Surat is a port city in the state of Gujarat. Situated on the bank of river Tapti, it is the second largest city in the state. The city is famous for its textiles and diamond business. Approximately 90 percent of world's diamonds are cut and polished here. Apart from this, it is also an industrial hub as it deals in the manufacture of silk, chemicals, synthetic fiber and man-made fiber. Moreover, Surat is also famous for its saris and the markets are packed during the marriage season as people from all over India, come here for shopping. Besides, there are some interesting places to see in the city. All this attributes to the fact that Surat has potential in terms of travel and tourism as well.

Tourist Attractions

The tourist attractions in Surat include Dutch Garden. This is the place where the Dutch officers, who came to India for trade, have their cemeteries. The well-maintained cenotaphs and the pleasant garden area around, attracts many tourists here. Another fascinating structure in the city is the Old Fort. It was constructed in 14th century by Muhammed Tughlaq, to safeguard the city from the attacks of the Bhils. This exquisite architectural marvel is now being used as the Municipal Office.

Those interested in exploring the cultural and historical heritage of the country, must visit the Sardar Patel Museum. It was established in the year 1890 and houses various artifacts made of wood, metal, stone, ivory, terracotta, porcelain. You can also see sandalwood, oil paintings, miniatures, textiles and old manuscripts here. The museum preserves over 10,000 such rare specimens. Rangupavan, the largest open air amphitheater in the country, is another interesting place in Surat. The stage measures 18 meters by 10.5 meters, while it has an astounding capacity of accommodating 4000 spectators at a time.

Apart from this, Hajira and Dumas health resorts are one of the hottest destinations amongst tourists coming to Surat. The former lies at a distance of 16 km, while the latter, at a distance of 28 km from the city. Situated on a brook leading to the Arabian Sea, these are blessed with scintillating natural beauty. Hajira has two wells, containing water that is rich in iron and sulphur, with casurina trees dotting the beach.

How to Reach
By Air: Surat Airport is situated on the outskirts of the city. It operates direct flights to major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur, etc.

By Rail: Surat is an important railway junction on the Mumbai - Delhi - Ahemdabad broad gauge line. It is connected to various cities of the state and the country via effective rail system.

By Road: Surat is connected to the National Highway through a connector highway. Moreover, there are frequent state and private buses operating from the city, linking it to the rest of the country.