Famous Tourist Places to Visit in Chandigarh

Under the control of the central government, Chandigarh is a union territory and the capital of both Haryana and Punjab. The brilliantly planned city is called ‘the city beautiful’ - it looks straight out of a gorgeous boulevard painting with expansive gardens and tranquil lakes. Designed in the 1950s by the Swiss architect Le Corbusier, the city was envisioned as being a people-oriented city. He took up the task of designing the city with iconic monuments, civic squares, and parks which have aged today but still look spectacular.

With its scenic beauty and beautiful architectural buildings, Chandigarh is a city that is extremely pleasing to the eye. There are beautiful gardens for nature lovers, a museum for history buffs, and many other fascinating places for every type of traveller. So, if you wish to travel to the cosmopolitan city and are currently wondering what to do in Chandigarh, here is a list of tourist places in Chandigarh for your itinerary:

1. Sukhna Lake

An artificial lake in Chandigarh and an important part of Chandigarh tourism, the Sukhna Lake is a rest and recreation stop for many. Dotted with ornate gardens and plenty of places to eat and drink, the lake is ideal for witnessing a perfect sunset as well as sunrise. It also has a children’s fairground and is popular among locals and tourists alike. You can also go for a boat ride in the lake and gawk at the calm surroundings and appreciate the natural beauty that surrounds the lake. Being one of the best places to visit in Chandigarh, Sukhna Lake should be at the number spot on your list of things to do in Chandigarh.

2. Nek Chand Rock Garden

Rock Garden has more than 2000 sculptures that are a sheer work of art. These sculptures were constructed out of debris, junk, and stones, all of which were actually the leftovers of the 50 villages that were destroyed in order to build the present day Chandigarh. Built by Nek Chand, who was a local transport official, the sculptures shed light on the remarkable level of imagination he had to have built these astounding pieces. He worked for a course of 20 years to create these striking sculptures in Rock Garden.

The materials used in the making of the garden include steel drums, light switches, concrete, bicycle frames, terracotta scrap, and cracked bathroom sink. Easily one of the most famous places in Chandigarh, the Rock Garden is a must visit on your Chandigarh trip. Chandigarh tourism benefits a lot from this marvellous garden that tells you that beauty can be created even from waste.

3. Government Museum & Art Gallery

This notable state museum has various artworks for you to check out.  From stunning paintings of the Himalayas to graceful carvings that date back to the Buddhist Gandhara civilization, the museum houses fascinating things. Other highlights of the museum are the embroidery work, Phulkari, and Sobha Singh’s portrait of Guru Gobind Singh. After you are done touring the museum, you can head to the Child Art Gallery where you can appreciate the gorgeous artworks produced by local children. That makes it one of the tourist places you visit in Chandigarh.

4. Pinjore Gardens

Belonging to the Mughal-era, the Pinjore Gardens are a 17^th-century marvel. The attractive gardens have been restored very beautifully and provide stunning views of the Shivalik Hills. Constructed on a total of 7 levels, the garden is a must-visit when you go sightseeing around Chandigarh. Walk through the garden, take in the fresh air, and relax as you stop to admire the Shivalik Hills.

5. Capitol Complex

The Capitol Complex comprises of the Vidhan Sabha, Secretariat, and the High Court that the states of Haryana and Punjab share. All these three establishments have a classic architectural style and belong to the 1950s. For touring the complex, you need to go on one of the three group tours that take place here daily. The highlight of the place is Le Corbusier’s Open Hand sculpture which you can call the official emblem of Chandigarh city. The sculpture signifies the people of the city who are ‘open to give, open to receive.’  Being one of the famous places in Chandigarh, a visit to the Capitol Complex is a must.

High Court

The High Court can be visited on your Capitol Complex tour. The huge avant-garde building has three multi-coloured columns. With a vaulted ceiling and serene water bodies in its front, the high court is one of the best places to visit in Chandigarh given its intriguing design.

Le Corbusier Centre

Le Corbusier Centre showcases sketches, photos, and documents of Le Corbusier. It also displays the letters that talk about the Chandigarh Project. An interesting point to note here is that the collection also has that letter which Jawaharlal Nehru sent to the Punjab Chief Minister suggesting Corbusier for the project. The Le Corbusier Centre is one of the tourist places in Chandigarh that is a must-visit for all the history buffs.

6. Kasauli

Located 53.6 km from Chandigarh, the hill station of Kasauli is situated in Himachal Pradesh. If you wish to extend your trip to Chandigarh, you can visit Kasauli, one of the best tourist places near Chandigarh. A cosy hill station that is basically a cantonment town, Kasauli has many forest pathways for you to tread. The pleasing sounds of birds, scenic views, and the churches are the highlights of the hill station.

If you wish to fully explore the tourist places in Chandigarh, opt for a Chandigarh tour package. The city is a great place to find some peace and quiet. At the same time, the city of Chandigarh is a grand spectacle that you absolutely must witness!