Chandigarh-City Beautiful Chandigarh is one of the greenest cities in India, and was designed with sprawling open spaces that provide a natural respite from its concrete buildings. Its gardens, parks and lakes make it an ideal city for exploring the great outdoors Planning for Chandigarh.? 5 places you must visit in Chandigarh 1.THE GOVERNMENT MUSEUM AND ART GALLERY Located in a building designed by Le Corbusier, this museum is divided into four wings dedicated to natural history, art, architecture and portraits. Its star attractions include its collection of over 4000 Pahari and Rajasthani miniature paintings, and over 600 Buddhist sculptures from the Gandhara region in present-day Pakistan and Afghanistan. The Chandigarh Architecture Museum also displays rare plans and sketches related to the planning of the city. 2.NEK CHANDS ROCK GARDEN This sprawling, maze-like park presents an interesting contrast to the grid-like organisation of the city. Its laid out like a fantasy land, packed with narrow corridors, amphitheatres, bridges, staircases, a spectacular waterfall and an ethnic market at the end. It is populated by unusual human and animal figures, made using recycled junk material like bangles, wire, bottles and tiles. Created secretly by a local transport worker Nek Chand from 1957 onwards at a dump site, the park has now become part of an important recycling project and one of the citys major crowd-pullers. 3.SUKHNA LAKE This artificial water body is a popular tourist spot, where you can go paddle boating or simply take in the view with a stroll along its promenade. Families with kids are guaranteed to have a good time in the surrounding gardens and playground. The lake also attracts migratory birds such as Siberian cranes and storks during the winter months. 4.LEISURE VALLEY Created by Le Corbusier in the eroded valley of a seasonal river, Leisure Valley is an 8km long park which consists of a series of theme gardens. It stretches from Sector 1 in the north to the southern edge of the city in Sector 53. These include Asias largest rose garden; other botanical gardens dedicated to varieties of bougainvillea, hibiscus and fragrant flowers; fitness trails; and even a replica of the Eiffel Tower. 5.PINJORE GARDENS These restored Mughal-era gardens are spread across seven levels, interspersed with palaces, lawns, a zoo and even a Japanese garden. A central water channel runs through the entire stretch, with fountains at regular intervals. The gardens were originally laid out in the 17th century by the then Mughal governor of Punjab, Nawab Fidai Khan. Officially known as the Yadavindra gardens, these are located in the neighbouring district of Panchkula in Haryana. There are a couple of cafe-restaurants such as Jal Mahal and Budgerigar Motel inside the gardens, where you can stop and admire the views of the surrounding Shivalik Hills.
Posted on: Sun, 23 Nov 2014 08:20:56 +0000