Chinese Fishing Nets
Miscellaneous
#3 of 39 Places to Visit in Kochi
Distance (From Ernakulam Jn (South) Railway Station): 13 Kms
Trip Duration (Including Travel): 30 Mins
Place Location: Near Kochi Beach
Transportation Options: Walk/Trek
Travel Tips: This place can be visited along with Fort Kochi Beach (0.5 Kms), St. Francis Church (0.5 Kms), Cochin Jewish Synagogue (4 Kms) & Dutch Palace (4 Kms)
At a distance of 13 km from Ernakulam Junction (South) Railway Station, Chinese fishing nets is a popular tourist attraction located in Fort Kochi. These are locally known as Cheenavala. The nets are located on Fort Kochi Beach.
The nets were introduced in Fort Kochi by the Chinese explorer, Zheng He. The Chinese fishing nets in Kochi Harbor were set up between 1350 and 1450 AD. The Kochi beaches are beautifully lined with Chinese nets. The nets are fixed land installations, which are used for a very unique and unusual method of fishing. Operated from the shore, these nets are set up on bamboo and teak poles and held horizontally by huge mechanisms, which lower them into the sea. They look somewhat like hammocks and are counter-weighed by large stones tied to ropes. The entire structure of the Chinese fishing nets is 10 meter in height, spreads 20 meter over the water body and is operated by a team of six fishermen.
The fishing nets are very close to Fort Kochi Bus Terminus.