Punjab is a beautiful state residing in Western India. The state has a rich cultural and historical background. Punjab’s culture and heritage are famous all over the world and are the prime reason why hundreds of tourists come here every year. Punjab offers a large number of tourist attractions for people looking for some respite from crowded cities. The capital of Punjab, Chandigarh, is one of the most frequented places in the country, and Amritsar holds a special place in the heart of Sikhs.
Here’s how you can reach Punjab:
By Air:- Punjab is well connected by air. There are two civilian airports in Punjab which operate domestically. The Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport is an international airport which is located in its capital city. Additionally, the Chandigarh airport is also located close by and serves as another air link to the state.
By Rail:- Punjab has a good system of railways and well–maintained stations. Some of the top stations in Punjab which are connected to Delhi are Amritsar, Chandigarh, Pathankot, and Jalandhar. You can either get direct trains to these stations from your location or take connecting trains from Delhi.
By Road:- Punjab is also easily accessible by road. The best route to follow will be the NH44 which connects Punjab with all the four corners of India. The Grand Trunk Road also runs through Punjab and serves as one of the most important road links in the country.
12 Punjab visiting places and things you must do
You can explore all these great cities in Punjab by making a well-planned itinerary with all the famous Punjab tourist places. Here is a list of top cities which should be included in your itinerary:-
Amritsar
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Amritsar or Rāmdāspur is the second largest city in Punjab. Amritsar is one of the top Punjab tourist places due to its major cultural and religious values. The city is home to the famous Sikh pilgrimage site The Golden Temple. Millions of tourists flock to the temple to offer their prayers and seek blessings.
The city itself is also home to other monuments and places of interest like the partition museum, Mandir Mata Lal Devi, and the famous Jallianwala Bagh. The site of Jalianwala Bagh holds great historical importance and is visited by many tourists all around the year.
You can travel to Amritsar and explore these rich historical places in Punjab and learn more about the glorious and tragic past of its people. Amritsar has its own airport and railway station, so you can reach the city from any corner of the world.
See also: Planning your next trip? Take a look at the top 10 places to visit in India
Chandigarh
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It is the capital city of Punjab and one of the top metro cities in India, and among the top places to visit in Punjab. Chandigarh is known as one of the cleanest cities in India and one of the best Punjab tourist places for spending time with friends and family.
Chandigarh has a very peaceful atmosphere and is perfect for unwinding after months of working hard at home and office. You can opt to take a tour of the tourist attractions here or simply enjoy cafe hopping expeditions in the area.
Chandigarh is accessible by road, rail, and air travel, so reaching the place will be a breeze for all tourists. The Chandigarh airport is located here and is the best way to travel here from other Indian cities.
Pathankot
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Pathankot is one of the most populated cities in the state of Punjab. Located in Pathankot district, the city is surrounded by greenery on all sides. The monsoon season sees a huge influx of tourists here who come from humid cities to find respite from the hot weather. Pathankot is well connected by roadways and railways and lies close to other hill stations like Dalhousie.
You can travel to Pathankot and enjoy the peaceful ambience which is offered by this small and quaint city. Some of the major places to visit here are Nurpur Fort, Mukteshwar Temple, Kathgarh Temple, Shahpurkandi Fort, and Ranjit Sagar Dam. Pathankot has an excellent railway transport network and is connected to Delhi and Amritsar stations by multiple trains.
Jalandhar
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Jalandhar is the third-most-populous city in Punjab. Located in the Doaba Region, the city lies along the Grand Trunk Road and is easily accessible by rail and road junctions. Tourists who visit Jalandhar will find plenty of famous historical places in Punjab like Devi Talab Mandir, Dargah Imam Nasir, and St. Mary’s Cathedral Church.
Additionally, you can also enjoy the local cuisine of Punjab at Jalandhar at the famous restaurant Rangla Punjab Haveli. There are also plenty of theme parks here for children, so people travelling with toddlers can have some fun bonding time with their families. The Science city at Jalandhar is another top tourist attraction in the city. Jalandhar lies about 82.6 km from Amritsar city and can be reached by the Grand Trunk Rd and NH3 highway.
Check out: Jalandhar pin code
Kapurthala
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Kapurthala is a small crowd-free city in Kapurthala District, Punjab. The city has been a prominent princely state in Colonial India, and its rich past is reflected in the French and Indo-Saracenic architecture present throughout the city. Additionally, the city is also called the city of Palaces & Gardens.
The old town was established by Rana Kapur, a Bhati Rajput, so the roots of the city lie in the Royal past of Western India. You can visit Kapurthala to have a quiet getaway from the city and enjoy the peaceful environment here. The popular Punjab tourist places in Kapurthala are Gurudwara Ber Sahib, Jagatjit Palace, Clock Tower, and Moorish Mosque. Kapurthala also has excellent rail links with Amritsar and Delhi, so people can easily travel here by rail transport.
Bhatinda
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Bathinda is a quaint city located in Punjab. Situated in the Bathinda District, the region is the fifth largest city of Punjab. The city has a culturally and historically rich heritage which draws many local and foreign tourists to the city. Bhatinda is where Aditya (from Jab We Met) experienced the rich hospitality of the Sikhs.
The Bhatinda Fort is one of the historical places in Punjab and should be visited by all tourists who come here. Other notable places of interest here include Takht Sri Damdama Sahib, Bathinda Lake, Qila Mubarak, Rose Garden, Bathinda Fort, Chetak Park, and Bir Talab. You can also take a stroll around the Rose Garden located within the city premises. Bathinda Junction is located within the city and well connected to Amritsar via railways.
Ludhiana
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Ludhiana is located on the banks of the Sutlej River. The city is one of the most populated cities in Punjab and an important urban centre. The city was founded by the Lodhi dynasty, and parts of the old castle are still present in the city. The old city has a rich historical heritage which is apparent when you visit Lodhi Fort.
The city is easily accessible by roads and railway since it is also an important industrial hub in India. When visiting Ludhiana, you need to visit places like Doraha, Jagraon, Katana Sahib, Khanna, Ludhiana zoo, Kila Raipur, Machhiwara, and Mullanpur Dakha. Ludhiana is only 141.1 km away from Amritsar and accessible via the Grand Trunk Road, NH3 and NH 44 highways.
Ropar Wetlands
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Ropar Wetland, or the Ropar Lake, is an artificial freshwater riverine wetland located in Punjab. The region has a large collection of flora and fauna, which makes the place biologically diverse. Ropar Wetlands is an important ecological zone in India since it provides water for irrigation and houses many endangered species.
This protective area still continues to be one of the ideal Punjab visiting places. The rare and endangered turtle Chitra Indica and snake Python molurus can be found in these areas. Rapar Wetlands are open for tourists who come here to watch birds and reptiles in these swampy areas.
You can take a tour of the Ropar Wetlands by private vehicles or take boat rides on the Lake. You have to travel to Rupnagar station from Amritsar via train and then take a 8 minute cab ride to reach these Wetlands.
Harike Wetland and Bird Sanctuary
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Harike Wetland and Bird Sanctuary or Hari-ke-Pattan is one of the largest wetlands in northern India. The sanctuary is located at the confluence of the Beas and Sutlej rivers. Harike Wetland and Bird Sanctuary in the Tarn Sahib District was established in 1953 and covered an area including parts of Amritsar, Ferozepur and Kapurthala.
The sanctuary is a haunt for nature lovers who come here to spot rare birds. In winters, hundreds of tourists come here to watch rare migratory birds. At Harike Wetland and Bird Sanctuary, you will find birds like large cormorant, purple moorhen, bar-headed goose, white-winged tern, tufted duck and white-eyed pochard. Harike Wetland is accessible via NH54 and NH703A highways from Amritsar.
Sirhind
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The Fatehgarh Sahib or Sirhind is a village located in the Fatehgarh Sahib district of Punjab and easily accessible via NH 44 from major Indian cities. The city is well known in the state for being the home to many prominent pilgrimage spots for Sikhs and Muslims. The famous Muslim saint Muzzajuddin Al Sani’s tomb is also situated in Sirhind and draws many Muslim pilgrims here every year.
The cultural, historical and religious significance of Sirhind continues to make it one of the top historical places in Punjab. Some of the prominent places to visit here include Gurudwara Fatehgarh Sahib, Mata Shri Chakreshwari Devi Jain Temple Village Attewali, Gurdwara Patshahi Chevin, Tomb of Mir-I-Miran, Tomb of Ustad and Shagird, etc.
Hoshiarpur
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Hoshiarpur was founded in the 14th century and lies in the Hoshiarpur district in the Doaba region. The town is a municipal corporation which offers an escape from the crowded cities of Punjab. Hoshiarpur is known for its quaint village life, which provides a stark contrast to the fast life of the city.
You can come here and unwind among the green pastures and blue lakes which surround the town. Additionally, you can also explore the famous places around Damsel Dam, Gurdwara Harian Velan, Gurdwara Tahli Sahib, and Van Chetna Park. Nara Dam is another important destination located nearby. The best way to visit Hoshiarpur would be by taking a train and reaching Hoshiarpur Station from Amritsar Station.
Local Cuisines
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Punjab has a rich food palate and a variety of delectable cuisines which are famous all over the world. Punjab has been the birthplace of many cult Indian dishes, which are not only enjoyed in India but also in other countries. When you are visiting Punjab, it is mandatory to explore all the local joints of the places you travel to here.
Punjab has some of the best restaurants and dhabas, which offer lip-smacking food in vegetarian and non-vegetarian options. Some of the must-try dishes in Punjab include Sarson Da Saag, Tandoori Chicken, Shami Kebab, Makki di Roti, Chole Bhature, Masala Channa, Dal Makhani, etc.
FAQs
Is Punjab worth visiting?
Punjab is a beautiful place with many popular tourist attractions like the Golden Temple. This state is definitely worth visiting due to these factors.
What is the best time to visit Punjab?
The best time to visit Punjab will be in the months of March to April and September to November.
What are the top tourist attractions in Punjab?
The top tourist attractions in Punjab include the Golden Temple, Jalianwala Bagh, Harike Wetland and Bird Sanctuary, and Nurpur Fort.
