Yanam is a place rich in culture and history. It was part of French India during the days of colonial rule. Currently it is a part of the Puducherry Union Territory. It was part of French India till the year 1954. It is located adjacent to the East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh, as a 30 sqkm enclave into the district. It was known as Kalyanapuram among the Telugu people in the days of colonial rule, when child marriages were not illegal in Yanam. There are plenty of coconut trees in the region of Yanam. Amidst the coconut trees and the fresh iodinised air of Yanam stand a number of places which attracts tourists to Yanam. Some of the major tourist attractions of Yanam are The Dariyala Thipa Road, Annavaram, Draksharamam, Pithapuram, Alivelu Manga Sametha Shri Venkateswara Temple and the Historic Church.


• Dariyala Thipa Road: It is basically the river bank of river Gautami Godavari. This road ends with Savitri Nagar village. After Savitri Nagar, the river goes into the Sea. The road was built by the Andhra Road and Buildings Department. The Yanam Ferry Road also serves as an attraction because statues of famous personalities have been installed in the road.


•Annavaram Temple: Annavarm Temple is the second important temple of Andhra Pradesh after Tirupati. The temple is known for the performing of Vrathams especially for newly married couples for getting blessings from the Lord Satyanarayana Swami. The presiding deity of the temple is Lord Satyanarayana Swami and it is located 80 kilometres towards the east of Yanam.


•Draksharamam: Draksharamam is one of the oldest temples of India. Lord Shiva here is called Bheemeswara Swamy and it is also one of the Jyotirlingas in India. The height of the Linga is around 14 feet. It is said that the temple was constructed by the Devathas. There is one more temple called Manikyamabika Devi Temple in the campus of this Temple. It is one of the Ashtadasa Pithas in India. It is very famous as it has the Shakti Chakra and Goddess Parvati is sitting on this Chakra. It is around 16 Kms from Yanam.


•Pithapuram Temple: Pithapuram Temple is also known by the name of Padagaya Temple. The temple is called the second Kashi. It is one of the oldest temples in India. The Shiva is in the form of Cock shape and images of a number of Gaya Rakshasa are found in the temple. The Shiva is called "Kukkuteswara Swami" and the Parvati is called "Raja Rajeswari". There is one Durga Temple in the campus of this temple which is also one of the Ashtadasa Pithas of Goddess Durga. The Pitham of the Goddess is believed to lie here and hence the name given was "Puruhuthika Devi" and the town is called as "Pithapuram". There is also one more temple of Shri Dattatreya Swami in this Temple Campus. It is very famous as the Dattatreya`s next incarnation is Shri Pada Vallabha Swami was born in Pithapuram only. It is around 50 kms from Yanam Region.


•Alivelu Manga Sametha Shri Venkateswara Temple: Alivelu Manga Sametha Shri Venkateswara Temple is also known by the name "Venkanna Babu Temple", "Chaldikudu Venkanna Temple" and "Meesala Venkanna Temple". The temple was very famous for performing Child Marriages in the pre independence tenure. The speciality of the Temple is that the Swami Idol has big moustaches like the Lord Satyanarayana Swami of Annavaram. This temple was built by the kings of Raja Mahendravaram in the 15th century AD. Even today sculptures of that era are found in the temple premises.


•The Historic Church: The Catholic Church in Yanam commemorates French rule in the region. This church is named "St. Ann`s Catholic Church". The church was built in the year 1846 by the French missionaries. It was built in a European style. The furniture, decorative articles all were imported from France for this church in Yanam. Another special attraction in this church is that a hill temple was built in the premises of the church by the French rulers, and there is another hill temple behind the church which was built by the English engineers.


•Grand Mosque: The site for the mosque was donated by the French Government in 1848. At that time a small mosque was constructed. It was demolished in 1978 and a new mosque was constructed. In 2000, the mosque was expanded to become the Grand Mosque. At present, around 200 persons can pray in this mosque at a time.

How to Reach Yanam
Yanam is easy to approach from the nearby cities of Rajahmundry, Vishakapatnam and Chennai. Chennai is 147 km from Yanam by road. Yanam does not have a railway station of its own. The nearest railway station is at Kakinada, which is only 26 km away. Kakinada is well connected to cities like Chennai and other important places.