Places To see In Chennai
Chennai, the capital city of Tamil Nadu, is a city rich in history, culture, and natural beauty. There are many places to explore within the city limits, from great beaches to ancient temples and museums. Here, we explore some of the best tourist places to explore in Chennai.
Marina Beach: It is a must-visit destination in Chennai. It is the longest urban beach in India, stretching over 13 kilometres along the Bay of Bengal, and the second largest in the world. The beach offers a stunning view of the sunrise and sunset and is a popular spot for swimming, horseback riding, and beach games. The beach is a famous hangout spot for locals as well and has over 500 shops.
Government Museum: It is the second-oldest museum in the country after the Kolkata Museum. Situated in an attractive building in the Egmore neighbourhood of the city, it was established in 1851. The museum houses a vast collection of artefacts from various periods of history, including pre-historic times, the Indus Valley Civilization, and the British era. The museum also has a section dedicated to natural history, with exhibits on plants, animals, and geology. Outside Europe, this museum has the distinction of housing the largest collection of Roman antiquities. The National Art Gallery, located within the same premise, houses some of the best paintings by Raja Ravi Verma.
Santhome Cathedral Basilica: It is a Roman Catholic church located in the Mylapore neighbourhood of the city. It is believed to have been built over the tomb of St. Thomas, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus. The church is a beautiful example of Gothic Revival architecture and a popular pilgrimage site.
Guindy National Park: It is a protected area located in the heart of the city. It is home to a variety of flora and fauna, including spotted deer, blackbuck, reptiles, and over 100 species of birds. Nature walks, bird watching tours, and picnics in the park are all available to visitors.
Kapaleeshwarar Temple: It is a famous temple dedicated to Bhagawan Shiva, located in the Mylapore neighbourhood of Chennai. It is one of the city’s oldest temples. The temple complex is known for its magnificent Dravidian architecture, and it is a must-visit destination for lovers of ancient temples.
Valluvar Kottam: It is a monument dedicated to the famous Tamil poet and philosopher Thiruvalluvar. It is shaped like a temple chariot and houses a statue of Thiruvalluvar. Several inscriptions from the poet’s work, Thirukkural, are also seen here. The timeline when Thiruvalluvar lived is not known, but his work, Thirukkural, is dated to be about 1500–2300 years ago.
Fort St. George: It is a historic fort built by the British East India Company in 1644 and is the first fort built by the British in India. This fort gave the British a base to start trading activities in India. It is located in the heart of the city and houses several important buildings, including the legislative assembly of Tamil Nadu. Visitors can explore the museum inside the fort, which showcases a collection of colonial artefacts.
