Air: The airport has direct flights to Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur,. Amritsar and Srinagar. ⢠Train: The ... hotmillions.biz
CRICKET in the
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CHANDIGARH
Located just 10km from Mohali, Chandigarh is the brainchild of Swiss architect Le Corbusier. Its a 1950s modernist sculpture on a massive scale and stuns you with its unexpected order and modern architecture. Add to this the Rock Garden, and the city’s glitzy sectors packed with upmarket shops.
TRANSPORT
Quick Facts
GETTING THERE • Air: The airport has direct flights to Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur, Amritsar and Srinagar. • Train: The Chandigarh railway station is connected to Delhi via the Kalka Shatabdi that departs twice a day from Delhi..
STD Code 0172
LOCAL TRANSPORT • Auto: Chandigarh is the first city in the country to have Radio Auto service on the lines of the Radio Taxi service. These autos cost `25 for first two kms and `6 for subsequent km. The service named as ‘Jugnoo’ is available round the clock. • Bus: The Chandigarh Transport Undertaking (CTU) provides local bus Transport service in Chandigarh and satellite towns of Panchkula and Mohali. The bus service is frequent and efficient and runs from 6am–10pm. It is very economical with a single point to point fare of `10 regardless of the distance. • Rickshaws: They are good for short distances and can be easily spotted in all parts of the city. • Taxi: There are not many private local taxi services in the city. The private taxi operators can be located at Taxi stands in Commercial market of every sector.
chandigarhtourism.gov.in
CONNECTIvITy Most big hotels offer free wi-fi. There are several internet cafes in the city.
Helpful Websites www.lonelyplanet.com/ india/punjab-and-haryana/ chandigarh
Chandigarh is a great base to explore the hill stations of Kasauli, Shimla and Chail. All three are good weekend breaks from the city. Driving is the best option but if you don’t feel like, you can take a train to Kalka and then take the toy train. Winding its way through postcard-perfect valleys and pine forests, the narrowgauge railway track from Kalka to Shimla is a feat of engineering accomplished over 150 years ago.
I WIDE ROADS lInED WITH TREES IS CHAnDIGARH’S HIGHlIGHT; © GETTy ImAGES/ ImAGES FROm InDIA
TOP EXPERIENCES Rock Garden This openair museum, made entirely out of building waste and other broken material (such as broken tiles, pipes, bangles, China etc.) was created by Nek Chand, a retired road inspector and self-taught artist. Many pavilions, peopled with armies of figures, with bridges and waterfalls, and other characters make up this fantasy land. Summer days can be warm, so water bottles and caps are recommended. Le Corbusier Centre This will especially appeal to those interested in urban planning and architecture. Through old documents, sketches and photos, the centre chronicles the work of Chandigarh’s chief architect. A shop offers books, porcelain souvenirs and other
items for sale. Permission for access to the Capitol Complex can also be obtained here. Keep a sharp look out for the turn off from Madhya Marg; the indifferent marking can be missed. Leisure Valley This 8km long linear park is sculpted along an eroded seasonal rivulet that runs through the city. Made up of various themed gardens, it includes the Rose Garden, Asia’s largest, in Sector 16. The Fitness Trails in Sector 10 are very popular with walkers and joggers. Chandigarh Museum & Art The museum’s greatest treasure is the Indian share of Lahore’s Central Museum collection, including more than 600 Gandhara sculptures, 450 miniature paintings, and exhibits in stucco,
I THE ROCK GARDEn IS OnE OF ITS KInD In THE COUnTRy; © GETTyImAGES/ AlEx CRAIG
ivory, ceramic and fabric. It showcases the miniature styles of the Rajasthani, Sikh, Pahari and Mughal schools of art, as well as contemporary paintings and sculptures, including the works of Indian luminaries Sobha Singh, Amrita Shergill and Vivan Sundaram. Chattbir Zoo Located a short distance away on the Chandigarh–Patiala highway, supports conservation of endangered and rare species through captive breeding. It also encourages research and awareness on wildlife. Spread over 202 acres of raw scrubland, it is the biggest zoological park in northwestern India, with a population of nearly 1000 animals and birds.
ACCOMMODATION HOTEL mOuNTvIEw %4671111; www. citcochandigarh.gov.in/ mountview; Sector 10; rooms from, `9000 A government-managed fivestar property, this is the only hotel in Chandigarh which has the added attraction of large, manicured grounds. Recently refurbished, it exudes a contemporary look and feel. Magic Wok, the rooftop Chinese restaurant, sets the mood with live music. Jw mARRIOTT HOTEL %3955555; www.marriott. com; Plot No 6, Sector 35-B, dakshin marg; rooms from `15,000– 25,000 In Chandigarh’s newest fivestar hotel, the accommodation is plush, the spa popular and the cuisine both global and I JW mARRIOT IS A POPUlAR STAy OPTIOn In THE CITy; ©JW mARRIOT HOTEl
Indian. Cafe@JW, the 24-hour coffee shop, is one of the most spacious in the city. The hotel’s fine-dining restaurants, Saffron and Oregano, open only for dinner, from 7.30– 11.30pm. HOTEL AquAmARINE %5014000; www. hotelaquamarine.com; Sector 22-C Himalaya marg; rooms from `4500 The Aroma was built in 1954, and was Chandigarh’s first hotel, catering to celebrities such as Marshal Tito. Hotel Aquamarine is their latest offering, with 21 wellappointed rooms. Centrally located, it houses Spaghetti Kitchen, an Italian restaurant and the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf cafe where the breakfast buffet is served. AB’S BuSINESS HOTEL %2723000; www. hotmillions.biz; SCO 196197, Sector 17 & SCO 6,
Sector 26; rooms from `3800 From the Hot Millions stable, these cosy little hotels are located above HMs2 in Sector 17 and AB’s restaurant in Sector 26. Contemporary and convenient, with well furnished rooms, they’re your answer to a comfortable stay while in transit. Do check whether there are any package deals (for the hotel and restaurant) at the time of your visit. HOTEL SOLITAIRE %4688500; www. hotelsolitaire.com; SCO 902903, NAC, Housing Board Chowk, manimajra; rooms from `3000 This 26- room hotel located on Madhya Marg, is a stone’s throw away from the railway station. The rooms are clean and well-appointed, the staff keen to assist, and the food quite palatable. Its location, on the road exiting towards Shimla is an advantage for guests in transit. PICCAdILy HOTEL %2707571; www. thepiccadily.com; Himalaya marg, Sector 22-B; rooms from `4500 The hotel has tasteful rooms come with flatscreen TVs. You won’t have to travel far for a decent meal – Pomodoro serves good Italian and Currys serves nice Indian food.
EATING CAfE NOmAd 6541469; SCO 178, Inner market, Sector 7-C Tucked away in the less crowded part of the market, Cafe Nomad is your turnto place for a quiet, refined experience. The lilac ceiling, wooden flooring, crystal chandeliers, warm lighting and soothing music is as inviting as their selection of mezzes, kebabs, stir-fries and home-made ice creams. The service is well timed, the staff well trained and the food well prepared and delicious. SINdHI SwEETS 5075391; www. sindhisweets.co.in; SCO 110111, Sector 17 Popular with shoppers and office goers, this vegetarian I SInDHI SWEETS OFFERS A HUGE VARIETy; © GETTy ImAGES/ STEPHEn J. BOITAnO
fast food joint also specialises in Indian sweets. Step into the basement from street level and order from the fast food menu at the counter to avoid delays. Or take the elevator to the upper floor for a leisurely tuck-in of a south Indian or Chinese meal. BACkPACkERS CAfE 6541459; www. thewhisperingwillows.com; SCO 16, Sector 9-d, Inner market A travel-themed European gourmet cafe, backpackers brought the all-day breakfast concept to Chandigarh. Healthy and wholesome, their three-egg omelettes, sandwiches and pancakes continue to be a hit. As do their signature smoothies and masala Coke! Smallish in size, it can get crowded quickly. GOPAL SwEETS 5062424; www. gopalsweets. in; SCO 459460, Sector 35-C A dream come true for those with a sweet tooth. The street-level section is a mithai heaven! Fresh and fast moving, the ras malai and gulab jamuns are definitely worth the calories. The upper level offers a large array of Indian and Chinese fast food, snacks and chaat, as well as all sorts of beverages. Do sample,
at least once, their breakfast of puri-choley. OvEN fRESH 4658862; SCO 35, madhya marg, Sector 26 The original bakery chain of Chandigarh, Oven Fresh introduced signature grilled sandwiches and baked samosas to the city. They also serve some decent pasta dishes, and quick bites like croissants, puffs and rolls!
SHOPPING SECTOR 17 mARkET This sector is the heart of Chandigarh’s commercial activity, with many pedestrian concourses lined with shops, branded stores, cafes and restaurants. Trees, benches and sculptures dot the central plaza, usually abuzz with shoppers, vendors, officegoers and street artists. The place takes on a festive aura during the winter months, with lights, music, carnivals, and irresistible sales. vANITy BOx 9855534220; SCf 7, Sector 9-d, inner market This multi-level store has a range of artefacts, lifestyle accessories, English prints, quirky products, stationery and furniture.
