Alappuzha beach :
Alappuzha beach is a popular picnic spot. The pier, which extends into the sea here, is over 137 years old. Entertainment facilities at the Vijaya Beach Park add to the attraction of the beach. There is also an old lighthouse nearby which is greatly fascinating to visitors.

The beach has boating facilities besides it has a childrens park and toy train for kids. Alappuzha beach is open from 1500 to 2000 hours.


Harippad :
Harippad is located 5 Km from Payippad which is world famous for the Payippad Boat Race. Harippad is the nearest railway station to Payippad and the most convenient place to stay when you travel to Kerala to see the oldest and most popular snake boat race in Kerala. This event is closely connected to the Sree Krishna Temple at Ambalappuzha. The race is held on the Payippad River on the Chathayam asterism of the Malayalam month Chingam, (August-September) the day of the installation of the deity at the Temple. The annual boat race will held this year on 17th September 2005.

Legends say that Maharaja Devanarayana of Chempakasseri, as instructed by the royal priest, built a temple at Ambalappuzha. But just before the installation of the deity he was informed that the idol was not auspicious. The king was disturbed, but his minister suggested an inspired solution. To bring down the beautiful idol of Sree Krishna - presented to Arjuna by the Lord himself, from the Karikulam temple in Kurichi.

The minister with a few others went to Kurichi, met the authorities there and returned with the idol. On the way back they stopped at Champakulam to spent the night and perform a pooja. The next morning boats from the entire region assembled to escort the idol in a colourful, ceremonial procession through the lake to the Temple.

Years later the pageant is still re-enacted with the same enthusiasm. An exotic procession of water floats, boats decorated with colourful parasols and performing arts greets the spectator before the race. The race proper is held in various stages for various categories of boats.


Kuttanad :
Kuttanad, called the rice bowl of Kerala because of her wealth of paddy crops, is at the very heart of the backwaters. The scenic countryside of Kuttanad with its shimmering waterways also has a rich crop of banana, cassava and yam.

This is perhaps the only region in the world where farming is done 1.5 to 2 m below sea level. Inland waterways which flow above land level are an amazing feature of this region.

Alappuzha is the nerve centre of the backwaters of Kerala. Kuttanad is an expanse of water-logged land lying below sea level. Often the level of water here is higher than that of the green paddy fields on either side.

Kuttanad bears strong resemblance to Holland in terms of geographical features. Three rivers - the Pamba, the Manimala and the Achankovil - crisscross this region.

Until a few years ago, water was the main mode of transport. Today buses and trains ply the region. However, the landscape is so unique that a boat trip through Kuttanad is an unforgettable experience - bustling rural life on the banks of the rivers, green expanses of paddy fields and shady coconut grooves.