Places to Visit in India

Punjab is a great place to visit for a holiday. It is a large state with many interesting cities and towns where you can visit fascinating monuments and tourist attractions and learn more about Punjabi culture. If you haven’t been to Punjab before, you should definitely take a trip there to see all that it has to offer. You will be pleasantly surprised.

When thinking of Punjab places to visit, take a look at all the major cities in the state and then decide your itinerary. Formulating a rough itinerary or travel plan will help you organize your trip in a better way and also save time and money. You can always change or alter your itinerary if you like a particular city and want to stay there for a few more days. For your convenience, we have a made a list of the main cities to visit:

1. Chandigarh: This sparkling and modern city is the capital of Punjab. It was built specifically to be an impressive and planned state capital after partition, when Lahore went to Pakistan. With amazing architecture, a great nightlife and many luxurious restaurants and hang-outs, Chandigarh is a young and happening city that is a pleasure to visit at anytime.

In Chandigarh, you can see the architecture of Le Corbusier everywhere and marvel at the many well-designed public places and buildings that adorn the city. The Rock Garden, Rose Garden, Sukana Lake, Sector 17 Market, the International Dolls Museum and the Le Corbusier Center are some of the places that you can visit to get a feel for Chandigarh.

2. Amritsar: Perhaps the most important city after Chandigarh, Amritsar has many interesting places to visit including the iconic Golden Temple that is at the heart of Punjabi and Sikh Culture. Another important site in the city is Qila Gobindgarh, a fascinating fort where you can spend the whole day exploring, watching shows, visiting museums and eating delicious food at its food court called Zaika Gali and restaurant called Kesariya Darbar.

From Amritsar, you can also visit the Wagha Border and see many ancient temples here like the Durgiana Temple located in the middle of a lake. But the best part of Amritsar is its many eateries and Dhabas, which serve top-notch Punjabi food amid the characteristic hospitality of the people here.

3. Patiala: Famous for its “Patiala Peg” and colorful and fun loving people, Patiala offers many treasures for the discerning traveller. The city was founded by Baba Ala Singh in 1763 and has an interesting history. Here you can visit the Gurudwara Dukh Nivaran Sahib, Qila Bahadurgarh, Sheesh Mahal, Deer Park, Darbar Hall and Museum, Baradari Park and much more.

4. Bhatinda: Bhatinda was called Tabar-i-Hind or “Gateway to India” in ancient times as it was on the route that connects the northwest provinces to the fertile northern plains of India. Due to its location, the city has rich cultural influences and a varied demography. Here you can visit the Qila Mubarak, Rose Garden, Takht Shri Damdama Sahib, Joggers Park and many artificial lakes. Qila Mubarak is especially interesting for its Sikh architecture and majestic size.

5. Jalandhar: The third most populous city in Punjab, Jalandhar gets its name from Guru Jalandhara, a famous Nath Guru from the area. It lies on the old Grand Trunk Road and has many interesting sites to check out including St. Mary’s Cathedral, Devi Talab Mandir, Gandhi Stadium, Gurudwara Sri Sing Sabha, Guru Gobind Singh stadium and much more.

6. Ludhiana: This is the biggest and most populous city in Punjab and a major economic center. The city is undoubtedly Punjab’s commercial capital and is sometimes called the “Manchester of India” due to its industrial base. Besides a large number of shopping complexes, mandis and businesses, it also has some interesting tourist attractions like Sri Durga Mata Mandir, Gurudwara Manji Sahib, Guru Nanak Stadium and more.

The best Places to visit in Punjab

While there are many places to visit in Punjab as we have seen above, the best and most popular of these may well be Gobindgarh Fort, a newly restored and reopened monument that presents many excellent opportunities for tourists. The entire fort has a festive environment and is a great place to visit with family for the whole day.

Tourists who come to Qila Gobindgarh can also enjoy some interesting rides and cultural shows that are organized on the premises. They can also visit the Weapons Museum and the Turban Museum located here. You can also shop around at a conveniently located shopping gallery and dine at the famous Kesariya Darbar restaurant that offers the best of Punjabi cuisine. All in all, Qila Gobindgarh is a great representation of Punjabi culture and Sikh history and is a must-visit place for anyone coming to Punjab.