Chandigarh

Chandigarh is India's first planned city, designed by Le Corbusier. It is notably cleaner and better organised than most Indian cities, with tree-lined roads, large roundabouts, and many gardens. The city serves as the capital of both Punjab and Haryana and offers a unique blend of modernist architecture, museums, and proximity to the Shivalik Hills.

Chandigarh International Airport (IATA: IXC) receives flights from major Indian cities. The Chandigarh Junction railway station is 8 km east of the city centre, well-connected by local buses, taxis, and rickshaws. The New Inter State Bus Terminus in Sector 43 provides bus connectivity to neighbouring states like Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, and Delhi. There is also an Inter State Bus Terminus in Sector 17 for Haryana and Delhi.

Local transport includes buses, taxis, and auto-rickshaws. Ride-hailing apps like Uber, Ola, and inDrive are available for city and outstation travel. Mahajan Taxi Service also offers local and outstation cabs.

Chandigarh has a humid subtropical climate with extremely hot summers and warm to mild winters. The rainy season is in the middle of the year. The best time to visit is from October to March when the weather is pleasant.

Hotels are concentrated in Sectors 17, 22, 24, 34, 35, and the Industrial Area. Budget options include Hotel ParkView (run by CITCO), Hotel Punjab Palace, and OYO hotels. Mid-range options like Lemon Tree Hotel and Hometel Chandigarh are available. Luxury options include Hotel Taj Chandigarh and Hyatt Regency.

Chandigarh offers a variety of cuisines, from local Punjabi flavours to continental. Popular eateries include Indian Coffee House (Sector 17), Tandoori Express (Sector 8B) for kebabs, Chawla Chicken (Sector 22) for butter chicken, and Sagar Rathna (Sector 17) for South Indian. Food delivery apps like Zomato, Uber Eats, and Swiggy operate in the city.

Visit the Rock Garden, a unique sculpture garden made from recycled materials. Explore the Capitol Complex including the High Court, Legislative Assembly, and Secretariat. Walk around Sukhna Lake, an artificial reservoir popular for jogging and boating. Other attractions include the Rose Garden (largest in Asia), Chandigarh Museum, and the Japanese Garden. For cricket, see a match at Maharaja Yadavindra Singh Stadium. Motorbike expeditions and visits to Pinjore Gardens are also popular.

Chandigarh is a very safe city with the lowest crime rates in India. Police assistance is available at patrolling booths in every sector. Emergency numbers: Police 112, Fire 101, Ambulance 102, Traffic Police Helpline 1073, Child helpline 1098. Add STD code 0172 when calling from mobile.

The STD code for Chandigarh is 0172. When calling from overseas, dial +91 172 XXXXXXX. The same code is shared with Panchkula and Mohali. If a phone number has only 6 digits, try adding a '2' in front.

Chandigarh has the highest income per capita in India, and shopping and dining can be more expensive than in other Indian cities. However, budget accommodation and street food options are available. A daily backpacker budget might range from ₹1,500-2,500 including dorm/cheap hotel, local meals, and transport.

Popular day trips include Pinjore Gardens (20 km), Morni Hills (45 km) with Tikkar lakes, Panchkula's Cactus Gardens (8 km), and the hill stations of Kasauli (90 min drive) and Shimla (110 km). Note that foreign visitors need a valid passport to enter Kasauli as it is an Army cantonment.

Set aside time to visit nearby hill stations like Kasauli, Solan, Shimla, or Chail. Amritsar (238 km) offers the Golden Temple and Indian Independence history. Delhi (250 km) is well-connected via NH-1. Dharamsala, home of the Dalai Lama, is further away.