Your Centric Guide to Sector 17: Modernist icons, local rituals and the city beyond the postcard

Start by seeing Chandigarh through the eyes of someone who knows its stories. Amazing Destination is a storytelling-led guided experience with Sanjeev Sharma, a UNESCO-affiliated Chandigarh tourism guide. His curated tours take you back and forth in time, while telling you stories about Sector 17, that was Rurki Village in the 1950’s - a place where agriculture thrived, and wild animals roamed.

To marvel at an architectural spectacle, try the Hyatt Centric Launchpad Experience, Rock Garden - Off The Grid, designed to take you into secret alleyways and hidden corners behind waterfalls that most tourists never see.

Then, feel the city’s pulse at the Sector 17 Plaza, the city’s favourite meeting place for more than 50 years. Insider tip: Look for the map of Chandigarh etched into the concrete at Sector 17 Plaza, then stay on as evening falls for the audio-visual show.

For a change of pace, head to Chandigarh Bird Park, home to flamingos, pelicans, parakeets and peacocks. Insider Tip: Explore the Bird Park’s three celestial gardens: Navgraha Vatika, Nakshatra Vatika and Rashi Vatika, designed around stars and zodiacs. From here, continue to the Pierre Jeanneret House Museum, where the chief architect of Chandigarh lived for 11 years.

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Eating at Sector 17 means travelling back in time through its historic joints. Settle into Indian Coffee House for simple South Indian fare, filter coffee and an old-school atmosphere. Then there’s the iconic Softy Corner, one of the first outlets in the city to serve softy ice creams. Insider tip: Try the softy or a thick shake, and visit late afternoon when the area begins to fill with local regulars.

Then explore Chandigarh’s other neighbourhoods. Pal Dhaba in Sector 28-D is an old-school Punjabi favourite, serving rich, spicy food including butter chicken, mutton curry and dal makhani. For a more contemporary stop, Sa Roca in Sector 10 brings Mediterranean influences to Chandigarh, serving traditional lassis to matcha lattes.

If you’re in the mood for something more discreet, head back to Hyatt Centric’s PVT LTD. Guests receive an access code to unlock an intimate setting of cocktails and conversations at this hidden speakeasy. Rumours is a curated experience for in-house guests, where you enjoy 50 per cent off classic cocktails and select premium pours, daily from 5pm to 7.30pm. Alternatively, head to Koyo Koyo, which serves contemporary Asian cuisine in a fine-dining setting.

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Walking through Chandigarh’s bazaars is a crash course on its culture. Head to Shastri Bazaar for handmade treasures like Punjabi Phulkari (traditional flowery folk embroidery) fabrics, intricate jewellery, home décor and other trinkets. Insider tip: Browse before you bargain. Keep some cash handy while venturing into smaller shops and street-food stalls.

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With so much to do in the city, Hyatt Centric’s ‘Your Chandigarh Bucket List’ brings the city into one pocket-sized guide, with 17 handpicked experiences covering culture, dining, shopping and local experiences.

For a more immersive stay, the Staycation Package adds practical perks: a welcome drink, daily buffet breakfast, dining savings, spa credit, steam and sauna access, and more. It also includes access to a certified-guide experience at a special rate and benefits at PVT LTD.

With Hyatt Centric as your home base, navigate the city's architectural marvels and the narratives that shaped them, ending your day where the pulse of Chandigarh thrives.