Punjab, the land of five rivers, is one of the most attractive and vibrant places in India and is highly popular among tourists. The state has a geographical variety that makes it famous among nature lovers.

Besides, there are some renowned visiting places which receive an ample amount of tourists throughout the year. In this article, you are going to learn what Punjab is famous for, and its art and culture.

The list of popular places in Punjab is as follows:

1. Chandigarh

Chandigarh is a perfect combination of modernity and antiquity. The city is famous for its cleanliness, broad roads, pristine lakes, amicable citizens and great food. Apart from these, it is known for the Capitol Complex, a UNESCO World Heritage site and for being a prime tourist spot. As the city has very good transportation connectivity, you can roam around and explore the famous places here easily.

2. Amritsar

Amritsar holds the heart of Sikh pilgrimage, the Golden Temple, which attracts visitors from all over the world. The temple is not only renowned for its spiritual value, but its breathtaking beauty is also noteworthy. Further, Amritsar is a popular centre for spiritualism, patriotism and cultural heritage. Apart from that, you can explore historical places such as Jallianwala Bagh. Besides, the lip-smacking variety of food across the city is also a prime attraction for tourists.

3. Ludhiana

The true essence of Punjab can be experienced in a visit to Ludhiana, given its rich history and culture. Besides visiting historical places, you can also explore local zoos and amusement parks for fun activities. However, most importantly, you can explore the life of local people by visiting the Museum of Rural life. Apart from these, there are several other tourist spots, such as Phillaur Fort, Maharaja Ranjit Singh War Museum etc.

4. Bathinda

Bathinda, also called the “City of Lakes”, is a famous tourist attraction in Punjab. The place is popular for its religious and historical background. In addition, the city has some of the oldest edifices, such as Qila Mubarak, the oldest surviving fort in Punjab. However, some other famous attractions of Bathinda are Bir Talab Zoo, Rose Garden, and Zoological Garden. Apart from these, there are several Hindu and Sikh temples for pilgrims.

5. Jalandhar

Jalandhar is one of the main visiting spots in Punjab, as the city truly reflects the culture and heritage of Punjab. Besides, the city has many holy places for Hindus and Sikhs. The popular religious centres of Jalandhar are Devi Talab Mandir, Gurudwara Talhan Sahib Ji, and Sodal Mandir. Apart from visiting holy places, the city also offers you fun activities such as exploring amusement parks.

6. Pathankot

The city is situated on the Himachal Pradesh and Jammu Kashmir border and is filled with lush greenery. The city has an amazing scenic landscape, making it a popular destination among nature lovers. Apart from this, the spot is also famous for its historical value. Some famous tourist attractions of Pathankot are Mukteswar Temple, Shahpurkandi Fort, Nurpur Fort, Kathgarh temple etc.

7. Mohali

Mohali, a planned city in Punjab, is a famous tourist attraction spot as a cultural centre. Besides, the city has the famous international hockey Stadium and PCA Cricket Stadium, which attract sports enthusiasts. Apart from these stadiums, you can also explore other attractions in this place, such as Sukhna Lake, Gurudwara Amb Sahib, Manasa Devi temple etc.

8. Hoshiarpur

History is what Punjab is known for, and Hoshiarpur is the perfect place for exploring history. Known as “Land of Saints”, Hoshiarpur possesses the ancient essence of the stone age. The famous tourist attractions of Hoshiarpur are the Sheesh Mahal, Archaeological Museum, Bajwara Fort etc. Apart from these, Takhni Rehmapur Wildlife Sanctuary is a great place to explore wildlife and nature.

9. Gurdaspur

The place is very popular among Sikh people as it is one of the main centres of Gurudwaras. Moreover, the city is situated between rivers Ravi and Sutlej, offering you to witness great natural beauty and a chance to explore the culture and tradition of Punjab. Apart from this, the place is also popular for its famous Punjabi dishes. Some popular destinations in this city are Sarji Sahib, Mahabaleshwar Temple, Dera Baba Nanak, Kabootari Darwaja etc.

10. Kapurthala

Kapurthala is famous for beautiful buildings and monuments made in Indo-Saracenic style architecture. The famous buildings you can see here are Elysee Palace, Jagatjit Palace, Moorish Mosque, Jagatjit club, etc. The ideal time to visit this place is winter and spring.

11. Sirhind

Coming to Sirhind will be perfect for you if you want to gather knowledge about great Indian history. The city was a military camp of Prithviraj Chauhan and a part of the Mughal Sultanate. Therefore, history lovers can get many instances here to explore. Besides, this place is also a famous religious centre for Sikhs. Some famous pilgrim spots in Sirhind are Aam Khas Bagh, Gurudwara Fatehgarh Sahib, Sant Namdev Temple and haveli Todar Mal.

12. Patiala

Patiala is the fourth largest city in Punjab and one of the most attractive places to visit. The place is extremely charming with its gorgeous monuments. Some examples of great monuments are Sheesh Mahal, Qila Mubarak Complex, Moti Bagh Palace etc. History lovers can explore the gorgeous architecture of the Mughals and Rajputs in these famous monuments. However, the place is also a great spot to shop for authentic Punjabi items.

13. Firozpur

Firozpur in Punjab is also a place to discover history and life of the people of Punjab. This place is mainly famous for important memorials of patriots, such as Shaheed Bhagat Singh Memorial and memorials of other martyrs. Like all other prominent places of Punjab, Firozpur also has some famous religious spots, for example, 1200 years old Jain Swetambar Temple and Sargarhi Memorial Gurudwara. Apart from these, you can also visit Harike Wildlife Sanctuary to explore the wildlife of Punjab.

14. Manasa

Punjab is well known for its cotton production, and Manasa is the city that can give you the great experience of witnessing this. The place is also called the ‘area of white gold”. Here you will be amazed at the sight of stretched white cotton fields with rustic essence. Apart from these, you can also visit religious places such as Gurudwara Patshani Nauvin Sahib and Brahm Bunga Gurudwara.

15. Anandpur Sahib

The most important aspect of Anandpur sahib is the peaceful and spiritual ambience of the place. The place is highly popular among devotees and pilgrims. The place is blessed with the presence of Guru Gobind Singh Ji and his disciples. Some famous visiting spots in Anandpur Sahib are Naina Devi Temple, Virasat-e-Khalsa Temple, Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib etc. Besides you can also visit Bachauli Wildlife Sanctuary for variation.

16. The Golden Temple

The Golden Temple is the most attractive tourist destination in Punjab. Originally it is a Sikh Gurdwara located in Amritsar. The temple has a shimmering gold body and is as fascination for tourists from all over the world. Further, the beauty of the temple, picturesque view of the lake and the serenity attract visitors to explore this place.

Punjab, the cultural centre of India, is famous for food, culture and several activities. Some of them are listed below:

17. Bhangra, A Popular Local Dance Form

Bhangra is one of the most famous things in Punjab. This traditional dance form is an inseparable part of every occasion in the state. Be it a marriage ceremony or harvest festival, every Punjabi enjoys bhangra dance. The bhangra music has an energetic beat, making people groove with it. You can have experience bhangra dance by visiting any part of Punjab.

18. Festivals

Festivity is what Punjab is famous for, and you can explore different festivals here during peak tourist seasons. The state is mainly dominated by Sikh culture; therefore most festivals you will enjoy are Sikh festivals. However, the most important festivals here are Baisakhi in summer and Lohri in winter. The festivals are mainly celebrations related to harvesting. During these festivals, you can enjoy the colourfulness, rich heritage and authentic Punjabi food. Some other festivals include Maghi, Teeyan, Basant Festival and Holi.

19. Food

Punjabi food is famous in India and throughout the world for its rich taste and a mix of spices. Therefore, visiting Punjab means exploring the richness of food prepared by local people. From breakfast to dinner, Punjabi foods are wholesome with their creamy, crunchy and spicy tastes. Some famous Punjabi dishes you can have in your daily meal while visiting Punjab are aloo paratha, kulcha, butter chicken, chicken tikka, cornmeal flatbreads or Makki ki roti, etc. Apart from these, lassi and desserts are must-try Punjabi food items.

20. Phulkari

You should shop for some Phulkari-designed clothes if you visit Punjab. This is a famous embroidery in Punjab which is characterised by a subtle stitch work with silken threads. Moreover, the word Phulkari denotes the design of flowers; therefore, mainly, the stitch works have colourful motifs of flowers on the clothes. Apart from that, Phulkari clothes are extremely beautiful, and Punjabis wear this on every occasion, be it marriage or any festival.

Vibrancy and festivity is what Punjab is famous for, alongside several places and “to-do” things that bring out the authentic Punjabi culture for tourists. Therefore, if you are planning your next trip to Punjab, consider this guide and prepare your bucket list accordingly. Apart from visiting historical places, Punjab is also well-known for its beautiful landscapes and lush greenery.