Chandigarh not only has many tourist attractions within the city but also offers exciting excursions to nearby destinations. In fact, there are many tourist places located at close vicinity to the city, which prove to be just perfect for a day trip. The options include religious places like Mansa Devi Temple to hill resorts like Kasuali and even picnic places like Pinjore Garden and Fun City. You can always plan you tour to these exotic locations, once in the city. To know more about the tourist places near Chandigarh, just go through the information given here.Excursions From Chandigarh
Pinjore Garden
Located 20 km from Chandigarh and covering a total area of 100 acres are Pinjore gardens. Traditional Mughal gardens, they were created in the 17th century, by Nawab Fidal Khan, architect to the Emperor Aurangzeb. The gardens stand out from the usual gardens with features like a mini zoo, historic places, Japanese garden, nursery and a number of picnic spots. According to the Hindu Mythology, the Pandava Brothers had rested in this garden during their exile.
Fun City
Fun City, located at a distance of 20 kms from Chandigarh, is the biggest amusement park and water park in the entire northern part of the country. It is sited on the Panchkula-Barwalla Nadha Sahib Gurudwara Highway, near Ramgarh. This amusement park attracts people of all age groups, starting from the children to the older people.
Mansa Devi Temple
The famous Manasa Devi Temple near Chandigarh is located in Bilaspur village and falls around 3 km to the east of Mani Majra. Also known as the Mata Mansi Temple of Panchkula, the temple serves as a symbol of Himalayan culture and belief. Mansa Devi, the Goddess of Power, is worshipped in the temple.
Bhakra Nangal Dam
Bhakra Nangal Dam, constructed across the River Sutlej, is the world’s highest straight gravity dam. It is located at a distance of 116 km from Chandigarh. The hydroelectric station positioned here not only generates power for Chandigarh, but also for Delhi and other cities. It was constructed in 1963 and is 225.55m (740 ft) high above the sea-level, being 518.25 m long and 304.84 m broad. Its huge reservoir, known as the 'Gobindh Sarovar', can store up to 9621 million cubic meters of water.
Chattbir Zoo
Located at a distance of merely 5 km from Chandigarh, on the Chandigarh-Patiala Road, Chattbir Zoo is popular for its lion safari, apart from wild animals like Himalayan Black Bear and the Royal Bengal Tiger. It houses 800 different species of animals in a 202-hectare reserve. It is open on all days of the week, except Monday. If you are going to Chandigarh with kids, make sure to include this excursion in your itinerary.
Morni Hills
Morni Hills serve as the closest hill station to Chandigarh, since they are located at a distance of hardly 45 km from the city. An offshoot of the Shivalik range, the hill resort derives its name from Queen Morni, the once ruler of the region. It is a great repository of natural beauty and serves as the perfect place to get away from the maddening crowds of a city.
Cactus Garden
Located at a very short distance i.e. hardly 8 km, from Chandigarh, Cactus Garden was established in the year 1987. It is the largest succulent botanical garden of Asia and contains nearly 3500 species of cactus. A must see place for kids, it serves as a popular picnic spot for tourists and localites alike.
Anandpur Sahib
Located around 80 km from Chandigarh, Anandpur Sahib or Takht Sri Keshgarh is one of the four Takhats of the Sikhs. The ninth Guru, Guru Teg Bahadur, purchased the site (where the city now stands) from the ruler of Bilaspur in 1665 and founded Gurdawra Anandpur Sahib near the ruins of ancient Makhowa. Andandpur Sahib is one of the holiest places of the Sikhs. It was here that Guru Gobind Singh baptized the first five Sikhs, called the Panch Pyaras, who created the nucleus of the Khalsa
Kasauli Hill
Kasauli is one of the most aesthetic hill stations near Chandigarh, located at a distance of just 77 km from the city. It rests at a height of 1928 meters and allows some of the most beautiful views of the surrounding valleys. Traffic is not allowed in many roads of the hill station and thus, it is free from pollution.
Shimla
Shimla, one of the most visited hill stations in India, can be covered as an excursion from Chandigarh. It is located at a distance of 107 km from Chandigarh and constitutes 3-4 hours drive from the city. Some of the famous places that you can see in Shimla are the Mall, Ridge, Jakhoo Temple, Christ Church, Sunset Point and the Shimla State Museum.
