Top Ten Things to Do, Chennai - India Travel Guides

Check out one of the world’s biggest trees, the Adyar Banyan Tree It measures 238ft from north to south and 250ft from east to west. The total area exceeds 59,500 sq ft and has been the centre of many notable gatherings of the Theosophical Society and thousands of visitors have rested in its shade. See it for yourself and wonder at the millions who have seen it and stood in its shade before you in bygone eras.

If you like a bit of fun and enjoy an adrenalin rush then you really do need to visit at least one of the many Theme Parks or Entertainment Complexes in and around the city and this is an absolute must do if travelling with children. For more information go to our Sport and Activity (Entertainment) pages or our Children’s Activity pages.

Don’t miss at least one visit to Fort St. George built in 1640 AD, by the British East India Company under the direct supervision of Francis Day and Andrew Cogon. The fort was first completed in 1654 but owes its present shape to the remodelling work that was undertaken in 1749. The 6m high walls of the fort have withstood several fierce sieges and was attacked by Daud Khan, general of Emperor Aurangzeb, in 1701, by the Marathas in 1741 and by Hyder Ali on several occasions in the late 18th century. Fort St. George's towering flagstaff is, even today, the tallest in India. Glimpses of early Chennai are preserved in Clive Corner, Wellesley House (now in ruins), Fort Museum and St. Mary's church located within the compound.

Get a good insight into life in Chennai years ago and a better understanding of the city today at the Government Museum. Besides the museum it houses the Connemara Public Library and the National Art Gallery. The museum contains exhibits ranging from contemporary artefacts to prehistoric 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 so all up there’s plenty to see here and a visit is well worth it. The museum complex is open 9.30 am to 5 pm; closed on Fridays and public holidays.

Take a drive and visit Kanchipuram a small rural town about 75km from Chennai in the state of Tamilnadu. Its economy is entirely dependent on tourism and the well established handloom industry. Silk saris manufactured here are considered some of the best found anywhere so is a great place to go shopping for this sort of thing. Other interesting sights include the Kamakshi Amman Temple, Varadharaja Perumal Temple, Vaikunda Perumal Temple, Kailasanathar Temple, Ekambaranathar Temple, Ulagalandha Perumal Temple, Yathoktakari Perumal Temple, Deepaprakasa, Perumal Temple, Kandakottam Subramanya Swami Temple, Kachapeswarar Temple, Sankupani Vinayakar Temple, Pandava Thoodha Perumal Temple, Vijayaraghava Perumal Temple at Tirupputkuzhi, and Jain Temples at Tirupparuthikkundram.

Go for a snorkel at the Kurusadai Islands. This is an ecological paradise situated off Mandapam. It is notable for its coral reefs and wonderful of marine life such as dolphins. Note: Permission from the Fisheries Department in Chennai is necessary to visit the Islands.

Take time out and visit Mahabalipuram also known, as Mamallapuram 58km south of Chennai, nestling on the shores of the Bay of Bengal, which was once a port of the Pallavas. The Pallavas have created many marvellous monuments with Sculptural Panels, Caves, Monolithic Rathas (chariots) and Temples worth seeing. There is also a crocodile farm, snake venom extracting center, schools of art and sculpture worth viewing as well as lots of other places to see and activities to experience.

Check out Marina Beach pride of Chennai, reputed to be the second longest beach in the world with a wide sandy foreshore. Situated on the beach, the Anna and MGR samadhis are memorials of the most popular former Chief Ministers of the state. An aquarium is also located on the Marina Beach. Some of the most beautiful buildings in Chennai such as the University of Chennai, Senate House, Chepuk Palace, Presidency College and Ice House are located on this beach drive too that are worth seeing. Worthy of special mention is a group of bronze figures by the renowned Indian sculptor, Debi Prosad Rai Chaudhari, eulogizing the 'Dignity of Labour'.

You can’t afford not to visit at least one of the many Parks and Sanctuaries in the area. Who knows you may even be lucky enough to spot a tiger. For more information click here.

Don’t go home without seeing the Shore Temple located in Mamallapuram 60km south of Chennai which is one of the oldest temples in south India. It belongs to the early 8th century AD and is a good example of the first phase of structural temples constructed in Dravidian style. The monuments are floodlit at night and so it is possible to enjoy their beauty after sunset.