Chandigarh City Guide: Where To Go, Stay, Eat, And shop in India’s best city. [Updated-2025]

Chandigarh City Guide: Where To Go, Stay, Eat, And shop in India’s best city.

Chandigarh – The Beautiful City

Chandigarh, the capital of both Punjab and Haryana, is India’s first planned city, designed by the famous Swiss-French architect Le Corbusier. Known for its modern architecture, clean roads, green landscapes, and vibrant culture, Chandigarh is often called “The City Beautiful.”

It is one of India’s best cities in terms of quality of life, infrastructure, and urban planning. The city serves as a gateway to Himachal Pradesh, making it a popular stop for travelers heading to Shimla, Manali, and beyond.

📍 Key Highlights of Chandigarh:

✅ India’s first planned city – Designed by Le Corbusier.
✅ Known for its wide roads, greenery & cleanliness.
✅ Hub of modern architecture & urban development.
✅ Great shopping, nightlife, and food scene.
✅ A gateway to Himachal Pradesh (Shimla, Kasauli, Manali).

🏰 Top Attractions & Best Places to Visit in Chandigarh

1️⃣ Sukhna Lake – The Heart of Chandigarh 🌊

📍 Location: Sector 1
💞 Why Visit?
✅ Man-made lake, perfect for boating, jogging & photography.
✅ Beautiful sunrise & sunset views.

🎟️ Entry Fee: Free

2️⃣ Rock Garden – A Marvel of Creativity 🏺

📍 Location: Sector 1
💞 Why Visit?
✅ Created by artist Nek Chand using industrial & household waste.
✅ Famous for its unique sculptures, waterfalls & artistic designs.

🎟️ Entry Fee: ₹30 per person

3️⃣ Rose Garden – Asia’s Largest 🌹

📍 Location: Sector 16
💞 Why Visit?
✅ Over 1,600 varieties of roses spread across 30 acres.
✅ Ideal for nature lovers, photographers & couples.

🎟️ Entry Fee: Free

4️⃣ Elante Mall – The Shopping Paradise 🛍️

📍 Location: Industrial Area Phase 1
💞 Why Visit?
✅ One of North India’s largest malls with top brands.
✅ Has food courts, multiplex cinemas & entertainment zones.

🎟️ Entry Fee: Free

5️⃣ Pinjore Gardens – A Royal Retreat 🌳

📍 Location: 22 km from Chandigarh
💞 Why Visit?
✅ Beautiful Mughal-style gardens with fountains & royal architecture.
✅ Perfect for a day picnic or evening walk.

🎟️ Entry Fee: ₹20 per person

6️⃣ Government Museum & Art Gallery 🎨

📍 Location: Sector 10
💞 Why Visit?
✅ Houses ancient paintings, sculptures & artifacts.
✅ Great place to learn about Indian history & art.

🎟️ Entry Fee: ₹10 per person

7️⃣ Open Hand Monument – A Symbol of Peace ✋

📍 Location: Capitol Complex, Sector 1
💞 Why Visit?
✅ Designed by Le Corbusier as a symbol of unity & peace.
✅ One of the most iconic structures of Chandigarh.

🎟️ Entry Fee: Free

8️⃣ Cactus Garden – A Unique Experience 🌵

📍 Location: Panchkula, near Chandigarh
💞 Why Visit?
✅ Asia’s largest cactus garden with over 3,500 species.
✅ Perfect for botany lovers & nature enthusiasts.

🎟️ Entry Fee: ₹10 per person

🛍️ Shopping in Chandigarh – Best Markets & Malls

• Sector 17 Market – High-end brands, street shopping & food joints.
• Shastri Market (Sector 22) – Budget-friendly shopping for clothes & accessories.
• Palika Bazaar (Sector 19) – Great for souvenirs, handicrafts & Punjabi juttis.
• Elante Mall – Chandigarh’s largest shopping mall.

🍽️ Food & Drink in Chandigarh – Must-Try Dishes

Famous Dishes:

🍛 Butter Chicken – A rich & creamy North Indian delicacy.
🌮 Chole Bhature – A spicy Punjabi dish served with fluffy bread.
🍢 Amritsari Kulcha – Stuffed bread with spicy chickpea curry.
🥛 Lassi – A sweet or salty yogurt-based drink.
🧁 Gajar Ka Halwa – A popular winter dessert.

Best Restaurants & Cafés:

🍽️ Pal Dhaba (Sector 28) – Famous for Punjabi food.
🍽️ Virgin Courtyard – Best Italian restaurant with a romantic vibe.
🍽️ Nik Baker’s – Popular bakery & café for sandwiches & desserts.
🍽️ Brooklyn Central – American-style burgers & steaks.

🎭 Fairs & Festivals in Chandigarh

🎡 Chandigarh Carnival (November-December) – A cultural fest with music, dance & food.
🌸 Rose Festival (February) – Celebrates the beauty of roses at Zakir Hussain Rose Garden.
🎶 Mango Festival (June-July) – Showcases different varieties of mangoes.

🌙 Nightlife in Chandigarh – Best Places to Hang Out

🍸 Peddlers (Sector 35) – Live music, DJ nights & great food.
🎶 The Brew Estate (Sector 26) – Chandigarh’s first microbrewery.
🍹 Score Pub (Sector 8) – One of the best nightclubs for parties.
🎤 Ministry of Bar Exchange (Elante Mall) – Unique bar with stock market pricing.

🚗 How to Reach Chandigarh?

• ✈️ By Air: Chandigarh International Airport (IXC) connects to major cities.
• 🚆 By Train: Chandigarh Railway Station has direct trains to Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and more.
• 🚗 By Road: Well-connected via NH-44 (Delhi-Chandigarh Expressway).