Chhattisgarh has sought help from the Singapore Tourism Board to create world-class infrastructure facilities near its picturesque hilly sites and ancient monuments to make it as popular with tourists as the city state.

Tourism Minister Brijmohan Agrawal, currently on a study tour of Singapore, Wednesday met Singapore Tourism Board's international relations division chief Keng Kheng and asked him to assist in efforts to make its tourist spots a global attraction.

"Singapore has established itself as a major global tourist destination. We exchanged views on how Singapore achieved its success," he said.

"We have wonderful waterfalls, rare picturesque valleys and Buddhist centres where tourists from Southeast Asian nations can visit," Agrawal told IANS over the phone.

He added that Chhattisgarh wanted technical support from Singapore for infrastructure development, as most international tourists shy away from visiting the state because it doesn't have adequate facilities.

Chhattisgarh has already unveiled a Rs.40 million scheme for infrastructure development in the tribal area of Bastar and the Buddhist centre of Sirpur, 84 km from Raipur.

"Several private players have shown keen interest in improving facilities at tourists sites. We plan to set up herbal treatment and yoga therapy outlets at major sites to attract tourists and create jobs as well," the tourism minister disclosed.

Chhattisgarh has plenty to offer to tourists -- ancient monuments, rare wildlife, exquisitely carved temples, Buddhist sites, palaces, waterfalls, caves and hill plateaus.

Chitrakote waterfalls in Bastar, for instance, could be a major attraction with the Indravati river plunging 96 ft.

Then there is the Bhoramdev temple, built somewhere between 7th century and the 11th century, situated in the Maikal mountains and dense forests.

Also worth visiting is the Kanger valley national park in Bastar and caves where rocks are rocks are said to be 3,000-3,300 million years old.