Kochin Or Kochi

Kochi or Kochin is a port city with a rich past and a bustling present. It has been the business hub or the region from the very early days. The Chinese, Jews, Arabs and Europeans came here to trade and their influence on Kochi and its people is still evident. Old tiled houses built in the Chinese pagoda style, the famous Chinese fishing nets, colonial buildings, synagogues and mosques all tell the fascinating story of this harbour town.

The harbour is still at the heart of the city and pepper, sea food, rubber and coir are exported from here. Despite this, Kochi is an attractive city and the serene back-waters, golden sunsets, lagoons overhung with feathery coconut palms, picturesque islands-Vypeen Willingdon, Ramanthuruth, Vallarpadam and Bolghatty - all contribute to its beautiful cityscape. The interesting Jewish synagogue - the oldest in India, the Mattancherry Palace of the former Maharaja's also known as the Dutch Palace, old British churches, the Bolghatty Palace, once the mansion of the British Resident and now a hotel, are all worth seeing and make a visit to Kochi a unique experience.

Cholse to Kochi (145 Km) are the Munnar hills, covered in the velvety mosaic of the tea gardens. Munnar is a marvelous retreat into nature with scenic views, gurgling streams and placid lakes, where the silences is broken only by the sound of the birds.

Bolghatty Palace, Mattanchery Palace, Jewish syagogue, St. Francis Church, Willingdon Island, Fort Cochin, Chottanikara, Museum of Kerala History.

Other Cities