Places to Visit in Chandigarh

India’s very first planned city, Chandigarh, draws its name from the temple of the goddess “Chandi” whose temple was located on the site originally chosen to be what we know today as Chandigarh - The City Beautiful. It serves as the capital of two North Indian sister states - Punjab and Haryana. It is a very well-planned, equally well-maintained city with great historic ties and just the right amount of modernity. 

Chandigarh is a testament to India’s will to develop on its terms. Up until Independence, all the infrastructural marvels were developed by the Britishers but after 1947 things changed. India chose to develop a new capital for then partitioned Punjab and laid the foundation for Chandigarh. 

The modern city of Chandigarh has come a long way since its initial Induction. It has grown into this amazing modern metropolis with beautiful places to visit. 

Here is an extensive list of the most beautiful places in Chandigarh. The list is a good mixture of places to visit in Chandigarh with friends and family to hang out and chill. It also has a few culturally significant places that sing an ode to Chandigarh’s glorious past. 

1. The Rock Garden 

Embracing the true nature of the “Best of the Waste”, the Rock Garden of Chandigarh, also known as Nek Chand’s Rock Garden is a symbol of creativity and free spirit in the city. Initially built in secrecy by a government road inspector named Nek Chand in his free time, it has become a major tourist attraction in the city. 

The garden consists of sculptures made from recycled household and urban waste. The 40-acre garden has three different zones, each with its distinct kind of sculpture. 

The garden has roughly about 5000 statutes in its vicinity made from various waste materials like broken pottery, shattered tiles, light fixtures, and so on. 

2. Sukhna Lake 

One of the most beautiful places in Chandigarh, Sukhna Lake is a man-made marvel known for its serenity and truly breathtaking sky at dusk and dawn. Designed by the architect Le Corbusier, Lake Sukhna stands truly as a modern architectural marvel. 

Sukhna Lake does not allow motorboats and vehicular traffic is also not allowed nearby making the lake the perfect spot to disconnect from the hustle of daily life. While boating on the lake, you can spend a few hours basking in the sun and birdwatching the furry birds that migrate from faraway places. It is a real delight for visitors and photographers alike, capturing the majestic birds with a backdrop of shimmering water and vermillion sunset.

3.  Zakir Hussain Rose Garden

Named after the former President of India, the Rose Garden in Chandigarh is one of the best hangout places in Chandigarh. It is a vast lush garden, home to some of the rarest and most beautiful species of roses. The garden has over 1600 varieties of flowers and over 32,000 varieties of trees and medicinal plants.

The best time to visit the Rose Garden is between February and March as the roses are in full bloom. It is also the time when the city hosts “The Festival of Gardens”, a major floral festival held every year.

4. Mahendra Chaudhary Zoological Park

Home to over 1200 creatures belonging to over 100 species, Mahendra Chaudhary Zoological Park is one of the best places to visit in Chandigarh. When you think of Chandigarh, wildlife is not a word that comes to your mind but this amazing zoological park begs to differ. 

The zoo offers an open enclosure to the animals living here to help them maintain their natural habitat. They also offer a Lion Safari which you must not miss because seeing these majestic animals in their natural habitat is once in a lifetime experience. 

5. Leisure Valley

Popularly known as “The Lungs of Chandigarh”, Leisure valley is an 8-kilometer-long stretch of lush greenery starting in the Northern sector 1 of the city and stretching all the way to sector 53 in South Chandigarh. 

The Leisure Valley was designed by the architect Le Corbusier as an effort to make the city greener and a healthier place to live in for its inhabitants. And undoubtedly, that effort has paid off in the long run as Chandigarh is one of the top 10 greenest cities in India. 

The valley consists of various parks including Terrace Garden, Hibiscus Garen, Rose Garden, Garden of Fragrance, and so on. Leisure Valley is one of the best places to connect with nature and forget the whistles of city life of the Chandigarh metropolis. It is a must-visit destination as it is one of the most beautiful places in Chandigarh to hang out with friends and family. 

6. Le Corbusier Centre 

Charles-Édouard Jeanneret popularly known as Le Corbusier was a French-Swiss architect, urban planner, and one of the pioneers of what today is known as modern architecture. He was best known for his extensive work in the development of Chandigarh. 

Le Corbusier Centre in Sector 19 of the city today houses the office and workspace of the architect from his time in the city. Constructed in 2008, the center houses various paintings, photographs, and various other exhibits from the life of the architect giving us insights into the history of Chandigarh. 

The center acts as a scope that allows you to peek into the history and culture of the city as developed over the years. 

7. Sector 17 Market

One of the heartbeats of the city, the Market in Sector 17 is the hotspot for tourists and locals alike. When you are visiting the city, you should visit the market. Irrespective of whether you are looking for souvenirs or gifts or just looking to spend some quality time in the city center, the Sector 17 market is an ideal choice. 

8. Japanese Garden

The latest addition to an already impressive list of gardens and parks, The Japanese Garden in Chandigarh was inaugurated in two phases respectively in the years 2014 and 2016. The two phases ended up in two different sectors connected by an underground tunnel that holds a lot of special Japanese paintings.

Constructed as an ode to Buddhist culture, the Garden has a lot of meditation huts, pagoda-style buildings, waterfalls, and many other attractions that serve as the perfect getaway location for all.

9. The Capitol Complex

Designed by the architect Le Corbusier, the capitol complex in Chandigarh is a testament to his modern architectural style. Added to the UNESCO World Heritage site in 2016, it is an architectural marvel protected and promoted to be appreciated by generations to come.

It serves as a headquarters for both the Punjab and Haryana governments, housing the Legislative Assembly, High Court, and the secretariat. When in Chandigarh, The Capitol Complex should be on your list of places to explore in the city. 

10. Open Hand Monument

The 50-tonne monument located within The Capitol Complex is the official emblem of the city of Chandigarh. Also designed by the architect Le Corbusier, it serves the message “The hand to give and the hand to take; peace and prosperity, and the unity of mankind.”

It is a prominent monument in the city that attracts many tourists due to its creative and one-of-a-kind design. Do visit the Open Hand Monument when you are in Chandigarh to soak up the architectural creativity of the great Le Corbusier. 

If you love the sound of birds chirping, if you love gardens for a long peaceful walk, if you love admiring the grandiose beauty of the rising and setting sun, if you love organized chaos then Chandigarh is the destination for you. It has got all of the above and so much more to offer. It is truly a gem in India’s crown of tourism. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

1. How many days to explore Chandigarh?

The city has a lot to offer and it can all be explored in 2-3 days.

2. What are some must-visit nighttime places to visit in Chandigarh?

Chandigarh has a vibrant nightlife with a lot of places bustling with life all night long. You can visit Pal Dhaba, Beach N Brew,  The Back Room, and many other such places that offer live music, drinks, and food all night long.

3. Which is the best time to visit Chandigarh?

There are a lot of beautiful places in Chandigarh going through changes in scenery throughout the year. The ideal time to visit the city is post-monsoon during September and December, the greenery of Chandigarh appears the best in those months.

4. What is special about Chandigarh?

It is India’s first planned city and one of the major metropolises in the modern Indian context. It has numerous gardens, lakes, Museums, hangout spots, clean roads, well-planned architecture and so much more. 

5. Which are some good places to visit in Chandigarh with family?

Visit any of the top spots like Zakir Husaain Rose Garden, Japanese Garden, Leisure Valley, and Sukhna Lake. You can spend a day amongst the natural bliss and picnic at the majority of the gardens in Chandigarh with family and friends.