This palm-green commercial town of Kerala is one of the finest natural harbour in the world. Though Kochi is one of the busiest port on the western cost, it has its own share sparkling blue lagoons scenic islands and backwaters which make the land beautiful and exciting.
Cochin is the main gateway to South India for foreign visitors and it offers many places of interest to tourists.It gives easy access to almost all tourist places in Kerala.It is connected by air, road and rail to all major places.The merging of the backwaters with the sea gives lot of opportunities for boating and rafting.The ride through the lagoons in Kerala style houseboats is an unforgettable experience.The famous Bolgatty Palace and the Jewish Synagogue are situated on the banks of the lagoons.There are also places of pilgrimage like the Santa Cruz Basilica and the St.Thomas Church at Malayattoor.The Thripunithura Palace is one of the biggest of its kind in the whole of Kerala.The Chinese fishing nets in the lagoons are an enchanting sight.Being the only metro in central Kerala, it also gives you great opportunities for shopping.
Chinese Fishing Nets,
which were introduced during the medieval ages by traders from the court of Kublai Khan. Located near the entrance to the harbour. These nets alone the backwaters are a fascinating sight
Bolghatty Island: This Island is famous for its palace of the same name. the Bolghatty Palace was built in 1744 by the Dutch and later taken over by the British. Today it is a hotel run by KTDC (Kerala Truism Development Corporation), with a small golf course and special honeymoon cottage.
The Hill Palace Museum, Tripunithura
Hill palace, the eastwhile official residential of the Kochi royal family, was built in 1865. the palace complex consists of 49 buildings in the traditional architectural style of Kerala and is surrounded by 52 acres of terraced land with a deer park and facilities for horse riding. A full-fledged ethno-archaeological museum and Kerala's first ever heritage museum are the main attractions. Displayed inside the thirteen galleries are oil paintings, 19th century paintings, murals, scripture in stone and plaster of Paris, manuscripts, inscriptions and coins belonging to Kochi royal family.
