A quiet road in Yercaud (Photo credit: Wikimedia)

Yercaud, The Jewel of the South, is a beautiful hill station near Salem town in Tamilnadu, India. The hill station is around half an hour’s drive up the hills from ‘Five Roads Junction’ in Salem town. Yercaud has moderate temperatures ranging from 13 degrees Centigrade to 29 degrees centigrade. The hill station is part of the Eastern Ghats and on the Shevaroys range of hills. It is at around 1623 meters or 4970 feet above sea level.

Late-night view of Salem city from Yercaud. (Photo credit: Wikimedia)

What are the Yercaud places to visit?

There are many places to visit in this small hill station. Emerald Lake, or Yercaud Lake, on the hilltop, offers boating facilities from the Tamilnadu Tourism Development Corporation. There is a telescopic house nearby. Servarayan temple, the highest point, attracts a lot of visitors. Annamalaiyar Temple is another tourist spot frequented by tourists. National Orchidarium and a Botanical garden are two other tourist destinations at this hill station.

Anna Park, a beautiful garden, is there near the lake. Ladies Seat and Pagoda Point are two vantage points overlooking the valley.  Pagoda Point, or Pyramid Point offers a magnificent view of Salem city.

Yercaud Lake (Photo credit: Wikimedia)

Besides tourism, agriculture is another important source of income for the people. Coffee Plantations exist in plenty. Oranges, Jack fruit, guava, and spices like black pepper and cardamom are cultivated here.

These hills are rich in fauna and flora, resembling the Western Ghats.

It is much cheaper than other nearby hill stations like Kodaikanal or Ooty and is less polluted.

Where Can I Stay in the Jewel of the South, Yercaud?

Tamilnadu Tourism Development Corporation (T.T.D.C) has a hotel catering to tourists near the lake. It is called Hotel Tamil Nadu, Yercaud. The Tamilnadu state government owns it. Their website in October 2023 shows the tariff as low as ₹ 350 Per room/night for a dormitory bed. Double room tariff is Rs 1200. These rates exclude taxes. Cottages are also available in Hotel Tamilnadu and at other places.

There are many Yercaud hotels and resorts. Sterling Resorts has a property on the way to up-hills at a vantage point. The Regent Hillside Resort is an excellent Yercaud resort with three luxury rooms and a villa on Hospital Road.

You may also go downhill and stay in Salem town, as Salem is very close to this hill station.