Cochin Travel

Cochin City Travel Information

Cochin, renamed as Kochi is the industrial capital and the commercial hub of the state of Kerala. Cochin is known to possess one of the finest natural harbour in the world. The beautiful island city is set in a stunning location between the Arabian sea and the back waters, 220km north of the capital city of Trivandrum. Cochin of today is one of the major travel destination of South India. Once it used to be the much sought after port for the mariners from far flung places like Arabia, China, Holland and Britain. They have all left their indomitable mark in this very land. Popular as the Queen of the Arabian sea, Cochin with the Ernalukam portion in the east and the districts of Mattancherry show its complex system of ferry services along the peninsula.

As travellers loiter around the old city, the cosmopolitan character clearly comes to the forefront that are well reflected in the Mansions and structures built in the place. Discovered by the Portuguese, the island city with the lagoons and canals with the fishing hamlets is today one of the busiest port of India. Cochin lies on the direct route to the countries of east Europe and Australia and is proud to possess all the three forms of transport in one particular region.
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Major Travel Attractions of Cochin

Fort Cochin: Called the Old Fort, the Fort Cochin is the first and the foremost fort built by the Europeans in India and is among the most important travel attractions of the city. Initiated by the Dutch, the Fort was also developed by the Britishers. The Fort as a whole consists of many amazing structures. The Fort houses the memory of Vasco Da Gama, the first European to land on the coast of India in the year 1498. The old fort comprises a huge Portuguese style mansion, the St. Francis church and the basilica of Santa Cruz.

Chinese Fishing Nets: The huge Chinese cantilevered fishing nets were brought by the Indian traders from the royal court of Kubla khan, the famous Mongol Emperor and founder of the Yuan Dynasty of China. These nets were erected by the traders in around 1350 to 1450 AD and are set up on the teak wood and bamboo poles. The nets offer an interesting sights when they are lowered in to the sea to catch the big cats underwater.

Mattancherry Palace: Constructed in the year 1557, the magnificent Palace was presented to Raja Veera Kerala Varma of Cochin as a gift by the Portuguese Traders. Complete with extraordinary murals and scenes from the epics of Ramayana and Mahabharata, the palace also displays the Dutch maps of Old Cochin. The royal coronation and the palanquins are splendidly presented. Renovated in 1663 by the Dutch , the palace show case the wonderful attires of the Maharajas who ruled the place from earlier times.

St. Francis Church: The St, Francis Church has the reputation of being the first church built by the Dutch in the year 1503 AD. It is also the burial place of Vasco De Gama, the portuguese trader and sailor, the first European to discover India. The great traveller was buried here in 1524 before his remains were taken to Lisbon, Portugal in about 1538.

Bolghatty Island: The narrow and elongated island widely known for the famous Bolghatty Palace was constructed by the Dutch in 1744. The island hold the only picturesque golf course of Cochin among its prime attractions. Other notable features of the place is the exciting boat cruising that can be experienced on the island.

Willington Island: Once the dumping ground of the materials while forming the port of Cochin, the Willington Island is today an artificial island born out from the same. Today the Willington Island houses some of the best hotel of the city including the trading centers and the port trust. It is also the head quarter of the Southern Naval Command.
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Nearby Travel Attractions of Cochin

Hill Palace Museum, Thripunithra: At a distance of 10 km from Kochi is situated the royal residence of the Kochi family. Thought to be built in 1865 AD, the palace complex consists of 49 buildings created in the architectural style of traditional Kerala. The hill palace is bounded by 52 acres of terraced land consisting of a Deer Park and horse riding facilities. Much to the wilderness of the visitors, a heritage museum portraying the 19th century paintings and murals is among its main travel attraction.

Shopping

Cochin is popular for the decorative handicraft found abundant in the Kerala state Handicraft outlets and the Coirs that adores the front room of the house. The coir board showrooms are in Mullassery Canal Road

Accommodation at Cochin

Cochin provides a relaxed stay to its visitors providing all amenities from running water, air conditioning to conference rooms. Some of the renowned hotel situated there are Taj Malabar at Willingdon Island, Taj Residency in Marine Drive, Ernakulam and the The Renaissance at Palarivatton in Ernakulam.

How to Reach Cochin

By Air: There is a domestic airport in Cochin which is well connected by daily flights to all the prominent cities of India.
By Rail: Cochin is connected to major cities and towns of India by an extensive rail network. The city has three important railway stations namely Cochin Harbour Terminus, Ernakulam Junction and Ernakulam Town.
By Road: Three National Highways (NH) 47, 17 and 49 joins Cochin with major cities of South and West India. Regular buses are available to these places on a daily basis.