Nature is the most precious gift given by God to humanity. Everyone loves to dwell at the place where there are enticing places to visit, low crime rate, favourable climatic conditions, lush green trees everywhere, no waste scattered on roads and people obey the rules.
Do you know any such place to visit or live?
Yes, there is one PARADISE, and it is called CHANDIGARH.
When a combination of beauty and nature comes to mind, I don’t think anyone can overlook CHANDIGARH.
Chandigarh, the capital of PUNJAB and HARYANA and also called the “THE CITY BEAUTIFUL” and entirely designed by French architect ” Le Corbusier”. It’s one of the greenest cities in India with some parks, open spaces, perfect design, clean surroundings, gardens, and lakes, etc. that make it an ideal place to dwell and travel. Everything is so well managed here from A to Z that makes this city the first choice for foreigners and locals.
Moreover, the four primary functions of the city are to promote healthy clean living, good working conditions, care of body and soul and proper circulation of traffic in a disciplined way.
If you have recently landed here and looking to travel in CHD but not sure where to go, don’t fret we are here to your rescue. Various tempting attractions here keep people hooked with this city. There are myriad choices to visit in Chandigarh that overwhelms every tourist with joy. Starting from the alluring Rock Garden, Rose Garden, Chandi Devi temple to Amb Sahib Gurudwara and many more ensure you leave from here with a bunch of beautiful memories.
Best Places to Visit in Chandigarh in 2020
There are many best places in Chandigarh to explore that fill your soul with happiness. We have jotted down the most enchanting ones for you:
Garden of Fragrance
Who doesn’t like to be at a place where the mesmerizing aroma of flowers soothes your mind and soul? Everybody wants to right so in Chandigarh there is one such place called ” Garden of Fragrance “. It is located in Sector-36 and was built in 1998. As the name clears, here you can find a wide variety of plants such as Haar Shingar, Raat ki Rani, Champa, Demask Rose, Motia and various types of Jasmine. Park has beautiful surroundings that offer a delightful location for people to walk or stroll.
The whole scene pleases the eyes and refreshes the soul. It is also known as “Fragrance Garden” that serves as an ideal place for a picnic or spending time with friends or family. This garden is a convenient place for early risers and those who love to walk or jog in the morning. Even in the evening, many people can be found here
People often come here in the morning or evening for a walk, physical exertion, jogging or to relax. There can be no better place than the Fragrance Garden for health freaks who also want to enjoy the beauty of nature along with it. People consider this garden as one of the best gardens in Chandigarh due to its beauty, well maintained, tracks, free parking, and swings for children. There is even an open gym in the garden. Tour to the Garden of Fragrance is a must if you are living in the city or has come as a tourist.
Timings are 5 AM to 8 PM.
Topiary Park
Would you love to visit a park where plants are beautifully carved into different art forms?
Yes indeed, there is one such park named Topiary Park established in 1987 at Sector 35, Chandigarh. Even from the name, it is clear that here you can get a glimpse of different topiaries in animals shape and other ornamental plants too. These all add more charm to this park.
If you are in Chandigarh, you will find yourself surrounded by nature’s beauty and its aura. For spending a fun-filled time along with large plants carved into animals like bear, elephant and other that let you play hide and seek here without getting found. Here children often come with their parents to enjoy and sit in the lap of nature.
If you are looking for an excellent place to take your kids, then Topiary Park is the first choice. This place is filled with green plants and a treat for nature lovers. Moreover, you need not pay any fee to enter this park. The people from nearby places come here for morning/evening walk or other physical exertion activities.
New lake Chandigarh
Do you know apart from sukhna lake there is one more lake to visit? Yes, its name is New lake and located in Sector 42, Chandigarh and occupies an area of nearly 3 acres. Most of the people are not acquainted with this place. Here the painters and photographers can often be seen capturing the elegant of sunset, clouded sky or early morning dew on plants that make this place more serene and favourable for everyone.
Though the Sukhna and New lake can’t be compared still, it’s a present for the Chandigarh dwellers. Currently, the crowd over New Lake Chandigarh is quite less as compared to before, but again, families and couples can be seen here spending time. Moreover, New lake Chandigarh is famous for festivals like Chatt puja or other religious rituals. Even the administration has itself declared this place for religious activities and worship. Visit this place now and feel the different ambience. It’s expected that in the coming future, it will attract more visitors both nationally and internationally.
Leisure valley Chandigarh
Chandigarh city is loaded with lush green trees, beautiful parks with serene ambiance and various themed gardens that uplift the beauty and spirit of this city. Le Corbusier designed Chandigarh city and retained the wiped off the seasonal valley and constructed parks over the original site. It is known by the name ” Leisure Valley Chandigarh and is eight kilometers in length. The parks start from Sector 1 located in the north and end at the southern edge in Sector 53. Le Corbusier planned this city resonating with humans and leisure valley adds more life to Chandigarh. About 2000 acres area was devoted to these parks development out of 20,000 acres. These gardens and parks are collectively known as Leisure Valley Chandigarh.
Every park has its name and central striking features.
Chandigarh Leisure valley includes the following parks:
- Rajendra Park, Sector 1
- Bougainvillea Garden, Sector 3
- Fitness Trails, Sector 10
- Zakir Rose Garden, Sector 16
- Shanti Kunj, Sector 16
- Hibiscus Garden, Sector 36
- Children Traffic Park, Sector 23
- Garden of Fragrance, Sector 36
- Smriti Upavan, Sector 1
- Botanical Garden, Sector 14
- Terraced Garden, Sector 33
- Topiary Park, Sector 35
Moreover, the Leisure valley is the only valley in India that has different themed gardens and park in the whole city and attracts people from CHD and all parts of the country. Besides parks and gardens mentioned above, CHD has designated an area of 3245 Hectares of space for a forest. This area can be found around Sukhna Lake, Rock Garden, and Sukhna Cho. Its one of the best places to visit in Chandigarh to feel the aura of this city.
Famous Places to see in Chandigarh
Rose Garden
Rose denotes love and who doesn’t love to be in the garden loaded with the rarest rose species. Starting off, the first place to visit is the most extensive botanical garden in Asia ” Zakir Hussain Rose Garden” also known as Rose Garden, and it occupies an area of 30 acres. This place is a Paradise for the Floraphile. Here, you can find nearly 1600 exquisite varieties of roses along with some medicinal herbs. The fountains add beauty to the surroundings, you can sit around the fountain and feel the drizzle on you.
It is located in sector 16. Moreover, the pleasing aroma of roses soothes the mind and soul. Being one of the most visited places in Chandigarh, every year immense people visit this garden to feel the perfect blend of colors of nature and flower beauty.
Rock Garden
- Reviews
- Timing
- 9am – 7:30pm (Summer)9am – 6pm (Winter)
- Distance
- 4.2Km – ISBT 17, 15Km – ISBT 43
Rock Garden is a perfect epitome of art pieces patchwork and various sculptures made from home, industrial or any waste. It is situated in THE CITY BEAUTIFUL’s sector one near Sukhna Lake. Rock Garden was designed by Nek Chand, who was a former Road Inspector in Chandigarh. It is also known as Nek Chand’s Rock Garden. It was opened to the public in 1976 and spread over an area of 25 acres.
Initially, Nek Chand started working on this garden without letting anyone know. The site where Rock Garden stands now was earlier a dumping place, and from here only Nek Chand picked up different waste materials to carve them into beautiful masterpieces that seem realistic with alluring embellishments on them. He single-handedly built this place in his free time, and now it has become a sign of novelty, imagination, and dedication. It has nearly 5,000 statues with fences and is now considered as the prime tourist attractions of Chandigarh. Teej festival is celebrated here with a lot of pride and joy by women.
Sukhna Lake
If you are living in Chandigarh or ever have been to this place, then you must be familiar with a most exotic place here, i.e., SUKHNA LAKE. It is located at the foothills of Shivaliks. Sukhna means wish-fulfilled.
Sukhna Lake exhibits the perfect blend of nature’s beauty and human creativity. It’s entirely a human-made lake and one of the exquisite ones. It was established in the year 1958 by Le Corbusier who designed many more eminent architectures. It is linked with a dammed seasonal stream called Sukhna Choe that approach from Shivaliks. The crystal-clear blue water makes this place a perfect destination for morning joggers, physical exertion, enjoying the solitude and spend some time dear ones.
Sukhna lake (Jheel)is spread over an area of 18 feet across three sq.km. Here you can even enjoy boating, cycling, rowing, sculling, sailing, kayaking and water skiing, etc. Sukhna lake serves as an ideal place for a picnic and to watch both sunrise and sunset. The scenic beauty of the lake also pulls photographers and artists to capture the captivating view. Ditch everything now and feel embraced in nature’s arms.
Chhatbir Zoo
Chattbir Zoo also known as Mahendra Chaudhary Zoological Park is located close to Zirakpur. Zoo was established in the year 1970, but the inauguration ceremony was done on 13 April 1977 by then Punjab Governor Mahendra Mohan Choudhury. It serves as home to various birds, reptiles and mammals. Earlier the zoo had a smaller number of animals, but soon the animals were bought from Assam and Guwahati zoo. It occupies an area of 202 acres, and due to this, it became northern India’s largest zoo.
Won’t you love to roam around with lions daringly? If yes then at Chhatbir Zoo, its easy as pie. It is located in a vicinity of THE CITY BEAUTIFUL. This place is a heaven for animal enthusiasts and who want to go on Lion Safari. Once a massive area of land, this zoological garden was established. With time, it has become an ideal wildlife garden. Its a residence to nearly 80 exotic species of endangered and rare animals, birds and reptiles. Out of all the primary centre of attraction is the Royal Bengal Tiger that pulls everyone’s attention. In Chhatbir Zoo, 369 Mammals, 400 birds and 20 reptiles stay, and along with this, there are various species of peacocks, cat, monkey, deer, nocturnal owls and bats, ducks, parrots and sparrows.
The perfect ambience and design of this place let the king of the jungle and other animals roam around freely. Timings of visit this place are 9 AM – 5 PM. It is closed on Mondays. For kids the fee is Rs 5 and kids above 12 years of age, the cost is Rs 15 and Rs 250 extra for Car/Jeep.
Various photographers visit this place often in the morning to do fantastic wildlife photography. Moreover, there are some restrictions that you need to follow to get entry into Chhatbir Zoo, i.e. private vehicles not allowed, no tobacco consumption, no weapons, don’t feed animals, No Liquor and No plastic bags.
Best Tourist Places in Chandigarh with pictures
Hibiscus Garden
Are you fond of Hibiscuses?
What if I tell you there is one garden where you can find nearly 40 varieties of Hibiscus flowers along with bamboo plants of various species that kept changing color the entire year. No, I am not joking. In Sector 36, Chandigarh and was opened in 1996. It occupies an area of approximately 8 acres and makes itself a perfect destination for picnic and weekend pleasure.
Like other gardens in Chandigarh, this place is also well maintained and entirely peaceful. The ambiance of a park is ideal for morning or evening walk, physical exercise, jogging, etc. It is one of the gardens that has helped the Chandigarh to transform into a CITY OF GARDENS. Visit Hibiscus Garden now to lose yourself in the essence of these flowers.
Japanese Garden
Japanese Garden in Chandigarh portrays the traditional art and culture of Japan. It was commenced in November 2014. It is located in Sector 31, Chandigarh and occupies an area of 13 acres. Its the latest beauty added to THE CITY BEAUTIFUL. Major attractions in this garden include zen garden, statues of Buddha, pagoda tower, meditation hut, bridge over a pond, pond with artificial crocodiles, alluring statues of people and much more.
No entry ticket. Moreover, here you can enjoy quality time with your family and friends without any disturbance. If you visit this park in the morning for a walk or after dinner for a stroll, you will find the gates open often.
Below I jotted down, some major attractions to see inside the park:
- Pagoda tower
- Japanese couple sculpture
- A huge idol of Buddha
- Crocodiles and frogs sculptures
- Golden fish sculpture
- Lamps and Lanterns
- A Japanese man (Chapani)
- Eating points of Japan
and Many more captivating locations to see that make you curious to go to Japan.
Japanese Garden has two phases out of which Phase 1 was commenced on 7 November 2014, and Phase 2 was opened for the public on 4 June 2016. Via the underground tunnel both the parks are connected. Using the Japanese architecture, the entire park was designed, and on both the sides you can see elegant Japanese paintings. The architecture strived hard to give Japanese touch to everything.
If you have not visited this unique place yet, then you are missing out on something unique. It is listed in one of the best places to visit in Chandigarh. No entry fee and an excellent cafeteria are located near along with some other food outlets inside the garden. Get ready soon to visit the Japanese Garden of Chandigarh in Sector 51.
Terraced Garden
What i I tell you that there is one terraced garden located in Sector 33, Chandigarh? You might be wondering, is it a garden on the terrace? No fella, it’s called Terraced Garden due to various levels, designs and patterns it has. It was set up in the year 1979 at Sector 33 and covers an area of 10 acres. This lush green garden is a must visit to get a glimpse of some rare type of flowers.
Best thing is that there is no entry fee and you can visit this garden anytime. The most favourable time to visit this garden is during ” Chandigarh Flower Festival” when immense varieties of flowers are exhibited along with some other attractions. This festival is organised in December annually. A major centre of attraction here is the lighted musical fountain that comes to life in the evening when most famous folk or film songs are played. It is home to a myriad of vibrant and elegant flowers that draw the attention of people from Chandigarh as well as neighbouring areas. Here people can be found clicking photos with the alluring background.
Whoever visits Terraced Gardens always leave with a substantial contagious smile. For the nature lovers and wanderlusts, it’s a perfect place to be. Spend time with yourself here and get relief from the monotonous life. Especially the youngsters and couples can be seen here roaming around. The ambience here is very serene and people often to let the cool fresh breeze caress them.
Picnic spot and Romantic Places to visit in Chandigarh for Couples
Shanti Kunj Park
Have you ever been to the Rose Garden? If yes then have you seen Shanti Kunj Park or missed it out? Spread in an area of 18 acres in Sector 16 is the must-visit park. This park is also known as “Abode of Peace” due to its serenity and ambience. It is located just on the other side of Rose Garden. Set correctly between the Sector 16, Cricket Stadium and Rose garden, move little forward, you will reach Rock garden and Sukhna Lake.
Shanti Kunj Chandigarh is far away from the chaos, noise and city pollution that’s why it is known as Shanti Kunj. Shanti means Peace and Kunj means Park. Park is loaded with a variety of flowers, shrubs, flowering trees, creepers and medicinal plants that fill this place with a pleasing aroma. The entire park is lush green expect the walking tracks. Moreover, a little water stream also runs through the park and there is a little-mounted bridge over it.
There is no better place than Shanti Kunj park to sit in the lap of nature and fill your soul with peace. This park remains open on all days whether it’s a holiday or not. Timings to visit are from 8 AM to 8 PM. No entry pee and no pets are allowed in the park. Visit this place now to feel why this city is called “THE CITY BEAUTIFUL”.
Garden of silence
Everybody loves to visit a place where they can sit calmly and feel the arising ambience. There is one such place in Chandigarh, and decidedly fewer people know about its exact location. It is the marvellous “Garden of Silence” located at the end of Sukhna Lake in Sector 1. Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, finances this garden and established with full devotion by the Chandigarh Administration. It is the latest monument in the city.
Garden of Silence Chandigarh has its serenity, and Shivalik range can also be seen from here. Garden is designed beautifully and in the centre of a garden idol of BUDDHA is seated with circular steps and elegant lighting around it. It is a fantastic place for the solitude lovers. This lush green and peaceful garden make it a perfect place for meditation. Apart from this, the garden looks captivating at night with lightings. Most people come here in the morning or evening. However, the place is crowded most of the time with tourists or city dwellers.
It serves as the best place for pre or post workout sessions. Visit this place now to feel the perfect blend of physical, mental and social calm.
North County Mall
Chandigarh city has given many eminent malls to the dwellers here, but one of the renown out of all is ” North Country Mall” also known as NCM. In the tri-city developed by Gumberg for quality and hassle-free shopping. It was established in the year 2010 on arterial highway NH21 and located in Sector 118, Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar. It is the biggest mall in Punjab spread over an area of 22 acres. VR Punjab owns and operate NCM.
The leasable 1 million sq.ft is occupied by renowned brands such as Zara, H&M;, Forever 21, Pantaloons, Monte Carlo, Amante, Westside, Lifestyle, Maxx, Reliance, Samsung, Apple, Home centre, PVR and many more. VR Punjab acquired it in the year 2017. It has even become a centre of promoting retail, food, music, art, global and local programmes that draw the attention of the audience here. The design of the mall is seamlessly intelligent that bestow you with a truly memorable experience.
One difficulty people face is that it is located in Kharar which is 10Km outskirts of CHD. The PVR cinemas of NCM is most prominent among the people. It even offers a fun, gaming and entertainment zones to keep you hooked for a long time. If you like in Chandigarh or has come here as a tourist then visit North Country Mall (NCM), Chandigarh is must buy some lovely stuff to carry along. We assure you will leave NCM with a broad smile and satisfaction.
Elante Mall
Are you fond of shopping? If yes then there is one extraordinary place for you that pretty cool, i.e. Elante Mall. It is the second-largest mall in North India while the first is North Country Mall. Elante Mall Chandigarh is famous for its alluring architecture and well-furnished structure. It was developed by the L&T; group and occupies an area of 1.15 million sq.ft. It was opened in the year 2013 and is located at 178, Industrial Area, Phase 1.
Elante Mall is an excellent epitome for shopaholics. It has a unique blend of Indian and international brands. No matter whether you are fond of shopping or would like to look at some affordable options. It hosts the stores of Rolex, Zara, Harley Davidson, Calvin Klein, Steve Madden, Gucci, Tommy Hilfiger, Superdry, and many more renowned brands. Other high-end brands such as Marks and Spencers add more grace to this mall. Some Indian brands include Reliance, Big Bazaar, Pantaloons, Westside, Lifestyle, etc.
The ambiance and infrastructure of Elante Mall Chandigarh mall can easily lure anyone. It’s a one-stop for watching movies, dining, entertainment and shopping and much more. It also includes a hypermarket, department stores, PVR multiplex, toy store, Sports Bar, Bowling Alley, Entertainment Zone and a host of Food & Beverage Options. Visit this one of the most beautiful places in Chandigarh that will not let you go unsatisfied.
Every year thousands of tourists visits CHANDIGARH. A plethora of gardens, parks, picnic spots, enthralling places to see, shopping malls, temples, gurudwaras and cool, clean surroundings lure immense people. Whoever is planning to visit INDIA do keep this place at First. Areas that we mentioned above are worth watching and visiting. These all places will not let you leave with big cheese smile. If you are planning to visit any of the above places then we introduce you to FIND IN CHD, a company who sole purpose is to let you easily find everything from A to Z in Chandigarh, whether its a saloon or restaurant. See you very soon in Chandigarh.
Tourist spots and Attractions in Chandigarh
Cactus Garden
- Reviews
- Timing
- The park remains open daily in the months of April to September between 9 AM to 1 PM and from 3 PM to 7 PM while during October and March, Cactus Garden between 9 AM to 1 PM and from 2 PM to 6 PM
- Distance
- 5Km – ISBT 17, 15Km – ISBT 43
A visit to Chandigarh is incomplete without making a trip to the famous Cactus Garden. The official name is National Cactus and Succulent Botanical Garden and Research Centre. Situated in Sector 5, designed by Dr. J.S. Sarkaria and covers an area of 7 acres. Founded in 1987, the biggest garden in Asia that aims to preserve more than 3500 endangered and rare species of Cactus. The most prominent ones include Opuntias, Ferocactus and other succulent plants that comprise Echinocereus, Mammillaria, Columnar cacti, and Agaves. Genus Caralluma is the most common that can be found here.
Mostly the cacti are found in the desert area but still here they drive attention of botanists and cactus admirer. Many people around the world sell millions of cacti annually, and in South America, immense people visit to purchase some cactus. Several bees buzz over the plants and pollinate their seeds; they are called cactus bees. Other prominent plants include Aloe Speciosa, Aloe Ferox and many others. The plants are available for sale also. In March, Cactus show is organized.
What if you come to know there is one park around that teach the children’s traffic rules and safety?
Bougain Villea Garden
Everybody loves to dwell at a place where they can take the utmost care of body and spirit, and I don’t think there is any other better place than Chandigarh. If you are quite fond of visiting parks to get connected with nature, then one of the best exquisite gardens to visit is “Bougainvillea Garden”. Garden was established in 1976 and covers an area of 20 acres. It’s the ideal place to do physical exertion and feel the ambiance.
It is located in 3B, Sector 3 Chandigarh near the Vigyan Path road. Bougainvillea Garden showcase 65 varieties of Bougainvillea plants that fill the entire place with a pleasing aroma. At “Bougainvillea Garden” walking tracks and paths are paved well across the park so that people can easily enjoy a morning walk or jog without any snag. The park abode bougainvillea’s that are beautifully carved into different forms like a Bow, Pavilions, Gallery and bunch of Bowers.
Thorny shrubs here an ideal for bonsai type planting. To add more beauty to this garden, various flowering trees are planted to get brilliant effect during the blooming season of Bougainvillea flowers. Every year the Bougainvillea Festival is held in the garden that demonstrates bougainvillea’s varieties, and immense people attend it. It is indeed a fantastic place to be for Nature Lovers. Within a short span, it has become a prime spot in the tourism arena of Chandigarh.
Children’s traffic park
You must be thinking how’s it possible, but in Chandigarh, there is one such park named “Children Traffic Park”. It is located in Sector 23A, Chandigarh. It provides an ideal ambiance to let the kids get acquainted with several traffic signals, different kinds of routes, traffic rules, discipline on the road and other necessary things. Moreover, other traffic control mechanisms here include road bends, overpass, bridge, blind alley, parallel parking area, inclines, and declines, stop signs, T intersections and stop signs that help you become a competent driver. Here you can often see the kids learning bicycles and practicing how to drive on the road.
The green surroundings and peaceful environment are best suitable for walk or stroll here. Traffic Police Cell is located at the “Children’s Traffic Park” whose sole aim to raise awareness among children regarding traffic safety and rules. Even the driving tests are also done here, and during the afternoon, you can see candidates waiting in queue to get approval from the Traffic Police Personnel for driving license.
Childrens traffic park was intended only to spread awareness among the young generation regarding road safety and discipline. This park even includes an exhibition hall and a lecture cum theatre room that can comfortably accommodate nearly 120 people. Driving tests for the kids are conducted three times a week between 9 AM to 10 AM.
Butterfly Park
Who doesn’t love to be in a park with a bunch of elegant, colorful butterflies? These eccentric butterflies add more color and vigor to surroundings. Out of all species, the butterflies are much admired. If you live in Chandigarh or have come to visit this place and additionally you a butterfly lover then here is one perfect place to visit, i.e., BUTTERFLY PARK.
It is dedicated to conserving nearly 35 butterfly species. The whole park has been established keeping the butterflies in view. Park is stocked up with a variety of flowering plants, trees, and shrubs to create an ideal habitat for butterflies to dwell here. Butterfly park has different types of plants such as Dahlia, Marigold, Gazania, Lantana, Amla, Ashoka, Palm, etc. on which butterflies love to drink nectar and live.
Trails and silence zones have been created for the people to walk around and admire the breath-taking charm of these winged beings.
It is located in sector 26, Chandigarh and occupies an area of 7 acres. March to October is the perfect time to visit here and see different species of butterflies wandering around. A visit to Butterfly Park will leave you enthralled.