Kerala is a place of great tourist attraction. There are many places in Kochi which lure tourists to the city. The Chinese fishing nets are one of these. Other attractions include Matancherry (the Dutch Palace), Willingdon Island (it is a man made island), Cherai Beach (ideal place for swimming), Hill Palace Museum, Vasco House, Manglavanam Bird Sanctuary, Museum of Kerala History.
Chinese Fishing Nets
Unique to Kochi, legend has it that the traders from Chinese emperor Kublai Khan's court introduced them here. These massive nets line the coastline of Kochi and many fishermen use them.
Mattancherry
Located 10 kms from Kochi, you can reach Mattancherry by bus and boat. The Dutch Palace here has seen the coronation of many Kochi kings after the Dutch took control of it from the Portuguese and handed it over to the Kochi king. A fine collection of mural paintings adorn the palace.
Jew Street
Jew Street in Mattancherry has seen the gradual disappearance of Jews. Cobbled pathway, neat little shops selling antiques, little houses on either sides speak of an age which will never return. Be sure to reach Mattancherry before 5pm.
Willingdon Island
This man-made island between Ernakulam and Fort Kochi was created with the materials dredged out for the deepening of Cochin Port. It is now home to the Southern Naval Command but formerly, the airport and railway terminus (Cochin Harbour Terminus) were here. Venduruthy Bridge, which connects Willingdon Island to the mainland, offers spectacular views of the Cochin Shipyard.
Cherai Beach
Located at the northern end of Vypeen Island, Cherai beach is a perfect place for swimming. Coconut groves and paddy fields line the beach.
Hill Palace Museum, Tripunithura
The Hill Palace was the seat of the Kochi Raja. Surrounded by ascending lawns, this palace turned museum on a hilltop, 16 kms from Kochi, has 13 categories of exhibits, which include paintings, carvings and other royal antiquities. The king's throne and gold crown is on display here besides other effects like art, furniture, etc. There is also a botanical garden with tropical trees imported from Central America to Australia.
Vasco House
Vasco House in Rose Street, is said to be where Vasco Da Gama lived.
Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary
This protected bird sanctuary is right in the heart of Kochi, next to the High Court, and is home to exotic and rare varieties of migratory and resident birds.
Museum of Kerala History
Audio-visual exhibits and paintings show the history and culture of Kerala here.
Art Complex - Madhavan Nayar Foundation
This museum, located in Edapally, 10 kms north of Kochi, exhibits over 200 original paintings and sculptures by contemporary Indian artists and sculptors. A Centre for Visual Arts displays reproductions of painting legends from the time of Leonardo da Vinci to this century.
