Top Tourist Places to visit in Amritsar:
Among several
famous places in Amritsar, some of the best places to visit in Amritsar are as follows:
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The Golden Temple: Also known as Sri Harmandir Sahib, the Golden Temple is the holiest Sikh temple in the world. It was constructed during the 16th century but later finished in 1764. The dome of the temple is covered with gold, making it unique from the others. The inner walls of the temple are covered with semi-precious stones, glasswork and Meenakari work. The architecture of the temple shows both Hindu and Islamic style. The holy book, the Granth Sahib, is placed in the main temple and the book has numerous collections of holy poems and hymns.
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Jallianwala Bagh: Spread over an area over 6.5 acres, Jallianwala Bagh is a public garden that features a memorial of the famous (read: notorious) Jallianwala Bagh massacre. It is dedicated to the martyrs of the massacre. The garden also has a Martyr’s Gallery, which exhibits portraits of some freedom fighters. There is also a wall which has bullet marks till today and a well where a large number of people jumped in an attempt to save them from the bullets. It is managed by the Jallianwala Bagh National Memorial Trust and is the best place to revisit the history.
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Chand Baori: Constructed around 800 AD, Chand Baori is a stepwell made to provide convenience to the people who are in search of water. It is one of the most spectacular stepwells of Amritsar. Having 13 stories and approx 3500 steps, Chand Baori is one of the largest stepwells of India. The depth of the well is astonishing 30 metres. It is also quite popular among tourists because the air at the bottom of the well is a few degrees cooler than that on top. The place flawlessly depicts the astounding symmetry, magnificent architecture and the ancient history of India.
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Wagah Border: The famous border between India and Pakistan, Wagah Border lies here in Amritsar too. It is prominent for its closing ceremony which is also known as the ‘lowering of the flags ceremony’ or the ‘Beating Retreat.’ The border is located 32 km from Amritsar. The famous ceremony takes place every evening before sunset and the security forces of both India (BSF) and Pakistan (Pakistani Rangers) perform here since 1959. As soon as the sun sets, the border keepers bring down their respective national flags. Notably, the ceremony ends with a handshake between the soldiers of both nations.
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Maharaja Ranjit Singh Museum: Situated in the midst of beautiful Ram Bagh garden, Maharaja Ranjit Singh Museum is a famous museum of Amritsar. It is one of the best museums in Punjab and also one of the top tourist attractions in Amritsar. It was originally the summer Palace for great Sikh ruler Maharaja Ranjit Singh during 18th and 19th century but later in 1977 it was converted into a museum. The museum displays the life of Sikh ruler and along with this, it also shows the objects like arms and armours, paintings, old coins and manuscript which are related to the Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s era.
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Akal Takth: One of the five sacred seats of power in Sikh religion, Akal Takth means ‘throne of the timeless one.’ The seat is inside the Golden Temple and the holy book - Granth Sahib is kept here during the night. It is a main part of the Golden Temple and was built by Guru Hargobind Singh Ji who was the sixth guru of Sikhs. Akal Takth means ‘symbol of political sovereignty.’ The original seat was 3.5 metres tall but the present structure is a five storey building with marble walls and a gold-coated dome.
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Kaiser Bagh Park: Also known as Ceaser's Park, Kaiser Bagh is the most exciting and fun place in Amritsar. It was built around 1845-1850. The quadrangular shaped park features a pavilion, bordered by yellow painted forms on the three sides. Kaiser Bagh is a combination of Gothic and Mughal style architecture. The entrance of the park is quite famous among tourists because it has a flight of stairs that guide to the main floor which is somewhat similar to a bridge. A small temple is also built here.
Amritsar Sightseeing by bus:
If you do not want to spend big bucks while travelling then the bus is the most convenient and cheaper way of transportation and in bonus, it also helps you to connect with locals of the city. The best way to explore the city by bus is to book a daily tour organised by Punjab Roadways for
Amritsar sightseeing. The tour bus passes through many religious and historical sites, old bazaars and food points providing you a quick glance of the city iconic structures.
Amritsar Sightseeing by Car:
The car serves as a convenient approach to enjoy Amritsar sightseeing. It provides the freedom to explore every nook and corner of the city at own pace and it also provides enough space for luggage. Further, it gives opportunities to halt at places of your choice and explore their beauty and historicity. So, do not miss the chance to drive your car through lanes of Amritsar. In addition, tourists can reach distant areas which are otherwise not reachable by public transport. Tourists can also opt for cab and car rental services as per their own convenience. There are several agencies that provide such services for Amritsar sightseeing and cover most of the key attractions of the city on their route. So, for a better and pocket-friendly experience, this serves as a perfect alternative for tourists.
Weekend Getaways from Amritsar:
Apart from
Amritsar points of interest, there are numerous popular tourist destinations which can be explored near the city as well.
Tourist places near Amritsar within 100 km
Jalandhar and Hoshiarpur in Punjab are the two prominent places to visit near Amritsar within 100 km.
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Jalandhar: Located between Beas and Sutlej River, Jalandhar is one of the wealthiest districts of Punjab. It is once declared as
‘Smart City’ of Punjab as it has undergone massive urbanization and industrialization. The entrance to the city is clean and beautiful making it worth visiting. St.
Mary Cathedral Church, the Devi Talab, Nur Mahal, the tomb of Hazi Jamal and the Gurudwara Chhevin Padshahi are few attractions of the city.
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Hoshiarpur: Also known as the city of Saints, Hoshiarpur is famous for dams, dense forests, lush green areas, temples, food and clean environment. It is situated at National Highway no. 71. And, the place is well-known for its woodworks, and art and craft. The people of Hoshiarpur are friendly and helpful to the tourists making it the favourite tourist spot. Some of the best attractions of Hoshiarpur are Damsel Dam, Gurudwara Harian Velan, Kamahi Devi Temple and Pushpa Gujral Science City.
Tourist places near Amritsar within 200 km
Jammu in Jammu & Kashmir and Dharamshala in Himachal are the two prominent places to visit near Amritsar within 200 km.
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Jammu: Land of grand ancient temples and beautiful palaces, Jammu is the winter capital of the state of Jammu and Kashmir. This 'City of Temples' always has something to offer to everyone from fabulous cuisine to the snow- capped mountains that promise adventure and action. Vaishno Devi temple, Mansar Lake, Shivkhori and Bahu Fort are some of the popular places in Jammu.
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Dharamshala: Dharamshala is a holy residence of Dalai Lama and is one of the popular tourist destinations. It is situated on the upper
hilly land of Kangra Valley. Being a Tibetan hub, Dharamsala is believed to be one of the best places to learn and explore Buddhism and Tibetan Culture. War Memorial,
Dharamshala Cricket Stadium, Tea Gardens and St. John in the Wilderness Church are the few best places to visit in Dharamshala.
Tourist places near Amritsar within 500 km
Delhi in New Delhi and Shimla in Himachal Pradesh are two of the popular places that tourists can explore near Amritsar within 500 km.
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Delhi: Delhi is the capital of India and is also one of the most vibrant places to visit. It is among those cities which has both modern
high-rise buildings and even ancient historic structures. Delhi’s colourful lifestyle and enthusiastic pace of life make it a fine city to visit. Some of its famous
attractions are Red Fort, Lotus Temple, Qutab Minar, Jama Masjid, Humayun’s Tomb, India Gate, Akshardham Temple and National Gallery of Modern Art.
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Shimla: One of the most visited hill stations; Shimla is always the first choice for holiday destinations. It is surrounded by pine and
deodar forests and provides absolutely marvellous views of the hills. The city is situated at a height of 2200 metres, and is one of the aesthetically planned cities
in India. Some of the famous attractions are the Mall Road, The Ridge, Institute of Advanced Studies and Jakhu Temple.
Places to Stay in Amritsar:
Ranging from economical hotels to luxurious hotels, there are numerous accommodation choices available in Amritsar that ensure the convenience of the visitors.
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5-star accommodations in Amritsar: Le Meridien Amritsar, The Taj Mahal Hotel and The Lodhi are some of the luxurious accommodation options that show signs of impeccable hospitality and efficient facilities.
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4-star accommodations in Amritsar: The Fern Residency, MK Hotel and Hotel Paras Regency are some of the
4-star hotels in Amritsar that are known for their high- class services.
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3-star accommodations in Amritsar: Hotel Ritz Plaza, Hotel Namaskar, and Hotel Airlines Amritsar are the 3-star accommodation alternatives that provide spacious rooms which are equipped with all essential stipulations.
Budget accommodations in Amritsar: Country Inn, Hotel Royal Castle and Hotel Venus International are some of the budget
hotels in Amritsar that are known for providing the best of services without creating a hole in the pocket.
One cannot afford to miss enjoying holidays in Amritsar when there is no shortage of accommodation options. Also, it is suggested to visit the city between November and March, as it is measured as the
best season to visit Amritsar. So, book your tickets in advance and get ready to have an unforgettable experience.
FAQ's
Q. What is the most important thing one needs to keep in mind while travelling to Amritsar?
A. Those who are planning to visit Amritsar in summers should know that the temperature during this time ranges as high as 49 - degrees Celsius.
Q. What are the top 5 popular places in Amritsar?
A. The Golden Temple, Wagah Border, Jallianwala Bagh garden, Akal Takht and Kesari Bagh are the top five must-visit destinations in Amritsar.
Q. What are the places to visit near the Golden Temple?
A. Guru Ke Mahal, Hall Bazar, Bibekar Sahib are few places to visit near the Golden Temple.
Q. Which is the best season that witnesses less rush in Amritsar?
A. In order to explore Amritsar when it is less crowded, December to February is considered to be the best time.
Q. How to make the most of a 2-day trip to Amritsar?
A. To make the most of a 2-day trip to Amritsar, one should visit the Golden Temple to witness the world’s largest gurudwara. Also, one can relish local delicacies like Langar ka Prasad, Amritsari Kulcha, mitthi lassi in the breakfast. Later, visit tourist destinations like Jallianwala Bagh and Maharaja Ranjit Singh Museum. Next day, explore the old bazaars and visit Wagah Border to witness the flag hoisting. Travellers can also visit Harike Wetland and Bird Sanctuary as it is the largest wetland in northern India.
Q. What are the places to visit in Amritsar and Chandigarh?
A. Some of the places that people can visit in Chandigarh are Rock Garden, Sukhna Lake, Sector 17 Market and in Amritsar you can pay your visit at Old Bazaars, the Golden Temple and Wagha Border.
Q. What are some places for shopping in Amritsar?
A. There are lots of places to shop in Amritsar including Hall Bazaar, Old City Bazaar, Guru Bazaar, Alpha One Mall, Shastri Market and Lahori Gate Market.
Q. How many overseas tourists visit Amritsar annually and is the place safe for them?
A. Yes, Amritsar is safe for foreigners. On an average, around 11 lakh overseas tourists visit Amritsar annually. However, please make sure you hire only government approved guides and use the facilities of your hotel travel desk. Be careful of your valuables and pickpockets in the crowded areas.
Q. What are the safe and luxury hotels for solo travellers in Amritsar?
A. The Lodhi, Hotel Ritz Plaza and the Fern Residency are some safe and luxury hotels for solo travellers in Amritsar.
Q. What are the top luxury couple hotels in Amritsar?
A. The top luxury couple hotels in Amritsar are Country Inn, Le Meridien Amritsar and The Taj Mahal Hotel.
Q. Where can one get the best Amritsar sightseeing packages?
A. For the best Amritsar sightseeing packages, one can log in to Yatra.com.
