India /Tamil Nadu /Chennai /Chennai

Chennai is the fourth largest city of India, Chennai is bedecked with temples, churches and beaches. This is a popular metro city in the country that is very well connected to all the parts of the country. Formally known as Madras, the city is also synonym as the ‘automobile capital of India’. Located on the shores of the Bay of Bengal, the city has various heritage monuments like Fort George. Boasting of having the longest beach in India – Marina Beach, Chennai has become a popular beach destination that offers various adventure options like water sports, horse riding and aero sports. This city started as a tiny fishing village which today has gained the status of being one of the four metropolitan cities of India. In spite of the modern influences, the city still prides itself of maintaining the rich and cultural traditions of the city. Best season to visit Chennai is from September to March, specifically the winters. December to March is ideal for all kinds of tourists activities. Visiting attractions, carrying out shopping and other kinds of recreational activities are fine during this period. April and may are hot and not suitable for day time activities .June to November are fine for short city trips. Keep a watch on cloud and wind movements.

Quick Facts-Edit

Category : Historical

Time Zone: UTC + 5:30 Hours

Pincode: 600001

STD Code: 44

Info Website: tn.gov.in

Best Time to Visit:  November to March

HistoryEdit

Chennai (formerly Madras), the capital city of Tamil Nadu is a popular gateway to South India. Despite its size and importance and compared to other major cities, it comes across as a quiet backwater, acity that never hurries. It is a city Where the traditional and the modern blend everywhere. From traditional vegetarine fair to fast foods, from nine-yard sari to the latest in fashion, from ancient temple architecture to modern high-rise, from classical music and dance to discos throbbing to heady beats, Chennai has them all and many more vivid contrasts that are pleasant surprises. And perhaps the most striking of them all is that hear is a modern metroplis with beaches, parks and even historic past to visitors.

Places to VisitAdd

Chennai Sightseeing

How to ReachEdit

By Air : Anna International Airport at Chennai is connected to many important cities in abroad including Singapore, Colombo. Kamraj Domestic Airport in Chennai is well connected to all major cities in India. All the major airlines provide their service from Chennai to other cities. Prepaid taxis are available and fare about Rs 250 to 300 from Airport to Chennai Central.

By Train : Chennai has 3 railway stations. They are Central, Egmore and Tambaram. Chennai Central is well connected to all the major cities in India. Trains from other parts of Tamil Nadu and kerala come to Egmore Station Whereas all other pull in at Central Station. Suburban electric trains run from the Beach Station to Tambaram and from central to Gummidipoondi and arakonam.

By BUS : “Excellent roads connect to all parts of southern India. Buses from outside Chennai come to the Moffussil Bus Stand.Chennai metro city is connected to all parts of the India by road. TSTC and other private bus services provide services to all cities in the state. Deluxe Volvo bus services are available from Bangalore, Hyderabad, Cochin and Coimbatore.The bus fares range from Rs. 4 to Rs. 40.

By Taxi : Prepaid taxis are available and fare about Rs 250 to 300 from Airport to Chennai Central.Cabs or taxis are also available extensively and most hotels maintain contact with local cab offices. They run on meter in most cases. Cabs are the best mode of transport during the night. Some of contact numbers of the local taxis are – Comfort call taxi – 044-28460614 City cabs – 044-2815775

By Other :Auto rickshaws are available for hire just outside the station. The most common mode of transport in Chennai is the auto rickshaw. However they might not run on meter i.e. approximately Rs 7 per km, and the traveler is advised to negotiate the fare well in advance. They charge special night fare which might be considerably higher than the normal fare.In order to experience a hint of the colonial past, travelers may opt for cycle rickshaws which are still available in certain parts of the city. However they are open to the sky and the heat of the city might become overwhelming. A ride on the city rickshaw is best for short distances and their price ranges from Rs 10 – 20 per km.

Top HotelsAdd

Budget  – Up to Rs. 800

• Mallika Residency ; No: 14 & 15, Meeran Sahib Street, Mount Road, Chennai,TN,600002 ; Ph – 044 2841 5375 ; Facilities – Travel Desk, 24-hour front desk, 24-hour room service, Air conditioning, Conference facilities.

Economy – Up to Rs. 801 to Rs. 1200

• Raj Residency ; 22 Kennet Lane, Opposite Egmore Station, Chennai, TN 600008 ‎ ; Ph – 044 2819 2219 ; Facilities – Travel Desk, 24-hour front desk, 24-hour room service, Air conditioning, Conference facilities.

Deluxe – Up to Rs. 801 to Rs. 1200

• Savoury Sea Shell ; 65, Greams Road, Thousand Lights,, Chennai, TN 600006 ‎ ; Ph – 044 2829 5866 ; Facilities – Travel Desk, 24-hour front desk, 24-hour room service, Air conditioning, Conference facilities, Laundry, Parking.

Luxury – Rs. 2501 and above

• Hyatt Regency ; 365, Anna Salai, Teynampet, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600018 ‎ ; Ph – 044 6100 1234 ; Facilities – Travel Desk, 24-hour front desk, 24-hour room service, Air conditioning, Conference facilities, Laundry, Parking.

Top RestaurantsAdd

• Mainland China ;  144/145,Hotel Tulip Aruna Complex,Sterling Road, Nungambakkam,Chennai,TN,600 034 ; M –  044 3915 5261 ; Food Serve :  N.A

• Rainforest Restaurant ;  Gandhi Nagar 1st Main Rd, Adyar, Chennai, TN ; M –  044 4218 7777 ; Food Serve :  Continental

• Saravana Bhavan Restaurant ;  Kodambakkam, Chennai, TN ‎ ; M –  044 2480 2577 ; Food Serve :  Indian

• Dhabba Express ;  Bldg No. 9/6, Centap Rd, Teynampet, Chennai, TN 600018 ‎ ; M –  044 2432 8211 ; Food Serve :  Panjabi

Must Eat FoodAdd

• Idli, Dosa, Vada, Pongal and Upma. –  Anjappar ; J.P. Tower, 7/2, Nungambakkam High Road, Chennai, TN 600034 ‎ ‎ ; Ph/M –  044 2825 6662 ; Cost –  N.A ; Famous for – N.A
• Rasam –  Dakshin ; TC Maurya Sheraton, TTK Road, Chennai – 600018 ; Ph/M –  N.A ; Cost –  N.A ; Famous for – N.A

Must Do ActivitiesAdd

Must ShopAdd

• Kanchipuram Sari ; FOUNTAIN PLAZA ; 114, Pantheon Road, Egmore, Chennai – 600 008 ; Ph/M: (044) 28193284 .

Nightlife (Pub / Disc / BAR)Add

• Q Bar ; Hilton Chennai Hotel, Plot No. 124/1, Jawaharlal Nehru Salai, Guindy, Chennai, 600032 ; Ph/M: (+91) 9025183174 ; Cost:  2500 ; Food Serve : Alcohol, Long Island Ice Tea, Mojitho.
• Bike and Barrel ; The Residency Towers Hotel, Plot No. 115, Sir Thyagaraya Road, Thyagaraya Nagar, Chennai, 600017 ; Ph/M: (+91) 9025149344 ; Cost:  2000 ; Food Serve : Mocktails, Long Island Ice Tea, Pina Colada, Alcohol

SpaAdd

• Naturals Family Salon & Spa ;  No. 3/9, 3rd Ave, Indira nagar, Adyar Chennai, TN600020 ; Ph/M – 044 2445 5142 ; Cost:  N.A ; Services –  Body Massage Centres, Massage Centres For Men, Beauty Spas.
• Senza ;  T-55 B, Elliots Beach Road, 6th Avenue, Besant Nagar, Besant Nagar, Chennai, TN 600090 ; Ph/M – 044 4301 8888 ; Cost:  N.A ; Services –  Body Massage Centres, Massage Centres For Men, Beauty Spas.
• Influence Spa ;  2/3 , wallace garden 3rd street, nungambakkam, Chennai, TN 600034 ‎ ; Ph/M – 044 4503 8436 ; Cost:  N.A ; Services –  Foot Massage, Back Massage, Facial Massage, Aroma Massage, Ayurvedic Massage, Head Massage, Full Body Massage.

FestivalAdd

Pongal ; Venue:  Chennai ; Period :  January ; Details:  It is the harvest festival of thanks giving to Sun, Earth and the Cow. It is celebrated in the month of January for three days. People offer sugarcane, turmeric, sheaves of paddy, newly prepared jaggery, vegetables and pulses to the Sun god, the earth and the cow.

Brahmotsavam Festival ; Venue:  Chennai ; Period :  March ; Details:  Brahmotsavam festival celebrated at the splendid Kapaleeswarar temple at Mylapore creates a basis of attraction to the pilgrims from far and near. The said festival is celebrated for ten days in the Tamil Month of Panguni.

Safety / WarningEdit

• Double-check all hotel and restaurant bills for errors.
• Don’t leave cash and valuables in your hotel room. Use room safes where available.
• Keep daily cash in separate pockets.
• Never pay for anything upfront – including drivers.

HelplineEdit

• Women Helpline : 1091
• Fire : 101
• Police : 100
• Ambulance : 1066 / 102

ItineraryEdit

Day 1:
10:00 am – Marina Beach ;Approx. time spent : 4 hrs
2:00 pm – Guindy national Park ;Approx. time spent : 3 hrs
5:00 pm – Sathyam Cinemas;Approx. time spent : 2 hrs
7:00 pm – Express Avenue Mall ;Approx. time spent : 1 hrs
Day 2:
10:00 am – Elliot’s Beach ;Approx. time spent : 2 hrs
12:00 pm – Doveton House ;Approx. time spent : 2 hrs
2:00 pm – Crocodile Bank ;Approx. time spent : 3 hrs
4:00 pm – Chennai Citi Centre ;Approx. time spent : 2 hrs
6:00 pm – The B Bar ;Approx. time spent : 3 hrs
Day 3:
10:00 am – Muttukadu Lake ;Approx. time spent : 2 hrs
12:00 pm – Kapaleeshwarar Temple ;Approx. time spent : 1 hrs
1:00 pm – The Anna Centenary Library ;Approx. time spent : 2 hrs
3:00 pm – Mylapore ;Approx. time spent : 3 hrs
6:00 pm- Burma Bazaar;Approx. time spent : 2 hrs

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