India is a varied and diverse country, with as many as 4000 cities and towns spread across 28 states and 8 union territories. About 20,000 languages are spoken as mother tongues across these 4000 cities in India, according to a 2018 census. These 4000 cities are as different to each other as chalk and cheese. It differs in various parameters such as language, region, infrastructure, standard of living, economy, social structure, and other factors. Further, these cities are divided into metro, non-metro, tier 1 and tier 2 cities. They can be also classified in terms of beautiful. So, here are the top five beautiful cities you should visit in India.
Rishikesh
Rishikesh, a holy city in Uttarakhand, is famous for its long list of temples and spirituality. It is called the ‘Yoga Capital of the World’ as it is home to many yoga ashrams. The Neelkantha Mahadev Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is one of the must-visit temples here. The Lakshman Jhula, a 450-feet long iron suspension bridge over the River Ganga, is one of the major attractions here. You can also do adventurous activities such as river rafting, bungee jumping, and rock climbing in Rishikesh. The evening Ganga Arti at Parmarth Niketan and Triveni Ghat leaves a lasting and beautiful impression on the devotees and onlookers. So, you must go for a complete Rishikesh tour package to enjoy all the beauties of this city.
Bangalore or Bengaluru
According to the Centre for Science and Environment report, the ‘Garden City’ was recently rated as the most liveable city in India. And rightly so. Bengaluru or Bangalore, the capital of Karnataka, gives a pleasant and chill weather throughout the year, thanks to its greenery and lush forest on the outskirts. It is home to a large park called Cubbon Park, right in the middle of the city. It is famous for its pub culture, café, cuisines, and night life, and welcomes people from all regions. It is the hub of start-ups, and the IT industry, and called the ‘Silicon Valley of India’.
Jaipur
According to a list compiled by Flight Network, a UK-based travel agency, Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan, is the only city that has made it to the list of 50 most beautiful cities in the world. It is ranked 48th in the list, ahead of Beijing in China and Athens in Greece. It is famous for forts and palaces such as Amber Fort, Hawa Mahal, City Palace, and Jal Mahal. It’s easy to get mesmerised by the lavish and beautiful palaces and forts here. Besides, Jaipur is also famous for its collections of jewellery and ornaments and local cuisines, especially Dal Baati Churma. So you can enjoy the whole day just shopping traditional Jaipuriya dresses and jewellery and when tiered satiate your appetite with some of the most delicious food. The hot air balloon ride is something not to be missed when in Jaipur to enjoy and explore the city from the bird’s eye view.
Leh in Ladakh
Leh, the joint capital of the union territory of Ladakh, is a beautiful city that houses many majestic palaces, serene lakes, and monasteries. Leh Palace should be on your bucket list when you are visiting Ladakh. Thanks to the mountain ranges in Leh, the city is home to many adventurous activities such as trekking, biking, camping, river rafting, paragliding, mountaineering and skiing. The Khardung La, one of the highest motorable roads in India, draws many riders throughout the year. Pangong Lake in Leh is another major attraction of Ladakh tourism after a popular Bollywood movie named ‘3 Idiots’ was shot here.
Chandigarh
It is India’s first planned city, with clean roads and lush greenery characterising the capital of Punjab and Haryana. It also boasts of the lowest crime rate in India. Hence, living in Chandigarh is considered nothing less than a paradise. But Chandigarh has a lot to offer in terms of beauty. The Shivalik Hills forms the perfect backdrop to this city, with Sukhna Lake at its foothill making for serene and calm surrounding. Rock Garden, made by urban and industrial wastes, and Thunderzone, a fantasy park, are a must-visit place in Chandigarh.