Chinese Fishing Nets
Chinese Fishing Nets
3.5
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3.5
3,809 reviews
Excellent
971
Very good
1,370
Average
1,014
Poor
303
Terrible
151
Zachary Boulden
London, UK20 contributions
Dec 2019 • Friends
We were staying at the Taj Malabar hotel, which fortunately offers free sunset tours along Kochi’s local river. This offered some spectacular views of the city and especially of Chinese fishing nets.
The tour only last an hour or so, but the guide was pleasant and informative, which of course was to be expected from staying at such a renowned hotel.
The tour only last an hour or so, but the guide was pleasant and informative, which of course was to be expected from staying at such a renowned hotel.
Written 11 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LucyDG
Durban, South Africa29 contributions
Jan 2020 • Family
Visited in the afternoon. Was quite busy with tourists. Still, it is quite an interesting sight.
You may stand on the edge and take photos and the views are not great, but you will be asked to come closer, where they charge you to take photos
There are many stalls offering a wide range of souvenirs and snacks.
It is said that the best pictures of the nets are at sunset or sunrise and unfortunately, my guided tour was in the afternoon.
You may stand on the edge and take photos and the views are not great, but you will be asked to come closer, where they charge you to take photos
There are many stalls offering a wide range of souvenirs and snacks.
It is said that the best pictures of the nets are at sunset or sunrise and unfortunately, my guided tour was in the afternoon.
Written 30 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Christina
Dubai, United Arab Emirates508 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
I was taken to this tourist site by our driver but quite frankly I’m not sure what’s there to see. It is just fishing nets by the sea with a small market full of people trying to sell you stuff. Nothing particularly exciting, I’d recommend using your time in Kochi in a better way (Kathakali Center, Folklore Museum etc)
Written 1 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vikas Singh
Ghaziabad, India4,140 contributions
Dec 2021
Now considered icon of Kochi and Kerala, they are locally called Cheena Vala. Only five of these ancient fishing nets survive. There are various theories about their origin. The most famous one is that they were introduced by traders from court of Mongolian Kublai Khan between 1350 and 1450. Hence named Chinese fishing nets. Another theory is that they were introduced from Portuguese colony of Macau during Vasco da Gama's time. A more plausible version is that they were introduced by Zhang He somewhere around 500 years ago
The nets are set up on teak and bamboo poles and each net is operated by at least 5 to 6 fishermen. In olden days, the nets used to be manually operated. Nowadays they are operated by motors running on diesel. Depending upon the tide these nets are operated at various times of the day. Each operation lasts around 3 minutes and it is not often that they manage to catch fish. So, it is a very time consuming and tiring process.
For a few hundred rupees, these fishermen will be happy to explain the working of the net and also allow you to operate the nets. It is fun and makes you aware of the hard labour involved. You can buy from them fresh fish and have it cooked at the small makeshift stalls nearby.
During our stay we went several times to the beach and took part in its operation at various times of the day. Each time it was a fun and memorable experience. Do not forget to tip these poor fishermen because they hardly make enough money nowadays!
The nets are set up on teak and bamboo poles and each net is operated by at least 5 to 6 fishermen. In olden days, the nets used to be manually operated. Nowadays they are operated by motors running on diesel. Depending upon the tide these nets are operated at various times of the day. Each operation lasts around 3 minutes and it is not often that they manage to catch fish. So, it is a very time consuming and tiring process.
For a few hundred rupees, these fishermen will be happy to explain the working of the net and also allow you to operate the nets. It is fun and makes you aware of the hard labour involved. You can buy from them fresh fish and have it cooked at the small makeshift stalls nearby.
During our stay we went several times to the beach and took part in its operation at various times of the day. Each time it was a fun and memorable experience. Do not forget to tip these poor fishermen because they hardly make enough money nowadays!
Written 20 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Energiek
46 contributions
Dec 2019 • Couples
We visited the fishing nets a couple of times, they are at their best at sunset. We also hopped on the ferry for Vypin for 10INR each and watched the ones there working, its far less touristy there.
We also saw dolphins in the bay and a kingfisher on the rocks at the end of the nets. Well worth the ferry trip.
We also saw dolphins in the bay and a kingfisher on the rocks at the end of the nets. Well worth the ferry trip.
Written 1 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
switchedoff
Townsville, Australia338 contributions
Jan 2020 • Family
Ok, these nets have been photographed in all lights, from every angle and they are iconic. What the photos fail to show is the filthy beach wash, open greywater sewer, tacky tourist stalls and dirty car park. The smell is the worst we encountered in 6 weeks across South East Asia and Rajasthan. Honestly the local government would do well to employ people and/or machines to clean up basic street rubbish, and while they are at it place some decent sized rubbish bins (and collect their contents) around the place. Even if the environmental costs are lost on them the loss of revenue from tourist returns should provide some incentive!
Written 20 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Peter1948
Highcliffe, UK165 contributions
Mar 2020 • Couples
One of the most publicised attractions in Kochi are these nets. In daytime they are not very interesting unless you are prepared to pay the vendors to lower and raise them.
We were on a boat tour at sunset and caught it through the nets which made the picture.
We were on a boat tour at sunset and caught it through the nets which made the picture.
Written 6 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Eswarachar
Bangalore District, India16 contributions
Jan 2020
I traveled to Fort Kochi this new year with family, and I think on the first day we passed near the fishing decks and were in an instinct drawn towards the large, seemingly hanging freely over the ocean, Chinese fishing nets. However, it was not until the 3rd day morning that I found myself spending time near the fishing nets and how fishermen work with it. It is amazing to see the daily routine, performed so refreshingly by the local folks, on the serene background of ocean, with frequent movement of ships, container vessels and boats, and the cat that keeps strolling near the wooden pillars, looking for something interesting, probably food :)
Written 4 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
erdogan
Fethiye, Türkiye322 contributions
Mar 2020 • Friends
It is very important Part of the visit. every afternoon and every morning you can see many people around the fishing nets. the fisherman also perform Special demonstrations for tourist. lots of good observation about local life is possible
Written 19 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Charlie
Westcliff-on-Sea, UK82 contributions
Mar 2020 • Couples
Could have been a really good experience if marketed correctly (i.e. set price for operating the machinery and brief talk on how they work). Instead, we were quickly given a rope to hold so that we were quite literally roped in, before being ushered to another individual who gave a 1 minute explanation, before then detailing at length how difficult it was to make a living out of season. When we offered him some money (which was equivalent to what the tuk tuk drivers were asking for to give a 1-2 hour tour), he said that it wasn’t enough and refused to take it unless we gave him more. Eventually I put it in his pocket and left. Unfortunately spoiled what could have been a fun and informative activity.
Written 6 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
They r happy with anything u give
Written 9 January 2018
i would like to know how customize tour for 8 days from kochi to kanya kumari to cover maximum place of interest & main tourist places
Written 8 March 2015
Abhijeet
Miraj, India
Hi abhijeet here,
I tell you the best plan that will cover most famous places as rated on tripadviser
DAY 1:-arrive at Cochin before 12am,then went to Athirapally waterfalls then back to Cochin & stay at cochin
DAY 2:-cochin sightseeing-lulu mall,fort Cochin,st.fransis Church,Chinese fishing nets,santa clause Basilica,jewish synagogue,mattanchery palace,kashi art gallery, Kerala folklore museum & drive to Munnar & stay at munnar
DAY 3:-munnar sightseeing:-raja malai,mattupetty dam,tea estates,eco point,spice plantation,blossom park,kundale dam,top station,rose garden,honey bee tree,photo point,tea museum.
DAY 4:-thekkady sightseeing
DAY 5:-alleppey(houseboat 5hrs),marari beach,alleppey beach,stay at resort
DAY 6:-kanyakumari
DAY 7:-kovalam beach,varkala beach & stay at varkala
DAY 8:-trivandrum city tour,4 to 6pm- poovar island boating
Written 5 December 2016
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