An old seaport on the banks of Ashtamudi Lake, Quilon, 72 km away from Thiruvananthapuram is also known as the gateway to Kerala.The district is fairly important for the State's trade and commerce and is the centre of the country's cashew trading and processing industry. It is also an important hub for the State's marine products industry, with the port of Neendakara being the centre for trawlers and ice plants. Throbbing with industrial activity, Quilon is a place where nature can be seen at its best. People from places as far as Persia, Arab, Rome and China traded here.

Thangasseri : It is situated 5 km from Kollam town. This seaside village of historic importance has the ruins of an old Portuguese fort and churches which was built in the 18th century. The chief attraction of the place is the light house, built in 1902. The 144 ft. light house stands as a sentinel, warning seamen of the treacherous reefs of Thangassery. Visitors are permitted to visit the lighthouse between 3.30pm and 5.30pm.

Mayyanad : It is about 10 km south of Kollam town. Mayyanad is famous for its shrines and temples. Subramanya Temple at Umayanallor is the most important among the nine temples of this area. The shrine is said to have been consecrated by the great Hindu philosopher Sree Sankaracharya.

Thenmala :T his area which is 66 km east of Kollam is covered by dense forest, rubber and tea plantations. An Eco Tourism Development Project is under implementation here. Thenmala is also a damsite.

Matha Amrithanandamayi Ashram, Vallikavu : It is the residence and head quarters of Matha Amrithanandamayi one of India's great Gurus, and is situated at Amrithapuri near Vallikavu. Vallikavu is a pilgrim centre near Kayamkulam. Special boats are available for hire from DTPC boat jetty in Ashramam near the Government Guest House. There are frequent buses from Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram to Kayamkulam from where there are local buses to Vallikavu.

Picnic Village: This village located at Matha Amrithanandamayi Ashramam, along the backwater front. It is the main centre of recreational activities in Kollam. A 200 year old Government Guest House, an Adventure Park, a Tourist Boat Club, a Children's Traffic Park and a Yatri Nivas are all housed in this vast tourist complex.

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