Thotlakonda is an archaeological site on a hilltop about 15 km north of Visakhapatnam, where excavations have revealed the remains of a Buddhist monastery complex dating from the 2nd century BCE to the 3rd century CE. The site includes a mahastupa (a large domed relic monument), meditation halls, monks' cells, a refectory, and a rainwater cistern — all in remarkably good condition for their age.
The location is superb: the hilltop commands views over the Bay of Bengal on one side and the forest-covered coastal hills on the other. The site was discovered in 1977 during aerial survey by the Indian Navy, which explains why it was not looted or built over in the intervening centuries. The Archaeological Museum at the base of the hill displays finds from the excavation including coins, pottery, and Buddhist votive objects. The combination of genuine antiquity, a beautiful setting, and the near-absence of other tourists makes this one of the more rewarding half-days available from Vizag.