Visakhapatnam is a place where we have gorgeous blue sea,sandy beaches, breathtaking valleys and a luxuriant countryside.Well, we are describing Visakhapatanam- Vizag for all one of the best ports in the nation.An old world charm beckons you in Vizag,yet, modernity is evident in every nook and cranny. Bullock carts and cars walk the same path,concrete high-rises and thatched roofed cottages with while painted walls are next door neighbors. But, all this adds to lending to the unique flavor of Visakhapatnam.

History
The city has been christened after Vishakha, the son of Shiva and Parvati and the god of war and valor. Locals say that a 9th-century Andhra king was on his way to Benaras when he stopped to rest here for some time. So enamoured was he by the beauty of the place that he ordered a temple to be built a temple here, in honour of his patron deity, Visakha.

This city has been ruled by several famous dynasties Chalukyas, Rajamundry Reddy kings, Cholas and the Golconda Nawabs. The British transformed it into a busy port town, and laid the foundation for its economic growth. After Independence, the district was so large that it had to be divided into three smaller ones: Srikakulam, Vijayanagaram and Visakhapatnam.

How to Reach
Air
Visakhapatnam has air links with Mumbai, Visakhapatnam, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Bhubaneswar.

Rail
Visakhapatnam is the centre point for trains plying between Chennai and Howrah and Howrah and Secunderabad. It is well connected to Hyderabad and other leading towns in the state, as well as to Bhubaneswar.

Road
National Highway No.5 (Howrah to Chennai) passes through Visakhapatnam. APSRTC as well private operators run buses to Hyderabad, Vijayawada, Bhubaneswar and Tirupati.

Beaches
Lawson's Bay Beach
An enchanting stretch of golden sands, blue sea and green palms. You can even swim a few laps, as the water current is quite low.

Dolphin's Nose
Vizag?s prominent landmark, it is a single rock, over 350 m tall, jutting out into the sea and resembling a dolphin?s nose. You can visit the beautiful Catholic chapel ?Our Lady of the Sacred Heart? and the old lighthouse.

Ramakrishna Beach
Being the locals? favourite, this beach is crowded, but the sands are a good place for games. And the street vendors offer irresistible seafood.

Hills
Kailsagiri
A charming hill on the northern side of the city, Kailasagiri offers a spectacular view of the long shoreline and the cityscape of Vizag. It has been developed into a charming picnic spot. You can plonk yourself on the many seats and and take in the wonderful sights of the sea. The religious can kowtow before the 40-ft Shiva Parvati statues and the three holy signs of Lord Venkateshwara, the Sankaram (conch), Chakram (a small wheel) and Namam (forehead mark). Lighted up at night, these can be seen from every corner of the city. Kailasagiri serves as a gliding base. Situated at an altitude of 130 m, Gliding Point provides ample challenge to gliders.

Quick Escapes
Rishikonda Beach
If you love water sports, then this is for you. You can spend hours skiing and wind surfing, though hiring gears can be a problem. The golden wind-swept sands and beautiful palms are perfect to relax and laze about in. The 14th-century Saptaruseshwara Temple is also here. Surrounded by seven hills, locals say the temple?s Shivalinga has increased in height since the early 1990s. Rishikonda is 8 km from Vizag and there are buses as well as cabs to take you there.

Bheemunipatnam Beach
Popularly known as Bheemli, this beach is like a page out of a history book. Explore the ruins of a Dutch fort, a Dutch cemetery, the country?s most ancient lighthouse, and among the oldest surviving Christian graves for an Indian, dating back to 1661 AD. Legend has it that Bhima (one of the Pandava brothers, from the epic Mahabharata) confronted and killed the demon Bakasura, and installed an idol of Lord Narasimha atop the hill here. This is also the place where River Gosthani empties into the Bay of Bengal. Bheemunipatnam is 25 km from Vizag.

Araku Valley
A picturesque hill station with well-laid out gardens, cascading waterfalls and gurgling streams, this is ideal for a day trip. The 112 km drive from Vizag will take you through the thickly forested Eastern Ghats. Don?t miss the Tribal Museum here. A few kilometres further from Araku is Chaaparai, home to 19 aboriginal tribes. AP tourism offers packages that will give you a peek into tribal life.

Borra Caves
Don?t for anything miss these million-year-old caves with spectacular stalactite and stalagmite formations. Each formation is named after a mythological character it bears remote resemblance to. The caves have been illuminated interestingly by the tourism department. Borra Caves is 90 km from Vizag; hiring a cab is the best way to get there.