Since the earliest times , the ancient port of Surat has been renowned for its fine silks and exquisites brocades and its trade in spices. Surat has been one of the most prosperous of India's cities in the 17th and 18th centuary. The East India company established its first warehouses in Surat in 1612.

And it was at Surat that Sir Thomas Roe landed when he came as King James 'Ambassdor' to the court of Emperor Jehangir. In Mughal times, Surat was the main port from which pilgrims sailed to Mecca. Today, Surat is a major industrial centre with many textile mills. It is also an important diamond-cutting centre too.

Places to Visit

Old Fort
Built by Mohammed Tughlak in the 14th century as a defense fortification against the Bhils.

Dandi
Along the coastline of Gujarat and about 50-55 kms. from Surat, lies Dandi where the story of salt was scripted with the famous Dandi March Satyagraha, in 1930, led by Mahatma Gandhi. The Salt Satyagraha proved to be the beginning of the end of the British Empire in India.

Dumas
A sea-side health resort 16 Kms from Surat.

Hajira
It is situated 28 Kms. from Surat. The pleasant Hajira beach is fringed by feathery casurina trees and has a comfortable holiday home for visitors.

Ubharat
It is situated 42 Kms. from Surat. Ubharat is known for a fine, sandy beach with a backdrop of shady palm groves.

Tithal
It is situated 108 Kms. from Surat and 5 Kms. from Valsad on the Bombay-Vadodara Western Railway. A beautiful sandy beach and palm-sheltered cottages is what you would get to see there. .

Ukai
It is situated 94kms from Surat. A major multipurpose irrigation project of Gujarat. The storage of water at the dam site is nearly as large as that of Bhakra Nangal Dam in Punjab.

Bardoli
It is situated 34 Kms. from Surat. Gandhiji had launched a farmers' satyagraha, known as the Bardoli Satyagrah in 1921-22 under the leadership of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Swaraj Ashram at Bardoli has become a place of pilgrimage in India. Birth place of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel - the Iron Man of India.

Bulsar (Valsad)
The Vansada National Park is situated in Bulsar District. Wild animals such as Leopards, Tigers and Wildboars are found here.

How to get there ?

Air
Various domestic airlines connecting Bombay- Bhavnagar.

Rail
Surat is on the Bombay to Delhi-Ahmedabad broad gauge line.

Road
State transport buses and private luxury coaches connects various centers of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya pradesh, Delhi and Rajasthan. Surat is 262 Kms. from Bombay, 129 Kms. from Vadodara & 230 Kms. from Ahmedabad.