Chandigarh, the capital city of Punjab and Haryana, is one of the most popular tourist destinations of India. However, unlike most of the other places, the city is famous for the modern architectures and the exotic landscape, rather than the ancient historical monuments. Be it the magnificent Capitol Complex or the unique Rock Garden, the tourist attractions of Chandigarh are quite unusual in their very nature. Of all the major tourist places in the beautiful city, we have provided information on the most popular ones, in the lines below:

Chandigarh, the capital city of Punjab and Haryana, is one of the most popular tourist destinations of India. However, unlike most of the other places, the city is famous for the modern architectures and the exotic landscape, rather than the ancient historical monuments. Be it the magnificent Capitol Complex or the unique Rock Garden, the tourist attractions of Chandigarh are quite unusual in their very nature. Of all the major tourist places in the beautiful city, we have provided information on the most popular ones, in the lines below:

Places to See In Chandigarh 

1. Sector 17 

The most popular hangout of youngsters, Sector 17 houses the most upscale shopping market of Chandigarh. Apart from the market, the sector also prides itself on being dotted with fountains, sculptures and groves of trees. In short, it is completely a shopper’s as well as a pedestrian's paradise!






2. Rock Garden

Rock Garden is a unique attraction as Chandigarh, in its being a magnificent gallery of artistic works made out of industrial and urban wastes. The raw materials have been molded to form lively images of animals, human beings, trees, etc. Founded by Nek Chand, a government official, in 1957, the garden preserves a special collection of artistry found nowhere else in the world.Chandigarh rock garden is an epitome of creativity and innovation. It is located in Sector 1 between the Capitol Complex and Sukhna Lake. The credit for laying its foundation goes to Nek Chand, who was the then Road Inspector in the Engineering Department of Chandigarh Capital Project.

Rock garden has been established in the form of an open-air exhibition hall. The garden houses sculptures made by using a variety of different discarded waste materials like frames, mudguards, forks, handle bars, metal wires, play marbles, porcelain, auto parts, broken bangles etc. Rock garden in Chandigarh, India is a unique creation and connoisseurs come from different parts of the world to see this amazing garden.
 

3. Sukhna Lake

Sukhna Lake is a popular artificial lake in Chandigarh, made at the foothills of the Shivalik hills. It was created by Le Corbusier, in the year 1958. It is an ideal place for exercises like walking, jogging, strolling and even organizing picnics. The lake is rich in natural beauty and serves as the shelter for several migratory birds as well.The nature lovers will find the Sukhna Lake of Chandigarh perfect for them. Situated in Sector 1, the lake was created by building an artificial dam on a seasonal stream. Go for boating, relax in the restaurant situated there or just sit on the 2-km-long promenade and take in the beauty of nature.



4. Open Hand :

Open hand in Chandigarh, India is one of the most significant monuments of the city. The credit for laying down its plan goes to Le Corbusier. It is located in sector 1 in the Capitol Complex. Chandigarh open hand monument has been designed in the form of a giant hand made from metal sheets that rotates like a weathercock, indicating the direction of wind. This giant hand is 14 metres high and weighs around 50 tonnes. The significance of open hand is that it conveys the social message of peace and unity that is "open to give & open to receive." Open hand is the city's official emblem.



5. Capitol Complex

Chandigarh capitol complex houses the seat of Government. Initially, it served as the seat only for the Govt of Punjab, but now it has the headquarters of both, the Govt of Punjab and Haryana. The credit for the awesome designing of the Capitol complex goes to Le Corbusier. Located in Sector 1, capitol complex in Chandigarh, India consists of three main edifices, namely, the Secretariat, the Legislative Assembly and the High Court. There was a plan to build a fourth building also, which is going to be the Raj Bhavan, as in the Governor's Palace or a Museum of Knowledge. However, till yet, it has not come into existence. The three buildings of the Capitol complex stand majestically representing themselves as the temples of democracy of free India. Capitol Complex is Le Corbsier’s most spectacular work in the Chandigarh city. He had conceived the master plan of Chandigarh as analogous to the parts of the human body, in which Capitol Complex was supposed to be the heart. It consists of three architectural Government buildings, High Court, Secretariat, and Legislative Assembly. In the middle stands The Open Hand, the official emblem of the city, signifying the city’s credo of “open to be given, open to receive”.


6. Leisure Valley

Le Corbusier planned lots of greenery in Chandigarh, by constructing a series of parks and gardens, collectively called the Leisure Valley. The valley consists of gardens extending from Sector 53 in the Southern edge to the Sector 1 in the North.Leisure valley is the most beautiful and popular tourist attraction destination in Chandigarh. Chandigarh Leisure valley is like a garland of gardens that beautifies the entire city. It begins from Rajendra Park in Sector 1 that is basically used for long walks, yoga and other fitness workout activities and stretches till the Bougainvillea garden in Sector 3. It also covers the splendid garden of roses in Sector 16. Leisure valley takes a curvaceous turn, when it enters Sector 23. It is in the Leisure valley in Chandigarh, India that different kinds of theme gardens are set up.


7. Rose Garden, Sector 16

It was created by Nek Chand Saini, a resident of the city in 1985. Chandigarh Rose garden also known as Zakir Rose Garden is Asia's largest Rose garden is well maintained in Chandigarh. The grass is lush-green throughout, the flower-beds are always in bloom with the seasonal flowers and the small fountain in the center is always working. Moreover, there is a good number of shady trees. The garden is visited by the people throughout the day. But the mornings and evenings are particularly busy. It is situated in Sector 16 and spread over 30 acres. The rose garden has over 50,000 rose trees of 1600 species.
The evenings here become quite colourful when lights are switched on. The children merrily play while their parents sit on the grass. This park is very famous in the Chandigarh. In Chandigarh rose garden is a very good place for morning and evening walks because the air around it is full of the intoxicating fragrance of the colorful roses. The Government has taken a great care in maintaing them and that is why flowers are not allowed to picked the visitors.


8. Hotels in Guernsey

The Chalet Hotel Guernsey nestles in the heart of Fermain Valley above Fermain Bay, one of the island's prettiest bays, and undoubtedly enjoys one of the finest locations in Guernsey Sukhna lake
The Sukhna lake is situated in sector1 Chandigarh. Sukhna lake is very famous for its water sports like boating, canoeing etc. There are numerous facilties offered in the lake. Some facilites are shops, restaurant and many more. Moreover there is a good number of shady trees. Sukhna lake is very famous in the chandigarh. All outside tourist come and visit the lake. Sukhna lake is the perfect place to go for boating and this is also a bird watchers paradise. Numerous species of local birds as well as migratory birds can be seen around the lake. The lake is a popular picnic sport and we can also enjoy boating.

9. Shopping Center

It is located in sector 17. This is the main shopping center of the city. There are many private and government offices also. Sector 17 markets is full of life from morning till evening. There are all sorts of shops here viz cloth shops, Jewellery, General merchants, Booksellers, Stataioners, Shoe merchants, Tailors, Electrical applications, Dry cleaners and many more. Shops selling jewellery and ready made garments are a great attraction. For children, shops selling toys and confectionery are very favourite.
Their is always a great hustle and bustle in the market. In the evening Sector 17 market presents a colourful seen when lights are on neoon - sign boards are there. It is a very neat and clean. There are people from all walks of life. Moreover, there is a good number of shady trees. But the evernings are particularly busy and small fountain in the center which is always working.
From books to clothes to jewellery to footwear to electronic gadgets, you will get the each and every item in sector 17 market. Well Chandigarh has two satellite cities i.e. Punchkula and Mohali. Both of them share a border with it.