The largest city in Kerala with a population of 2,117,990 Cochin is well connected by air, rail and road with all major cities of India. It is 218 km from the capital, Trivandrum. The tourist bungalow, earlier held by the government, called Bolghatty Palace, on Bolghatty Island, was originally a Dutch residence. Chinese fishing nets in the backwaters are a familiar sight.
Willingdon Island, where the airport and the railway terminus are situated, is a man-made island with the land dredged out of the sea for improving the Cochin habour.
Known as the "Kerala Footbridge" Kochi (Cochin) is an enchanting city that had an eclectic influence of Arabs, British, Chinese and Portuguese. Nowhere else in India, one could find such a fascinating mix of culture and architecture. Here tourists can see 400-year-old Chinese fishing nets, Portuguese houses, ancient mosques and the collapsing remains of the British Empire.
The scenic location of the natural harbor of Cochin, surrounded by palm groves, lakes, green paddy fields and backwaters, has enchanted visitors from around the world for centuries. Cochin is a commercial and historical center. Fort Cochin and Mattancherry are small historic towns in Kochi where the tourist can see the influences of Portuguese, Dutch and British structures. Cochin is home to the oldest built European church in India, the St. Francis. However, it was once the burial site of Vasco de Gama, who died in Kochi in 1524 AD.
You can even see the influence of Jewish culture in Cochin. Visit the original Jewish city where a synagogue stands right in the middle surrounded by a flea market selling everything from spice to antiques. Tourists should pay a visit to private museums. During their trip to Cochin tourists are advised to observe the dance performance of Kathakali. It is a beautiful form of dance in which the dancers are dressed up in colorful costumes and depict the enchanting stories of the land with nothing but their expressions and positions.
From backwaters to coasts, Kochi is the plethora of beautiful scenery and spectacular scenery. Charismatic Kochi has pulled merchants and tourists to its shores for over 600 years. Known for breathtaking lagoons, Cochin is a main tourist destination in Kerala. Kochi, better known as Cochin is the most metropolitan city of Kerala.
The tourist attraction in Cochin
Chinese fishing nets, Hill Palace Museum, Dutch Palace, Palace Chendamangalam Fort, Pallipuram, Vypin Island, International Pepper Exchange (Eighty-five percent of all the pepper consumed in India is supplied from here.)
Make a heritage walk to Mattancherry Palace. The palace also houses some rare artefacts. You can reach the palace by taking a boat ride from the town of Ernakulam.
Activities to do in Cochin
Ayurveda massage in Kerala Ayurveda Centre.
Explore the heritage of Kochi walking through the ancient streets of Fort Kochi.
Visit the Cultural Center of Cochin, Kerala Kathakali Center or the Greenix Village to see Kathakali dance performance.
Make purchases at the markets of Cochin.