Chennai Travel Guide

Chennai (Madras)
As with many cities and areas of India, travel to Chennai and you will find yourself in a place of contrast and diversity. Expect to find a true mix of the old and the new with stately colonial buildings overlooked by modern high-rises. Known formerly as Madras, it has grown from a simple cluster of fishing villages to become the fourth-largest city in India and the capital of the state of Tamil Nadu.

Today Chennai is an important commercial and cultural centre that manages to retain it's own unique culture, very distinct from other Indian cities. It is a calm city that seems to go at it's own pace, traffic is well managed, it is one of the cleaner cities in India and has some of the best and cheapest shopping. There is a difference also in the people compared to the rest of India, along with a different style of food and different architecture.

Located on the Bay of Bengal in the South of India, Chennai is the centre of the area's air, rail and road networks and is often referred to as the Gateway to the South. It also has a lot to offer in it's own right, with many sights to see including the majestic forts and palaces of bygone eras and magnificent temple architecture.

Marina Beach is a place you must visit on your trip to Chennai, with golden sand stretching for a distance of over 13km. It is said to be the second longest beach in Asia and you are sure to find it bustling with activities and entertainment. You may happen upon the occasional film star, as it is also a favourite place for shooting films. At the northern side of the beach many statues and memorials of Tamil leaders have been erected like a gallery of eminent personalities. On the southern side of the beach is a row of buildings which are a legacy of the British Raj including the PWD house, The Senate House, The Madras University and the Presidency College.

Location
Chennai is on the southeast coast of Southern India, in the northeast of Tamil Nadu, on a flat coastal plain known as the Eastern Coastal Plains. It has the Bay of Bengal bordering its east, while the state of Andhra Pradesh is on its northwest. The famous districts of Tamilnadu and Kanchipuram are on its south and the states of Kerala and Karnataka are on its western side.

Chennai is divided into four areas, North, South West and Central. Central Chennai is the commercial part of the city and includes the important business district. North Chennai is primarily an industrial area while South Chennai and West Chennai, previously mostly residential, are becoming more commercial and home to a growing number of information technology firms, financial companies and call centres.

Climate and when to travel
Being situated at the tropical zone, Chennai normally has a very hot and humid climate. The best time to visit Chennai city is in the winter season from the months of November through to February. Winter and summer temperatures do not vary much as it rains frequently throughout the year. The hottest part of the year is late May and early June, the coolest part of the year is January.

Flying to Chennai
All international flights into Chennai will arrive at the Madras International Airport named Anna Terminal. You can read more about the International airport at Chennai including transfers to the city here >> Chennai Airport | The Madras International Airport