Cheena Kottaram

Cheena Kottaram is a small but historically interesting landmark in central Kollam, close to the railway station and Chinnakada. The building was created as a royal rest house for the Travancore ruler around the time the Quilon–Madras railway connection was commissioned in the early twentieth century. Its popular name, meaning “China Palace,” comes from the unusual appearance that local residents associated with Chinese-style architecture, although the building also reflects broader period influences.

Unlike Kollam’s large lakeside palaces and colonial residences, Cheena Kottaram is valued for its intimate scale and direct link with the city’s railway history. Its central location makes it a convenient heritage stop while exploring Kollam city. Visitors should be aware that preservation condition and access can change, so the attraction is best approached as an exterior heritage landmark unless official entry arrangements are available.