It is a beautiful town situated in the hills, in the heart of the rubber plantations. People who go to the wildlife sanctuary at Thekkady, built around the Periyar lake, often stop at Kottayam. It is on the 'backwater' circuit. Kerala's unique system of transport, based on a network of inland lagoons and streams linked by ferry boats, private motor launches and self-paddled sampan type boats. Kottayam is dominated by the presence of the Syrian Christian community and is known for it's churches.