Best time to visit : September to March (comprising of autumn from September till mid-November, winter from mid-November till February and spring in March)
Elegance, advanced town planning and relaxing atmosphere together put Chandigarh on the World’s tourism map. One of the most planned Indian cities, it surprises the visitors with its urban development complemented by boundless serenity defined by mesmerizing backdrop of Shivalik Hills, seasonal streams, forest covers, gardens, lakes and greenery all over. Known for its timeless architecture, the city is also among the most entertaining cities of North India with its share of malls and multiplexes, shopping plazas, entertainment venues and cultural venues.
Facts
Chandigarh plays a significant role of being a Union territory and a common capital to the states of Punjab and Haryana. Designed by the internationally-famed architects, like Le Corbusier, it enjoys the status of being India’s cleanest city. It was the first planned city of Independent India and is among the top Indian cities in terms of per capita income. Chandigarh derives its name from Goddess Chandi, a temple of whom is located nearby. The following city guide is meant to offer complete tourist information about Chandigarh, which is fondly called ‘The City Beautiful’.
Chandigarh hosts world-class restaurants serving Indian and international cuisines. Taj Chandigarh, Ghazal and Mehfil in sector 17 offer elegant environment and relaxing ambiance along with top quality food. Baithak in Kalagram is another popular venue. Finger-licking chicken can be enjoyed at Chawla Chicken in sector 22. Sagar Ratna is well-known for South Indian preparations. Every reputed fast food chain of the world, including Hot Millions, McDonalds, Café Coffee Day, Pizza Hut and Subway, have their establishments in the city.
Chandigarh is a paradise for brand lovers. Sector-17 shopping centre has showrooms selling branded fashion clothes, footwear, fashion accessories and other items. Rehri Markets of sectors 19 and 22 sell good quality stuffs at affordable prices. Every sector in Chandigarh has enough space for marketplaces and some of the well-known shopping zones are in sectors 35, 26 and Manimajra. The popular shopping malls in the city include DT Mall and Fun Republic and Centra Mall. Shops near the Sukhna Lake sell interesting souvenirs.
Nearby Places:
- Mohali (about 8 km.): Often called an extension of Chandigarh, Mohali is known for its gardens, gurudwaras and world-famous PCA cricket stadium.
- Panchkula (about 11 km.): Popular attractions include Mansa Devi Temple Complex, Nadha Sahib Gurudwara, Cactus Garden, Vatika Gardens and Yavnika open theatre.
- Chandimandir (about 12 km.): Known for the Temple of Goddess Chandi which is believed to be the source of city’s name.
- Pinjore (about 23 km.): Famous for its Mughal Gardens offering splendid beauty and relaxation.
- Kalka (about 28 km.): Home to popular Kali Mata Temple and UNESCO listed Kalka-Shimla railway heritage.
- Kasauli (about 54 km.): A silent hill station and a weekend getaway, Kasauli is known for its walking trails and resorts. Going further, Chandigarh has many beautiful hill stations like Solan, Chail, Kufri and Shimla in its vicinity.
-
Other attractionsinclude Fun City Amusement Park (about 21 km.), Thunder Zone Amusement Park(about 15km.), Chattbir Zoo (about 18 km.), Timber Trail Ropeway (about 38 km.)and Morni Hills (about 30 km.)