3 offbeat places to visit in Chennai this holiday
Chennai is a perfect destination in south India that you may like to visit on your next vacation. Home to a plethora of interesting places to visit, it is a perfect place for beach lovers, culture enthusiasts, religious travelers, nature buffs, and many others to include.
Chennai is a large city and one of the most popular Indian cities. It is the capital of southernmost Indian state, Tamil Nadu and today counts amongst the top four metropolitans in the country. It is the biggest and most significant industrial hub in entire South India and just often referred as the Detroit of the country for its huge and growing automobile industry. The place is known for its vibrant culture, rich history, and tropical wet and dry climate.
Apart from that, art, music, and cuisine are among the other attributes that separate the city from the other Indian cities, putting Chennai at a top spot on India tourism map. It is a place where an open and modern approach towards life is infused into the rich culture and traditions that have been in practice for several centuries. It counts amongst the fastest growing cities in India and has a high GDP. India Today, a renowned Indian English-language magazine declared the city as the best city in India in the year 2014, and Lonely Planet, a leading tourism guide publisher has ranked the city amongst the top ten cities in the world to visit in the year 2015.
Without doubt Chennai is one of the hottest tourist destinations in the country and houses a large array of interesting and varied places to visit in Chennai. Given below are some unique tourist attractions that are just perfect for travelers seeking an offbeat holiday experience in the city.
Mylapore – If you an avid traveler and wish to relish the feel of the city, Mylapore is one place that just cannot skip. Popular as the oldest residential part of the city, the place is still a vibrant and bustling locality. Located along the coastline it was a port town that welcomed European sailors and Chinese merchants. The culture and traditions that date several centuries old are still very much alive in the locals. Take a stroll in the evening at the old streets and do some shopping, also stop by at a restaurant to zest in the appetizing culinary cuisine. A chief attraction here is the Kapaleeshwarar Temple, which is also the hub of the whole town.
Crocodile Farm – The place is ideal for a wildlife lover and nature enthusiast. Founded by Romulus Whitaker the conservation centre is one of the largest reptile zoos in the world. The mission of the farm is to protect and conserve the endangered reptiles of the region while providing them the natural habitat. The chief attractions here are evidently the crocodiles and alligators. Apart from them, there are different species of turtles, snakes, and a few other reptiles. Note that the farm remains closed on Mondays. Besides, the timings are from 8:30 A.M to 5:30 P.M.
Dakshinachitra – It is an art and cultural centre and preserves and promotes the rich cultural heritage of south India. The chief attraction of the place is an actual living village that contains some of the traditional houses of south India. It is a perfect place to explore and discover the centuries old culture and traditions of the state.
In addition to the above mentioned there are numerous other popular tourist attractions spread all over the city. The popular ones being, beaches, Chennai temples, museums, parks, shopping malls, churches, etc.