The Hipster Chandigarh Architecture History Tour

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

Day 1
Le Corbusier's Burutalist Architecture Day 1
7 stops
1
Get insider, private access to the UNESCO World Heritage site at the Capitol Complex, featuring the Secretariat, the Assembly Hall, and the Open Hand Monument, which exemplify brutalist concrete forms, innovative spatial dynamics, and symbolic urban planning. Get exclusive access to restricted areas (subject to daily political variables), including the Assembly’s legislative chambers, rare archival drawings, maps, historical constructional insights and gain technical insights into Le Corbusier’s design principles, structural innovations, and urban theories, enriched with expert analysis.
30 minutes • Admission ticket included
2
Quietly tucked away in the residential sector 19, this museum / memorial center is dedicated to the founding architect of Chandigarh, Le Corbusier. The original building still standing was used as an architecture office during its construction years to now called Le Corbusier Museum. Relax and never stand in line because I'll have already purchased tickets for us. I'll walk you through the fascinating exhibits featuring iconic photographs and original documentation that chronicle the formation of Chandigarh. You'll have the chance to see rare archives, including blueprints and sketches by Le Corbusier, offering deep insights into his revolutionary urban planning concepts. We'll explore the interactive displays and models that vividly illustrate the city's development, making your visit not only educational but also uniquely special. Get ready to immerse yourself in the legacy of one of the 20th century's greatest architects!
50 minutes • Admission ticket included
3
This iconic building, one of the most recognizable structures of Chandigarh is located inside Punjab University, the whole of which is designed by the renowned architect Pierre Jeanneret. The Bhawan’s distinctive lotus-shaped structure, surrounded by a reflective pool, symbolizes peace and tranquility. Inside, you'll explore the central hall, which houses a rich collection of photographs, manuscripts, and personal items of Gandhi, providing profound insights into his life and philosophy. I'll share intriguing details about Jeanneret's design principles and the building's role as a hub for academic and cultural activities. This tour will offer a unique blend of architectural brilliance and historical significance, making your visit to Gandhi Bhawan truly memorable. Sit back, relax, never stand in lines because I would have already purchased our entry tickets well in advance!
30 minutes • Admission ticket included
4
I'll lead you through this remarkable museum housed in a building designed by Le Corbusier himself. You'll explore original blueprints, detailed scale models, and an extensive collection of photographs documenting Chandigarh's transformation from a visionary plan to a vibrant city. Delve into personal correspondence and sketches from Le Corbusier and Pierre Jeanneret, gaining unique insights into their creative genius. Engage with interactive exhibits and multimedia presentations that bring the city's architectural marvels to life. We see the story of Chandiagrh written from scratch - from pre independent India to now, with its cultural iconic status. This tour offers a rare opportunity to experience the meticulous planning and innovative design that make Chandigarh a global icon of modern urbanism. Relax and never stand in line because I'd have already purchased the entry tickets for us!
1 hour • Admission ticket included
5
Get insider up and close access to the crowning jewel symbol of Chandigarh, a symbol of peace and unity and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Hear the story of Le Corbusier's vision, and if you're lucky on a windy day see the hand gently sway with the wind, embodying flexibility and openness. Click pictures and give a speech in the assembly pit, next to the judiciary and the legislation of Chandigarh. Hear the real story behind this sight - is it still used to its original purpose?
25 minutes • Admission ticket included
6
Get insider, personalized guided access through this sculptural landscape. Designed as part of the Capitol Complex, Geometric Hill’s grid-like earth mounds and concrete forms embody Le Corbusier’s fascination with geometry and nature’s harmony. Guests will explore its precise alignments, inspired by his Modulor system, and learn how it contrasts with Chandigarh’s organic urban grid. The tour includes insights into its symbolic role as a meditative space within the administrative hub. Hear the story of the never-completed structure here, the untold story of political turmoil, its original designed purpose vs current use.
20 minutes • Admission ticket included
7
Get an insider, expert guide through this open-air concrete structure designed by Le Corbusier as a "demo" building to study the solar movement. The Tower of Shadows showcases Le Corbusier’s obsession with light and climate-responsive design, using geometric forms to cast precise shadows. Guests will explore its minimalist framework, learning how it embodies his principles of environmental harmony and the Modulor system. Get insights into its role as a functional yet symbolic piece within Chandigarh’s modernist landscape. One of the most iconic photographic spots in all of Chandigarh!
15 minutes • Admission ticket included
Day 2
Pierre Jeanneret, Jane Drew & Maxwell Fry's Design & Urban Planning Day 2
8 stops
8
Get a rare visit to the first house constructed in Chandigarh turned museum. Originally the residence of Pierre Jeanneret for 11 years, a key collaborator of Le Corbusier, this house showcases his innovative design principles. Built-in the 1950s, Maison Jeanneret reflects the modernist architecture characteristic of Chandigarh's urban planning, featuring clean lines, open spaces, and functional design. I'll take you through the meticulously preserved interiors, where you'll find mid-century modern furniture designed by Jeanneret himself. The minimalist aesthetic and use of local materials like teak wood highlight his practical yet elegant approach. You'll also see rare photographs, sketches, and personal artifacts that provide a glimpse into Jeanneret's life & his pivotal role in shaping Chandigarh. We will get rare access to the garden and verandas which reflect his architectural philosophy of integrating indoor and outdoor spaces seamlessly. Tickets are already included!
1 hour • Admission ticket included
9
Inspired by Le Corbusier’s 1965 Zurich Pavilion, this raw concrete form and tubular stairway set the stage for Chandigarh’s modernist saga. We’ll explore three levels of rare exhibits, starting with the basement’s 1947 Partition archives, showcasing Albert Mayer and Matthew Nowicki’s early plans through original maps. The second level unveils Le Corbusier’s vision, with blueprints, models, and unbuilt designs like the Museum of Knowledge, crafted with Pierre Jeanneret, Jane Drew, and Maxwell Fry. On the third, see Chandigarh’s evolution, including Jeanneret’s furniture and his recreated living room. With insider access, you’ll view restricted sketches and tapestries, offering a personalized glimpse into this UNESCO city’s creation. Tickets already included, no waiting in lines!
1 hour • Admission ticket included
10
Experience a delightful boating vibe on the calm waters of the lake. You'll enjoy the stunning views of the surrounding hills and the peaceful ambiance packed with picnic snacks for everyone, especially fun for kids and couples. After our boating adventure, we'll head to the Garden of Silence located at the backside of the lake. This tranquil garden features a large statue of Buddha, providing a perfect setting for meditation and reflection. The serene environment, with its beautifully landscaped surroundings, offers a quiet escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. Here we'll do some yoga and stretches and hear about the history of the place. Get ready to soak in the natural beauty and tranquility of Sukhna Lake and the Garden of Silence!
1 hour • Admission ticket included
11
Conceived in the 1950s as part of Chandigarh’s master plan, Sector 17 was designed as the central business district, embodying Le Corbusier’s vision of a modern urban center where commerce, culture, and community converge. We will take the shaded tree-lined walkways, do people watching by the fountains, and see local artists perform at open spaces, blending brutalist concrete with green landscapes. Explore Pierre Jeanneret's functionality, blending with just the spot for you to shop for Indian / Punjabi shopping space. gift back home like spices, artifacts, non tacky clothes or herbal ayurvedic supplements. Bask in the immense pride of how much locals utilize these public spaces, despite a constant struggle of gentrifying the city, and how the well-oiled machinery just works!
1 hour • Admission ticket free
12
I'll guide you through enchanting pathways adorned with over 2,000 unique sculptures crafted from recycled materials, including broken cutlery, toilets, hardware, electrical switches, road construction material,s and more. This iconic landmark spot has won multiple "best out of the waste" awards internationally and is a huge hit for kids. Take inspiration from its founds Nek Chand's vision. You'll discover hidden waterfalls, tranquil ponds, and themed courtyards each telling a unique story. No need to stand in line, I'd have our entry tickets already purchased included in the tour, as we explore all "phases" or portions of the park, including secret passageways and the lesser-known sculptures tucked away in secluded corners, offering perfect spots for stunning photographs and a truly immersive experience. Get ready to uncover the magic of Rock Garden like never before!
2 hours • Admission ticket included
13
A poignant tribute tucked within the Bougainvillea Garden of Sector 3, where architectural subtlety meets profound historical resonance. Conceived by Lt. Gen. J.F.R. Jacob and designed by students, this sunken, spiral arena—dedicated in 2006 by Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam—honors over 10,500 martyrs from Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and Chandigarh who fell post-Independence, their names etched on black granite panels that line its galaxy-like layout. Spanning an oval, six-foot-deep amphitheater, it blends seamlessly with Le Corbusier’s Chandigarh vision, its concrete walls pierced with light-filled openings and flanked by ramps, all crowned by vibrant bougainvillea—a citizen-funded marvel initiated by the Indian Express Group, not the state. This is one of India’s largest post-Independence war memorials, this space whispers of sacrifice and valor, a silent galaxy of heroes woven into the city’s modernist tapestry.
30 minutes • Admission ticket included
14
Insider, private, personal expert-guided access to the university campus designed to embody academic excellence within a planned urban framework. Le Corbusier, the master planner, laid out the 550-acre campus with a grid-iron pattern, integrating open courtyards and green spaces to foster an intellectual community. Pierre Jeanneret designed key buildings like the iconic Gandhi Bhawan, a pinwheel-inspired structure with a white pebble exterior, and the University Library, blending exposed brick and concrete for climate-responsive functionality. Jane Drew and Maxwell Fry contributed to early residential and administrative blocks, emphasizing humane, tropical architecture. B.P. Mathur, a local architect, designed the Student Centre, a brutalist hub for social life. With insider access, you’ll explore rare archival blueprints, revealing their collective genius in crafting this UNESCO-nominated campus, a living legacy of modernist urbanism.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
15
Get private, RARE, private access inside Pierre Jeanneret’s public socialist housing in Chandigarh (subject to local variables), a model of modernist equity. Designed in the 1950s for India’s first planned city, Jeanneret’s 13 housing categories, from elite to low-income Type 13, used exposed brick, brise-solei, stone masonry, and concrete. His brutalist style, with latticed screens and balconies, ensures ventilation in Chandigarh’s heat, reflecting the Modulor system. Post-1947, these homes embodied Nehru’s vision of equality, using identical materials across classes, a unique approach in India. Integrated into Le Corbusier’s grid-iron plan, they create cohesive sectors like 16, 23, and 24. We’ll visit Jeanneret’s Type housing in sector 19, still functional and occupied, and see multiple types of housing. Has the design survived 44 degrees C sweltering heat and a privacy-focused society instead of communal living housing? Or are the designs now obsolete?
1 hour • Admission ticket free

Additional info

• Wheelchair accessible
• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Service animals allowed
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
• Transportation options are wheelchair accessible

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