Tourists are drawn to the exotic city of Chennai for its interesting blend of traditional and modern India. Formerly known as Madras, Chennai serves as the Tamil Nadu capital, making it the center for Tamil culture and food as well as the arts and performing arts. It’s the major producer and distributor of Tamil language film for not only India, but Tamil communities throughout the world.
Founded in the 17th century, Chennai was a major British naval base and economic center during the colonial era. Since Indian Independence, the city has grown into one of the country’s expanding mega-cities, a bustling urban metropolis full of restaurants, shops and markets, 5 star Chennai hotels, and numerous clubs and lounges.
Those wanting to escape the urban landscape will find numerous opportunities to do just that. The city has a number of beautiful beaches for relaxation as well as recreation. Chennai also has an entire national park within its borders. Guindy National Park is home to a wide variety of species of wildlife and plants. The Vandalur Zoo includes an aquarium and several safaris. Chennai’s Botanical Garden is an oasis of plants and flowers, including a fossilized tree trunk that is believed to be at least twenty million years old.
Chennai is known for its variety. There are Hindu temples as well as several amusement parks, including a large water park. It boasts the best Bhratanatyam(classical Indian dance) performances in the world as well as sporting events such as cricket, tennis, and motorsports. Shopping ranges from traditional arts and crafts available in bazaars to modern electronics markets and designer boutiques.
