Chandigarh
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North India · Union Territory

Chandigarh

A planned city of gardens and modernism

Photo: Ijon, CC BY-SA 4.0
Capital

Chandigarh

Best time to visit

October to March

Getting there

Chandigarh has an international airport and fast trains from Delhi.

Ideal trip

5 to 7 days to cover the highlights

About Chandigarh

Le Corbusier's planned city is green and orderly, a capital shared by Punjab and Haryana.

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Chandigarh

Top places in Chandigarh

Rock GardenPhoto: Ijon, CC BY-SA 4.0

Rock Garden

Nek Chand's fantasy garden of sculptures built from recycled waste.

Best time: October to MarchBase: Chandigarh1 dayHeritageCity
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From Wikipedia

The Rock Garden of Chandigarh is a sculpture garden in Chandigarh, India. It is also known as Nek Chand Saini's Rock Garden of Nathupur after its founder Nek Chand Saini, a government official who started building the garden secretly in his spare time in 1957. It has spread over an area of 40 acres, and is completely built from industrial, home waste, and discarded items.

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Video by London Ki Lali on YouTube

Sukhna LakePhoto: Unpetitprole, CC BY-SA 4.0

Sukhna Lake

A lakeside promenade for walks, boating and sunsets against the Shivalik hills.

Best time: October to MarchBase: Chandigarh1 dayNatureCity
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From Wikipedia

Sukhna Lake in Chandigarh, India, is a reservoir at the foothills of the Himalayas. This 3 km2 rain-fed lake was created in 1958 by damming the Sukhna Choe, a seasonal stream coming down from the Shivalik Hills. Originally, the seasonal flow entered the lake directly, causing heavy siltation. To check the inflow of silt, 25.42 km2 of land was acquired in the catchment area and put under vegetation.

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Video by Footsteps of the Wild on YouTube

Capitol ComplexPhoto: duncid, CC BY-SA 2.0

Capitol Complex

Le Corbusier's government buildings, part of a UNESCO transnational World Heritage Site.

Best time: October to MarchBase: Chandigarh1 dayHeritage
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From Wikipedia

Chandigarh Capitol Complex is a government compound designed by Swiss-French architect Le Corbusier and his co-workers in Chandigarh, India. It comprises three buildings: the Palace of Assembly, Secretariat Building and the High Court plus four monuments and a lake. Spreading over an area of around 100 ha, it is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, along with sixteen other works by Le Corbusier for its contribution to the development of modernist architecture.

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Video by Hans Jan Dürr on YouTube

Rose GardenPhoto: Harvinder Chandigarh, CC BY-SA 4.0

Rose Garden

Asia's largest rose garden with over 1,600 varieties, at its best in February during the Rose Festival.

Best time: October to MarchBase: Chandigarh1 dayNature
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From Wikipedia

Zakir Husain Rose Garden, is a botanical garden located in Chandigarh, India and spread over 30 acres of land, with 50,000 rose-bushes of 1600 different species. Some important Rose species in this Garden are the Royal William Rose, Europa-Rosarium, Rosa Gallica, Beach Rose, Rosa chinensis, Centifolia roses, Rosa glauca.

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Sector 17 PlazaPhoto: RIDHVAN SHARMA, CC BY-SA 4.0

Sector 17 Plaza

Le Corbusier's pedestrian town centre of shops, fountains and cafés.

Best time: October to MarchBase: Chandigarh1 dayCityFood
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From Wikipedia

Sector-17 or Sector-17 Plaza is a retail and entertainment hub in Chandigarh. It is a tree-lined pedestrian plaza with fountains and stores.

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Food to try

Punjabi dhaba food, chole bhature, kulfi, Sector 7 and 17 cafés

Where to stay

Hotels across the sectors; stay near Sector 17 or 35 for food

Getting around

Cycle tracks, autos and cabs; very easy to get around

Good to know

Chandigarh is a good base for Shimla, Kasauli and Morni. The Rose Festival is in February.

Chandigarh: quick answers

What is the best time to visit Chandigarh?

October to March

How do I reach Chandigarh?

Chandigarh has an international airport and fast trains from Delhi.

How many days do I need for Chandigarh?

Plan 5 to 7 days to see the highlights, such as Rock Garden, Sukhna Lake, Capitol Complex.

What food should I try in Chandigarh?

Punjabi dhaba food, chole bhature, kulfi, Sector 7 and 17 cafés

Where should I stay in Chandigarh?

Hotels across the sectors; stay near Sector 17 or 35 for food

Neighbouring states

Timings, fees, permits and road conditions change. Please check official sources before you travel.