Chandigarh Travel Guide

Facts

Name: Chandigarh
Area: 114.5 sq. km. (44.2 sq. mi.)
Population: 1060,000
Language: Punjabi, English, Haryanvi
State: Union Territory
Currency: Rupee
Time Zone: UTC+5:30 (IST)
Religions and Beliefs: Hinduism, Sikhism, Islam, Christianity and Buddhism

Chandigarh, a union territory in northwest India, around 256 km (159 miles) from Delhi, India’s capital, serves as the capital of both Punjab and Haryana. With wide roads and perfect roundabouts, Chandigarh is the first modern-planned and new-age city of Independent India and celebrated for its well-designed landscape in every block. One of the most worth-visiting attractions in this green metropolis is the Rose Garden, which is the largest garden in Asia, filled with beautiful flowers, brilliant set-up and long relaxing shades. Apart from the landscaped gardens, Chandigarh will give you a surprise in architecture, usually with an amalgamation of tradition and modernization. The High Court is a typical modern building, featuring its “parasol” double roof for fighting against any weather conditions.

Best Places to Visit

1. Rose Garden
2. High Court
3. Rock Garden
4. Secretariat Building
5. Sukhna Lake
6. Government Museum and Art Gallery
7. Botanical Garden
8. Central State Library
9. Chandigarh University
10. Panjab University

Scattered with lots of meticulously designed gardens and architecture, Chandigarh travel can be planned within 2-3 days. Rose Garden with over 50,000 rose-bushes is a perfect place for walks, where you can also see unique species of birds, have a picnic and watch the music fountain. The L-shaped High Court is designed based on the weather, boasting its double roof that not only can provide shades to the lower roof but also help in taking the rainwater down to the pool. Rock Garden is designed as an open-air exhibition hall displaying many interesting sculptures made out of discarded industrial and urban waste. Besides, Sukhna Lake and Open Hand Monument are also worth visiting!

Best Time to Visit Chandigarh: October to February

The best time of the year to plan a Chandigarh travel is the winter months from October to February. During this period, the weather is cool and mild, with the daily average temperature of 25 ℃ (77 ℉), which makes sightseeing more enjoyable. In addition, tourists are blessed with the opportunity to explore local cultural festivals like Chandigarh Carnival in November. However, the night sometimes can get chilly as the temperature drops down to a frigid 3 ℃ (37.4 ℉). You need to prepare some warm clothes such as jackets and woolens. In early October, rainfall is expected, so remember to pack an umbrella.

Ranking List of Chandigarh Food

1. Golgappe
2. Chole Bhature
3. Pav Bhaji

Tourists can find the best Punjabi foods in Chandigarh. Golgappe, a popular street snack, is a kind of crispy and hollow fried bread, usually filled with sweet and tangy chutneys, masalas, potato or chickpeas. Chole Bhature is a fusion of spiced chickpeas and fluffy fried leavened bread, also be with a side of salad, green chutney, and yogurt. It can be savored as a hearty breakfast. Pav Bhaji, a wholesome dish, the Punjabi variant of which is richer with vegetables like cauliflowers and carrots, seasoned with curry, pepper and butter. More Chandigarh Food like Kulfi, a cold dessert, and Frankies Rolls are unmissable.

Best Restaurants in Chandigarh

1. The Cafe @ JW: Plot No 6 Sector 35 B Dakshin Marg, Chandigarh
The café features its bumper buffets, including Indian, Asian and other international delicacies. An interactive carving station and a relaxed atmosphere make it an ideal restaurant.

2. Garlic & Greens: 178 Plot No Elante Mall, Chandigarh
It’s one of the most innovative veg-restaurants in Chandigarh, with an antiquated interior and a European-style kitchen. Cheese Pasta is the must-try dish.

3. 24/7 Restaurant at The Lalit Hotel: Rajiv Gandhi IT Park, Chandigarh
As a 5-star restaurant, it offers North Indian, Asian and Italian cuisines in an opulent and classy ambiance. Be sure to try Butter Chicken and Mud Cake.

Where to Stay in Chandigarh - Most People Choose Sector 35

1. Sector 35
2. Sector 17
3. Godown Area

Sector 35 is one of the most popular neighborhoods in Chandigarh, enjoying a superior location. Filled with ample stay options from luxurious hotels to B&B at the price between ₹999-4,000, the area also houses parks, medical centers and a number of shops and eateries. As the central hub with the greenery of trees, Sector 17 naturally becomes a welcomed area to stay during Chandigarh travel. One of the only two local bus terminals is located in Sector 17, where tourists can also find the busiest shopping market. Godown Area is close to the airport, quite convenient for tourists who get off the plane at night.

Transportation in Chandigarh

Chandigarh Airport (IXC) lies approximately 12 km (7.5 mi) away from the city center. Chandigarh enjoys perfect connectivity to other metropolitans like Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore through airways, which usually takes about 45 min, 2h10min and 3h. Plenty of A/C taxi services are available to the airport, usually costing around ₹300. Chandigarh Railway Station (CDG) is situated about 4.8 km (3 mi) from the heart of the city. From Chandigarh by train, it takes 2h50min, 3.5h and 18h15min to Mumbai, Delhi and Chennai.

There are two local bus terminals in Sector 17 and Sector 43. For a cozy Chandigarh travel, the Ho-Ho Double-decker Bus from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm is a good choice for getting off and on at some tourist destinations like Rose Garden, Government Museum & Art Gallery and Sukhna Lake, which costs ₹37 for a single ticket. Taxi/cabs ranging from sedans to SUVs and auto-rickshaws are also available for sightseeing freely. The auto-rickshaws charge about ₹14 in the daytime and ₹18 at nighttime within 1 km, ₹7/km and ₹9/km for the extra distance.

Top Shopping Markets

1. Sector 17 Shopping Plaza: Sector 17, Chandigarh
In the heart of the Chandigarh city, this market is the oldest shopping place selling goods from low to high ends, including Western outfits, bracelets, gift items…

2. Shastri Market: Sector 22, Chandigarh
Shastri Market, mostly visited by youthful crowds, can cater to their needs for fashionable clothes, funky footwear, splendid accessories and much more.

3. Palika Bazaar: Sector 19, Chandigarh
As a shopping paradise for budget shoppers, this bustling street market is known for a huge collection of sarees, bridal wears, dupattas, and foot wears. Almost anything is sold at very reasonable prices.