Situated in the northern hemisphere of India, the state of Punjab gets its name from the five rivers that glide through its expanse. The state has garnered popularity for its rich cultural heritage, historical roots, and sumptuous cuisine. Home to the friendly Sikh community, tourists who visit Punjab are sure to be taken aback by the smiling faces and joyous nature of the locals. Some of the beautiful towns that form a part of Punjab include Ludhiana, Amritsar, Patiala, Jalandhar, Chandigarh, Pathankot, and Bathinda. Tourists are sure to be mesmerized by the city of farmlands and forts. Let us look at some of the exciting tourist places that can be visited on a tour of Punjab.

Chandigarh is a union territory that distinctively forms the capital of both the states of Haryana and Punjab. With high-quality architectural prowess and an exceptional quality of life, Chandigarh is the best-planned city in the whole of India. Tourists who visit the city must make sure to take up a boating journey across the gorgeous Sukhna Lake. Other impressive tourist spots in Chandigarh include Rock Garden, Rose Garden, and Leisure Valley. While the Leisure Valley nurtures Asia's biggest rose garden, the Rock Garden comprises facilities built out of discarded industrial and urban waste. The Capitol Complex of Chandigarh is another famous UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Famous as the city that hosts the imperial Golden Temple, Amritsar fittingly forms the religious and aesthetic hub of the Sikh community. The city teaches a spiritual feeling among the tourists that step foot on its soil. Those who visit during the festival of Baisakhi are bound to come across high-quality shopping options in the clothes stores, sumptuous food items, and exciting cultural festivities. Most significantly, Amritsar can woo patriotic Indians and foreigners with its historical sites such as the Wagah Border and the location of the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre. The bustling trade and tourism prospects of Amritsar make it one of the prime hubs in Northern India.

The largest town in the state of Punjab, Ludhiana is ideally nestled along the banks of the River Sutlej. This city has managed to retain its ancient roots inherited from the Lodi kingdom of yore. The hosiery industry that thrives within Ludhiana has helped it become one of the major manufacturing centers in all of India. Besides its industrial significance, Ludhiana also holds religious impetus due to the ancient forts and gurudwaras spread across its expanse. Tourists who visit during January and February would be lucky to witness the popular Rural Olympics held by local authorities at Qila Raipur.

Famous as the entry point to the states of Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh, Pathankot is nestled along the foothills of the cities of Dalhousie and Kangra. This city forms the convergence of several states such as Punjab, Jammu & Kashmir, and Himachal Pradesh. Tourists who visit Pathankot must visit the area surrounding the headquarters of the Indian Naval and Army forces to catch a glimpse of the majestic military prowess of the country. Other significant religious shrines in the city include Kathgarh temple, Shahpurkandi Fort, Mukteshwar Temple, and Nagni temple.

Patiala is one of the larger cities of Punjab perfectly placed in the southeastern division of this vibrant state. Some of the highlights of this city include its fervent traditional festivities and the architectural masterpieces. A princely state of yore, Patiala's architectural wonders boast of a vibrant fusion of Rajput and Mughal architecture. The traditional attire of the local inhabitants comprises the Paranda and Patiala Salwar worn by Punjabi women and the Patiala Shahi Pag worn by Sikh men. The older section of the town is sure to amaze tourists with its collection of local food delicacies. Last but not least, the Patiala Peg, a particular variant of measuring liquor, is famous all over India.

Jalandhar remains a significant town of the state of Punjab thanks to the fact that it once nurtured the acclaimed Indus Valley Civilization. The Mahabharatha proclaimed Jalandhar as Prasthala; however, the city was later renamed as Jullundur during the British reign. Forming one of the oldest towns in the state of Punjab, this modern-day cultural hub formed the capital of the state of Punjab before Indian independence. Jalandhar's traditional dance forms, such as Bhangra, Giddha, and Jhumar, are vibrantly practiced during every festival. With rich historical and religious roots, it is fitting that some of the major tourist spots here include shrines such as Imam Nasir Masjid and Gurudwara Chhevin Padshahi.

Bathinda is a historically and religiously acclaimed tourist hub of Punjab, with ancient roots that go as far back as 7000 BC. Bala Rao Bhatti, a king from the Bhati Rajput community, founded the modern-day city of Bathinda in 965 AD. Bathinda holds patriotic significance thanks to the fact that this city witnessed Guru Gobind Singh wage a courageous battle against the mighty Mughals. Some of the prime tourist destinations of Bathinda include Bahia Fort, Mazaar of Peer Haji Rattan, Chetak Park, Quila Mubarak, and Zoological Gardens. Bathinda also forms a pioneering industrial city with the presence of thermal plants, chemical industries, and cement plants across its expanse.

Sharing its border with the neighboring country of Pakistan, Anandpur Sahib is situated in the district of Rupnagar. This city is famous all over the globe as the land where the Khalsa Panth was founded by Guru Gobind Singh in 1699. The formation of several sacred gurudwaras in Pathankot's expanse makes it one of the holiest towns in the world. Apart from religious significance, the five majestic forts around the city also highlight its stature as a military powerhouse during the yesteryears. The city interestingly gets its name from the Qila Anandgarh Sahib, a marvelous fort strategically built as a military residence. Other significant forts include Qila Lohgarh Sahib, Qila Fatehgarh Sahib, and Qila Holgarh Sahib.

Situated in the Mohali district of Punjab, Zirakpur is a town that is renowned for its real estate, physical infrastructure, business environment, and people culture. While the Leisure Valley nurtures Asia's biggest rose garden, the Rock Garden comprises facilities built out of discarded industrial and urban waste. Set against the backdrop of the majestic Shivalik Hills, Zirakpur boasts of some sacred religious shrines such as Sanatan Dharam Mandir, Gurudwara Lohgarh Sahib, Shiv Mandir-Green City, Vishwakarma Temple, and Gurudwara Naada Sahib. Zirakpur also boasts of a beautiful nature reserve in the form of the Chatbir Zoo that hosts the magnificent white Bengal tiger.

Firozpur is a wonderful city perfectly nestled along the embankments of River Sutlej. Brought into being by Firoze Shah Tughluq during the 14th century, this town is studded with several memorials of great confrontations from yesteryears. These headstones provide a glimpse into the historic battles fought by valiant Sikh soldiers against various intruders. Some of these historical tourist sites include the Anglo Sikh War Memorial, National Martyrs Memorial, Barki Memorial, and the Saragarhi Memorial Gurudwara. Apart from these spots, Firozpur also holds religious importance thanks to its sacred shrines such as Pothimala, Gurudwara Gurusar, and Jain Mandir. Finally tourists who prefer nature parks can spend time at Harike Bird Sanctuary.