Chennai (Madras) Trip Overview
Chennai, formerly called Madras, was the capital of Southern British India. Many great monuments were built during the British rule and several of them continue to dominate the skyline of Chennai even today. During this walking tour, we will visit a number of the prominent landmarks of Chennai, which were built during the British era, often in an architectural style blending British as well as Indian elements. We shall start at the Central Railway Station and walk to the Ripon Building, Southern Railway Headquarters, Victory Memorial, Fort St George, Napier Bridge and finish at the Madras University building.
Highlights
• Central Railway Station
• Ripon Building
• Southern Railway Headquarters
• Fort St George
• Napier Bridge
Additional Info
Duration: 4 hours
Starts: Chennai (Madras), India
Trip Category: Cultural & Theme Tours >> Cultural Tours
Explore Chennai (Madras) Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Chennai (Madras), Tamil Nadu, India
Chennai, formerly called Madras, was the capital of Southern British India. Many great monuments were built during the British rule and several of them continue to dominate the skyline of Chennai even today. During this walking tour, we will visit a number of the prominent landmarks of Chennai, which were built during the British era, often in an architectural style blending British as well as Indian elements. We shall start at the Central Railway Station and walk to the Ripon Building, Southern Railway Headquarters, Victory Memorial, Fort St George, Napier Bridge and finish at the Madras University building.
Highlights
• Central Railway Station
• Ripon Building
• Southern Railway Headquarters
• Fort St George
• Napier Bridge
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Chennai Central Railway Station, General Hospital Rd Kannappar Thidal, Periyamet, Chennai (Madras) 600003 India
You will be picked up at your hotel in the city center at 08:00 A.M. and meet your English speaking guide.
The walk starts at the Central Railway Station. It was built in 1873 in a Gothic Revival style by British architect George Harding. It then was modified by Robert Chisholm who added the central clock tower and Travancore caps on the main towers. Today, this station handles significantly more than 350,000 passengers every day.
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Ripon Building, Sydenhams Road 6 Km from Chennai, Chennai (Madras) India
Following we walk to the Ripon Building which was commissioned in 1913. Designed by G.S.T. Harris and built by Loganatha Mudaliar, the Ripon building is named after Lord Ripon, a Governor-General of British India who was famously known as the father of local self-government in Chennai. Today this building is the office of the Mayor of Chennai.
We next stroll to the headquarters of the Southern Railways in India. Built in the Indo–Saracenic style, this building was designed by N. Grayson and built by Samynada Pillai. It was completed in 1921. The Southern Railway headquarters was one of several early buildings in India to be constructed with reinforced concrete.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Victory War Memorial, South of Fort St. George, Chennai (Madras) 600009 India
The Victory War Memorial, formerly called the Cupid’s Bow, is a memorial constructed to commemorate the victory of the Allied Armies during World War I (1914–1918). It later became the victory war memorial for World War II (1939–1945). It honors the soldiers, who gave their lives during the war.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Fort St. George, St. George Street, Chennai (Madras) India
Our stroll brings us to Fort Saint George, the very first English Fortress built in 1644 by the East India Company. Explore St Mary’s Church, the oldest Anglican Church of India. We may also visit a quaint museum rich with relics of colonial times. There’s a 14.5 ft tall statue of Lord Cornwallis in front of the museum. Fort St. George happens to be the headquarters of the Legislative Assembly of the State of Tamil Nadu.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Napier Bridge, Chennai (Madras) 600005 India
Napier Bridge is one of Chennai’s most well-known landmarks. Also called Iron Bridge, it was built in honor of Lord Napier who was a former Governor of Fort St. George. Napier Bridge, which spans the River Cooum, is one of the first structures in India to use reinforced cement concrete. It connects the beach with Fort St George. Flanking the bridge built in 1869, a new bridge was built in 1999.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Senate House, Wallajah Road, University Of Madras Along Marina Beach, Chennai (Madras) India
The Senate House is the administrative centre of the University of Madras in Chennai, India. It is situated in Wallajah Road, along Marina Beach. Constructed by Robert Chisholm between 1874 and 1879, the Senate building is considered to be one of the best and oldest examples of Indo-Saracenic architecture in India.
Enjoy your Lunch at local restaurant (Beverage excluded).
After lunch, you will be driven back to your hotel within the city center.
Duration: 30 minutes
