Local Buzz HERITAGE RELICS
Chennai houses nearly 2,467 heritage buildings within its metropolitan area—the highest within any city limit in India.
The first English fortress built by the British-led East India Company in India in 1639, 1 Fort St. George is the focal point around which the city of Chennai evolved. Today, the compound houses the state assembly, a museum and the St. Mary’s
Church—the oldest Anglican church in India. The imposing red structure of 2 Madras High Court is the second largest judicial building in the world, while the all-white Ripon Building is a fine example of Neoclassical architecture. Walks conducted by initiatives such as Story Trails
(storytrails.in) and 5 Senses Walks (5 senses walks.com) are ideal to explore these structures.
NATURAL WONDERS
The long coastline of Chennai along the Bay of Bengal ensures the existence of several beautiful beaches such as 3 Marina Beach and
4 Elliot’s Beach. The
5 Guindy National Park and 6 Theosophical Society Garden are other natural sites worth spending some time at.
AROUND TOWN
There are numerous opportunities for day trips from Chennai. The UNESCO World Heritage Site of
7 Mahabalipuram, located 60 km away, has 400 monuments built during the Pallava dynasty. 8 Kanchipuram, 72 km away, is another heritage city that’s also famous for its handwoven Kanjeevaram silk saris. Try to strike a deal with a local weaver and shop for a classic creation.