Chandigarh is a union territory in North India and the capital of both Punjab and Haryana. It is renowned for its urban design and architecture. Chandigarh has a very strategic location and well connected by an excellent road network. Traveling to Chandigarh gives you accessibility to all the notable pilgrimage centers and charming hill stations in the neighboring states of Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab and Haryana.
Chandigarh - A must visit for all nature lovers:
Chandigarh tourism takes you for a refreshing vacation to one of the youngest cities of India. It was planned after independence by Le Corbusier, a French architect. With tree lined boulevards, landscaped green patches and neat rectilinear residential quarters, Chandigarh is a treat for the eyes. All nature lovers would enjoy the beauty and tranquility of Chandigarh parks and gardens, culminating in the Leisure Garden which is a string of parks and gardens stretching 8 km!
Get a break from routine life with the numerous camping and adventure tours in Chandigarh at the Hidden Valley in the Shivalik foothills. Chandigarh tourism offers you various Ecotours, trekking, tenting, mountain biking and jungle safaris to whet your appetite for raw nature.
Chandigarh has sleek and organized shopping centers with Sector 17 as the shopper’s paradise. Enjoy traditional Punjabi cuisine like Makki di roti, dal makhni, and chicken tikkas at its well known restaurants.
Travel in Chandigarh:
Chandigarh has a well maintained network of roads as well as ample parking space within the city. The Chandigarh Transport Undertaking (CTU) runs an excellent bus service and is the best local transport with inter-state services.
The Hop on Hop off tourist coach is one of a kind in India. This well equipped, double decker coach with open top roof takes a circular route to cover all the significant tourist destinations in the city. . It has both point-to-point tour and half a day tour. A half day tour will start from Hotel Shivalikview, and then go on to Sector-17, Chandigarh, covering Zakir Rose Garden, Museum & Art Gallery (Sector 10), War Memorial & Bouganvillia Garden (Sector 03), then Rock Garden (Sector 1) and ultimately reach Sukhana Lake.
For short distances you can avail the auto rickshaws that generally ply to and from the ISBT.
Chandigarh Industrial & Tourism Development Corpn. Ltd.
Sco 121-122, Sector 17-B, Chandigarh - 160017
Phone : 4644430 – 34, 91-172-2704761, 2704356
Delhi Booking Office
21-B, Harish Chandra Mathur Lane, K.G. Marg Connaught Place New Delhi.
Ph. 23353359, 23314961
Weather and Best Time to Visit Chandigarh:
Chandigarh is located in the North Indian plains and thus experiences hot summers and cold winters.
Summer in Chandigarh is from March to June. Temperatures fluctuate between 37-44°C.
The Monsoon season is between July and September. Winter in Chandigarh is December-January. This season is rather chilling, with temperatures fluctuating between 4-14°C.
The ideal time to visit Chandigarh is thus between mid-August to November, when the weather becomes very pleasant, Chandigarh’s famous gardens are in full bloom and a festive spirit radiates everywhere starting the Chandigarh carnival!
If you are travelling in summer, simple, cotton clothes along with umbrella/sunscreen lotion are advisable to protect yourself from extreme heat and dryness. Carry a bottle of drinking water with you.
Woollens, pullovers, jackets etc are essential if you are planning to travel in winter. It’s useful for foreigners to carry your valid id proof and passport. Your hotel number and embassy number should also be with you.
Eating in Chandigarh:
Gorge on the mouth watering delicacies that Chandigarh offers. Traditional Punjabi cuisine forms the major aspect of Chandigarh food and dining. These food items have a generous helping of cream, butter and ghee and are prepared in earthen tandoors. These have a distinct aroma. You must try buttermilk and Punjab-di-Lassi as part of Chandigarh beverages.
Chandigarh has an appetite for fast food. Some of the well known fast food centres include Pizza Hut, Backpacker’s Cafe, Domino’s Pizza, Barista Coffee Shop, The Chocolate Room, Cafe Coffee Day, McDonald’s, Pinocchio Pizza and many others. However if you are looking to spend your day with friends, then Chandigarh gives you a unique dining experience at these trendy restaurants:
Buffet Hut (Sector 9, Chandigarh)
Girl in the Cafe (Sector 17, Chandigarh)
The Blue Blazer (Sector 26, Chandigarh)
Pirates of Grill (Chandigarh Industrial Area)
Barbeque Nation (Sector 26, Chandigarh)
Underdoggs Sports Bar & Grill (Chandigarh Industrial Area)
Mainland China (Sector 26, Chandigarh)
Whistling Duck (Sector 26, Chandigarh)
Tao- Bar & Lounge (Sector 26, Chandigarh)
Kava (Sector 26, Chandigarh)
Chokhi Dhani (Sector 2, Panchkula)
Ten Towns (Sector 26, Chandigarh)
Hops n Grains (Sector 9, Panchkula)
Shopping in Chandigarh:
Chandigarh is famous for its shopping centres. The primary shopping centre is Sector 17, Chandigarh. This huge commercial complex is a shopper’s delight. It has four main piazzas which meet at a “chowk”. A pedestrian’s paradise, this place has something for everyone. It has innumerable shops, Government Emporia, coffee houses, bars, eateries, and pubs which will keep you engrossed.
The City centre of Sector 17 is also an architectural wonder, a combination of open spaces and cuboids building blocks. For the tourist, the inimitable “Dove of peace” sculpture with its water cascades amidst colourful lights is a sheer delight.
Find below some of the popular markets in Chandigarh:
Furniture (Sector 34, 7, Madhya Marg)
Auto Centers (Sector 28, Sector 21)
Book Shops (Sectors 14, 17, 19, 22)
Electronic Goods ( Sector 17, 22)
Garment, Shoes (Sector 17, 22, 9)
Vegetable, fruits and grains (Sector26)
Electronic Goods (Sector17, 22)
Parks and Gardens in Chandigarh:
Chandigarh is known as the city of gardens, owing to its beautiful parks and gardens that are part of this planned city. The primary attraction of Chandigarh lies in its greenery, an amalgamation of natural beauty spots. Some of the famous gardens which allure visitors are:
Botanical Gardens
Rock Garden
Pinjore Gardens
Rose Garden
Shanti Kunj
Fitness Trail & Flower Garden
Smriti Upavan
Bougainvillea Park
Museums in Chandigarh:
There are notable museums in Chandigarh, all of which are worth watching. Some of the Chandigarh museums are:
City Museum
International dolls museum
Government museum & art gallery
Museum of evolution of life
Lakes in Chandigarh:
Chandigarh is located at the foothills of the Himalayas and has the Sukhna Lake as its lifeblood. This artificial lake was made in 1958 through damming the Sukhna Choe, a seasonal stream coming from the Shivalik Hills. This lake stretching 3 km is an idyllic natural retreat. It also has scope for numerous water sports like boating, water skiing, yachting etc.
Religious Places in Chandigarh:
Chandigarh has a plethora of religious places, mainly comprising of Gurudwaras. Some of the prominent pilgrimage sites in the city are:
Chandi Mandir
Mansa Devi Mandir
Amb Sahib Gurudwara
Nada Sahib Gurudwara
Baoli Sahib Gurudwara
Koohni Sahib Gurudwara
Hotels in Chandigarh:
With its gardens and tree lined boulevards, astonishing urban architecture, beautiful lakes and vibrant culture, Chandigarh has developed into a major tourist destination. Numerous tourists come to visit the city each year. Get to know some of the prominent hotels, luxury and budget accommodation. Rest here at your leisure after exploring the city: