Situated on the south bank of the Tapi River, Surat has always attracted traders and merchants from afar. Its finely carved temples, mosques, Parsi agiaris, European tombs and colonial houses all testify to the eclectic mix of ethnic communities that continue to live in the city. Surat is first major city en route to Gujarat from Mumbai, and makes a good base to explore southern Gujarat. Surat was once renowed for its silk weaving and brocade. The city still thrives as a textile center, mainly for its polyster fabrics. As the Textile industries declined in Ahmadabad and Mumbai in the 1970s, Surat became one of Gujarat's fastest growing cities and gave rise to several small-scale industries. Surat is ranked 4th fastest growing city in the world with GDP rate at 11.5%. Surat is India’s 8th and Gujarat’s 2nd largest city with a population of 4.5 million. Among the highest income tax paying cities in Asia in the year 2010-11, Surat contributed Rs. 22000 Million to national exchequer. While in Surat, The Travelers say that recommend hotel near me is Budget Inn Bellevue. Nearby Places World’s Largest Diamond Cutting & Polishing Industry Country’s Biggest Man- made Textile Industry Surat International Exhibition and Conventional Center – Sarsana Food `n` Culture Surati Locho, Khaman, Patra, Idhda, Khandwi, Pattis, Lilwa-Kachori, Ratalu Kandh, Madhi ni Khamni, Varieties of Ghari – Pista, Kesar & Malai, Jalebi – Fafda, Nankhatai, Farmas Biscuits, Seasonal Undhiyu, Seasonal Ponk, Seasonal Saalam-Paak, Varieties of Bhajiyas at Dumas Langar. Beaches Dandi Beach, Navsari Dumas Beach Cemeteries, Katargam Darwaja European Tombs English, Dutch and Armenian Cemeteries Heritage Surat Castle, Chowk Bazar Gopi Talav, Navsari Bazar Religious Sites Jain Temples, Gopipura Chintamani Jain temple, Mughalisara BAPS Swaminarayan temple, બી.એ.પી.એસ. શ્રી સ્વામિનારાયણ મંદિર, Adajan Parsi Agiari, Nanpura & Saiyedpura Devdi Mubarak, Mazar-E-Saifee, Aljamea tus Saifiyah, Dawat Property Trust, Dawoodi Bohra Jamaat Trust, દાઉદી વોહરા જમાત ટ્રસ્ટ સુરત, Zampa Bazar Ek Khamba Masjid, the One Pillar Mosque or Masjid-e-Quwwat-e-Islam, Rander Museums, Citylight Road Sardar V Patel Museum and Planetarium Science Centre Science Centre forms the main part of the entire complex with Museum, Art Gallery, Planetarium, Auditorium, Amphi Theater, Diamond Gallery and Fun Science. It displays thematic galleries in the field of Science and Technology. The ground floor of Science Centre showcases 3D Theater, first floor of Science Centre showcases Fun Science Exhibits and second floor of Science Centre showcases Diamond Gallery whereas entering into Space, Textile gallery, Power of Play, Cosmos Gallery and Polar Science.