Best time to visit : September to March
Panchkula is a beautiful and a well-planned city of Haryana in North India. The city is located just at the outskirts of Chandigarh, the joint capital of Punjab and Haryana. The five irrigation canals located in Panchkula give the city its name. Shivalik Hills and River Ghaggar surround the city and bless it with a picturesque backdrop. Panchkula is a perfect tourist destination to stop by and spend some time during your trip to Chandigarh or Shimla.
Facts
Panchkula is the home to the famous Chandimandir Cantonment Headquarters of the Indian Army Western Command. The only hill station of Haryana, Morni, is also located near Panchkula. City of Panchkula is also one of the two satellite cities of the Union Territory, Chandigarh.
Panchkula is situated in the northern part of India where the staple food is wheat and bajra roti. On your way to Panchkula, you will find lots of roadside dhabas which offer delicious North Indian food like rotis and paranthas served with buttermilk or curd. Do try the famous sarson ka saag and makki ki roti at some of the top-class restaurants like Chokhi Dhani, Lebanese Express, Peninsula and Chawla’s. All popular fast food joints and cafes are present in the city.
Panchkula is famous for its handlooms and wooden decorative items. World-class shopping malls have also come up in the recent times, the most popular ones being Fun Republic, Shalimar and Paras Downtown Square.
Nearby Places:
- Chandigarh (about 15 km.): The City Beautiful needs no introduction as one of the cleanest and well-planned Indian cities, dotted with lavish gardens and attractions like Sukhna Lake, Rock Garden and many beautiful religious places.
- Morni Hills (about 18 km.): Spectacular views of mountains, dense forests and attractions like lakes fort and adventure activities make it a wonderful tourist place.
- Parwanoo (about 20 km.): Popular for the Timber Trail Resort located on a hilltop. The thrilling cable car ride offers an opportunity to enjoy the mesmerizing beauty of the surroundings.
- Kasauli (about 50 km.): A beautiful hill station with old world charm, Kasauli has attractions like Monkey Point, Baba Balak Nath Temple and nature walking trails.
- Shimla (about 115 km.): Among the most popular summer retreats, the hill station of Shimla has colonial buildings, temples and the Mall Road as its key attractions. It also has many popular tourist destinations like Kufri, Chail, Naldehra and Tattapani in its close proximity.