What to see in Chandigarh
Leisure valley is the most popular and beautiful tourist attraction in Chandigarh. Chandigarh Leisure valley seems to be like a garland of gardens that adds up to the beauty of the entire city. It begins from Rajendra Park located in Sector 1 that is mainly used for long walks, yoga, and other workout activities and stretches to the Bougainvillea garden located in Sector 3. The Leisure valley takes a curved turn when it enters Sector 23.
Chandigarh rock garden is a beautiful blend of creativity and innovation. It is a matchless garden that consists of a variety of art objects. But the best part of this garden is that all of its artwork has been made by using industrial & urban waste. It is situated in Sector 1 between the Sukhna Lake and Capitol Complex. The tribute for laying its foundation goes to Nek Chand. Rock garden has been established in the form of an open-air exhibition hall.
Sukhna Lake
Sukhna Lake is a striking lake that lies in the foothills of Shivalik range. The distinctive thing about this lake is that it is a manmade lake. People use to visit this place in the morning to relish the cool breeze and nature’s beauty. This enchanting Lake serves as a great picnic spot and a right place for pursuing water sports activities like boating, water skiing, yachting etc. The atmosphere over here is very serene offering the melodious sound of birds and thus apt for meditating. So, if you want to revive yourself, then Sukhna Lake is the perfect destination for you.
Open Hand
Open hand in Chandigarh, India is among the most important monuments of the city. The credit for laying down its map goes to Le Corbusier. It is situated in sector 1 in Capitol Complex. This monument has been designed in the form of a giant hand made up of metal sheets that rotate like a weathercock, signifying the direction of the wind. This gigantic hand is 14 m high and weighs around 50 tons. The importance of open hand is that it gives the social message of peace and unity that is "open to give & open to receive." The open hand is recognized as the city’s official emblem.
Kansal & Nepali Forest
In Chandigarh, you will find hilly areas and 3245 hectares covered under forest. Around Sukhna Lake you will find dense forest areas. One has to get an entry pass to see it. A large region of natural forest is preserved intact and one can enjoy a real feel of a forest. Inside the forest, there is a rest house which is enclosed by stunning grassy lawns and flower beds.
Government Museum and Art Gallery
The Government Museum and Art Gallery located in Sector 10 of Chandigarh has a bright collection of stone sculptures of the Gandhara period. The museum offers prehistoric fossils and artifacts along with modern art and small paintings. The Government Museum and Art Gallery of Chandigarh remain open from 10.00 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. and remain closed on Mondays.
International Dolls Museum
The magnificent International Dolls Museum located in Sector 23 of Chandigarh has a fascinating collection of dolls and puppets from different parts of the world covering the variant art of more than 25 countries. Dolls museum remain closed on Sundays.
The Hidden Valley
The Hidden Valley is an exciting ecotourism adventure site in the Shivalik Foothills where one can enjoy camping. It is situated near the renowned Mata Jainti Devi Temple in Village Jainti Majri, Punjab. Besides being in the unspoiled nature, it offers Eco-tours, Camps, Trekking, Hiking, Various Jungle safaris like – Horse safari, Camel Safari, Mountain Biking, Cart Rides, Bird Watching, Group Games in Nature, Slides & Swings, Glance of Village life Activities and much more.
Lip smacking cuisine of Chandigarh
There are a lot of nice and famous places to eat in Chandigarh; you will find a renowned sweet shop in almost every sector with a market. Momos, Tikki, Spring Rolls, Chat and Gol-Gappe are still ruling evenings.
If Mutton is your favourite dish then must try it in Mansrowar Dhaba in motor market Mohali. If you are a burger lover, try Burger Point in Sec 32.
How to get around in Chandigarh
You will find two local bus terminals located at Sector 17 and at Sector 43 from where you will get frequent and efficient bus service and runs from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM. It is very inexpensive with a single point to point fare of Rs. 10 regardless of the distance. If you are looking for whole city sightseeing then On Hop off double-decker bus is the right option which takes you around for a tour of all the main spots in the city including Sukna Lake, Punjab University, and the Secretariat. Private taxis, cycle rickshaw and auto rickshaw are another mode of transport which you can use to move within the city.
Where to shop in Chandigarh
Lavish shopping malls and posh arcades with pleasingly lit fountains and sculptures is what Chandigarh is all about. Right from expensive stores to local markets shopping in Chandigarh is definitely a wonderful and enjoyable experience. Sector-17 is the main shopping and commercial center of Chandigarh defined by big showrooms and departmental stores. Don't miss buying traditional tip-turned-up jooties and colourful Punjabi strolls. Other than Sector-17, you will find good shops on Madhya Marg in the Sector-9 boast of some new stores. If you love to buy some jewellery then Sector-22 is the place for you.
Hey!! Friends, get up and book a flight to Chandigarh now and be ready to enter in the world of wonder which has something for everyone coming from any part of the world.
