CHANDIGARH

Chandigarh has the distinction of being one of the most beautiful and well planned cities in India. The city’s gardens and the well placed trees along the roads have earned Chandigarh the name ‘The City Beautiful ’. The city has the unique distinction of being the capital of the states of Punjab, Haryana and the Union territory of Chandigarh. The city is also the first planned city in India. Planned and developed by the famous French architect and city planner Le Corbusier, the city’s roads, sectors, parks and the city centre are a role model that many Indian cities have followed later. The city serves as the gateway to the famous hill station of Shimla and is also an important aspect of Tourism in Punjab. 

Places to visit in Chandigarh:
The Capitol complex is the most notable architectural achievement of Le Corbusier in Chandigarh. This complex houses the High Court, Secretariat and the Legislative assembly and is the center of administration of the two states, Punjab and Haryana. The complex is set against the magnificent backdrop of the Shivalik hills and is adorned by beautiful works of art like the open hand monument. 

There are many beautiful gardens in Chandigarh. The most famous among these is the Rock Garden. It is situated between the capitol complex and the Sukhna Lake. The rock garden is the result of an innovative concept that involves the use of industrial and urban waste to create fascinating art objects. The garden surprises visitors with the amazing arrangement of rocks, boulders, discarded tubes, broken chinaware, glass bangles, building wastes, coal and clay. These wasted materials have been artistically transformed into a dream world complete with palaces, soldiers, temples, animals and people. The waterfall, pools, and concealed gateways further enhance the beauty of the garden. A small open air theater with stage equipment is the venue for many performances. 

The Zakir Hussain Rose garden is the largest rose garden in Asia and is one of the major tourist attractions in Chandigarh. The garden has amazing varieties of roses and other flowers on display. A festival called the rose festival is held here every year in late February and early March. Various cultural activities are organized during the festival. 
The beautiful city center of Chandigarh is also a famous place to visit in the city. Colorful fountains, sculptures, groves and trees make this area a popular attraction for tourists as well as local people. This area is also a major shopping complex in the city. 

Some of the other major tourist attractions in Chandigarh include the government museum and art gallery, the Museum of Evolution of life, the international dolls museum, Sukhna Lake, and the hilly forests at Kansal and Nepli.