Chennai: the gateway to South India
Former British Madras and principal city of South India's Dravidian south, Chennai overlooks the Bay of Bengal with one of the world's longest urban beaches.
Taxis and motorised rickshaws remain the most common way to get around the city.
The Fort Saint George, the first British fortified settlement in India dating back to 1644, today hosts a museum on the colonial history of the city.
Just steps away, the Cathedral of Saint Thomas, built according to tradition above the tomb of the Apostle Thomas, remains one of three churches in the world erected above the burial of an apostle of Jesus.
Continuing one walks on the Marina Beach, which with over twelve kilometers of sand remains one of the longest urban beaches on the planet.
Toward evening, the Mylapore district, the religious and cultural heart of the city, animates Hindu temples and classical Carnatic music schools.
According to Christian tradition, the Apostle Thomas preached and died in the Chennai area, making the city one of the oldest Christian pilgrimage destinations in South Asia.
Marina Beach, despite being among the most frequented beaches in India, is not suitable for swimming due to strong currents in the Bay of Bengal, and is used mainly for evening walks.
Guided tours and experiences in Chennai
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