About Chennai City Tour
Shy Chennai wakes up everyday early and rests in its subdued culture. A paradox of modernity and traditions, cosmopolitan Chennai keeps alive the heritage of past while moving ahead in future. Graced with the golden past of music, heritage monuments, beaches, churches, temples and skyscrapers, the city is still modest and humble in its way of life. Formerly known as Madras, the different colours of this city fill various hues of life in this metro.
Beaches in Chennai - Beaches in Chennai possess an ethereal charm always appearing to be endless and expansive. Running along the Bay of Bengal’s Coromandel Coastline, these azure beaches are blessed with long sea front, lending a picturesque view and backdrop. Marina, Elliott and Covelong beaches belong to this capital city. Stretched over 15 kms of sand, Marina Beach is the second longest coast in the world featuring Lighthouse, memorials, landmarks, gardens and drives along the beach front. Elliot Beach in South Chennai has a relaxed, laidback and tranquil attitude, popular amongst young crowd. The third Beach in the series, Covelong is another exclusive retreat famous for Taj’s 5 Star Resort - Fisherman Cove, and a fort built by Nawab of the Carnatic.
Fort St. George - Built around 1653, Fort St. George is the oldest surviving English structure in India, which later saw expansion of British Empire in India. The fort is an arbitrary area enclosed by a gigantic stone wall. The fort museum inside the complex also houses antiquities like uniforms, manuscripts, paintings, letters, coins, medals, weapons, canons and shields belonging to imperial times.
Churches in Chennai - The Churches in Chennai have a glorious connection with the growth and absorption of this religion in India. Chennai’s Mylapore was the place where Thomas the Apostle was killed in 72 AD. Two main churches, St. Thomas Mount and San Thome Cathedral, in the city are dedicated to this saint. St. Thomas Mount is the church where he attained martyrdom and was buried in San Thome Cathedral. St. Mary’s Church in Fort St. George Complex is the oldest British building in India and contributes to the Anglican heritage of this city.
By Air: Being a metropolis, Chennai is linked with cities of India and world through Anna international & Kamaraj Domestic Terminals.
By Road: Four major highways connect Chennai to Mumbai, Kolkata, Tiruchirapally and Tirupati.
By Railways: Chennai has numerous stations: Chennai Egmore, Chennai Central & Chennai Beach connecting it to all major Indian cities through overnight journeys.
Climate - Bearing tropical weather, Chennai is hot and humid. Experiencing extremes in the atmosphere, the best time to explore the heritage city climate
Asiana Hotel | HOTEL SHAN ROYAL | HOTEL RAJ PARK | |
Chola Sheraton | Hotel Kanchi | HOTEL SHELTER | |
ITC Hotel Park Sheraton Towers | Hotel Guru | MGM Eastwoods Resorts | |
The Trident | Hotel Maurya International | Madras Hotel Ashoka | |
Fishermans Cove | Hotel Mars | Quality Hotel Sabari Classic | |
Rain Tree | Hotel Palmgrove | MGM HOTEL & RESORT | |
Ambica Empire | Hotel Quality Inn Sabari | Radha Regent | |
Breeze Hotel | Hotel Pandian | Royal Plaza | |
GRT Grand | Comfort Inn Marina Towers | SILK Corporate Residences | |
The Ambassador Pallava | Taj Mount Road | Sea Shell Residency | |
The Pride Hotel | Bella Vista | Star City Serviced Apartments | |
The Residency | Emarald Hotel | SOUTHERN CREST | |
Hotel Melody | Deccan Plaza | The Pod | |
Taj Connemara | HOTEL GREEN PARK | The Residency Towers | |
Blue Lagoon Beach Resort | Beverly Hotel | Courtyard Marriott | |
Taj Coromandel | Green Coconut Resort | Le Royal Meridien | |
Radisson Hotel | Benzz Park Tulip | The Accord Metropolitan | |
Hotel Abu Palace | Hotel Chariot | The Royal Regency | |
Pondicherry - A little France breathes life every moment in the union territory of Pondicherry, where every individual is well versed with a French way of life. Known worldwide for Auroville, a spiritual abode of St. Aurobindo, Pondicherry is a must visit destination to experience calm amidst chaos. Just 137 km away from Chennai, a tour to Pondicherry is complete only after pondering and thinking about life and its beauty on its rocky, pristine beaches.
Mahabalipuram - A world heritage site, Mahabalipuram was a 7th century port city of Pallavas carved in stone. Devoted to various deities in accordance to Hindu beliefs and mythology, the stone work in this complex is a marvellous depiction of creative aesthetics. An important temple in this complex is The Sea-Shore Temple. Made of granite, this temple is a five-storeyed structural Hindu temple, in contrast to the rock-cuts of other monuments in Mahabalipuram. Other important rock carvings include the Ratha Temples, Mandapas, Rock Reliefs and Temples.
These majestic rock cut monuments in Mahabalipuram take a tourist to an era beyond time that still stands tall amidst the splashing waves of the ocean.
Kanchipuram - The capital city of Pallava dynasty, Kanchipuram is one of the seven holiest cities of Hinduism. ‘The city of thousand temples’ is often termed as Kashi of South, following its religious reverence and timeless past. The ancient center of learning for Tamil, Sanskrit, and Pali, Kanchipuram is famous for Kamakshi temple and the seat of Shankaracharya in Hindu tradition.
Ooty - Resting in the Nilgiris, Ooty was once a secluded resort in erstwhile British, and now is a must visit hill station offering shade to the tourists from coastal plains. The wafts of tea gardens and fragrant spices readily stimulate the town and its belongings. The quaint charm of colonial estates and bungalows, stone walled churches with stained glass windows overlapping the rural Indian backdrop is the best way to explore the flavours of this hill station.
Madurai - Home to the famous Meenakshi temple, Madurai is revered and celebrated as a city of great historical and cultural links. Ruled by Pandyas, the city it is often referred to as Athens of the East.