Places to Visit in Punjab

Chandigarh shows itself off to global travellers much like greater India would wish to be seen – prosperous, comfortable and cosmopolitan. Officially a union territory controlled by the central government, Chandigarh is the joint capital of Punjab and Haryana. It is also the first planned city of independent India. Chandigarh is the best-planned city in India, with architecture which is world-renowned, and a quality of life, which is unparalleled and must visit tourist places in Chandigarh.

The dream city of India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru located at the foothills of the grand Shivalik range, has earned a good name as a tourist destination for its great planning, the clean environment, the grand structures and the magnificent gardens and splendid things to do in Chandigarh.  It is an incredible city, with many sectors that are intertwined by a great network of roads. Therefore, roaming around is not a problem and you will never be bored at all with so many tourist places in Chandigarh. Today, it takes a prominent place as a tourist destination of India.

The word Serenity and city hardly goes hand in hand with each other. This beautiful city has trees and plants are as much a part of the construction plans as the buildings and the roads with best places to stay in Chandigarh having beautiful surroundings. Chandigarh is India’s first planned city. It is a rich, prosperous, clean and green city and is rightly called “ THE CITY BEAUTIFUL ”.

This place is a true beauty for all those who love to travel and explore. Travel operators offer a variety of Chandigarh tour packages for those travelling depending on the number of days. It ranges between INR 20,000 to INR 50,000( USD 300 - 700). The tall skyline of the Shivalik Hills and the faint image of an old temple dedicated to Goddess Chandi protectively lies over the city guarding many tourist places in Chandigarh.

The town is a beautiful blend of architecture, design, natural beauty, gardens, heritage and urbanization. Some of the must visit tourist places in Chandigarh include the Rock garden which is an absolute marvel of art and design, Rose garden, Pinjore gardens and the Government Museum and Art Gallery along with a few others. 

Amritsar is the holiest city for Sikhs not only in India but all over the world. The name of the city is derived from the holy pool that surrounds the famous Golden Temple of this city, which means “the holy pool of nectar”.

Reaching Amritsar is very convenient because it is one of the main cities in Punjab and is directly connected to the National Highway that connects it with other cities like Ambala, Chandigarh, Delhi and Patiala.

The airport in Amritsar is the Sri Guru Ram Das Jee International Airport that is 11km away from the main city and is frequented by domestic as well as international flights. One can also visit Amritsar via trains as the Amritsar Railway Station is connected to almost all major cities in the country including Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai and Delhi.

A visit to the city of Amritsar is incomplete without a visit to the famous Golden Temple. This temple is also known as Harmandir Sahib. It was founded by the 4th Sikh Guru in 1604. Sikhs from all over the world visit the temple, as it is considered the ultimate pilgrimage destination for the community. Apart from this, the Jallianwala Bagh shrine is also a popular tourist attraction. One can also visit the Akal Takht.

The famous Wagah Border ceremony can also be witnessed when you are in Amritsar, as the border between India and Pakistan runs through the area. For animal lovers, the Harike Wetland Sanctuary is an exciting place to visit, while the Amritsar Heritage Walk will give you incredible insight into the colourful history of the city.

One of the most attractive features of the city is its food, with local stalls selling delicacies that are on par with any good restaurant in the country. The best time to visit Amritsar is between November and March when you can avoid the scorching summers and the wet monsoons.

Mohali, well known as Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar, is a wonderland city that lies south-west of Chandigarh, the capital of Punjab, and is one of the most prominent cities of North-India. The city along with Panchkula and Chandigarh form the Chandigarh Tricity and is recognised as a beautiful blend of  mystic charm of northern culture.

One of India’s best planned cities, Mohali has so much for you to admire about. With peace at every corner, sweeping view of lush green mountains and clean wide roads, the city is a shopper’s paradise and a popular IT and commercial hub for the country.  It has aesthetic landscapes ranging from impressive new buildings to highly preserved historical monuments making you live in two completely different worlds at the same time.

From its Rose garden to flavoursome cuisines from top rated restaurants, the city has many captivating attractions waiting for you. The Fateh Burj; also known as victory tower, and Gurudwara Amb Sahib; the famous historical shrine, are the most visited places in the city. But with cricket being followed as a religion in India, the main attraction remains to be the IS Bindra stadium. With a wide variety of fun activities like trekking or rock-climbing, what makes Mohali even more admirable is its people and culture.

Delicious appetizers from the local streets, the mouth watering ‘makki di roti’, and the huge wheat fields will make you connect with your inner self as well as make you dwell deep into the rich culture and heritage of the city. All of these things plus a lot more is what makes Mohali one of the best places to visit in Punjab.

Mohali has a sub-tropical continental monsoon climate characterised by a seasonal rhythmic change in weather. The months between monsoon and the winters are the best months to visit the city as the temperature falls within pleasant 18°C - 25°C. So, if you ever want to have a wholesome travelling experience, come visit this exceptional beauty which is sure to make you leave with a bag not just full of clothes but memories worth treasuring forever.

Be ready to be captivated by the stunning architecture and the culture of Punjab at Kapurthala. The city is often called the ‘Paris of Punjab’ and hailed as one of the most beguiling places to visit in Punjab. Its architecture is famous all over the country and boasts of many intriguing places where you can marvel at endlessly during your vacation.

The architecture here is famous for incorporating the elements of French and Indo-Saracenic design of building monuments. Soaked in history and culture, Kapurthala is an intriguing destination for everyone.  Filled with marvellous buildings that catch your eye with their design and alluring gardens, Kapurthala is a superb getaway for every history lover. It intrigues everyone with the stunning construction of Jagatjit Palace, Elysee Palace and Jagatjit Club.

The nature lovers in Kapurthala can enjoy laid-back strolls in the Shalimar Gardens and appreciate the mesmerising beauty by enjoying a picnic at Kanjli Wetlands. Offering a number of different experiences, Kapurthala enthralls everyone with its cultural extravaganza.

It has a vibrant celebration of festivals of Holi, Diwali, Lohri and Baisakhi which are celebrated with great fervor. Well-connected with all the major cities of India, Kapurthala can be reached via Raja Sansi International Airport in Amritsar. The most amazing time for the tourists to visit Kapurthala is from the month of October to March.

Wish to carry some heartwarming memories of the place you are travelling to? If your answer is yes then Ludhiana is not going to disappoint you at all as this place will provide you with a blend of urban as well as rural culture. Amidst the lush greenery of farmland on all four sides of the city of Punjab, the place is known as the ‘Manchester of India’. Set up with several industries and factories it is termed to be the industrial center of Northern India. Its history is depicted by the architectural marvels like the Gurudwara Sri Dukhniwaran Sahib, Gurudwara Shri Manji Sahib Alamgir, and the majestic Lodhi Fort.

Ludhiana is the city that reflects the culture of the state of Punjab from the historical architecture to the industrial capture, from the cultural food to the agricultural activities. One will find different shades of Punjab in the whole Ludhiana city. The city is one of the best places to visit in Punjab that serves you with glorious and interesting spots to capture as well as activities to rejoice in.

One can visit museums like the Rural Museum, Punjab agricultural university museum, etc where one can relive the historic excerpts. It serves you with places to take a stroll around like Nehru Rose garden, Tiger zoo, Deer Park, Rakh Bagh, etc. Whereas for those who wish to be entertained by some fun filled activities then one should go visit the Hardy’s World, the most renowned amusement park.

Explore the shopping malls, sports stadiums, and restaurants which depicts the rapid development of urban culture here. For a shopping spree head to markets like Kalyan Nagar, Ghara Bhan, Akaal Market, AC Market, Dal Bazaar and Bajwa Nagar. Ludhiana city is also known for its woollens and hosiery items and people should surely fill up their bags with some of those too.

The city will provide you with a humid climate with an average annual temperature of 24.3-degrees Celcius making it a semiarid climate. This agro-urban city will leave you spellbound and fully entertained with a mix of every single thing you search for. 

Known as one of the oldest cities in the state of Punjab, Bhatinda is believed to be established by the Rajput King Bala Rao Bhatti. The city of Bhatinda is one of the most dazzling places to visit in Punjab.  and has a number of places which are known for their historical and religious value. Situated in the heart of Punjab, Bhatinda is a place where you can indulge yourselves in the lively ambience of Punjab.

If you are a History buff on a visit to Bhatinda, you are sure to be enthralled with its hidden gems. Explore the oldest surviving fort in India with a visit to Qila Mubarak in Bathinda or bask in luxury at a former royal residence at Bahia Fort Hotel. For nature lovers, it has places like Zoological Gardens, Bir Talab Forest and the Chetak Park to enjoy some solitude.

For the religious travelers also, Bhatinda has no dearth of places. It has notable religious places as well like the Damdana Sahib, Maisar Khana Temple and the Mazaar of Peer Haji Rattan which attract dozens of devotees every year.

Despite being replete with a number of tourist attractions, Bhatinda is a thriving hub of industrial activity with the Guru Nanak Dev Thermal Plant and Bhatinda Chemicals Limited. For the foodies, Bhatinda boasts of serving the lip-smacking dishes of Punjabi cuisine ranging from Channa Bhatura to Sarson da Saag with Makki ki Roti. The local food here is also renowned for serving a number of snacks like samosas, pakoras and jalebis. Best visited during the winter months from October to March, Bhatinda promises a memorable getaway for everyone.