What is Chandigarh best known for?
Chandigarh is the capital city of two states in India – Punjab and Haryana. BBC recognised Chandigarh as one of the few master-planned cities in the world to have succeeded in combining monumental architecture, cultural growth and modernisation.
It is the cleanest Indian city based on a government survey and the happiest city in India as per a survey conducted by LG Electronics. It is also one of the wealthiest cities in India. From beautifully landscaped gardens, man-made lakes and architecture by Le Corbusier to fun festivals and lip-smacking food, Chandigarh is a major tourist hub in India.
Best-known places in Chandigarh
- Capitol Complex – UNESCO has declared this place a World Heritage in 2016. This wonderfully designed government compound is a must-visit in Chandigarh.
- Rose Garden – Visitors should not miss this sprawling garden having 825 varieties of flowers and 32,500 varieties of trees and medicinal shrubs. The best time to visit this garden is in February and March.
- Rock Garden – This is a massive, innovative open-air exhibition featuring colourful mosaics of art pieces and sculptures.
- Sukhna Lake – This man-made lake presents a pretty picture with startling blue waters and fish and migratory birds such as Siberian ducks and cranes. You can go for a lazy boat ride to enjoy this lake.
- Thunder Zone Amusement and Water Park – Adventure lovers and thrill-seekers will have plenty of fun in this amusement and water park with various rides, water waves and slides. You can end the day relaxing on the lush green lawns.
- Botanical Garden – Enjoy the wide variety of exotic and evergreen plants that have been systematically arranged to provide the best aesthetic value.
- Forest Reserves – Spread across 3245 hectares, this forest is home to many flora and fauna which are endangered. You can trek through the forest and watch nilgais, antelopes, Jahres, jackals and hyenas. You can even camp in the forest with prior permission from the Forest Department.
- Japanese Garden – You don’t need to go to Japan to appreciate their zen gardens. This garden encompasses Japanese designs with a park, water bodies, pagoda towers, waterfalls, Buddha idols and other structures.
Airport address: Chandigarh Airport, New Civil Air Terminal Chandigarh International Airport, Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar, Punjab 140306
IATA code: IXC
