Chennai

Formerly known as Madras, Chennai is one of India's largest cities, home to more than 7 million people. Capital of the southern state of Tamil Nadu, Chennai is a historic and culturally significant place. First established in 1639 as an outpost by the British East India Company, it later grew into a regional administrative center, home to a Royal Navy base and a slew of colonial buildings. Today, Chennai is a thriving city that markedly differs from the rest of India - due both to its Tamil (south Indian) and colonial heritage.

Experiences

A handpicked selection of experiences endorsed by our experts. If you can’t see what you’re looking for, let us know, as our extensive network of local contacts can open many doors.

Cholamandal Artists' Village

Visit Cholamandal Artists' Village, located about 12 miles south of Chennai. The village was set up in the mid-1960s by the principal of the Madras School of Arts and Crafts for artists to pool their talents and resources to learn from and influence each other. The result is this thriving, tranquil respite from the city, where many artists make their home and have their own studios. There are a few galleries that exhibit works for sale; most have reasonable price tags.

Government Museum

Visit the Bronze Gallery in the Government Museum, which houses several personal collections of notable British doctors. The museum itself is a fine example of Indo-Saracenic architecture, which blends Rajput, Hindu and high-Victorian styles. On occasion, Remote Lands can arrange for guests to meet with a top curator, who can escort you to store rooms and workshops where pieces are in the process of being restored.

Saravana Bhavan

Have lunch at Saravana Bhavan, a successful franchise of south Indian vegetarian restaurants that has established outposts as far as New York, London, Singapore and elsewhere. Learn how to eat with your hands as you dig into your thali, which has roughly 14 different cups of curries, raita (yogurt) and other staples of the south Indian diet.

When you are finished, meet with the head chef and walk through the kitchen for a cooking demonstration to see how so many dishes are made for every meal.

Southern Railway Terminus

Stop by the Southern Railway terminus in town for another example of the beautiful Indo-Saracenic architecture that is distinctive of the area.

India Regions

Explore in-depth information, experiences and highlights by navigating to specific regions using the links below on the right.

Northern

Southern

North-Eastern

Rajasthan

Wildlife Parks

Western

Mumbai

Andaman & Nicobar Islands

andaman and nicobar islands

Central

Multi-Country Specialists

India Goes Well With

Maldives

Nepal

Bhutan

Sri Lanka

Why Remote Lands?

Exclusively Asia

With Remote Lands you'll travel with people who have made Asia the solitary focus of their own lifelong adventure. As our guest, you'll discover Asia on a journey that is completely, authentically your own, adapted from our own remarkable experiences and adventures over the years.

With Remote Lands you'll travel with people who have made Asia the solitary focus of their own lifelong adventure. As our guest, in the continent that our north American founders Catherine and Jay have adored and explored for decades, you'll discover Asia on a journey that is completely, authentically your own, adapted from our own remarkable experiences and adventures over the years.

Travelogues

An Asia-focused magazine brought to you by Remote Lands - a platform for adventure, luxury, and authenticity from experts and explorers around the continent.