The bustling shopping district of Chennai, T. Nagar is a junction of packed streets that attracts locals and tourists alike, especially during the wedding and festive seasons. Home to multi-storeyed stores selling the most colourful and latest designs of saris, gold jewellery and narrow lanes with regular everyday shopping bargains especially on Ranganathan Street and Pondy Bazaar, it is one of the liveliest market places in the city. Just a stroll around the place dotted with street food stalls and eateries offering traditional South Indian meals is good enough to capture the life at T. Nagar and you will surely be tempted to buy something that you might not have planned to. Most of the residential bungalows were built in art-deco style and till today, have been maintained well on G.N.Chetty Road.

Being one of the oldest areas of Chennai, Nugambakkam is not just a commercial hub with various educational institutions, premium hotels and government offices, but the Rutland Gate Road here is one of the most expensive neighbourhoods in the city. The shopping here is promising with international retail brands and a variety of Indian designer boutiques lined up in the locality with plenty of cafes and restaurants to give good company. An epicenter of Chennai’s vibrant nightlife, Nungambakkam is the gateway to the city’s most favourite stroll at Marina Beach. The long stretch of the promenade and beach at Marina includes historic monuments and public buildings, reflecting Chennai’s Portuguese, British and Indian heritage and is Chennai’s most popular choice for a relaxed evening.

The religious and cultural epicenter of Chennai, Mylapore is highly revered by the locals and tourists for the rich history and architectural marvels that line its narrow alleys and markets and is one of the oldest residential neighbourhood of the city. Home to a cluster of tree-lined avenues full of popular churches and the renowned Kapaleeswara Temple soaked in Dravidian architectural vibes, Mylapore is filled with small lanes with old-style homes, music auditoriums and stores selling music and religious memorabilia. The bazaars selling jewellery, fresh produce and flowers that surround the streets of this neighbourhood provide a colourful backdrop to the temple. Aimless strolls through the small lanes lead you to hidden corners of some mouth-watering south-Indian dishes served at local places like Maami’s mess, Jannal Kadai and Kaalathi Stall.

Named after the noted lady theosophist Annie Besant, Besant Nagar is one of the most preferred areas to reside in Chennai due to the presence of the beach. The extremely calm and serene area with its colonial hangover is studded with sea- facing homes owned by the affluent families and has a string of restaurants, cafes, shops and boutiques around it. Home to Elliot’s Beach, The Theosophical Society and Kalakshetra, the world famous dance school along with beautiful temples and churches, this is where Chennai loves to chill. The confluence of best of nature, art and history within the greenest parts of the city limits is evident in the culture of this neighbourhood, which makes it one of the most favourite hangout zones for all the locals.

This ancient shrine to Shiva is centrally located and among the area’s most popular landmarks.

CHENNAI'S VERY OWN SNOW-CAPPED DESTINATION! Beat the city’s heat and come on over for a snow adventure like no other, right here in the heart of Chennai. Get little hearts jumping with joy, surrounded by animals, palaces, igloos and designated play areas across a picturesque winter wonderland. It’s what happy childhood memories are made of, what family time is all about and what having a fulfilling life truly means. Forget planning a faraway journey, you can have the complete snow experience right here in the beautiful city of Chennai.

This expansive beach is Chennai's most famous tourist attraction, though the undercurrent is too strong for all but the strongest swimmers. Look out for the "Kannagi" statue on Marina Beach, which tells the story of the legendary character from a South Indian epic.

Probably the most magnificent and prominent reminder of Chennai's colonial lineage, the San Thome Church bears a colossal amount of history since A.D. 52, the year when St. Thomas traveled to India, though the Roman Catholic basilica was built in the 16th century by the Portuguese. It was then rebuilt by the British in 1893. The imposing structure reaches a height of 155 feet and emanates peace and architectural splendor with its tall spires over the tomb of the saint. The sea makes a wonderful backdrop to the pristine white structure. The San Thome Church is considered one of the pilgrimages for people around the world.

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Close to Marina Beach, yet another architectural wonder from the 8th century can be part of the itinerary. An intricate pyramid-shaped rajagopuram (dome) stands prominently and is the main feature of the temple. As anecdotes go, the British were unable to pronounce the original name, Thiriallikeni, and rechristened it Triplicane.

If you are looking to soak in the culture of Chennai, the Mylapore Tank and Mandavali area should be at the top of your list. One of the oldest residential parts of Chennai, the tank is a part of the seventh century Kapaleeshwarar Temple. This is also the place where the famous Tamil poet, Thiruvalluvar, was born. If you are spending a few days in Chennai, you will understand the importance of this state figure from the number of references made in signs, names of shops and statues. The quintessential travel phrase, "overwhelming sights, sounds, smells," fits perfectly in this area. The narrow streets around the temple are buzzing with activities. Flower sellers, archaic shops selling temple offering ingredients and such line the roads leading to the temple. A photographer’s dream, this place is best explored in the morning, the chosen time to pay homage at the temple.