Chennai – ‘Southern Gateway to the Deccan Culture’
Chennai is the capital city of Tamil Nadu. It is a sprawling metropolis with an area of 426 sq. km with a population of around 70.9 lakh. Chennai lies on the east coast of the Indian Peninsula facing the Bay of Bengal. With many beautiful sandy beaches to adorn its coast, Chennai is aptly called the ‘City of Beaches’.
Things to do in Chennai
When in Chennai, visiting the Marina Beach is a must. Then comes the numerous churches, forts, museums and last but definitely not the least, the numerous temples. Chennai is also considered a UNESCO Heritage site, mainly because of the seventh-century-old Pallava temples at Mahabalipuram.
Tourist attractions in Chennai
The beaches (Covelong, Marina and Elliot), Malls like the City Centre, Spencer Plaza and Express Avenue, Dakshin Chitra, Amusement parks like MGM Dizzie World Beach Resort, Wildlife Zoos, Mylapore, Kapeeleshwar Temple and temples at Mahabalipuram are some of the popular tourist spots to hangout in Chennai. The South-Indian cuisine and the Chettinad cuisine can be relished at a number of restaurants and street food joints. One simply can’t miss the ‘filter coffee’ when in Chennai.
Places to shop in Chennai
Some of the ‘shop till you drop’ destinations in Chennai include Thyagaraya Nagar (T. Nagar), George Town, Pondy Bazaar, Sowcarpet, Godown Street, Pantheon Street, Anna Salai and many more.
Best time to visit Chennai
November to February is the best time to visit the city since it is comparatively cooler than the rest of the months.
Modes of transport
Chennai is well-connected by air, rail and road. The city has a vast network of AC and non-AC buses run by MTC and additionally auto-rickshaws, taxis and cab help in getting around the city.
Weather in Chennai
The weather is hot and humid throughout the year. There are two seasons in Chennai— summer and monsoon. Chennai has an annual average temperature of 28.6°C.
Airport in Chennai
IndiGo operates around 90 flights daily from Chennai International Airport (IATA: MAA) to several key destinations. It is 19 km away from the city centre.