HERITAGE TOURISM
Culture and Heritage has always been a major object of travel. Culture plays an important role in tourism. Cultural heritage tourism is the fastest growing segment of the tourism industry because there is a trend towards an increase in the specialization among tourists towards Culture.
GUNTUPALLI CAVES
The rockcut caves of Guntupalli are situated in the Kamavarapukota mandal of west Godavari district and lies and is about 40km from Eluru. The site is appoachable through a motorable road. the nearest railway station is located at Eluru.
Guntupalli is dotted with some of the finest specimens of monolithic and structural Buddhist remains datable to the 3rd-2nd century BC to 5th-6th century AD. The important monuments located are: Rock cut temple or vritta Chaitya, large monastery, small monastery, brick Chaitya, ruined Mandapa, stone Stupa and cluster of Votive Stupas.
Vengi :
The Vengi (or Venginadu) is a region spread over the mandals of Godavari and 
Krishna districts.[1] The capital city of Vengi is located at Pedavegi near Eluru. This area was part of Kalinga until that kingdom was conquered by Emperor Ashoka of the Mauryan Empire in the mid-3rd century BC. After the Mauryan Empire collapsed in 185 BC, the region was dominated by the Satavahanas, who were succeeded in Vengi by the Andhra Ikshvakus. Around 300 AD, the Andhra Ikshvakus were replaced by the Salankayanas, who were vassals of the Pallavas of Southern India. In the late 5th century, the Salankayanas were annexed by the Vishnukundinas.
