Vizag Quick Travel Guide

Here’s a quick travel guide for those transiting in and out of Vizag/ Visakhapatnam.

Must Stay:
The Gateway formerly known as the Taj Residency (Beach Road, Visakhapatnam-530002, Andhra Pradesh, India, Phone: (91-891) 2567756, Fax:(91-891) 2564370, Email: residency.vizag@tajhotels.com).

With 95 rooms and five suites, along with its prime location on Beach Road makes this hotel a popular choice. Their coffee shop called Stir is quite popular among the tourist and the local crowds; the lavish buffet spread is the crowd puller.

Must try:
If you’re craving to have some steamed wontons then visit Oriental Jade Garden, at Fusion Foods (Opposite Vuda Complex, Siripuram, Visakhapatnam, – 530003, Phone: 0891 – 2569555). This restaurant has quite a nice spread of starters with meats and sea food, whatever they make is good. Steamed wontons are their specialty, along with herbed chicken soup does wonders. Do take a look at their grills menu, it’s absolutely worth it.

Must see:
When you’re in Visakhapatnam, do take a trip on the ropeway to Kailasgiri. You can also drive up to this hillock, if you’re not too keen for the ropeway; however, the ropeway is more exciting as it has the view of the sea on one side and the hills on the other. Apart from the large Shiv and Parvati statues in the Kailasgiri Park, there’s also a toy train that takes you on a 20 minute ride while its large glass windows give you an uninterrupted view of the sea. However, avoid the train ride during the day time and afternoon, especially during summers as the insides can get really warm.

Must buy:
Drop by at Nalli’s (Jagadamba Centre, Opp. Chitralaya theatre, Vizag 20) that has recently been launched in Vizag as early as September 2007. From a variety of wedding saris, you can pick up georgette, silk, chiffon, cotton and south cotton saris.

Published in Spiceroute May 2009 issue – the in-flight magazine for Spice Jet Airlines.