A modern city design, exceptionally high standards of cleanliness and the prestigious status of being a UNESCO World Site — that’s Chandigarh for you. Designed by Swiss-French designer Le Corbusier, it was one of the first planned cities in India. For the longest time, it was deemed as a business centre and a fantastic place to live in. But you know what? It is a gem of a destination for those looking to spend some quality time with family, friends or that special someone. So, if you’re planning a trip to this union territory any time soon, you’ve landed at the right place. Our handy guide gives you all the deets about the best places to visit in Chandigarh and fun things to do in Chandigarh. It will help you explore the city like never before and make the most of your trip here.
Top 10 Places To Visit In Chandigarh
Chandigarh happens to be the joint capital of both Punjab and Haryana and definitely lives up to its status with plenty to offer. From the tourism point of view, it’s a mixed bag of beauty, fun, history and culture. A host of attractions here are sure to keep you hooked for a weekend or an entire week. Let’s check out the top 10 places to visit in Chandigarh:
1. Rock Garden
The Rock Garden is one of the most popular places to visit in Chandigarh. The garden boasts beautiful sculptures made of industrial and urban waste materials and an artificial waterfall.
Location: 4 km from the city centre
Things To Do: You can get a sense of the city’s culture and indulge in some art appreciation by checking out the sculptures here — all this while being surrounded by lush greenery that makes you feel at peace.
2. Sukhna Lake
Sukhna Lake is yet another popular tourist spot in Chandigarh. It is actually a reservoir located in the foothills of the Himalayas that’s fed by the rains in the area. The Asian Rowing Championship was also hosted here as it has the longest channel for rowing and yachting events in Asia. Sukhna Lake is also a sanctuary for many exotic migratory birds like the Siberian duck, storks and cranes, during the winter months.
Location: 5 km from the city centre
Things To Do: You can spend a romantic evening here while watching the picturesque sunset and the beautiful migratory birds. A daytime picnic with family will also be worth your while here.
3. Elante Mall
The Elante Mall of Chandigarh is the 7th largest mall in North India and 10th largest in India. Spread across an area of over 20 acres, it’s a shopper’s paradise with a little something to offer everyone.
Location: Roughly 7 km from the city centre
Things To Do: You can shop, dine or simply relax at a spa in the mall
4. Mohali Stadium
The historic cricket stadium has hosted several memorable and significant cricket matches. It is home to the Kings XI Punjab IPL team and hosts various cricketing events throughout the year.
Location: 6 km from the city centre
Things To Do: You can enjoy a cricket match with an audience of over 29,000 people here. You can also visit the stadium for its historical significance or to meet your fave Kings XI Punjab players while they’re practising here.
5. Rose Garden
The Zakir Hussain Rose Garden in Chandigarh has over 800 types of flowers and over 32,000 types of trees and medicinal shrubs. This place is a nature lover’s paradise and a great way to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Location: A km from the city centre
Things To Do: You can take a leisurely stroll down the garden or spend time getting to know the different types of roses, flowers and other medicinal herbs.
6. Iskcon Temple
One of the top places of pilgrimage sites in the city, the very famous temple of ISKCON is a must-visit place in Chandigarh. Dedicated to Lord Krishna and Radha, visiting this temple will surely make your trip a memorable one for life.
Location: A little over a km away from the city centre
Things To Do: Open to devotees from 4:30 to 8:30 PM, you can seek the blessings of Lord Krishna and enjoy the evening aarti here.
7. Government Museum and Art Gallery
The Government Museum and Art Gallery in Chandigarh is a premier museum of North India. It boasts natural history, Gandharan sculptures, sculptures from ancient and medieval India and Pahari and Rajasthani miniature paintings.
Location: Around 2.5 km from the city centre
Things To Do: Open to visitors from 10 AM to 4:30 PM, this is a great place to spend your day revisiting history with family and friends. You can end it with a small snack picnic in the museum’s cafeteria.
8. Terraced Garden
Spread across a sprawling area of over 10 acres, the Terraced Garden was constructed to honour the decorated soldiers and martyrs. It also boasts a variety of plants, trees, beautiful staircases and landscapes.
Location: 1.5 km from the city centre
Things To Do: If you’re a botany lover, you’ll really enjoy exploring the flora here. It’s also a great place to take a leisurely stroll while paying homage to our patriots and martyrs.
9. Sector 17 Market
The Sector 17 market is a major hot spot in Chandigarh. You might have heard of it in movies and novels, but it is indeed one of the best places to visit in Chandigarh. From big brands to food joints to bridal stores and cafeterias, the market has got it all.
Location: City centre
Things To Do: You can enjoy a splendid evening here while shopping for some handicrafts and apparel. You can also explore the city’s nightlife by visiting the lounges and popular food joints here.
10. Musical Fountain
A Musical Fountain show is held at Sector 17 in Chandigarh and is a popular place of recreation and sightseeing. It is a wonderful display of water fountains dancing to rhythmic music. The place is thronged by locals and tourists alike to watch the show.
Location: City centre
Things To Do: Open to visitors all-week round from 6 PM to 9 PM, you can visit this place for a fabulous musical fountain show.
We hope that this handy guide on the best places to visit in Chandigarh helps you make your trip a memorable one. Cheers!