Chandigarh



Chandigarh is India's first planned city, quite distinct from the rest of the country and considerably better organised. It is the capital of both Haryana and Punjab states, but the city is not part of either state, being a union territory, i.e. administered directly by the central government.

Understand
The most striking thing about the city is the expanse of resplendent blue sky with the mountains in the backdrop. When you approach the city, you see the jagged skyline of the Shivalik Hills looming large over the city and the faint image of an old temple dedicated to Goddess Chandi (15 km from Chandigarh) from which the city got its name.

Chandigarh may appear oddly familiar to Western visitors and idiosyncratic to the rest of India. Enjoy the planned city, with tree-lined roads, large beautiful roundabouts, several gardens and on top — a great set of people. Chandigarh and Mysore are considered the cleanest two cities of India.

History
When India was partitioned, Punjab was split into two, with the western half going to Pakistan. Lahore, the historical capital of Punjab was also ceded to Pakistan, and Chandigarh was conceived of as a symbol of India's freedom, and a new beginning for Punjab.

The government of the state decided to build the new city at the foot of the Shivalik hills. Architects Albert Mayer and Mathew Novicki drew the initial plans in New York. When the latter died in an air crash in 1950, the work was entrusted to the French architect Edouard 'Le Corbusier' Jeanneret who created Chandigarh as a city of "Sun, Space and Verdure", to fulfill the basic functions of working, living, and care of body and spirit. In 2011, the city was home to more than a million people living in harmonious conditions that are considered to be the best in the country.

One can see architectural genius in the neat geometrical design of residential quarters, reinforced concrete structures and self-contained area layouts. Chandigarh is divided into 47 self-contained sectors. Each sector of the city is designed with its own shops, academic, and health care buildings, and places of worship, open spaces, greenery and residential areas. Roads are wide and spacious. It hasn't grown in a haphazard way as some other Indian cities have.

The city is divided into four major work areas. In the north, the capital complex, consisting of the Secretariat, Legislative Assembly and High Court, with the hills as a background dominating the city. Sector 17, which is the city and district centre, houses the administrative and state government offices, as well as shopping malls, banks and other offices. The west contains the university, and institutions of engineering, architecture, Asian studies and medicine. The east zone is the industrial area of the city.

In 1966, Hindi-speaking areas of Punjab were split from the Punjabi speaking areas of the state to form a new state of Haryana. Chandigarh continued to be the capital of both states. This was supposed to be a temporary measure. The plan was that in 1986, the city would pass to Punjab. But this has been indefinitely delayed because Haryana insists on getting some territory in return, and the two states have not been able to agree on the area that should go to it.

Climate
Chandigarh has a humid subtropical climate (Cwa) with extremely hot summers and warm to mild winters. The rainy season is in the middle of the year, although the rest of the months are not completely dry.

By train


There is a frequent service to and from New Delhi. Trains connecting New Delhi include Kalka (Chandigarh) Shatabdi Express (twice daily) and the economical Chandigarh Jan Shatabdi Express (Una (HP) to Delhi). Shatabdi Express is quite popular and it is better to have an advanced reservation at least 2–3 days prior to the journey.

Popular long-distance trains include the following:
 * Paschim Express (daily) from Mumbai
 * Kalka Mail (daily) from Howrah
 * Dehradun-Chandigarh Madras Express (Monday) from Chennai
 * Kerala Sampark Kranti (Wednesday) from Kochuveli (Kerala)
 * Chandigarh Lucknow Express (daily) from Lucknow.
 * Chandigarh-Jaipur Garib Rath from Jaipur.

By car
Chandigarh has an equally good connectivity via road. It is a 4–5-hr drive from Delhi, the road comprising mainly of NH 1 is quite good. Chandigarh serves as a gateway to the state of Haryana and Himachal Pradesh.

Distances from selected cities:


 * New Delhi – 260 km (160 mi)
 * Shimla – 110 km (68 mi)
 * Manali – 320 km (200 mi)
 * Dehradun – 175 km (110 mi)
 * Amritsar – 250 km (155 mi)

There are many car rental companies available in Chandigarh. If you are travelling from Delhi, you can book a cab from a number of travel agencies present in various nooks and corners of the city or you can book a cab just a call away. Travelling by smaller vehicles like Indica is the most common mode of cab transfers on this route. The highway is pretty scenic.

While it is good to take the cabs for travel on this route in summers, it should be avoided in winters due to heavy fog. Dec-Feb are winter months in India. Chandigarh, being situated in laps of mountains, faces heavy fog at night and in the early morning. At such times, the visibility on roads can be less than six feet.

By bus
Chandigarh is served by two bus terminals.



Note, if you decide to leave Chandigarh again immediately due to the lack of affordable accommodation, there are many night connections to various distant cities, with both AC and regular buses.

Delhi is extensively connected with a bus service every 15 min offered by Chandigarh Transport Undertaking, Haryana Roadways, Punjab Roadways and Himachal Roadways. Volvo A/C buses are also run on the Chandigarh-Delhi section and offer connection to the Airport and towns like Gurgaon. The fares of Volvo buses are usually comparable with the Shatabdi Express. The timetable for Chandigarh Volvo Buses can be found here.

Chandigarh Transport Undertaking offers a comprehensive connectivity between the two bus terminals with air-conditioned and normal buses plying throughout the day between the terminals.

By bus
The Chandigarh Transport Undertaking (CTU) provides a local bus service in Chandigarh and the satellite towns of Panchkula and Mohali. The bus service is frequent and efficient 6AM-10PM. Fares starting from ₹20, e.g. railway station to ISBT-43 for ₹25. 45 routes are being plied in Chandigarh. The travel is generally hassle-free, though there might be a rush on some particular routes during morning and evening peak hours.

The buses with corresponding routes can be found here.

The Chandigarh tourism also runs a special Hop On Hop Off double-decker bus which takes you around for a tour of all the main spots in the city including Sukna Lake, Punjab University, and the Secretariat. Having bought one ticket, a person can board or disembark as many times in a day as he wishes. This provides flexibility to see the places of interest and spend as much time as he wishes at a particular spot of choice. It starts its journey from Hotel Shivalikview in Sector 17 near the Bus Terminal.

By taxi
At city beautiful there are various taxi service provider available for in city and outstation travel. Some most used options are:



UT administration has started a fully air-conditioned cab service. The cabs are available at the door step on call. The cabs are stationed at important places including Railway Station and Airport. The cabs are fully air-conditioned and extremely comfortable. They serve Chandigarh and the satellite towns of Panchkula and Mohali. All the taxis are brand new, air conditioned/air heated and driven by the uniformed drivers. Taxis are also have a complaint book and any passenger can lodge a complaint with State Transport Authority if services provided to him are not found up to the mark. The cabs are continuously monitored through GPS technology whereby their locations are monitored by their respective control rooms.

There are no charges for first kilometre except for the meter down charges. Rate ₹15 for the first kilometre and ₹15 for the subsequent kilometers.

Cab services like OlaCabs also operate in Chandigarh and satellite towns of Panchkula and Mohali. Uber is also available on most of the routes of the tricity.

By auto rickshaw


Chandigarh is the first city in the country to have Radio Auto service on the lines of successful working of the Radio Taxi service. The pink autos charge ₹10 for the first kilometre and ₹8 for subsequent kilometres. The service named as "tuk-tuk" is available round the clock. Available on call at +91 172 4242424.

On the whole, auto-rickshaws are quite popular in the city and are easily available at bus terminals, railway stations, and auto stands in the commercial market of every sector. It is very unlikely that they would operate with a meter so negotiate the price before engaging one.

By bicycle
SmartBike (Android, IOS) A bike can be taken for a ride at ₹10 for every half an hour. e-cycles on the same rates will also be available at the stations for people who do not want to pedal.

See




Do

 * Cricket:
 * Motorbike expeditions. Many bikers clubs organise motorbiking and adventure activities.
 * Visit Kalagram on the Manimajra-Chandigarh road. It has an exhibition of various handicrafts and decorations from various parts of the country. It also houses the innovative and famous "Condom Bar", whose theme is centred on condoms.
 * Panchkula is 8 km away and contains the beautiful Cactus Gardens, the largest succulent gardens in Asia.
 * One can also visit Pinjore Gardens that are within a range of 15–20 km (9-12 mi) from Chandigarh on the way to Shimla.

Movies
The city has several single screen cinemas which are now in a dilapidated condition due to the arrival of many high quality multi-screen cinemas but you can still catch a movie at any one of the halls. It is recommended to go to a multi-screen cinema complex where the cinematic experience can be easily compared to any movie hall in the world.

The city has more than a dozen malls with 4- or 5-screen multiplexes. Some of these are Fun Republic (Fun Cinemas) in Manimajra, DLF DT Cinema in IT Park, Green House Entertainment (Big Cinemas) and Centra Mall (PVR Cinema) in Phase 1, Industrial Area. Big Cinemas at Downtown Mall, Zirakpur on Chandigarh-Punjab border and Fame Cinemas at Shalimar Mega mall are new upcoming entertainment malls also easily accessible in the city. Many others malls and multiplexes are coming up in Chandigarh and around soon. The latest entrants are Elante mall and VR Punjab.

Theatre
The city has a rich theatre culture with regular performances by societies and groups from all over India. Tagore Theatre in Sector 18 plays host to most of the performances. One can view these street plays in Plaza Carnival in sector 17 Main Market, which can be viewed by everyone.

Amusement and water parks

 * FunCity – 20 km (12 mi) from Chandigarh on the Panchkula - Barwalla Nadha Sahib Gurudwara Highway near Ramgarh.
 * Thunderzone – A 30-min drive from Chandigarh, located in Landran, Mohali.

Buy
Chandigarh, with the highest income per capita in India, is home to some of India's biggest brands. Hotspots for higher-end shopping include markets in Sector 17, Sector 22, Sector 35, and Manimajra. However, shopping is typically more expensive in Chandigarh than it is in other cities, including big cities such as Delhi.

There are plenty of Shopping Avenues in Chandigarh. Chandigarh is home to all leading brands and retail store chains.

Sector 17 is a fully commercial sector that houses all the major brands and shops that cater to wide array of taste and pocket.

Other popular shopping places are Elante Mall, Sector 22, Sector 35, and Manimajra.

If you want to bargain hard for usual stuff, try the Azad Hind Market in Sector 22 but note that it is closed on Monday.

You can buy souvenirs in the form of coffee mugs, shirts, etc. at Sukhna Lake.

Eat
You can relish all type of cuisines from local Punjabi flavors to continental food. Now there are many food delivering apps and websites like Zomato, Uber Eats, and Swiggy, which deliver meals from the city's restaurants to your doorstep.

Budget
Many Western fast food chains have registered their presence in Chandigarh.



Mid-range

 * Amrtisari Kulcha – The only authentic Kulchas you can find in Chandigarh. Located at Bhainsa Tibba, near Mansa Devi Mandir.
 * Backpackers - Sector 9
 * 5-AAB Superb Punjabi dhaba serving unlimited thalis. Sector 22-B, shop 1085, just down from bus station, beside Hotel Piccadilly.
 * Hotel Sheronz and The Cellar 35, S.C.O. 429-430, Sector 35-C
 * Pizza Hut - Sector 26, Sector 35
 * Hotel Sheronz and The Cellar 35, S.C.O. 429-430, Sector 35-C
 * Pizza Hut - Sector 26, Sector 35
 * Pizza Hut - Sector 26, Sector 35
 * Pizza Hut - Sector 26, Sector 35
 * Pizza Hut - Sector 26, Sector 35
 * Pizza Hut - Sector 26, Sector 35

Apart from these, a variety of restaurants can be found in the Sector 35 market, ranging from traditional Indian sweet shops (Gopal's) to burger joints like McDonald's to formal dine-in joints.

Splurge

 * Victoria's Boutique Cafe in inner market Sector 8, Chandigarh serving freshly grounded speciality coffee and amazing food.
 * Black Lotus at the Taj Chandigarh, for exceptional Chinese fare, cooked by a Beijing-imported chef.
 * Hometel Hotel at Industrial Area Phase 1 is part of Sarovar Chain of Hotels.
 * Hotel Mountview and Shivalikview also offer specialised dining rooms and bars.
 * Nando's Chicken at Sector 35.
 * Nando's Chicken at Sector 35.

Coffee shops
Barista, Cafe Coffee Day and Costa coffee (Panchkula, Sec 35), Starbucks (Elenta mall, Sector 22) are popular Indian chains of coffee shops that can be found in Chandigarh at various places.

For a true Indian coffee experience go to Indian Coffee house in Sector

Bars and pubs
Chandigarh is often accused of a dull nightlife for its status as a metro. Still, one can enjoy good drink at various pubs/bars with combined restaurants at Sector 35, Sector 26, and Sector 17. The bars remain open till midnight or 1AM.

'Condom Bar', a unique bar themed upon the condom, is operated by CITCO at Kalagram, Chandigarh-Manimajra road.



Budget
Central Chandigarh is a budget traveller's nightmare when it comes to lodging—it is notoriously overpriced, and the expense is generally not matched by the quality. Additionally, there seem to be extra restrictions on lodging for foreigners in Chandigarh. So, when you book a cheap place through a common website online, make sure they also cater for foreigners—it will be clear quickly from their reviews. Otherwise, you will turn up and they rightout tell you that you cannot stay or don't have your booking. And indeed most cheap places online and offline are Indian-only (as of 2023). Don't be surprised to be asked ₹1,500/night as a foreigner for a dingy room without windows in sector 22 or sector 45, where many budget housing options (of price and quality comparable to typical Indian cities) are located.

As a last resort, you can try the Gurudwaras in Sector 8, Sector 19, Sector 22, or Sector 34. They have rooms or halls, but are generally hesitant to take foreigners due to the extra bureacratic effort. If they suggest a different Gurudwara, tell them that the other Gurudwara they are recommending already sent you to their place. Or try the Gurudwara in Sector 44 later in the evening but before 10PM—they will just let you into their dorm and take a picture of your passport. Or you just walk in and lie down, the dorm is in the gate building at the right side. Also, seem to be able to host foreigners, but they are constantly full.

Mid-range

 * Yatri Nivas run by the CITCO
 * Yatri Nivas run by the CITCO
 * Yatri Nivas run by the CITCO
 * Yatri Nivas run by the CITCO
 * Yatri Nivas run by the CITCO



Connect
The STD code for Chandigarh is 0172. When calling from overseas, dial +91 172 XXXXXXX. The same STD code is shared by Panchkula and Mohali. If you have a non-working phone number with only 6 digits, try adding a "2" in front of it.

Stay safe
Chandigarh is a safe city. With the lowest crime rates in the country, you can feel safe at any hour. Police assistance can be found at the nearest police station or at the patrolling booths in every sector.

You can call following numbers for respective help : 112 (Police), 101 (Fire), 102 (Ambulance), 1073 (Traffic Police Helpline), 1098 (Child help line). If you are calling from a mobile phone, just add the STD code such as 0172 in front of the emergency numbers. This is true in any other Indian city.

Balance
India is often said to assault the senses, and can be overwhelming to travelers. Chandigarh is a good place to visit if you need a break from the constant flow of India. Even more so during the weekend when the still chaotic and overly much traffic and polution along the main roads is considerably reduced due to the residents fleeing into the nearby mountains.

Hospitals
List of major hospitals and health care centres:


 * Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Ltd., Sector 34-A.
 * General Hospital Sector 16, Chandigarh
 * Government Medical College Hospital, Sector 32, Chandigarh
 * Mukat Hospital, Sector 34.
 * The Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research (PGI), Sector 12. By all accounts the best multidisciplinary hospital complex in town (under the management of the central government of India, and conceived as the premier referral centre for all the northern states of India). While it is not always good by Western standards, it has no rival this side of New Delhi.

Pharmacies
Pharmacies are a dime a dozen and you should not have any problem locating one, though Sector 16-C is considered the "pharmacy district" and offers a variety of shops to find your medication. You do not need any prescription for modern medicine over-the-counter drugs and ayurvedic medicine (proprietary and traditional), which are available for most common ailments like fever, headache, travellers' ailments, and general infection, but you will need prescription for other medicines, which are categorized as Schedule H drugs.

You can locate 24-hour pharmacies at PGI and G.M.C.H., Sector 32.

General amenities
General amenities for daily living like grocery shopping, laundry etc. can be availed all in one place in every sector's market complex. Each sector is self-sufficient in that regard and serves almost all the needs of its residents.

Traffic rules
There is a strict enforcement of traffic rules in Chandigarh. Wearing helmets (for male riders ISI Marked), and using seat belts are compulsory. Violators pay heavy penalties. No exceptions to these rules are made to cars from outside the state.

Press
The city has an expansive presence of leading national dailies which roll out their city-based editions. Among these are The Times of India, Hindustan Times, The Tribune, The Indian Express, Amar Ujala (Hindi), and Dainik Bhaskar (Hindi). The Tribune, one of the oldest print newspapers in circulation, has its headquarters in Chandigarh and is popular throughout the region.

Go next
Set aside some time to visit the nearby hill stations of Kasauli, Solan or Shimla, or Chail.


 * Amritsar – The city with the holiest Sikh temple is 238 km away and also offers a glimpse into the Indian struggle for Independence.
 * Delhi – 250 km by road with excellent connectivity through the NH-1 Highway.
 * Dharamsala – Home of the Dalai Lama and the highest cricket ground in the world takes another overnight journey to reach.
 * Kasauli – Only 90 min drive from Chandigarh is a hill station not very far from the city. If one is lucky, in clear weather it offers a staggering view of Chandigarh from the Himalayan Foothills. Note that foreign visitors will need to present a valid passport to gain entrance since Kasauli is an Army cantonment.
 * Morni – Morni Hills at a height of around 1,100 m (3,500 ft) in the Shivalik hills. Just 45 km from Chandigarh, the town is a popular day trip & weekend destination with the Tikkar lakes just nearby. There are 3 routes from Chandigarh to Morni. The shortest and most popular turne off from the Shimla highway just past the toll barrier at Chandimandir.
 * Shimla – Just 110 km (70 mi) from Chandigarh by road is called the "Queen of Hills" and is the erstwhile summer capital of the British Raj.