Some of the most beautiful things in life come in small packages, they say. A one day trip to one of the most beautiful, serene, and clean cities in India – Chandigarh – is just that. City Beautiful as it is called is not just a moniker. This is perhaps one of the greenest cities you are likely to come across and the natural beauty and maintenance of Chandigarh are unparalleled among the capital cities of the country. If all you have is one day to experience this city, fret not. Here are some things you can do and places you can visit –
The ideal start to your day long sojourn in Chandigarh would be by taking a long leisurely walk in one of the many beautiful parks and green spaces. If you are here in late February or early March or during the fall season, the Zakir Hussain Rose Garden is ideal. This garden has literally hundreds of varieties of roses in different colours – a rich medley of fragrances and colours. There are numerous hotels in Chandigarh in the vicinity of this garden but if you are put up at a different part of the city, you are just as likely to come across some other beautiful garden such as the Terraced Garden or the Garden of Fragrance. These gardens are quite close to some of the top hotels in Chandigarh including the Taj Chandigarh and Lemon Tree Chandigarh. Then it is best to head off for a hearty breakfast of parathas, curds, and white butter in one of the famous dhabas of Chandigarh city such as the Pal Dhaba in Sector 28. It is now time to grab your water supplies and head to Nek Chand’s marvel – the Rock Garden – a maze like labyrinth made of waste material that came from the construction era of the city.
Reserve the late afternoon for a visit to the Capitol Center or to the Le Corbusier Center dedicated to the planner and architect of the city himself. You may also want to shop at the ever-busy Sector 17 market. You may wish to buy some of the finest Phulkari sarees and dupattas or designer wear suits and apparel here. Take a trip to the International Dolls Museum. Drop in at one of the numerous cafes and pizzerias in Sector 35 market. There is much to see and do here.
If your hotel rooms in Chandigarh are booked at the luxurious Lalit Chandigarh Hotel you must not skip a visit to the nearby Sukhna Lake in the evening. You may wish to take a boat to the central island or enjoy some fun time at the carnival games center in the lake area. Munch on street food and explore the beauty of the central part of this city. If you are still thirsting to shop you may wish to head to one of the largest malls in the city – Elante. Alternatively, you may want to go for a long drive to Gurudwara Nada Sahib in the Tricity region. This is where Guru Gobind Singh is believed to have halted during his travels after the Battle of Bhangani in 1688.
Late evenings are the times the City Beautiful comes to life. Head out to one of the vibrant night clubs such as Paara, BUZZ, or Kitty Su. This, however, is not all. The end of an eventful day in Chandigarh must include a fabulous multicourse dinner at one of the top rated restaurants in town such as the OKO (the LaLiT Chandigarh), the Virgin Courtyard, or Saffron (JW Marriott).