Chennai: Hub for the intellectual and creative workforce
Chennai, a city formerly known as Madras, owns a rich culture of southern India with a number of beaches, gilded temples and museums. This ancient place still appears quite young, attracting a large number of travellers and working professionals.
Things to do in Chennai
- Explore the grand museums and forts to learn about the stories and events of the past which took place in the reigns of rulers.
- Enjoy stunning beachside sunsets and birds eye’s view from Chennai’s Lighthouse.
- Wander about the market areas and community bazaars to shop and grab a bite of the city’s special cuisine.
Tourist attractions in Chennai
Historic Mylapore - This place is known as the soul of the city for having the 17th-century Kapaleeshwarar temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Fort St. George - This place has the grand St. Mary's Church and the Fort Museum which has been given as a legacy by the British East India Company since 1653.
Madras High Court - One of the largest judicial buildings in the world built in the year 1892.
Places to shop in Chennai
- Ranganathan Street is a lane of many retail emporiums and shopping centres for procuring famous Kanchivaram silk sarees and gold jewellery, electronics, home decor items, etc.
- Khader Nawaz Khan Road in Nungambakkam is one of the most expensive places in the country, known for its luxury items and big brand outlets.
- Burma Bazaar established by immigrants from Burma is the destination for shopping and bargaining of clothes, footwear, accessories, etc.
Best time to visit Chennai
The best time to explore this metropolitan city is between October and February. This time of the year the city enjoys withering summers and light downpours which works well for tourists.
Modes of transport in Chennai
- Buses and taxis are the major modes of transportation in the city. Being low-priced and easily available, a larger number of people prefer such public transportation.
- Apart from these, auto-rickshaws and personal cars are the ones used by the masses.
Weather in Chennai
Chennai lies on the coastal side of the country which invites tropical wet and dry climate. Mostly, the city stays hot and humid, having heavy rains for some months. However, the coolest month is January when the temperature remains 18-20 degree Celsius at the most.
Airports in Chennai
There are two main airports in Chennai. One is the Chennai International Airport in Meenambakkam and Tirusulam which is about 21 km away from the city centre. The other is the Kamaraj Domestic Airport. For those of you who are looking to fly from Chennai to other destinations, IndiGo offers Chennai to Delhi, Chennai to Mumbai, Chennai to Hyderabad and Chennai to Coimbatore flights.
IATA Code: MAA