09 Exquisite Things to Do in Chandigarh: A Traveller’s Guide

Looking for exciting things to do in Chandigarh? This quaint town is considered very beautiful, with rich food moulded with the goodness of everything Punjabi. It is filled with lush greenery, is systematic and has a coating of modernity to it. With its cosmopolitan urban planning, very low crime rate and favourable climatic conditions, the city is an enticing tourist attraction. This city has a lot to offer, from fascinating galleries to bustling nightlife to structural wonders. Chandigarh offers ample options to its holidaymakers, such as trekking with companions, bicycling, and travelling solo or in a group. To stay close to the amazing places of the city, you can consider booking hotels in Chandigarh. Here are the handpicked things to do in Chandigarh when visiting:

09 Perfectly Perfect Things to Do in Chandigarh

1. Experience the Flora of the Rose Garden

This is the largest botanical garden in Asia. Zakir Husain Rose Garden, spread over an area of 30 acres, is well known for its variety of roses and medicinal herbs. The calm and breezy weather with the aroma of roses all around makes the experience very unique in itself. This place can calm your senses in every way and is very visually appealing, hence garnering a huge number of tourists every year.

The park exhibits some 825 rare and exquisite varieties of roses. The other attraction is 32,500 varieties of trees and medicinal plants. During the end of February and beginning of March, the Rose Festival is held with around 20,000 visitors from all over the country.

• Location:  Sector 16, Jan Marg
• Opening hours: All days of the week – 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM

Suggested Read: Best Weekend Getaways from Chandigarh

2. Feel Blissful at Leisure Valley

Leisure Valley is aesthetically an important tourist attraction. It is a chain of beautiful and unique gardens which can awaken the senses of the visitors. The stretch starts at Rajendra Park and goes 8 km long. The included gardens are Rose Garden, Hibiscus Garden, Shanti Kunj, Garden of Fragrance, Bougainvillea Garden, etc.

This place is known as ‘the lungs of the city’, as it not only adds to the beauty of the place but also helps in curbing pollution. A 3-day long carnival is held in the Leisure Valley which aims at promoting the talents of the elderly as well as the children.

• Location:  Near Jan Marg, Sector 10B
• Opening hours: All days of the week – 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM

3. All the Shopaholics head to Sector 17

The Sector 17 Market is a strong blend of top-of-the-line stores and fine boutiques. You can browse items such as clothing, shoes, electronic goods, branded things and more. Regardless of the occasion and celebration, this place has perfect things for all the shopaholics.

You can also check out other shopping places in Chandigarh to buy souvenirs and take back some memories of the city.

• Location: Sector 17
• Opening hours: All days of the week – 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM
• Also check – Hotels in Sector 17 Chandigarh

4. Feel Mesmerized at the ISKCON Temple

The ISKCON temple is all about enchantment and charm. It features beautiful deities of Lord Krishna and Radha. Visitors are said to have experienced the presence of God and supernatural powers.

Visiting this temple is a great way to achieve mental peace and get rid of all the negative energies. Visitors are encouraged to attend and take part in Aartis as it is highly soothing and calming to the mind.

• Location:  Dakshin Marg, Sector-36B
• Opening hours: All days of the week- 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM

5. Boating at Sukhna Lake

Among the most popular things to do in Chandigarh, visiting Sukhna Lake stands out as a must-do activity. Snuggled at the foothills of the Shivaliks, Sukhna Lake is beautifully set amid the mesmerising scenery of Chandigarh. This is a man-made lake with a stretch of 3 kilometres that flows down from the Shivalik Hills. The pristine blue water and the peace around make it a perfect location for morning joggers and solitude seekers, walkers who come to enjoy the fresh air.

Apart from being a delightful place, it is home to various sports activities such as boating, solar cruise, trampoline jumping, etc. One can find several species of fishes and migratory birds like cranes and Siberian ducks. This place is also declared as a reserved national wetland by the Government of India.

• Location: Sector 1
• Opening hours: All days of the week- 5:00 AM to 9:00 PM
• Also, check the Hotels near Sukhna Lake Chandigarh.

6. Visualise the Creativity at Rock Garden

This artistic place has been designed as an open-air exhibition hall with the help of industrial and urban wastes. The massive 40-acre garden was founded in 1957 by Nek Chand. It comprises a colourful mosaic of art pieces and sculptures created with industrial and household waste. It has about 5,000 statues, making it one of the prime attractions of the city and a must-visit.

The place has different phases demonstrating various installations and embellishments in them. Phase one has terracotta pots, chambers made from tiles, mirrors, broken bangles, etc. The second phase consists of a huge waterfall, and the third phase has statues of elephants and camels. While visiting the area, there are numerous markets nearby selling mouth-watering street food in Chandigarh. The symphony of flavours will make you want to come back.

• Location:  Uttar Marg, Sector 1
• Opening hours: All days of the week – 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM (April- September), 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM (October- March)
• Entry fee: Rs. 30 for adults, Rs. 10 for children

7. Explore Yesteryears at Pinjore Gardens

This is a place dating back to the Mughal era in the district of Panchkula. It expands over a massive area of 100 acres and is a great place to unwind with nature. The well-maintained greenery, mesmerising water bodies, and refreshing fountains attract tourists from all over the world. It is a planned terrace garden, and an annual Mango Festival is held here.

Apart from being a garden, this place houses a mini zoo, a serene Japanese garden, and an area dedicated to historic places. So, this place has a good mixture of activities for everyone, be it children or adults. Post sunset, the entire garden is lit up, enhancing the ambiance of the place.

• Location:  Pinjore, Panchkula
• Opening hours: All days of the week – 7:00 AM – 10:30 PM
• Entry fee: Rs. 20 for adults

8. Explore Wildlife at Chattbir Zoo

Located at Zakirpur road, this zoo is home to mammals, reptiles, birds, etc. Famously known as Mahendra Zoological Park, this wild spot has the lion safari as one of the major attractions.

One can visit the Asiatic lion reserves where you can view the enigmatic Royal Bengal Tiger roaming freely in all its splendour. It offers great sightseeing of various wild creatures, making it a must-visit on our list. Hotels in Zirakpur are the nearest stays and can be the ideal place to book if you wish to visit the zoo.

• Location: Chattbir Zoo Rd, Chhat, Punjab 140603
• Opening hours: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Closed on Mondays
• Entry fee: Rs. 25 for children; Rs. 60 for adults.

9. Feel the Vibe and Chill at Terraced Gardens

Spread over 10 acres of land, this attraction is home to colourful and vibrant flowers. It has various levels, designs and shapes, hence the name. The lighted musical fountain, which comes to life in the evenings, is surely going to catch your attention. The gardens are very popular amongst couples and youngsters who visit to enjoy the peaceful silence.

The Chrysanthemum Show at Terraced Garden is a grand event providing an opportunity for visitors to come and experience the diverse cultures and flowers of Haryana and Punjab at a single location.

• Location:  Sector 33 B, Sector 33
• Opening hours: All days of the week – 5:30 AM – 9:00 PM

The myriad of places to visit in Chandigarh definitely overwhelms visitors. The plethora of spots, conjoined with the clean and cool surroundings, makes this city a must-visit for every tourist. These popular things to do in Chandigarh will ensure you have a memorable holiday experience in this beautiful city. For ease of commuting, book hotels near Chandigarh Airport.

If you’re planning your itinerary, these things to do in Chandigarh cover the essential attractions that showcase the city’s unique charm and character. Do let us know how you found these places in the comment sections below and also if there are other exciting things to do in Chandigarh that we may have missed.

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