Visakhapatnam is said to have derived its name from a temple deity Visakha (God of Valour). The monument was built by a Hindu King in the 11th Century on his way to Benaras. The edifice has long since been washed away but the name and the town remain. 

Visakhapatnam became popularly known as Vizag and from a small fishing village it has burgeoned into a bustling port and also an important industrial and commercial city. Visakhapatnam is the site of the country's largest ship building yard. It is the headquarters of Eastern Naval Command and has important industries like Coromandel Fertilizers, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd. and a gigantic Steel Plant. 

The most conspicuous landmark at Visakhapatnam is the Dolphin's Nose, a rock promontory jutting out in the sea. The powerful beacon of a lighthouse set on Dolphin's Nose directs ships 65 kms. away. The undulating terrain within the city is emphasized by three hills: Ross Hill with a Roman Catholic Church, Darga Konda with a shrine of a Muslim SaintIshaque Madina and Sri Venkateswara Swamy Konda with a temple constructed by Captain Blackmoor in 1886.

PLACES OF INTEREST :  

Ramakrishna Beach, Lawson's Bay, Rishikonda, Ross Hill, Darga Konda, Sri Venkateswara Swamy Konda,Kailasa Hill,  The Dolphin's Nose,  Fishing Harbour,  HindustanShipyard,  Vizag Port,  VUDA Park,  Indira Gandhi Zoological Park, Aquarium,  Andhra University

Simhachalam, Bheemunipatnam, Sankaram Buddhist Excavations, Kondakaria Bird Sanctuary,Araku Valley,  Borra Caves,  

ANNUAL TOURISM EVENT : Visakha Utsav - Three day festival from third Friday to Sunday,January.

HOW TO GET THERE :  

By Air : Flights available from Delhi, Hyderabad, Bhubaneshwar andCalcutta.

By Rail : Visakhapatnam is well connected with all important cities ofIndia by rail through the Visakhapatnam railway junction.

By Road : Visakhapatnam is connected by bus with all major cities ofIndia.