See the city's colonial heritage at 17th-century Fort St George and the vast expanse of Marina Beach, studded with statues of famous Tamil personalities. Step back further in time to ancient Hindu temples in Mylapore, and return to the present in Chennai's busy shopping districts. Full-flavoured Chettiar cuisine is bound to make your mouth water.
Nestling by the Marina, Chennai's British Raj era is best seen inside Fort St George, north of the centre. Here you can see India's oldest church, St Mary's Church where Robert Clive (Clive of India) was married. The 11-mile-long Marina Beach stretches from north to south, a huge urban beach. Mylapore, south of the centre, is home to Chennai's oldest religious relics, including Hindu temples. Around the University at Triplicane are the best examples of Indo-Saracenic (a mix of Indian and British Gothic style) architecture from the late 19th century.
In colonial George Town, check out Fort St George built by the British East India Company, and the ornate façade of the Indo-Saracenic High Court. Christian history is on show at San Thome Cathedral in Mylapore, said to house the remains of Jesus' apostle Doubting Thomas who many believe to have been killed on nearby St Thomas Mound. Close by, admire the ornate carvings on the 130-foot-high gopuram entrance tower at the Hindu Kapaleeshwarar Temple. Take an evening stroll along Marina Beach, where locals gather to eat snacks and play beach cricket at sunset.
Browse the six buildings of the Government Museum, including the Hindu Sculpture Gallery and National Art Gallery, with rare Chola bronzes and Mughal miniatures in a glorious colonial-era building. Inspired by cricket on the beach? Try and get to see a regional or international match between October and March at the world-class M. A. Chidambaram Stadium. If you have the time, take a day trip to admire the UNESCO-protected rock-cut temples of Mahaballipuram.
