Designed by the renowned Swiss architect Le Corbusier, Chandigarh is the capital city of both Punjab and Haryana. Known for being one of the most well-planned and exceedingly symmetrical cities, Chandigarh is filled with several bewitching gardens, grand structures, tranquil lakes, and vibrant boulevards. Although this charming city is an extremely peaceful and serene place, it’s buzzing with several interesting activities at the same time.
The food soaked in ghee and the warm locals of this city make you feel at home while you’re in the city. There are plenty of fun things to do in and around Chandigarh and that’s why you should plan your next holiday in this beautiful city. Not sure about how to make your Chandigarh trip memorable? Take out your writing pads and quickly note down all that we’re going to tell you about the things to do here.
Cruise Down Sukhna Lake
Attend The Mango Festival At The Pinjore Gardens
Explore the Historical City Of Patiala
Shop To Your Heart’s Content At The Markets of Chandigarh
Discover The Main Tourist Attractions Of Chandigarh
Camp Out In The Hills Of Kasauli
Appease Your Taste Buds With The Food Of Chandigarh
Soak Yourself In The Beauty Of The Himalayan Landscape
Rejuvenate Yourself At The Chandigarh Ayurvedic Centre
Resting at the foothills of the Shivalik Range, Sukhna Lake is essentially a man-made lake that was constructed for the wellbeing of the locals. The promenade that’s built around the lake offers some gorgeous views because of which ends up enticing several joggers, walkers, and other fitness lovers every day. The lake also boasts one of the country's longest rowing channels, which hosts the Asian Rowing Championships. Cruising down Lake Sukhna on a lazy boat ride is one of the favorite things to do among the locals and the tourists.
Apart from rowing championships, Sukhna Lake is a great location for enjoying other sports activities such as trampoline jumping and solar cruises. To add to that, the lake is a haven for photographers and painters. Not only does the lake house several species of fish, but if you’re lucky, you might even be able to spot some migratory birds like cranes and Siberian ducks. The surrounding golf course and the vibrant rose garden combined with the lake offer the visitors some jaw-dropping views.
Also Read: Chandigarh Travel Guide
The Mango Mela or the Mango Festival is a vibrant festival co-hosted by the Haryana Horticulture Department and Tourism Department every year. This two-day affair attracts mango lovers from all corners of the country. The visitors of this festival get a chance to sample multiple varieties of mangoes (up to 400 varieties!), learn about how these varieties are grown, and savor the products made from these mangoes.
The highlight of the festival has to be the mango eating contest where one can eat mangoes for free and even win a grand prize for eating the greatest number of mangoes. Apart from that, the festival hosts several activities (although unrelated to mangoes) like folk dance programs, cultural programs, fancy dress contests, rangoli making contests, drawing contests, and so on that keep the visitors entertained throughout the day. Don’t forget to purchase the freshly made mango jams and pickles if you’re attending the Mango Mela.
Didn’t get enough of the Mango Festival in Chandigarh? The state of Tripura has a unique Orange and Tourism festival too!
Patiala is a majestic, royal city that gained prominence in the 17th century. This city is famed for its one-of-a-kind Pallavi culture that is reflected through its customs, traditions, recipes, language, architecture, and the Patiala Gharana of Hindustani classical music. Known for being the fifth-largest city in Punjab, Patiala is mainly visited by tourists for its jutti (footwear), traditional turbans, and its Parandas which are basically Punjabi hair accessories.
Situated just about 65 kilometers away from the city of Chandigarh, Patiala has been established around the magnificent Qila Mubarak (which sports a Rajput-Mughal style of architecture). Apart from this fort, Patiala is adorned with several other mind-numbingly beautiful forts like the Sheesh Mahal, Moti Bagh Palace, and the Bahadurgarh Fort. To add to that, several holy sites like the Gurdwara Dukh Niwaran Sahib, Kali Devi Mandir, and the Bhootnath Mandir are scattered across the city. If you’re visiting Chandigarh, don’t forget to take a day trip to Patiala and explore this ravishing ancient city.
Also read: Traveling To Amritsar - The Amritsar Travel Guide
Chandigarh not only has great weather, charming streets, and low crime rate, but it also claims to have some of the best market places that tend to satisfy the shopaholic tourists. If shopping in Chandigarh is on your agenda, directly head to the Sector 34 Market, Shastri Market, Sector 17 Market, and the Sector 7 Market. Studded with several native handicrafts emporiums, showrooms with products of international brands, retail stores, vibrant pubs, and luxurious restaurants, these marketplaces are wildly popular among the locals as well as the tourists of Chandigarh.
Places like the Elante Mall, City Emporium Mall, and the TDI Mall, house all types of shops under one roof which is convenient for you as you won’t have to wander around different places while searching for souvenirs. All of these malls are famous for housing grand boutiques run by local sellers as well as international designers. You’ll be able to find some exquisite and exceedingly intricately designed ethnic accessories and apparel in the local sellers’ shops. Apart from that, you must buy the colorful Punjabi dupattas, native juttis (with upturned tips), and freshly prepared jams and marmalades while shopping in Chandigarh.
Chandigarh is filled with several tourist places that are extremely beautiful, one-of-a-kind, and very intriguing. We suggest that you set aside a couple of days to explore the beautiful sites that let you soak in the unique culture of Chandigarh. On the very first day of your sightseeing, head straightaway towards the magnificent Rock Garden of Chandigarh which is filled with more than 2,000 sculptures. Do note that these sculptures have been constructed using waste materials like debris and rubble.
Besides the Rock Garden, every corner of Chandigarh is dotted with several tourist attractions. Don’t forget to seek blessings from various sacred deities that are seated at holy sites like the Mansa Devi Temple and ISKCON Chandigarh. Immerse yourself in the rich cultural heritage of Chandigarh at the Government Museum & Art Gallery, Kalagram, Natural History Museum, and Le Corbusier.
Lastly, do spend a relaxing evening in the vibrant and colorful flower garden of Chandigarh like the Zakir Hussain Rose Garden Terraced Garden, Hibiscus Garden, and Butterfly Park.
Kasauli is known to be the favorite destination of the residents of Chandigarh who wish to get away from the city for the weekend and unwind in the laps of the mighty Himalayas. Located just 65 km away from Chandigarh, this sleepy hill town is a part of the picturesque Solan district of Himachal Pradesh. Kasauli used to be a cantonment during the colonial area because of which it is dotted with opulent Victorian villas that were used by the British.
Surrounded by the magical woodlands of cedar trees, pines (Chir Pine), and herbs (Milk Thistle), Kasauli attracts trekkers and campers from all corners of the country. Although Kasauli is a relatively small town, it is home to some of the most enchanting tourist destinations. Do ensure that you explore Kasauli by visiting different sites like the Manki Point, the Gurkha Fort, the Gilbert Trail on Kachcha Road, Baba Balak Nath Temple, Sunset Point, and Christ’s Church.
Also Read: Best Homestays In Kasauli
Soaked in butter, desi ghee, and butter, the authentic Punjabi dishes found in the eateries of Chandigarh will leave your heart overjoyed. Chandigarh is known for offering some of the most mouth-watering food that appeals to all Indians as well as foreigners. Irrespective of whether its breakfast, lunch, dinner, wheat-based dishes (like roti and paratha) and dairy products (like paneer, milk, and lassi) are an indispensable part of the households in Chandigarh. Don’t miss out on savoring the following items while you are in Chandigarh.
Also Read: Experiencing The Food In Amritsar
Your idea of a holiday might not constitute only roaming around in a commercial city like Chandigarh. Many vacationers and the locals of Chandigarh enjoy a magical weekend at the beautiful hill stations that surround the city. Chail is one such sleepy Himalayan hamlet located in the heart of pine and deodar woodlands. Sprawled across three majestic hillocks, Chail was established as the summer capital of Patiala by the Maharaja of Patiala. The lush green valleys, winding roads, and the view of the Himalayan mountains leave the visitors mesmerized.
Although this town hasn’t been commercialized yet, it is renowned in the entire world for housing the world’s highest cricket ground. Apart from them, the awe-inspiring Chail Palace and the Heritage Hotel offer to make Chail unforgettable for soulful travelers. Not only this, but Chail also satisfies thrill-seekers, as one can choose to go on some really amazing treks from here. Not only this, but you can also choose to go riverside camping in Chail as this town rests on the banks of the gorgeous Sadhupul River.
Want to extend your stay and explore the hill stations near Chandigarh? Check out the beautiful city of Shimla and relax in the laps of the Himalayas!
Most people, especially the city dwellers lead stressful lives, and seldom do they get time to sit back, relax and give themselves time for healing. The Chandigarh Ayurved & Panchakarma Centre adds to the appeal of the city and welcomes all those who want to use Ayurvedic treatments for the holistic well-being of their bodies. Ayurvedic science was founded in India in ancient times and it requires you to give your body some time to heal with natural ingredients.
An Ayurvedic treatment here is extremely luxurious as well as extravagant. This center tries to provide its customers with a wide range of authentic Ayurvedic services. Even if you don’t have enough time to avail yourself of the entire treatment, don’t miss out on the out-of-the-world Ayurvedic massage offered by this center that will relax your entire body.
Trained and certified professionals explain how Ayurveda works, take you through the process of the Panchkarma treatment and ensure that you are having a great time there. If melting your stress and rejuvenating yourself is what you need, don’t even think twice and head straight to the Chandigarh Ayurved & Panchakarma Centre.
What Is Chandigarh Popular For?
Chandigarh is not only the capital of both Punjab and Haryana, but it is also famous for being the first planned city in the country. Besides that, Chandigarh is extremely popular for its clean roads and the lush greenery that surrounds it. To add to that, Chandigarh is famous for housing some really interesting sites like the Rock Garden, Pinjore Garden, Le Corbusier, Giant Open Hand Monument, etc.
Which Month Is Best For Chandigarh?
September to November is the best time to visit Chandigarh.
What Can We Do In Chandigarh At Night?
The following are some of the best pubs and nightclubs in Chandigarh where you can spend a night dancing your hearts out.
The Great Bear
Wild West Pub
Hops N Grains
Lava Bar
Kitty Su
Paara Club
Which Hill Station Is Near Chandigarh?
Here are some of the most beautiful hill stations that are located near Chandigarh.
Kullu
Kasauli
Shimla
Manali
Kufri
Narkanda
Is Chandigarh Safe At Night?
Although Chandigarh has an overall low crime rate and is a safe city for the locals as well as travelers, one should avoid roaming around alone extremely late at night. There have been incidents of harassment at night, so it’s advisable to move in groups post 9-10 pm.
What Is The Climate Of Chandigarh?
Chandigarh is known to have a humid subtropical climate. It follows a seasonal rhythm wherein it experiences unreliable rainfalls, extremely cold winters, and then scorching heat in the summers. The temperature in this city generally ranges from 6°C to 46°C throughout the year.
What Food Is Famous In Chandigarh?
Lassi, Amritsari Kulcha, Parathas, Rajma Chawal, and Tandoori Chicken are some of the most famous foods in Chandigarh.
What Is The Climate In Chandigarh?
The summers in Chandigarh are sweltering hot with clear skies, the winters are cold and dry with mostly clear skies.
