a group of people walking around a stone structure

Chandigarh

Chandigarh is a planned city in northwest India, laid out after 1947 by a team led by Le Corbusier. Visitors come for its government buildings, the Rock Garden and Sukhna Lake.

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Chandigarh is a planned city and union territory in northwest India, and the shared capital of Punjab and Haryana. It sits at the foothills of the Shivalik range, about 260 km from New Delhi and 229 km from Amritsar. The city was built after 1947 to replace Lahore as the capital of East Punjab, and Le Corbusier's team designed its main buildings. The Capitol Complex, with the Assembly, High Court and Secretariat, has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since July 2016.

Visitors come for the modernist buildings, the Rock Garden that Nek Chand made from waste and found materials, and Sukhna Lake, a rain-fed lake popular for boating and sunsets. The Zakir Hussain Rose Garden holds a Rose Festival every February. The mildest seasons run from November to mid-March and mid-September to mid-October, while summers reach 35 to 40 °C. Chandigarh is also on NH 5, the road to Shimla.

Chandigarh in five

Check how to visit the Capitol ComplexThe Capitol Complex is a UNESCO-listed group of buildings by Le Corbusier, and interior visits are normally arranged as guided tours. Check current access with the city's tourism office, and see the Open Hand monument from outside.
Start at Nek Chand's Rock GardenA maze of sculptures made from industrial and household waste, spread over many courtyards. Go in the morning, when tour buses are fewer, and allow 1.5 to 2 hours.
End the day by Sukhna LakeThe artificial lake is a popular evening walk and cycle spot, best near sunset. Bring a light layer in winter; the breeze off the water is cool.
Treat it as a gateway to ShimlaShimla is about 3 to 4 hours by road or the narrow-gauge line, and Himachal beyond. Chandigarh also connects well by train and bus to Delhi and Amritsar.Shimla
Know the planned gridSectors are numbered and each has its own market, making addresses easy to follow. Sector 17 is the central plaza, and taxis and app cabs use sector numbers.

Things to do in Chandigarh

See all attractions in Chandigarh

a large white building sitting on the side of a road

Sight · ChandigarhCapitol Complex

Museum · ChandigarhNatural History Museum

Museum · ChandigarhLe Corbusier Centre

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to ChandigarhPut the places you like in Chandigarh on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Airport: Chandigarh (IXC), at Mohali, about 12 km from the center
Getting there: Fast trains from Delhi in about 3–3.5 hours; flights from major cities
Getting around: App cabs, autos and local buses; sector grid is easy to follow
Best base: Sector 17 or Sector 22 for hotels and markets
Time needed: 1 day; 2 with Pinjore Gardens or Kasauli

Weather by month

Rainy days
Days with storms

Best
Good
Poor

JanuaryClear5 rainy daysHigh19°Low8°Cold, fog
FebruaryClear4 rainy daysHigh23°Low11°Cool, clear
MarchClear5 rainy daysHigh29°Low15°Pleasant
AprilClear5 rainy daysHigh35°Low21°Hot
MayClear6 rainy daysHigh38°Low24°Very hot
JuneClear9 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh39°Low27°Very hot
JulyRain21 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh33°Low26°Monsoon
AugustRain22 rainy daysHigh32°Low24°Monsoon
SeptemberRain12 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh32°Low23°Humid
OctoberClear2 rainy daysHigh31°Low19°Warm, clear
NovemberClear1 rainy dayHigh26°Low14°Cool, clear
DecemberClear2 rainy daysHigh21°Low10°Cold, fog

Average daily high and low in Chandigarh, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Chandigarh

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 18°
Humidity: 58%
Wind: 7 km/h
Chance of rain: 0%

Chandigarh

03:27 AM

Tuesday, November 3

GMT+5:30

Today28°18°0%Tuesday: Clear. High 28°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 0%.
Wed28°16°0%Wednesday: Clear. High 28°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 0%.
Thu29°18°0%Thursday: Clear. High 29°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 0%.
Fri29°18°0%Friday: Clear. High 29°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 0%.
Sat28°14°0%Saturday: Clear. High 28°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 0%.
Sun27°14°0%Sunday: Clear. High 27°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 0%.

Updated 11:21 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 95.08 INR

Amount

Converted to

INR · Indian Rupee

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Day trips by train

Pinjore Gardensabout 30–40 min by roadA Mughal-style garden with terraces, fountains and old arches.
Kasauliabout 1.5 hours by roadA small hill town with walks, an easy break before Shimla.
Shimlaabout 3–4 hours by road or railColonial hill station, a longer overnight.Read the guide

Before you go to Chandigarh

Hotels in Sector 17 and 22Central hotels near the marketsCheck availability

Chandigarh architecture tourCapitol Complex and Rock Garden guideCompare day trips

eSIM for the Punjab plainsMaps and cab apps on a quick stopRead the guide

Cover for Himachal road tripsLandslide delays and medical costsRead the guide

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Rules for Chandigarh, checked

Most foreign visitors need an Indian visa or e-Visa before arriving; check your eligibility on the official portal, not through agents.Source
Smoking has been banned in public places since 15 July 2007, and breaking the rule is a punishable offence under administration rules.
Plastic polythene bags have been banned in the city since 2 October 2008, so bring a cloth bag for shopping.
Remove your shoes and cover your head at Nada Sahib Gurudwara, as Sikh custom requires.

Plan around Chandigarh

Shimla

Colonial hill station, about 3–4 hours north

Read the guide Amritsar

The Golden Temple, four hours west

Read the guide Punjab and Haryana

The shared region around the capital

Read the guide Delhi

The main arrival city for flights and trains

Read the guide All of India

Regions, seasons and routes

Read the guide India e-Visa

Apply before flying into Delhi or Amritsar

Read the guide

Chandigarh FAQ

How many days do you need in Chandigarh?

One full day covers the Rock Garden, Sukhna Lake and a ride through the sectors. Add a second day for the Capitol Complex tour, Pinjore Gardens or Kasauli.

Is Chandigarh worth visiting?

Yes if you like architecture and planned cities; it feels spacious and cleaner than most Indian cities. If you want old bazaars and temples, spend your time in Amritsar or Shimla.

What is Chandigarh famous for?

It is known as Le Corbusier's planned city, with a UNESCO-listed Capitol Complex, the Rock Garden made of waste materials, and Sukhna Lake. It is also the shared capital of Punjab and Haryana.

How do I get from Chandigarh to Shimla?

By road in about 3 to 4 hours, by bus or shared taxi, or by a narrow-gauge train from nearby Kalka with a change. The train is slower but scenic, and good for travelers with extra time.

What is the best time to visit Chandigarh?

February to March and October to November, when it is warm and clear. Summers hit 39°C, and December and January bring cold fog that can disrupt trains and flights.