Chennai in South India, is a vibrant city ever growing, expanding and changing every year. On your Chennai tour you will discover that Chennai's culture is distinct from that of north India. Explore the music, dance and other art forms of the South, on tours to Chennai. Chennai is a city where the traditional and the modern blend in life everywhere. From traditional vegetarian fair to fast food, from nine-yard saris to the latest in fashion, from ancient temple architecture to modern high-rises, from classical music and dance to discos throbbing to heady beats, Chennai has them all and many more vivid contrasts that you can discover on your Chennai Tours with Chennai Hub.
Air : Chennai has two airports - one for international flights and the other for domestic flights. The Anna International Airport and Kamaraj Domestic Terminal are both located at Meenambakkom about 20 kms from the city centre. Most of the international airlines have flights to Chennai and domestic flights operate regularly to most of the important cities of the country.
Rail : Chennai has a well maintained railway network connecting major parts of the country. There are two railway stations – the Chennai Central and Egmore station. Chennai Central connects the city by broad gauge with all major cities and towns of India while Egmore is the staring point of both broad gauge and metre gauge trains proceeding to several destinations within the state and to the neighboring Pondicherry and Kerala. Several super fast, express and mail trains run regularly to different parts of the country.
Bus : Chennai is connected by well maintained state roads and national highways with all the important places in Tamil Nadu and other parts of India. Most government bus services for Tamil Nadu and interstate operate from the newly opened Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminal at Jawaharlal Nehru Salai, Koyembedu. It is the largest bus station in Asia. You can also rent car with private tour and cab operators. Pre-paid taxis and airport coaches are available at airports and railway station.
Fort ST. Geroge : Fort ST. Geroge was built in 1640 AD, by the British East India Company under the direct supervision of Francis Day and Andrew Cogon. This place achieved its name from Saint George, the patron saint of England. The fort houses Saint Mary's Church and fort museum. Saint Mary's Church the oldest Anglican Church built in 1680 and the tombstones in its courtyard are the oldest British tombstones in India.
Marina Beach : Its the second longest beach in the world with a strech of 4.5 kms (2.5 miles). This strech is filled with statues of rememberence from our Tamil culture to our great leaders. A walk along the Marina in the evening creates elated feelings. The old buildings on side of Kamarajar Salai, a main road along the Marina, would remind you of the good old British days. People from all over the city gather here in the evenings to cool off and eat crispy "sundal and murukku"!
ANNA Memorial : The memorial for ARINZAR ANNADURAI - leader of the Dravidian movement, affectionately called Anna. His speech in Tamil has enchanted millions. Adjoining to this memorial lays another for leader Dr. M.G. Ramachandran leader of AIADMK movement, commonly know as Puractchi Thalaivar MGR. Both of them are situated at the northern end of the Marina Beach. Both these leaders are still living in the hearts of Tamil Nadu people
Birla Planetarium : Birla Planetarium is located near Adyar and Guindy. This modern planetarium is housed in a hemi-spherical theatre. Here a fully computerized projector brings the heavenly bodies to life. The latest astronomical phenomena are brought back to life in simulated environment. Periyar Science & Technology Centre situated near enables the visiting public to understand scientific and technological inventions through working models.
Light House : Light House a massive tall structure situated at south end of the Marina Beach beckons the visitors in the evening and adds glory to the golden sands. All India Radio (AIR) radio broadcast station is located opposite to the light house.
San Thome Basilica : At the south end of Marina Beach was named after Saint Thomas "doubting apostle of Jesus Christ". It is belived he has come to Madras in 52 AD and kill at St. Thomas Mount just outside the city in 78 AD. Built in 16th Century by the Portuguese, in 1896 it was made a basilica. The beautiful stained glass window at the basilica portrays the story of St Thomas and the central hall has 14 wooden plaques depicting scenes from the last days of Christ.. In the cathedral is a 3ft. high statue of Virgin Mary which is believed to have been brought from Portugal in 1543
Government Museum : Previously known as Pantheon Complex in British period, today houses the Government Museum, Connemara Public Library and the National Art Gallery. The museum contains exhibits ranging from contemporary artifacts to prehistorical findings. Sculptures and bronzes of various periods, sections for zoology, anthropology and geology impress every visitor. Buddhist sculptures found in the Amaravathi section depict the events recorded in the life of the Buddha
Valluvar Kottam : the memorial to the poet-saint Tiruvalluvar is shaped like a temple chariot and is, in fact, the replica of the temple chariot in Thiruvarur. A life-size statue of the saint has been installed in the chariot which is 33m. tall. The 133 chapters of his famous work Thirukkural have been depicted in bas-relief in the front hall corridors of the chariot. The auditorium at Valluvar Kottam is said to be the largest in Asia and can accommodate about 4000 people. It stands as a modern memorial to the great poet who represents the glorious culture of the Tamils.
Chennai has some places to offer for shopping. In fact Chennai is a Shopper's delight. There are a lot of places and shops worth visiting. One thing to be kept in mind is to try to bargain for prices at almost all places. New plazas are springing up while traditional stores are having themselves refurbished to attract more customers. Readymade clothing including brands, art and crafts, contemporary and traditional artwork, antiques, jewellery etc are easily available in the city. Traditional items like Pattamara Mats and the leaf and palmyra-fiber handicrafts from Tirunellveli, bronze and brass castings and traditional jewelry from Kumbakonam, Metal works from Tanjavur, stone carvings from Mamallapuram, Silks from Kanchipuram are all available in Chennai.
Chennai has a lot to offer when it comes to eating out, be it fine dining or a quick bite at a roadside eatery. There are numerous multi cuisine restaurants in the city, which offer everything from Chettinad to Chinese cuisine, but if you are visiting Chennai, then try the local cuisine.
People in Tamil Nadu are essentially vegetarians, and Chennai has numerous restaurants dishing out local culinary delights. No matter what you fancy, Chennai is in the heart of idli and dosa country, and you can find these being offered everywhere. However, there are a few restaurants that stand out in Chennai; there is the Dasaprakash, Udipi and Annalakshmi. These restaurants offer value for more dining. There are also the more pricey ones such as Dakshin and Southern Spice, which offer mouth-watering food. A popular thing to eat in Chennai besides pongal is the Thali, which is an assortment of lentils and vegetables served along with rice.
Entertainment and recreation is not that far from Chennai. All you need to do is reach the famous city and grab it. But you just can't get hold of anything and start declaring that you have it all. Entertainment in Chennai takes various shapes and forms. Most of the times you have to buy it and unless you know where they sell it you are not going to find any.
There are numerous avenues in the city to amuse oneself with. One of the best practices, unanimously agreed upon, is window shopping. It is a real pleasure to go out looking for the things in some of the best malls in the city. The next ideal thing would be to step in for a movie at cinema hall. But check the schedule before hand. It would be really boring to watch a Tamil movie if you don't comprehend the language. Performances held at auditoriums are superb but then you need to have the taste, the taste for it. The amusement parks are perfect but that calls for more money and time. There are art galleries and libraries filled with immense treasures. Even if you happen to be nocturnal there is something in store - the nightclubs, discotheques and pubs. Chennai is not far and neither is entertainment from there on.