Chandigarh

Chandigarh, the capital of both Punjab and Haryana, is located on a plateau in the northwest of India, close to the Shivalik foothills. Chandigarh India is the first planned city in India and has received international praise for its urban planning and architecture.

After the Partition of India, Jawaharlal Nehru, as Prime Minister of Independent India, chose to build a new planned metropolis to serve as the capital of Punjab in place of Lahore. Chandigarh is famous for high-end nightclubs, and shopping frenzy in Sector 17 and Sector 22 puts it on par with the world's best. 

Chandigarh Overview

Best Time to Visit Chandigarh

Post-monsoon months, starting from September and lasting till November make for the ideal time to visit Chandigarh City. The coldest Chandigarh weather starts from January, and the winter lasts till March. Beginning in late June or early July, the South West Monsoon brings persistent rain to the region until about the middle of September. Also, this city witnesses the summer season from April to June when the Chandigarh temperature rises.

How to Reach the Places to Visit in Chandigarh

Commercial flights from carriers including Air India, GoAir, and Indigo Air connect the Chandigarh Airport with cities around India.

Approximately 8 kilometres from the heart of Chandigarh lies the city's railway station. The station is serviced by frequent trains to and from several cities in India. 

From Chandigarh, you can travel comfortably to surrounding destinations such as Shimla, Manali and Delhi, thanks to the top-notch public and private bus operators. You can also hire a cab service for exploring the places to visit near Chandigarh.

What are the things to see and do in Chandigarh? 

In addition to the hills and canals found in the surrounding Nangal wetlands, famous places in Chandigarh offer a stunning natural setting. You may also check out Sukhna Lake, Rose Garden and Gurdwara Nada Sahib which are among the best places to visit Chandigarh.

Places to Visit in Chandigarh

Rock Garden

Nek Chand conceived this extraordinary garden some 40 years ago, and it comprises a number of artworks made out of industrial and municipal garbage.

Rose Garden

The Zakir Hussain Rose Garden, a Chandigarh famous place, is a 17-acre oasis filled with 17,000 plants of many species, the fruits of which are 1,600 unique rose varieties.

Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary

On an area of around 2,600 acres in the Shivaliks' foothills, the Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary is home to several species of animals and reptiles.

Chhatbir Zoo

Located in the Mohali neighbourhood 17 kilometres from Chandigarh, Chhatbir Zoo is accessible via the Chandigarh-Zirakpur-Patiala Road. 

Nepli

Nepli, not far from Kansal hamlet, is a section of the 3,245-hectare forest that borders Chandigarh on the city's northern side. 

Government Museum and Art Gallery

This museum's remarkable structure has a spacious lobby, storage for the museum's reserve collection, a conservation lab, a theatre, a hall for rotating exhibits and a café.

Restaurants in Chandigarh

Sagar Ratna

Sagar Ratna is the place to go without question if you're in the mood for a gluttonous feast of delicious vegetarian food.

Laziz Rasoi

Located in the trendy Mohali neighbourhood, Laziz Rasoi is often ranked as one of the top restaurants in Chandigarh. The restaurant serves delicious quick food as well as authentic dishes from North Indian and Chinese cuisines.

Barbeque Nation

Visitor preferences for both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options are constantly met at Barbeque Nation, where a limitless buffet keeps customers coming back for more.

Pirates of Grill

The residents of Chandigarh, who have a fondness for grills, also love to visit Pirates of Grill, another popular buffet spot in the city. 

Buffet Hut

Get yourself to Buffet Hut in Chandigarh for a delicious buffet dinner at a reasonable price. Buffet Hut provides a lengthy and delicious cuisine that caters to the tastes of both vegetarians and meat eaters.

Nightlife in Chandigarh

Score

Scotches, vodkas,  gins, cognacs, tequilas, beers and much more can be found at Score, widely considered the greatest bar in Chandigarh for dancing the night away.

Paara

This club is heaven for hedonists, with its spectacular dance floor, luxurious seating areas, high-class decor, sleek lighting, and a pulsating soundtrack.

Hops n Grains

At Hops n Grains, you'll be delighted by the way the blue neon lighting energises the otherwise cosy traditional wooden decor. You can also make your drink selection at the bar's well-divided seating area.

Wild West

The 'cocktails' served on the rocks in Wild West are delicious. You can also feast on some delicious kebabs here.

Back Room

The Back Room, located in a brick structure with white picket fencing, has an atmosphere similar to that of an Irish bar. 

Places to Stay in Chandigarh

Hyatt Centric Sector 17 Chandigarh

The highly-talked-about Hyatt Centric Sector 17 Chandigarh is conveniently positioned near the Rose Garden, the Le Corbusier Centre, and the Sector 17 Market. 

Taj Chandigarh

The Taj Chandigarh is a luxurious hotel in the city's most exclusive area, including spacious guest rooms, a variety of gourmet dining options, and first-rate services. 

The Lalit

With stunning vistas of the verdant Shivalik Range, The Lalit has luxurious accommodations, an array of restaurants and event spaces, and cutting-edge facilities.

Hotel Mountview Chandigarh

During your relaxing stay at Hotel Mountview Chandigarh, you will be surrounded by the hotel's magnificent warmth of hospitality and sophisticated elegance. 

JW Marriott

JW Marriott guarantees unrivalled luxury and relaxation with their spacious lodgings, unique dining options, and exotic wellness therapies. 

Food to Try in Places to Visit in Chandigarh

Butter and desi ghee feature prominently in Punjabi cooking. Some of Chandigarh famous foods include golgappe, dahi-bhalle, chhole-bhature, kachori and pav-bhaji. You can also savour vegetarian dishes such as shahi paneer and makhani daal as well as non-vegetarian dishes such as butter chicken and tandoori chicken.

Things to Buy in the Places to Visit in Chandigarh 

Tourists and locals alike are greeted in stores around Chandigarh with displays of phulkari dupattas and sarees, jootis as well as souvenirs.

Sector 17

Sector 17 is home to Chandigarh's main retail centre, City Center Mall. This shopping centre has everything a shopper might want, including stores selling traditional clothing and durris, as well as delectable restaurants.

Sector 22

Shoppers in Sector 22 can find a variety of unique things, including but not limited to flashy sandals, gifts, cheap jewellery and traditional Indian clothing.

Sectors 21 and 28

This is the greatest spot to choose your new motorcycle, car, or truck. Tire giants like Apollo and MRF operate warehouses in each of these districts.

But when one does arrive at that fresh frontier, there are ways better than others to begin your journey of discovery. Follow these steps and see the world with a new light.

• Discover a new city through a food tour. Food tour's are the easiest way to take a tour, learn about the local delicacies, and the best of all, get great tips that aren't just "local" tips for tourists, but sometimes, lessons for a lifetime too
• Use Public Transportation. When you are in a new city, you can possibly see places and people that you wouldn't normally see when simply walking to the places that checks your list. Some buses or rails take you to parts of the city you wouldn't get to see otherwise. Whilst using public transportation, just ensure that you are following the local norms and do remember to watch the locals!
• Find a local festival. Go beyond what other tourists might do while visiting a place. Look for the unique things you would want to do. Use social media or the local tourism website to find out what's going on locally. You may have to move out of the center of the city to do some of the less popular but more unique things, so just keep that in mind!

Conclusion

The states of Punjab and Haryana in northern India have both made their capitals in the city of Chandigarh. Although it was the first Indian city to be developed after India's independence, Chandigarh is a thriving hub of culture, entertainment, and glamour.