Cochin

Kochi (also known by its colonial name, Cochin) is a city on the southwestern coast of India, in the state of Kerala. It has been a major port since the nineteenth century and was constructed by the British Raj in India due to its strategic and industrial significance in international trade. Kochi is arguably the best place from which to explore the diversity and beauty of Kerala.

Cochin has been ranked as one of the top three tourist destinations by the World Travel & Tourism Council due to its abundance of must-see attractions. Cochin and Munnar, the surrounding hill station, are must-sees for those touring Kerala. Kerala's backwaters can be particularly experienced through the streams and lagoons that flow through Cochin.

Such locations have been transformed into picnic and fishing areas, where visitors can boat through the water and stop at a secluded camp for some alone time with nature. Fort Kochi, one of the most popular beaches, is reminiscent of the colonial era, and the Arabian Sea's cool breezes calm the nerves of backpackers sailing or cycling throughout the city. Cochin is also renowned for its religious structures, including churches and forts converted into temples from the British era.

This beautiful coastal city is bordered by the Western Ghats to the east and the Arabian Sea to the west. Its proximity to the equator, the vast body of water, and the hills afford visitors a temperate equatorial climate. Cochin is often referred to informally as the "Gateway to Kerala" due to its abundance of must-see destinations.