Andhra Pradesh Travel Guide

Place to Visit

Major Destinations

• Hyderabad
• Tirupati
• Vishakapatnam
• Nagarjuna Sagar
• Warangal
• Vijayawada

The name itself brings up vision of a vibrant city of minarets and modern high - rise buildings. A natural and sophisticated blend of old and new - an old 'Nawabi' culture with a new pro-active approach and hospitality.

The Teeming bazaars of the old city, in the midst of which stands the 400-year-old Charminar, the modern shopping complexes and ultra-modern malls in the newer areas of the city add to the charm of Hyderabad.

The Golconda fort, capital of the kingdom by that name, is today very much part of the city, as is Cyberabd, a new local area created to keep pace with the zooming Information Technology sector.

Pearls, bangles, silks, computer software, handicrafts and above all a delectgable cuisine add to the splendour of this great city.

Tirupati

The abode of the 'Kaliyuga' deity Lord Venkateswara, popularly known as Balaji, Tirupati has for centuries remained a destination divine and this feeling grows on one as one goes round the various temples and spots of natural beauty surrounding this major town.

In fact, the government has proposed to give special status to the town on the lines of the Vatican. Lying at the southern tip of the Eastern ghats in Andhra Pradesh, the district has a number of perennial water falls and vast forest cover.

Tourist Attractions

Visakhapatnam

The land of the golden beaches was just over half a century ao a small fishing village. One would be amazed at the manner in which this port city with a natural harbour developed into one of the fastest growing cities in Asia.

Vast stretches of beaches right next to the city on one side and undulating green hills on the other have made Vizag, as it is endearingly called, a tourist haven.

An ideal destination, it caters to the religiousminded, the Buddhist pilgrim, the fun-lovers and adventure-seekers. A number of beaches and a long stretch of road along the sea-shore up to Bheemunipatnam town, the second oldest municipality in the country, are a pleasure to experience.

No trip to Vizag is complete without a sojourn at Araku, 110 km away, a lovely valley nestled amidst the high Eastern Ghats. Simhachalam temple, Rishikonda beach, the Dolphin's Nose hillock projecting into the sea enchantment unlimited - that is Visakhapatnam.

Tourist Attractions

Nagarjuna Sagar

Nagarjunasagar, a massive irrigation project on the River Krishna, about 150 km from Hyderabad, has a rich and iteresting past. It was a valley in the Nallamala range of the Eastern Ghats with civilizations dating back to thousands of years. Recorded history, however, assigns the first signs to the later Satavahanas and subsequently the Ikshvakus in the third century.

The Sriparvata and Vijayapuri of yore were really temples where the famous savant and Buddhist Philosopher Acharya Nagarjuna preached the message of the Buddha.

Anupu: To prevent submersion of the outstanding structures in the valley, a rare feat of reconstruction of the remains was taken up. Anupu, 4 km from the dam site, was chosen for relocation of a Buddhist University.

Nagarjunakonda: As the area was threatened with submergence by the reservior, an Archaeological Survey team made determined efforts to virtually trasplant nine monuments from the valley onto Nagarjunakonda.

The hill forms an Island in the middle of the reservoir. A museum at Nagarjunakonda contains, Buddhadatu or Buddhas relics excavated from the valley.

Tiger sanctuary: The largest wildlife sanctuary in Andhra Pradesh lies between Nagarjunasagar and upstream Srisailam. Spreadover 3,500 sq.km, it encompasses thickly wooded hills in five districts - Nalgonda, Kurnool, Mahboobnagar, Guntur and Prakasam.

Tourist Attractions

Warangal

The city was once the heartland of Telugu culture. The capital of the Kakatiya rulers. Warangal today contains some of the best forms of architecute, especially in temples.

The 1000-pillar temple and the Ramappa temple in the district are glowing examples of the exquisite architecture patronized by the Kakatiyas.

Warangal city today is part of a cluster of three towns - Warangal, Kazipet and Hanamkonda, the district headquarters.
Attraction in the city are Planetarium, Musical Garden, Rock garden, Archeological Museum, Samskriti Vihar.

The district is also known ofr its picturesque lakes, hand-woven thick cotton fibre carpets, scroll painting done on cloth in earth colours mainly at Cheriyal nearby, and sheet-metal artistry at Pembarti.

Tourist Attractions

Vijayawada

Vijayawada is known as the political as well as publishing capital of andhra Pradesh. Vijayawada is a vital rail and road link between North and the South and is now known as 'the city that never sleeps'.

A major business centre, it is the hub of commercial activity in the coastal area.

The Prakasam barrage, the Kanakadurga temple, the St. Mary's church and the Moghalrajapuram caves are some of the attractions in the city, known for its cinema theatres and typically Andhra food.

The number of canals criss-crossing the city gives it a Venetian look.

Tourist Attractions