans.

NovoTEl%2822222; www.novotel.com; Beach Road; rooms from `6500 Novotel is the latest addition to the beachside hotels at Visakhapatnam and has stylish interiors and facilities. You can also avail discounts with the flexi prices policy. The hotel has a pool and many restaurants. Ask for a sea-facing room to make your stay complete. Another plus is the spa that offers a range of soothing therapies.

BEsT WEsTERN RamacHaNdRa%2579777; www.bwramachandra.co.in; 8-8-36, main Road, Gajuwaka; rooms from `3500Access to Best Western lies in the busy Gajuwaka area, but the spic and span smart rooms, with rich interiors, ample buffet spread at breakfast and service a notch above the rest, make this a top pick for the family. The rooms are small so check if you are planning to add an extra bed for children.

JukasoTEl%3050100; www.jukaso.co.in; 47-10-19,2nd lane, dwarakanagar; rooms from `3000 Trendy Jukaso Hotel’s uniquely designed rooms, modern facilities and excellent hospitality make it a good choice for travellers who want to stay in the middle of town.

apTdc BEacH REsoRT %2788826; www.aptdc.in; Rushikonda Beach; rooms from `2000 Though the APTDC property is not plush, it has a vantage spot on a hill, with a brilliant view of the Rushikonda Beach. The spacious rooms have private balconies. There is no wi-fi facility or pool, but an in-house restaurant and access to the beach makes up for this.

The ParkVisakhapatnam

I the restaurants at Park hotel are a Favourite with locals; © the Park

ACCOMMODATIONTHE paRk %2754181; www.theparkhotels.com; Beach Road; rooms from `9000One of the prettiest hotels in the city, it is inspired by the region’s Buddhist legacy. The elegantly styled rooms and chic ambience of The Park, along with its location by the beach make it one of the best luxury addresses for your stay in Visakhapatnam.

GaTEWay HoTEl %6623670; www.thegatewayhotels.com; Beach Road; rooms from `8000 Each of the thoughtfully placed rooms

EATINGsEa INN %2790403; Rushikonda, along vizag–Bheemli Road Also known as Raju ka dhaba, after the owner, this is your one-stop shop for local food. Try the prawn biryani and fried seafood dishes. They’ve been around for two decades. It’s unpretentious, clean and the food is lip-smacking.

NEW aNdHRa HoTEl sree kanya lodge, Bowdara Road An unassuming little place with really good and really hot Andhra dishes. Meals and biryani are top-notch.

vENkaTadRI vaNTIllu praveen plaza, cB m compound, vIp Road For an authentic Andhra dosa or tiffin, head to this restaurant that seems more like a local canteen. Try their speciality ‘sponge’ dosa.

pasTRy, coffEE N’ coNvERsaTIoN dutt Island, siripuram Better known as PCNC, this charming cafe is done up with cane and wood furniture. You can read a book as you enjoy a coffee, drop by for a quick dessert or even stop in the morning and get sandwiches and other snacks packed for

a day at the beach. It serves an interesting selection of chocolate cakes, which includes a Snickers cake, a Kit Kat cake and an Oreo cake.

HydERaBad HousE %6463939; siripuram vIp Road Head here to try the famous Hyderabadi biryani. The menu is mostly non-veg.

SHOPPINGlEpaksHI %2508037; main Road, Jagdamba centreThe Andhra Pradesh chain of emporiums is your best bet at picking souvenirs from

Visakhapatnam. Not only can you get your hands on local favourites like Kondapalli toys and saris, but also knick-knacks from other South Indian states. Pochampalli, Ikat, Dharamavaram, Venkatgiri and Nadyupet are the must buy varieties of saris.

EasTERN aRT musEum %2562775; 10-1-9/1, Waltair uplands Road For handicrafts from across India and Andhra Pradesh, the Eastern Art Museum offers both reasonable and slightly higher priced items.

I ikat saris are a PoPular Pick in the city; © getty images/ mitchell kanashkevich;