Joanna James
Tamil Nadu's capital, Chennai has much to offer travellers taking time to explore this Indian city. With its mix of rich history and modern development, it offers captivating insights into the country as well. Here are some facts about Chennai which will add to its allure!
Stretching for around 12 km in length, Marina Beach in Chennai is the longest beach in India and is in fact, the second-longest urban beach on the planet! Running from Besant Nagar to Fort St. George, this sandy shoreline is also one of the most crowded in terms of visitors with numbers reaching about 30,000 in the weekends. That said, there is plenty of beach for everyone here, where you can enjoy leisurely strolls, catch wonderful sunsets, fly kites, eat local food and more.
One of the most well-known family attractions in Chennai, the Arignar Anna Zoological Park is the largest of its kind in India; it also happens to be the country's first public zoo. Inaugurated in 1855, this site which is also referred to as the Vandalur Zoo, can be found in the city's southwestern part. One of the largest in the world too, it is home to diverse wildlife species from around the globe. Highlights here include lion and deer safaris, a walkthrough aviary, aquarium and a forest museum.
A much-loved dish in India, Chicken 65 is a must-try for foodies visiting the country; this popular dish is believed to have originated in Chennai though there are many stories of how it came into being. Its distinct red colour is attributed to the red chillies that are used, though the other ingredients can vary from place to place. The dish typically features bone-in or boneless chicken and there are vegetarian options too such as Paneer 65!
Focusing on information technology and home to some of the leading tech companies, TIDEL Park is one of the largest IT parks in Asia. It can be easily reached by those staying along the IT Expressway where one will find key serviced apartments Chennai has to offer including properties such as Citadines OMR Chennai. Launched in 2000, TIDEL Park has played a major role in boosting the information technology industry in the country and continues to be a major IT hub in the city.
If you love books and reading then a visit to the Anna Centenary Library in Chennai will leave you in awe; it is Asia's largest library after all! Named after Tamil Nadu's former chief minister, C. N. Annadurai, the library was opened in 2010 and spans nine floors (including ground floor); this impressive site is said to be able to accommodate over a million books. Apart from sections for Tamil and English books, it also has a children's section with storybooks and multimedia elements and an area for the visually impaired featuring braille displays.
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