Chandigarh Travel Guide
Chandigarh, the first planned city of independent India, is the face of stylish India with its lakes, gardens, boulevards, and buildings constructed with architectural ingenuity. Le Corbusier, the Swiss-French architect, was given the task of creating a city that gave its citizens a sense of pride, and Chandigarh has come about to deliver much more than that. Unsurprisingly, his works have been listed among the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
The beautiful city of Chandigarh is the capital of both the state of Punjab and Haryana. Being a union territory, Chandigarh is administered directly by the Central Government. This city is known worldwide because of its superb urban planning and architectural splendor. Tourists from all over India flock to this city to capture its charm and visit Himachal Pradesh further, as it is located at the foothills of the Shivalik range of the Himalayas (not far from Chandigarh).
Chandigarh Tourism
A vibrant culture, exquisite architecture, urban design, Punjabi, and modern traditions make Chandigarh Tourism appealing. Attractions like Rock Garden and Sukhna Lake boast tourism in Chandigarh on an international level and are widely known and loved across India. International Dolls Museum is another highlight of Chandigarh, containing dolls from different countries that have gained importance worldwide. Gardens are a major part of Chandigarh tourism, like Rock Garden, Garden of Tranquility, Garden of Annuals, Garden of Rare Plants, the Bougainvillea Garden, and the Rose Garden.
And when the sun goes down, the city turns into a party place with many bars and pubs, open sky restaurants, live music venues, and night restaurants. Shopping also attracts tourists to Chandigarh, especially to the sites like Sector-17 Market and Elante Mall.
Why Visit Chandigarh?
Chandigarh is the first planned city in India; if you want to witness the beautiful architecture and design which till date looks phenomenal, visit Chandigarh. The buildings, the monuments, and the lakes are enough to keep you fascinated. If not, Chandigarh will amaze you with its cleanliness. It is one of India’s cleanest cities, and you will be able to see the maintenance of the city.
Rock Garden is the top tourist attraction in Chandigarh, known worldwide. Along with it, International Dolls Museum, Sukhna Lake, etc., are major hotspots that keep kids and adults engaged. The Rose Festival of Chandigarh is quite known and if plants interest you or if you simply want to experience something unique, attend this event. The Mango festival held at Sukhna lake during the monsoon season is also a big draw.
As Chandigarh is located in the Himalayan foothills, places in Himachal Pradesh are easily accessible.
Languages Spoken in Chandigarh
Hindi and Punjabi are the two widely spoken languages in Chandigarh.
Where is Chandigarh Located?
Chandigarh is the capital of both Punjab and Haryana. It shares its border with Punjab to the west and the south and Haryana to the east.
Places to Visit in Chandigarh
Chandigarh attracts thousands of travelers from all over the country with its numerous tourist attractions. You can go for a sightseeing tour and explore the major places of interest in Chandigarh. There are numerous gardens, which are spread all over the city of Chandigarh.
Some major tourist attractions in Chandigarh are:
- Rock Garden
- Rose Garden
- Pinjore Gardens
- Topiary Garden
- Japanese Garden
- Leisure Valley
- Sukhna Lake
- The Secretariat
- The Capitol
- Museum and Art Gallery
- The Chandigarh Museum
Things to Do in Chandigarh
Besides sightseeing, Chandigarh offers many fun-filled activities for kids and adults. It keeps them entertained on tour.
Some top fun things to do in Chandigarh are:
- Boating in Sukhna Lake
- Escape the chaos at Leisure Valley
- Shop at Elante Mall
- Get insight into culture and drama at Tagore Theatre
- Witness the items made of rock at Rock Garden
- Treat your sweet tooth at Nik Baker’s
- Relax your muscles at Chandigarh Ayurvedic Centre
Best Time to Visit Chandigarh
Chandigarh experiences all the six seasons in India. The summers in Chandigarh, from mid-May to mid-June, are sweltering. The city also enjoys heavy rainfall and remains humid during the monsoon season. Winter, which lasts from November to Mid-March, gets very chilly, and the city receives severe hail storms. Spring and autumn remain pleasant and are ideal times to plan a trip. However, the pleasant weather conditions make early winter the best time to visit Chandigarh.
How to Reach Chandigarh
Traveling to Chandigarh is easy as it is a popular and well-visited city. Chandigarh Airport is about 12 km from the city center and is connected with Delhi, Mumbai, etc., via regular flights. Taxis are available from the airport to your desired location. If coming by train, get off at Chandigarh Railway Station, about 8 km from the main city.
The railhead is connected with New Delhi via Himalayan Queen and Jan Shatabdi. Paschim Express, Sadbhavna Express, Chennai Express, and Kerala Sampark Kranti are important trains connecting Chandigarh with other cities. Plan a road trip to Chandigarh from Mussoorie, Delhi, Dehradun, Rishikesh, Kullu, Kasauli, Dharamshala, etc.
How to Get Around in Chandigarh
Chandigarh has a great local network, including buses, auto-rickshaws, cycle-rickshaws, taxis, and private cars. You can get them from different parts of the city and surrounding places.
How many days are required for Chandigarh?
2 to 3 days are more than enough to spend in Chandigarh. You can explore the major tourist attractions and enjoy the nightlife and the mouthwatering food during this time.
Accommodation in Chandigarh
For your accommodation, you will never find a shortage of hotels in Chandigarh. Choose from a wide range of hotels to meet your taste, budget, and requirement. There are budget hotels, mid-range hotels, luxury hotels, deluxe hotels, backpackers, and resorts.
Where to Eat in Chandigarh
You can enjoy authentic and delectable cuisines with Punjabi flavors. You can visit the major eateries in Chandigarh and stimulate your taste buds with Punjabi dishes. You can also find restaurants serving cuisines from all over India. Visit the coffee shops and sip the refreshing drink. The bars are the best place to hang out. You can meet your friends and party hard. The bar offers a selection of the most premium drinks.
Shopping in Chandigarh
Shopping can be great fun during your trip to Chandigarh. You can go shopping at Elante Mall or Sector-17 of the city. Handicrafts are the major buy for the shops. Woolen wear and juttis are the most favored buys.
Travel Tips for Chandigarh
- Winter is a peak season, make sure to book flight or train tickets in advance.
- Carry necessary medication with you.
- Wear woolen in winter as it gets pretty cold.
- Try local Punjabi food and learn about the culture.
- Chandigarh is among the safest cities, so women can travel solo.
