Location: Sector 1 between the Capitol Complex and Sukhna Lake

Highlights: Exquisite artwork made from industrial and urban waste

Chandigarh rock garden is an epitome of creativity and innovation. It is a unique garden that consists of various art objects. But the best part about the rock garden is that each of its artwork has been made by using industrial & urban waste. It is located in Sector 1 between the Capitol Complex and Sukhna Lake. The credit for laying its foundation goes to Nek Chand, who was the then Road Inspector in the Engineering Department of Chandigarh Capital Project.

Rock garden has been established in the form of an open-air exhibition hall. The garden houses sculptures made by using a variety of different discarded waste materials like frames, mudguards, forks, handle bars, metal wires, play marbles, porcelain, auto parts, broken bangles etc. Rock garden in Chandigarh, India is a unique creation and connoisseurs come from different parts of the world to see this amazing garden.

Rose garden of Chandigarh, India is the largest of its kind in Asia. Named after India's former President, Zakir Hussain, this beautiful garden was set up in 1967 with the support of Chandigarh's first Chief Commissioner, late Dr M S Randhawa. Chandigarh rose garden contains more than 17,000 plants. There are nearly 1,600 varieties of roses over there. It is a spacious garden covering an area of 27 acres. Dr. Zakir rose garden not just consists of the gorgeous roses, but also trees of medicinal value. Some of the medicinal plants that can be spotted here are bel, bahera, harar, camphor and yellow gulmohar. Rose garden serves as the venue for hosting the annual festival of gardens, a major cultural event of the city.

Location: Foothills of Shivalik range
Highlights: Man made lake
Sukhna Lake is a beautiful lake that lies in the foothills of Shivalik range. The unique thing about Sukhna is that it is a manmade lake. It is a 3 km long lake that was created in the year 1958. It was done by damming the Sukhna Choe, which is a seasonal stream flowing down from the Shivalik hills. Sukhana Lake of Chandigarh, India has become an integral part of the city. People visit this place in the morning to enjoy the cool breeze and the beauty of nature. Chandigarh Sukhna Lake serves as a great picnic spot and an apt place for pursuing water sport activities like boating, yachting and water skiing etc. The atmosphere over here is very serene and thus apt for meditating. Also, you can savor the melodious humming of birds. People come here in the evening time to forget their worries and relax for a while. So, if you want to rejuvenate yourself, then Sukhna Lake is the perfect destination for you.

Located in Sector 10, Museum of Evolution of Life in Chandigarh is an awesome museum that gives a fabulous recap of the history beginning from the time of Indus valley civilization till date. Chandigarh Museum of Evolution of Life was made open for public viewing on 13th August 1973. As the name only suggests, it depicts the evolution of life from the unicellular organism to the biological diversity of today. Museum of Evolution of Life is an apt place for those who are interested in evolutionary studies. It explains the history through various paintings that portray the origin of life, the variety and diversity of plants and animals, extinct races of man etc. The museum has different art galleries in the fields of astronomy, archaeology, botany, biology, history and geology. There is a big reference library, where you can find a plenty of useful books.

Location: 8 kms away from Chandigarh in Panchkula

Year of establishment: 1987

Highlights: Asia's largest garden

Cactus Garden near Chandigarh, India is the largest succulent botanical garden of Asia. It is located at a distance of about 8 kms from the city of gardens. Situated in the heart of the city of Panchkula, it covers a total area of 7 acres. Cactus garden is known for its rare & endangered species of Indian succulents. You can spot nearly 3500 different kinds of species over there. Chandigarh Cactus Garden was set up in the year 1987. This unique garden consists of three green houses. It has been drawing more and more crowds every year, consisting not just of tourists, but botanists also.

Location: 20 kms from Chandigarh
When it comes to excursions around Chandigarh, Pinjore gardens deserve a special mention. Also known as Yadavindra Gardens, they are situated about 20 kms away from the city. The work of creating Pinjore gardens began in the seventeenth century. It covers a total area of 100 acres. Chandigarh Pinjore Garden serves as the venue for hosting the annual event of mango festival. The garden houses a mini zoo, historic places, Japanese garden, nursery and a number of picnic spots. According to the Hindu mythology, it is said that it is over here that Pandava brothers had rested during their exile.