Known as the gateway to South India, there are a number of tourist attractions in Chennai. It is the capital of the State of Tamil Nadu and one of the four leading metropolitan cities of India. Being the fourth largest city of India you will find several tourist attractions in Chennai ranging from temples and churches to forts, beaches, palaces and more. Tourists from different parts of the country travel to Chennai to experience its culture and traditions which is distinct from the rest of India. Chennai is a beautiful combination of modern and traditional India which is represented in their customs and lifestyles.

In Chennai, you will see ancient temples, monuments, classical music, dance shows alongside modern high rise buildings, discos and stylish restaurants and pubs. Among the major tourist attractions in Chennai are Parthsarthy Temple, Kapaleeshwar Temple, Santhome Cathedral, Marina Beach, National Art Gallery, St Andrew's Church in Chennai and many more. The city has beautifully managed to preserve its vast historical heritage in conjunction with the growth of the new modern structures. Chennai Tourist Attractions has something to offer to every kind of tourist, be it children, adults, research scholars, adventurers or nature lovers.

Among the most popular tourist destinations in Chennai is the Marina Beach which is one of the longest beaches in Asia and the most sought after for many tourists who like to spend their weekend relaxing here. For children the Crocodile Bank holds a special fascination. It is a unique institution having several rare species of crocodiles and other reptiles and is a popular Chennai tourist attraction. For visitors with an attraction for art and architecture Fort St. George is one of the finest examples of India and British architectural style which was built in the 1640.

To know more about Chennai's rich culture and heritage, you can visit the museums in Chennai which have an amazing collection of art and artifacts related with different periods of in the history of India. The main museum in Chennai is the Government Museum established in 1857 and is popular tourist attraction in Chennai.

For art enthusiasts, the National Art Gallery in Chennai has a rich collection of paintings and sculptures including Tanjore Paintings on Glass on display. Other paintings on display here are Rajput and Mughal Miniature Paintings and Deccan Paintings of the 17th century AD. The National Art Gallery also has handicrafts, metal ware and ivory carvings from 11th and 12th century AD.

For more updates on the most important tourist attractions in Chennai that you can visit, browse through the given links.