Kanchipuram, India: travel guide
City of Thousand Temples and famed Kanchipuram silk — one of seven sacred Hindu cities, home to towering Dravidian temples spanning 2,000 years.
- Country
- India
- Currency
- INR
- Time zone
- Asia/Kolkata
- Nearest airport
- MAA
Top places to visit in Kanchipuram
Kamakshi Amman Temple
temple · 4.6 rating · about 1.3 h · check the fee at the gate
One of the principal Shakti Peethas dedicated to Goddess Kamakshi, a major centre of Sri-Vidya worship with a golden-roofed central shrine.
Ekambareswarar Temple
temple · 4.6 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
A vast Shiva temple representing the earth element among the Pancha Bhoota Sthalams, with a towering 59-m gopuram and a 3,500-year-old mango tree.
Varadharaja Perumal Temple
temple · 4.6 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
A grand Vishnu temple of the Vijayanagara era, famed for its 100-pillared hall with intricate carvings and a great 1,000-year-old festival idol.
Kailasanathar Temple
temple · 4.6 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
The oldest temple in Kanchipuram, an 8th-century Pallava sandstone masterpiece with delicate carvings, niche shrines and a serene, uncrowded atmosphere.
Kanchipuram Silk Weaving Centre
Cultural · 4.3 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
The living heart of the famed Kanchipuram silk-saree industry, where you can watch master weavers at their looms and shop directly from cooperatives.
Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham (Sankara Matham)
Heritage · 4.5 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
The historic seat of the Sankaracharya, a revered Advaita monastery and pilgrimage centre at the heart of Kanchipuram's spiritual life.
Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary
Wildlife · 4.4 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
One of India's oldest bird sanctuaries ~30 km away, where thousands of migratory waterbirds nest around a shallow lake each winter.
Vaikunta Perumal Temple
temple · 4.4 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
An 8th-century Pallava Vishnu temple notable for its tiered sanctum and a cloister of carved panels depicting Pallava dynastic history.
Ulagalantha Perumal Temple
temple · 4.4 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
A striking Vishnu temple housing a giant Trivikrama (Vamana) idol shown striding across the worlds, one of the Divya Desams.
Kanchi Kudil (Heritage House)
Museum · 4.1 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
A restored century-old traditional Tamil home opened as a heritage museum, showing rural Kanchipuram domestic life, utensils and architecture.
Things to do
- Kanchipuram Temple Trail Cultural · 4 h · from INR 1,200 per person
- Silk Saree Weaving Workshop Cultural · 1.5 h · from INR 500 per person
- Kailasanathar Pallava Art Tour Cultural · 1.3 h · from INR 600 per person
- Vedanthangal Birding Day Trip Wildlife · 4 h · from INR 1,200 per person
Day trips and tours
- Kanchipuram Temples & Silk Tour 8 h · from INR 1,500
- Kanchipuram from Chennai Day Trip 10 h · from INR 2,500
- Vedanthangal Birding Excursion 5 h · from INR 1,300
Where to stay in Kanchipuram
- Temple City about INR 2,000 per night
Sacred town with temples and pilgrimage accommodation
Hotels
- GRT Regency Kanchipuram 3-star · INR 3,500 to INR 6,000 per night
- Hotel Baboo Soorya 3-star · INR 2,500 to INR 4,500 per night
- Hotel Jaybala International 3-star · INR 2,500 to INR 4,500 per night
- MM Hotel 3-star · INR 2,200 to INR 4,000 per night
- Hotel Tamil Nadu (TTDC) 2-star · INR 1,800 to INR 3,500 per night
- Hotel Sri Sakthi Residency 2-star · INR 1,500 to INR 2,800 per night
Where to eat
- Saravana Bhavan Kanchipuram South Indian, North Indian · about INR 300 per person
- Hotel Saravana Bhavan (Mess) South Indian, Tamil · about INR 180 per person
- Sri Krishna Sweets Sweets, Snacks, South Indian · about INR 150 per person
- Sri Rama Cafe South Indian · about INR 120 per person
- Abirami Restaurant South Indian, North Indian, Chinese · about INR 250 per person
- GRT Restaurant (Regency) North Indian, South Indian, Continental · about INR 450 per person
- Anna Mess Chettinad, Tamil, Biryani · about INR 250 per person
- Hotel Tamil Nadu Restaurant (TTDC) South Indian, North Indian · about INR 250 per person
Getting around
- Auto Rickshaw main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Taxi main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Walking
Every city has walking. 2.5 km ceiling is a placeholder default, not a researched per-city figure -- Singapore is sheltered and air-conditioned, Bangkok often has no pavement.