The coastal town of Alleppey on the Arabian Sea is the Venice of the East, for the numerous canals that meander through the town.The temples of Alleppey represent the Kerala style of architecture. Some of the most exquisite specimens of Kerala murals are still preserved here. The Nehru Trophy boat race, the most colourful of races, is held here on the second saturday of August every year.The large network of canals provide Alleppey its lifeline. It has a long sandy beach.The beach here is spectacular. At one end are the dense palm groves that are so characteristic of Kerala's landscape.
Alappuzha, a business centre for the coir and carpet industries is an ideal headquarters for backwater touring.