Stop over at Amaravati, earlier known as Dhanyakataka, an important Buddhist site, 65 kms southwest of Vijayawada.  Once the ancient capital of the Satavahanas, it was one of the four major places of worship in the country.  You'll find the country's largest stupa, the Mahastupa, built over 2000 years ago with kiln-burnt bricks and faced with marble slabs.  Presently it has a height of about 1.55 mts and a diameter of 49.30 mts.  The stupa is richly adorned with carvings that depict the life of Buddha.  It is locally known as 'Deepaladinne' or 'Hillock of lamps'. Today, Amaravati is considered the most sacred Buddhist pilgrimage center in South India.  Amaravathi is also well known for the Amaralingeswara Swamy Temple where the presiding deity is Lord Shiva.

Mangalagiri, a short distance away from Vijayawada, is home of the renowned temple of Lord Narasimha, one of the nine avatars of Vishnu.  The uniqueness of this temple, according to devout Hindus, is that the stone idol accepts only half the quantity of 'Panaka' (jaggery dissolved in water) offered by devotees, irrespective of the size of the vessel.

Kuchipudi is a small town that is the birthplace of Siddhendra Yogi, the creator of the well known kuchipudi dance form. A full fledged dance school keeps the memory of the great yogi alive by offering courses to train students in the Kuchipudi dance form.  The town is located at around 60 kms from Vijayawada.

MACHILIPATNAM This port town is the birthplace of the world famous kalamkari textile printing. This ancient art is believed to have reached the four corners of the globe hundreds of years ago.  You can have delightful experience shopping for hand printed silk and cotton saris, upholstery, sling bags and dresses.  Close by, is the Manginapudi Beach which is a popular attraction for tourists and divers.