1. Sukhna Lake
Sukhna Lake in Chandigarh, which is tucked away at the base of the Shivalik Hills, makes a lovely scene. Sukhna Lake is the only artificial lake in the city, spanning 3 square kilometers. It was constructed in 1958 by damming the seasonal Sukhna Choe (Stream), which runs down the Shivalik Hills. The lake’s crystal-clear blue water makes it the ideal spot for early-morning walkers and joggers who want to take in the fresh air. In fact, Le Corbusier, the architect of Chandigarh, the first planned city in India, asserted that this lake would serve as the hub for locals’ pursuit of well-being.
Walking and jogging are common activities on the promenade in front of the lake, where people complete their fitness regimens. It also boasts one of the nation’s longest rowing channels, which serves as the venue for the Asian Rowing Championships. Taking a leisurely boat cruise on Sukhna Lake is the most enjoyable way to explore it. For between INR 50 and INR 100, you can hire a boat for yourself or for a couple.
Numerous fish species as well as migrating birds like Siberian ducks and cranes call it home. Encircled by a renowned Rose Garden and a golf course, the lake provides a captivating haven for guests throughout the day.
2. Rock Garden of Chandigarh
Situated in Chandigarh’s sector 1, The Rock Garden is an expansive outdoor display area featuring sculptures created by Nek Chand, a former road inspector in Chandigarh, using industrial and municipal waste materials. It’s a must-see sight, situated between the Capitol Building and the well-known Sukhna Lake! Known by another name, Nek Chand’s Rock landscape, this expansive 40-acre landscape features a vibrant mosaic of sculptures and artwork. If you are using a taxi, the rock garden is located 1.5 km from Sukhna Lake at Uttar Marg in Sector 1. Auto-rickshaws and buses are also readily accessible.
Three distinct phases, each with a variety of installations and embellishments, make up the Rock Garden exhibition area. It is a great pleasure to stroll through the various installation types that are covered in each phase. Mr. Nek Chand, the inventor, has genuinely reinvented art and craft with his creations, which include broken toilet pots, light fixtures, and terracotta pots!
Officer Nek Chand constructed the Rock garden all by himself in his free time in 1957, and it has since stood as a perennial emblem of creativity and originality in the city. The Chandigarh Rock Garden, which has over 5,000 statues overall, is a prime example of “Best From Waste.”
3. Mahendra Chaudhary Zoological Park
Mahendra Choudhary Zoological Park, popularly known as Chattbir Zoo, is a well-known zoological park close to Chandigarh in Zirakpur. The park, which covers 202 acres of land, is home to a wide variety of animals, birds, and reptiles. The zoo’s wide enclosures, which provide the resident creatures plenty of room and freedom while trying to mimic their natural habitats, are one of its most notable features.
The Chattbir Zoo’s population of Royal Bengal Tigers is one of its main draws, drawing tourists from all over the world. In addition to learning about the behavior, habitat, and conservation efforts of these magnificent species, visitors get the chance to see them up close. The zoo is home to several different animals besides tigers, such as lions, leopards, elephants, deer, monkeys, and numerous bird species.
Visitors of all ages can have a pleasant and enriching time at Chattbir Zoo because to its expansive grounds, immaculate facilities, and educational displays. This well-liked location offers something for everyone to enjoy, whether it’s touring the various wildlife habitats, taking a leisurely stroll through the lush foliage, or going to educational seminars and feeding sessions.
4. Gedi Route
One of Chandigarh’s main tourist destinations is the Gedi Route. The path, which runs from Sectors 8, 9, 10, and 11 to Sector 11, is humming with activity, street cafes, and college-bound youngsters. The word “Gedi” means rounds, and that’s exactly what this road is utilized for—late-night bike trips and drives. The term Azaadi Route has just replaced the previous one.
5. Fun City Waterpark
The largest water park in North India is this one in Ramgarh, which spans 43 acres. With its one activity pool, three landing pools, wave pool, and assortment of different-sized and shaped water slides, it is a great place for water fans to have a fun ride.
The splash pool, aqua dance, lazy river ride, and slides like the pendulum, white multi-lane, typhoon tunnel, red dragon, white, and run-away raft are among the other well-liked attractions.
6. Pinjore Gardens
The city of Pinjore, in the Panchkula district of Haryana, is home to the stunning Pinjore Gardens, a Mughal garden constructed in the seventeenth century. The garden, which covers an enormous 100 acres, is a lovely spot to relax in nature amid the concrete jungle that is constantly expanding. Yadvinder Garden, another name for the Pinjore garden, is a globally renowned landscape with well kept foliage, refreshing fountains, and captivating water features. Visitors come to India’s Pinjore Gardens from all over the world to witness this proudly and meticulously preserved Mughal marvel.
India’s terrace gardens are exemplified by Pinjore Gardens. Every year in April and June, around Baisakhi, the Garden hosts the Mango Festival. Along with a large expanse of gorgeous vegetation, it also has a superb nursery, a small zoo, a section devoted to historic sites, a tranquil Japanese garden, and several picnic areas. Thus, there is enough in the Gardens for everyone, children and adults alike. Many people think that during their banishment, the Pandava brothers gave her a little relaxation. Evenings are the ideal time to explore the grounds. After dusk, the entire garden is lit up in a way that radically transforms the atmosphere there.
7. Tank Monument
The Tank Monument in Chandigarh is situated next to the Government Museum and Art Gallery, in the vicinity of Leisure Valley. This Patton tank (M46) honors the Indian Army and serves as a reminder of their conflicts with Pakistan, particularly the 1965 Indo-Pakistan War.
Pakistan fought with tanks and other high-tech weaponry against India in the 1965 War. It is reported that the Pakistani troops would abandon a tank once it was hit, fearful that it might catch fire. This specific Patton tank was captured during the Battle of Asal Uttar. Shri Vijay Dev, IAS, Advisor to the Administrator, UT Chandigarh, officially opened the tank in this location.
8. Terraced Garden
Located in Sector 33 of the main city, the Terraced Gardens of Chandigarh are a well-known and popular tourist destination. The site claims to be home to an abundance of vivid and colorful flowers, whose beauty and cheeriness draw visitors from almost all across the nation, not only Chandigarh and its surrounding districts. Visitors to the Terraced Gardens are guaranteed to leave with a great smile on their cheeks because of the contagious exuberance of the blooms.
Since its establishment in 1979, the Terraced Garden has experienced tremendous growth in popularity. The gardens, which span ten acres in total, are teeming with lush vegetation and offer picturesque views. The various levels, forms, and terrace designs that are evident here are why it was given that name. The lit musical fountain at the Terraced Gardens is possibly the major draw. It comes to life in the nights when popular folk and movie tunes are performed, and visitors can be seen taking numerous pictures with the wonderful backdrop of the splashing water.
The gardens are the perfect location for tourists and environment enthusiasts to spend a lovely day in Chandigarh surrounded by the natural world and to get a much-needed break from the mundane daily routine. Couples and children alike are particularly fond of the gardens, drawing large crowds to the park to spend some quiet time together. The enormous yearly display of beautiful blooms, known as the Chrysanthemum blooms Show, is another event held at the Terraced Gardens. This could be one more explanation for the attraction’s enduring popularity with the general public and the reason it is unquestionably something you shouldn’t miss when visiting Chandigarh.
9. Mohali Cricket Stadium
Mohali Cricket Stadium, located in Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar, Chandigarh, is a massive stadium that is officially known as the Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium. With a capacity of 26,950 people, the stadium is home to the Kings XI Punjab cricket team from Punjab. In 1993, the stadium was officially opened.
10. Tagore Theater
In September 1962, the Tagore Theatre was founded. It was constructed as a memorial to the renowned poet and Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore. The best and oldest public auditorium in Chandigarh is the Tagore Theatre. It is one of the well-known locations in Chandigarh and hosts a variety of activities all year long. “Tagore Theatre Society,” a foundation that was established in 1962, is in charge of managing the theater. Several well-known Indian actors from that era were members of the Tagore Theatre Society.
The theater is located in Chandigarh, Punjab’s Sector 18. It offers a number of amenities that are required to host indoor events of any kind. The Tagore Theatre has a spacious stage for dramatic events and can accommodate up to 801 people at a time. In addition, it hosts annual events, comedy and musical productions, company seminars, cultural activities, and much more.
The theater’s recognizable characteristic is its straight-line, cuboid-like form. But the theater has also seen a number of upgrades. In addition to the main auditorium, it features book stores, rehearsal halls, green rooms, AC basements, and many more spaces. If you are an organization, you can reserve a Tagore theater for Rs. 5000. For schools and colleges, the pricing range is approximately Rs. 10,000. If you host both free and ticketed events, the costs will vary.