Visiting Places Of Vizag/Visakhapatnam

Kailasagiri- A never ending enchantment:

It is one of the prominent hill top parks with panoramic sea view on the East Coast. The divine view from the hilltop accompanies devotional overtones as the Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi sit ever so peacefully as if at the Manasa Sarovar in the great Himalayas. One can view the entire city of Visakhapatnam from the top of this Eco-Rich hill.

Located on a picturesque hill with enchanting panoramic sea view, Kailasagiri is really an out standing tourist spots in Andhra Pradesh. It is the Queen among the tourist locations in the City of Destiny. The hill park developed by VUDA covers 380 acres of land with exciting landscape gardens consisting rich flora and tropical trees. Situated at an altitude of 360 ft., the hill park gives fascinating views of sun kissed beaches on one side and the lush green forests on the other side beside an enthralling view of the bustling metropolis of Visakhapatnam. Kailasagiri is a favorite location among the filmmakers all over India. Besides the eye-catching and holy statues of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi, the hilltop has many wonderful attractions like the Titanic viewpoint, floral clock, Shanku-Chakra Namas of Lord Venkateswara of Tirupati, Gliding point, delicious food courts and so on. The floral clock one of the biggest of India with a diameter of 10 ft. There is Shanti Ashram on the top of the hill, where one can earn lots of peace to their body and mind by spending time in meditation. A number of amazing view points are developed all around the hilltop. A capsule lift has been provided to enthrall the visitors to view the beauty of blue seawaters and the city along with stunning beauties of the hilltop from further heights. The Government of Andhra Pradesh has awarded Kailasagiri as "the Best Tourist Spot" in 2003. The hilltop is well connected by all means of transport through ghat road Facing the City and seawaters. Two stairways are provided for pedestrians Pleasant weather prevails throughout the year on the hilltop. An exclusive Butterfly Park, Highest Manmade Water Falls are proposed projects on the hilltop. On an average around 3 lakh Indian and Foreign tourists visit this spot every year. It became a must-see place for all the visitors coming to Visakhapatnam including State guests and other VIPs. Above all Kailasagiri is the first location where plastic use is banned and implemented strictly to protect and promote healthy eco-balance. VUDA has declared the hill a plastic-free zone. Tourists are not insisted and imposed rules to follow orders on plastic ban but educated and convinced to practice it voluntarily and succeeded to that effect.

Entry Fees: Pedestrian : Rs.2/- Two-Wheeler :Rs.10/- Four wheeler : Rs.25/- Mini Bus : Rs.100/- Tourist Bus : Rs.200/- Shooting : Rs.8,500/- per day Dinner : Rs.1500/- per day

Rope Way-Connecting the heights:

An adding feather to the beauty of Kailasagiri, the Ropeway is the third route to the Kailasagiri hilltop. The enthralling air journey was formally inaugurated on 05-05-2004. The ropeway if the first of its kind in Andhra Pradesh as well as in the entire coastal India. The visitors to Kailasagiri can have a 360-degree view from the fibred- glass cabins while traveling up and down the 375-meter ropeway.

Pilgrims visiting Lord Venkateswara's shrine at Tirupathi-Tirumala may not get luxury of traveling in a ropeway, but Vizagites and its visitors can reach the feet of the giant-sized idols of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi on the top of Kailasagiri. Suspended 4 mts. to 10 mts. above ground, tourists can reach the hilltop near telescope viewpoint from the foothill close to the beach near Appughar junction in less than three minutes. The Kolkatta based Conveyor Ropeway Services Pvt.Ltd has eructed the Ropeway on Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) basis at a cost of Rs.3.00 crores. Eructation of towers and imported rope attracts the tourists. The project has 8 six-seater transparent cabins for up and down journey. Base station and upper stations facilitate passengers to embark and alight for the amazing altitudal journey. The Ropeway while providing a panoramic view of the beach within limits from Dolphin's Nose to Appughar and an aerial view of the concrete jungle with splashes of greenery would be the forerunner for the hilltop Circular Train Project grounded by VUDA to provide a bird's eye view of the entire Visakhapatnam with its resplendent hill-valley-beach ambience. Riding Fees: Up and Down Adult : Rs.35/- per head Up and Down Child : Rs.18/- per head

Kaartheekavanam- the ethnic beach resort:

An ethnic beach resort developed (in an area of 13 acres) on Visakha-Bheemili road. It is an amazing location for picnics and get-togethers with surroundings resembling rural atmosphere. The construction is made in ethnic nature avoiding cement and steel etc., to make it eco-friendly.

The spots in Kartheekavanam are beautified with lush green an eye-catching landscapes. In became now a landmark on Visakhapatnam-Bheemili Beach Road. Entry : Free

Beach Park on Visakha-Bheemili Beach Road:

Realizing the need to develop infrastructure for promotion of tourism at global level, VUDA has taken up the widening of existing road between Visakha and Bheemili into a four-lane corridor. This project not only provides state of art transport facilities between the two major tourist port locations, but also earns global recognition to tourism at Visakhapatnam.

The 26 km road goes all along the beach from Visakhapatnam to Bheemili. The work is in progress. The first 2km stretch has been completed with all beautifications. Widening of the road to 4-lane carriageway, 3 Mtrs wide central median with landscaping and 7.50 Mtrs carriageway on either side, Raised side footpaths and kerbs, Straight and improvement of curves, Widening of bridges & culverts, Central lighting, Either side landscaped avenues, view points on beachfront at selected places are some of the salient features of the Beach Road. . Kailasagiri, Tenneti Park, Kaartheekavanam, Thotlakonda, Bavikonda and Bheemunipatnam are the must-see locations on this Beach Road Tourist Corridor. Beach Park is a unique recreational facility promoted on the new Beach Road near the existing Tenneti Park. One can enjoy the beauty of blue sea waters on one side and the lush greens of the Kailasagiri on the other side besides a number of attractions on both sides of the road. No doubt, your ride or visit to the Beach Road makes you to fell the Florida 19 mile drive in the USA. Entry Fees : Entry is Free.

KURUSURA SUBMARINE MUSEUM- THE UNDERWATER EXPERIENCE ON SURFACE:

It is another landmark in the tourism chapters of Visakhapatnam. The first of its kind in the whole south Asia. INS Kurusura Submarine is a Soviet built-I-641 class Submarine was inducted into the Indian Navy on 18, December 1969 and the same was decommissioned on 28, February 2001 after 31 years of glorious service to the nation.

The complete Submarine including the weapon package was hauled-up from Sea to land and positioned on a concrete foundation at Gajapathi Raju Marg, Ramakrishna Beach Road, Visakhapatnam. For setting-up the Submarine Museum, a sum around Rs.6.00 Crores was spent in technical association with Naval-ship Design and Research Center. The length of Submarine is 91.3 Mtrs. while the breadth is 8.00 mtrs. The Government in G.o.Ms.No.88 Youth Advancement, Tourism and Culture (Tourism) Department, dated: 30-4-2002 have ordered to transfer the entire Submarine Museum with the surrounding areas developed for the Museum including the food courts and open areas etc. to VUDA for the up-keep and maintenance of the Submarine Museum and throw open to the public for display and entertainment and the Vice-chairman, VUDA was permitted to enter into a MOU with Naval authorities for the up-keep and the maintenance of the Submarine Museum. The Kurusura Submarine Museum was dedicated to the Nation on 9th August 2002 by Sri N.Chandrababu Naidu, Hon'ble Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh and opened to public on 14-8-2002 by VUDA. The services of six guides and one curator have been hired from the retired employees of Navy to educate about history and activates of the Submarine to visitors. The Submarine museum is opened to visitors on all the days from4.00 PM to 8.00 PM except on Monday being the maintenance holiday be closed to public. On all Sundays and public holidays the museum open in Morning hrs. from 11.00 AM to 1.30 PM. There is an over whelming response from the visitors. Pilgrims, tourists, students from different parts of the country and globe coming to Visakhapatnam like to make their moments memorable at this underwater unit on the land. The State VIPs and guests of various public and private organizations and institutions coming to the Port City prefer to see this amazing spot on seashore. Entry Fees: Adult :  Timings : 2.00 Pm to 9.00 P.M Every Day Monday Holiday

"VUDA Kids Pride"- The Adventurous Park Exclusively for children on seashore

Yet, another gift form VUDA for the kids of Vizag. That too on the most beautiful seashore. The little stars can now enjoy a safe bay watch and spend time on seashore without any fear or tension to their parents. The amenities here are promoted with a scientific and natural mixture to enable the children to earn physical and psychological fitness as well as knowledge.

The abandoned lighthouse premises adjacent to the VUDA Park, has been developed by VUDA into a marvelous place for kids. VUDA proudly presented the "Kids Pride" Adventure Park and dedicated to the children on 15-05-2004. VUDA, which is pioneering in shaping Vizag, launched this innovative project enabling the little stars to shine with creativity and capabilities by using the facilities promoted here. This kind of exclusive facilities for children can be seen in the Western Countries and VUDA is the first to promote such theme park for the children at Visakhapatnam, the City of Destiny.

Objectives: The main objectives in developing the Kids Pride Adventure Park are

To provide a healthy and jolly atmosphere for the kids to spend their summer as well as regular holidays fruitfully, To inculcate the qualities of inquiry, importance of physical fitness and self determination among children, To enjoy safe beach view and To earmark an exclusive location for children of all ages on seashore.

VUDA took keen interest for dedicating this park to children with a variety of facilities to generate the qualities of creativity, integrity by inculcating physical and psychological standards and fitness among children of all ages. The uniqueness of this activity is that the children of all ages were made to actively participate to design the surroundings and amenities at the premises. Children from various Municipal and Charity Schools were invited and involved to offer suggestions and ideas on how and what kind of facilities should be provided here. The developments in the park have been taken place according to the wishes of the children. Murals were painted by children of all ages.

Amenities:

Telescope on the top of the Light House as a highlight to the Park Mini children Library Mini trekking: Small terrains with smooth landscaping for trekking Adventure trail: Wooden bridge with net and small gaps for Adventure Trial facing the sea Rock climbing Wall climbing Indoor games such as Chess and caroms etc.

Most of these facilities were developed in consultation with the children. Two interactive sessions were held with more than 200 school children at the site and sought their opinions and suggestions on how to develop facilities in the Park. The concept of involving the users yielded fruitful outputs and the lighthouse kids park earned many innovative facilities.

Entry fees:

Entry is free to all those who are members in Children (theatre) Club For Non-Members, till the time they enroll as members they have to pay an entry fee of Rs.5/- (Rupees five only) per child. The amount collected will be utilized for creating more facilities for children at the park The Park opens for kids every day from 11.00 AM to 7.00 PM

VUDA Park

It is developed on the beachfront in an area of 55 acres. Out of which 37 acres covered with lawns, various species of flower plants, hedge plants and others. This park consists of around 2,500 shade-giving trees. It is the prominent recreation center for Vizagites and the visitors of Visakhapatnam.

VUDA Park is one of the most attractive spots in Visakhapatnam. It is the ideal place for all to spend evenings and leisure times on seashore with eye catching and eco-rich surroundings. The Park is well equipped with a variety of children play pens, boating club, musical fountains, a multi Gym, Yoga Center, Kala Vedika, Pagodas and many more. MGM Dizzy World is another attraction in the park. The Entrance Plaza extends makes the visitors to have memorable moments of joy. Every day thousands of people visit the VUDA Park.

VUDA Children World-unique for Children

VUDA Children World has been promoted by VUDA, as exclusive premises for the Children of Vizag with many facilities. The Children World consists of 1. The Children Theatre, 2. The Children Club, 3. Mini library and 4. Mini Zoo, existing at a prime area in Siripuram Junction. Those children, who become members of the VUDA Children Club, are eligible to enjoy all the above facilities.

VUDA Children CLUB

The Children Club is promoted with a goal of providing a right place where the children can grow, not just in size, not even in knowledge but in curiosity, courage, confidence, independence, patience, competence, understanding and resourcefulness. Vizag kids definitely deserve a place of their own to unleash their talents to fulfill their limitless ambitions. The club conducts various programmes and activities for the children through which they can enrich themselves by new experiences, knowledge and so on. These activities provide entertainment, education, scientific knowledge etc. Screening of educational and entertainment films on every Saturday and Sunday; documentaries, news reels; organizing cultural programmes by the talented children; conducting workshops and training programmes on painting and handicrafts during holidays; seminars and exhibitions; literary competitions; talent shows; organizing functions and competitions on days of special interests like the Independence day, the Republic Day, the Children day, Gandhi Jayanthi etc.; promotion of adventure sports and indoor games; science fairs; special programmes for challenged children etc., are some of the activities conducted regularly by the club. The membership is open for all children up to 15 years of age (LKG to 10th class). The membership fee varies for students depending on the nature of their school. The students of Government and Municipal Schools shall pay Rs.50/- only towards annual membership. For children studying in moderate private schools (Middle level) the membership fees is Rs.100/- and for the children studying in corporate private schools the fees is Rs.200/- towards annual membership. Identity cards will be issued to those who enroll as members. For life membership any child shall pay Rs.1000/-. The members of the children club are entitled to enter free in the children theatre, mini zoo and to utilize the services of the Mini library. They are also entitled to enter in to the Kids Pride Park, developed on seashore near VUDA Park. The members are also eligible to participate directly in all the events and competitions conducted occasionally.