Before my trip to Chandigarh, I had expected that its contemporary architecture and well-structured streets would be defining features of the journey. However, Chandigarh has become known for landmarks such as the Capitol Complex, Sukhna Lake, and the legendary Rock Garden. Therefore, it was the first place I intended to visit on this trip. Even though those places did not disappoint me at all, the gardens of Chandigarh turned out to be an unexpected enjoyment.
It was quite surprising for me how unique and diverse the gardens were. Some of them were good for long walks and relaxation; others represented the beauty of flowers, sculpture or the biodiversity of the place. Instead of always being in a hurry and moving from place to place, I took my time to enjoy nature and the urban planning of the city.
Chandigarh’s gardens introduced me to a calmer side of the city
The lush gardens of the city seemed like natural extensions of its meticulously organised streets. Each time, there was a distinct ambience, but they all had something in common: a feeling of spaciousness that made one feel like exploring instead of rushing past.
As opposed to the typical bustling tourist spots, here I could explore Chandigarh leisurely. There were families on picnics, early walkers strolling along the shared paths and photographers waiting for the perfect light.
I discovered that every garden in Chandigarh had its own personality
At the beginning, I thought that all gardens would be alike. However, very soon my notion about the gardens vanished because of visiting different gardens. The Zakir Hussain Rose Garden was remarkable for its variety of roses, and the Bougainvillaea Garden for its flowering plants with beautiful designs.
In the Japanese Garden, I found a water feature along with some traditional designs and in the Terrace Garden I got the open spaces along with flower arrangements.
Walking through Chandigarh felt better than following a packed itinerary
Being in Chandigarh gave me the opportunity to plan things differently and to move slowly, spending additional time admiring the city’s green areas before heading further to the next place of interest.
Travelling through the city became more enjoyable, since I did not limit myself to visiting the major places, but included enjoying the way from one place to another. Even over small distances, there were beautifully landscaped roads, art, and green parks.
Choosing the right stay in Chandigarh made garden exploration effortless
One decision which contributed positively to my trip was choosing accommodation in an area with lots of gardens and places of interest. Without spending a lot of time travelling within the city, I could see many parks along with other interesting local attractions.
Some of the hotels in Chandigarh are in areas that are quite easy to access via important roads, and this has helped me visit several places such as Zakir Hussain Rose Garden, Japanese Garden, Sukhna Lake, and Rock Garden on the same day.
See also: Travel from Hurghada to Luxor for a Memorable Ancient Egypt Experience
Chandigarh’s evenings felt even more peaceful inside its gardens
By the afternoon, some gardens had become even more peaceful. The soft evening sun, cool temperatures, and relaxing environment made it feel so different from the city’s bustling commercial parts.
Sometimes I found myself seated on one of those benches, watching children playing, people walking in the evenings, and birds returning to their perches. Those small instances were as memorable as visiting the famous places of Chandigarh.
Final thoughts
Before coming here, I assumed that the architecture in Chandigarh would be the part of the trip that would make the biggest impression on me. However, the city’s gardens impressed me the most, showing an entirely different side of the city.
When visiting Chandigarh, avoid focusing exclusively on the most popular tourist destinations. Instead, allocate enough time for exploring the city’s beautiful gardens. It might turn out that visiting these gardens is the most enjoyable thing you do in the city.
