Known as “The City Beautiful,” Chandigarh is an ideal mix of natural beauty and modern architecture, making it a perfect travel destination. There is so much to explore and interesting things to do in Chandigarh that you would love to visit it again and again.
A well-planned city, Chandigarh is a unique city that is the capital of two states – Haryana and Punjab. Designed in a completely planned way by a renowned Swiss-French architect, Le Corbusier, Chandigarh promises a unique blend of tradition and modernity. With its perfect urban planning, lush greenery, and rich cultural heritage, this striking city has a host of attractions waiting to be uncovered. Right from the spectacular Le Corbusier Centre museum to the massive outdoor sculpture garden, Chandigarh is home to several known and hidden gems, offering a refreshing break from the urban hustle. Whether you are a culture enthusiast, a nature lover, or someone looking for adventure, the city has something for everyone.
What are the best things to do in Chandigarh?
- Explore the Rock Garden
- Visit the International Dolls Museum
- Enjoy Water Sports Activities at Sukhna Lake
- Walk in the Zakir Hussain Rose Garden
- Discover the Chandigarh Capitol Complex
- Experience a Vibrant Cultural Scene at Tagore Theatre
- Visit the Government Museum and Art Gallery
- Enjoy Shopping in Sector 17
Explore the Rock Garden
A beautiful sculpture garden, the Rock Garden is made from discarded materials and industrial waste. Spread over 40 acres, the Rock Garden is divided into three sections with a variety of distorted rocks and discarded objects, showcased in a captivating manner in the first section. The second phase displays a doll museum, aquarium, and open courtyard, and the third section is about a huge man-made waterfall and canals. The Rock Garden must be included in your Chandigarh tour package.
How to Visit: Located in Uttar Marg, Sector-1, Chandigarh (U.T.), the Rock Garden is easily accessible through private vehicles or public transportation.
Best time to visit: October to March
Opening Hours: 9:00 AM to 7:30 PM (1st April to 30th September) & 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM (1st October to 31st March).
Ticket Price: Adults – INR 30/- & Children – INR 10/-
Nearby Landmarks: Rose Garden, Sukhna Lake, Open Hand Monument & Smriti Upavan.
Visit the International Dolls Museum
Next on the list of the best things to do in Chandigarh, India is visiting the International Dolls Museum. Dedicated to dolls, this interesting place has a broad collection of beautiful dolls and puppets. Most of these objects in the collection have been transported from diverse parts of the world, such as Spain, Korea, Germany, Denmark, and Russia. If you are planning a trip to Chandigarh, do not miss this unique museum.
How to Visit: It is located on the Udyog Marg Sector 23B, Chandigarh, which is easy to access through any private vehicle, bus, or auto rickshaw.
Best Time to Visit: October to May
Opening Hours: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM on all days except Monday.
Ticket Price: Adults – INR 10/- & free entry for children up to 12 years.
Nearby Landmarks: Child Art Gallery, Cricket Stadium & Cactus Garden.
Enjoy Water Sports Activities at Sukhna Lake
Located in the foothills of the Shivalik range in Chandigarh, Sukhna Lake offers a wide range of activities for visitors of different age groups. It is a beautiful artificial reservoir, covering around 3 square kilometres of area with a depth of about 18 feet. Here you can enjoy boating, cycling, water sports, photography and birdwatching.
How to Visit: The lake is easily accessible by local transportation like taxis, buses, or auto-rickshaws.
Best Time to Visit: March to November
Opening Hours: Open 24 hours
Ticket Price: Free (activity charges apply)
Nearby Landmarks: Butterfly Park, Topiary Park, Government Museum and Art Gallery, and Sector 17 Market.
Walk in the Zakir Hussain Rose Garden
Visiting the Zakir Hussain Rose Garden, Asia's largest rose garden, is one of the best things to do in CHD. It is a gorgeous botanical garden featuring above 1600 species of roses. Spreading over 30 acres of area, the Zakir Hussain Rose Garden also has many yellow Gulmohar and Bel trees, a fountain, and a play area for children. The annual rose festival is held in the garden between February and March.
How to Visit: Located on Jan Marg, 16B, Sector 16, the Zakir Hussain Rose Garden is easily accessible through a cab or taxi.
Best Time to Visit: The spring season, especially from February to March.
Opening Hours: 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Ticket Price: INR 50 per person (for both adults and children).
Nearby Landmarks: Shopping Market, Musical Fountain, National Gallery of Portraits, and Shanti Kunj.
Discover the Chandigarh Capitol Complex
One of the top things to see in Chandigarh, the Capitol Complex is an iconic structure that reflects a unique combination of modernity and tradition. Designed by Le Corbusier, the Capitol Complex has historical and architectural significance. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, featuring an Open Hand Monument, a representation of peace and reunion constructed in response to the partition of India in 1947. The Capitol Complex is made of many different major sections, each having its exclusive architectural significance - The Secretariat, The Legislative Assembly, and The High Court.
How to Visit: Located in Sector 1, Chandigarh Capitol Complex is easily accessible via an auto-rickshaw ride or a bus. However, it is an operational government area, so you need permission to visit.
Best Time to Visit: October to April
Opening Hours: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily, except on Gazetted Holidays.
Ticket Price: Free entry
Nearby Landmarks: Smriti Upavan, Martyrs' Memorial, Leisure Valley, and the Tower of Shadows.
Experience a Vibrant Cultural Scene at Tagore Theatre
A renowned cultural venue, Tagore Theatre is a place to experience the city’s artistic scenes. Established in September 1962, Tagore Theatre is one of the oldest auditoriums in Chandigarh that hosts a wide range of events like dance performances, plays, cultural festivals, and music concerts. Named after the famous poet Rabindranath Tagore, Tagore Theatre also organises seminars and workshops, promoting community contribution and nurturing a love for the performing arts. Watching plays and events at the Tagore Theatre is one of the best activities to do in Chandigarh.
How to Visit: Located in Sector 18, Chandigarh, the Tagore Theatre is centrally located. Local transportation options are available for easy access.
Best Time to Visit: September to March, when several festivals and performances take place.
Opening Hours: Monday - Saturday: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Sunday: 12:00 Noon to 5:00 PM
Ticket Price: To get ticket prices, you need to check the event details for the specific show you want to watch.
Nearby Landmarks: The Garden of Fragrance, Rock Garden, Punjab Kala Bhawan, and Natural History Museum.
Visit the Government Museum and Art Gallery
One of the top-rated museums in India, the Government Museum and Art Gallery in Chandigarh has unique architecture. Established in 1947, this striking museum describes the tale of Indian history and partition. Situated in the central location in Chandigarh, the Government Museum and Art Gallery displays a vast collection of sculptures, artefacts, and artworks from different eras and styles. Those who love to travel back in time and learn about the art and culture must include this place in their list of tourist places near Chandigarh.
How to Visit: It is located in Sector 10-C, Chandigarh. To reach here, you can hire a cycle rickshaw or an auto from the bus stand, Sector 17.
Best Time to Visit: November to March
Opening Hours: 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM on all days except Monday and public holidays.
Ticket Price: INR 10 per person. INR 5 for Camera
Nearby Landmarks: Le Corbusier Centre, the Museum Maison Jeanneret, and the International Dolls Museum.
Enjoy Shopping in Sector 17
One of the best things to do in Chandigarh is shopping in Sector 17. It is a popular destination featuring high-end brands and local boutiques. Centrally located in the city, Sector 17 market lights up with neon lights at night, creating a sparkling and visually appealing shopping environment for shopaholics. Here, you can also find many street vendors and restaurants to try a variety of cuisines. In addition, a musical fountain show is held in the late evening.
How to Visit: It is a well-connected area, easily accessible by auto-rickshaws, bus, taxis, or private vehicles.
Best Time to Visit: During the evening, around 4 PM to 10:30 PM
Opening Hours: 10:15 AM to 10:30 PM
Ticket Price: NA
Nearby Landmarks: Rock Garden, the Chandigarh Capitol Complex, and Sukhna Lake.
Once you are done with the fun activities to do in Chandigarh, and you still have 2-3 days in hand, you can explore other sightseeing places near the city. The right tour package from Chandigarh can help you visit places like Dalhousie, Shimla, Manali, Kasauli, and Lansdowne.
40 videos
Post your Comment
Please let us know your thoughts on this story by leaving a comment.