Punjab travel guide

Colourful and cultural, Punjab is a feast for body and mind. From its gleaming Golden Temple to its frequent festivals, its welcoming people to its famous food, this northern state draws visitors in, immerses them in history and spectacle, and sends them away happier. It also provides a gateway to many of northern India’s mystical and meaningful sights, from Dharamsala to the Raj summer capital of Shimla. Our Punjab travel guide has all the highlights.

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Punjab travel guide

In 1947, Partition split the province of Punjab up, giving a portion to India and a portion to the newly created Pakistan. It was a traumatic, violent episode in the region’s history, but today, India’s Punjab is a joyful, inviting place. History and religion hold hands everywhere you go, from the Dalai Lama’s home in Dharamasala, to the Raj-remnant Shimla and mystical Rishikesh. Punjab state itself is the homeland for India’s wonderfully welcoming Sikh community. It’s dotted with gleaming temples, with the 16th century Golden Temple in Amritsar its mind-blowing centerpiece.

Famous for the Golden Temple in Amritsar, Punjab also deserves a high five for its Bhangra, festivals, food and fantastically friendly welcome.

In its inner sanctum, priests and musicians chant from the Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh holy book, while elsewhere in Punjab, frequent festivals bounce to a soundtrack of Bhangra beats. Butter chicken is a famous foodie speciality, as are syrupy gulab jamuns. It’s a heady mix. In fact, forget just sightseeing – a visit to Punjab is about immersing the senses and opening the mind to magical, memorable experiences.

Discover more in our Punjab travel guide.

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Things to do in Punjab...

Watch the evening lowering of the flags ceremony at the Indo-Pakistani Wagah Border, 30km from Amritsar. Soldiers from both countries march in perfect drill, performing rapid dance-style moves, as they take down their respective national flags. Symbol of brotherhood or reminder of old rivalries? Or a bit of both...? Explore on two feet. Amble through temples and bazaars, hike into the Himalayan foothills from Shimla or stroll alongside the Ganges in Rishikesh – walking is the best way to appreciate Punjab and its neighbouring states. It’s also a welcome antidote to bumpy bus and jeep rides. Visit the Golden Temple at night. It’s beautifully lit up and reflected in the sacred pool. Less busy, too. Come prepared for high altitude. Many trips to Punjab take in the foothills of the Himalayas, where temperatures can drop, particularly in November and March (trips don’t tend to venture here in winter). The sun can also be strong at higher altitudes, so bring a hat and sunscreen. Try some Punjabi culinary specialities. Butter chicken was born here, while veggies can tuck into makki di roti, a flat, unleavened Punjabi bread made from maize flour, often served with sarson da saag, a dish made from mustard greens or spinach and spices. Gulab jamuns are sticky, sweet, deep-friend stealth bombs for your waistline and your teeth, but when in Rome...

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Things not to do in Punjab...

Ignore the history of this region. Punjab and its surrounding states have a rich cultural, religious and political history – overlook this and you won’t fully appreciate the region. Read about why Tibetans live in exile in Dharamsala and McLeod Ganj and get to know the history of Shimla and Amritsar. The Raj-era Brits don’t always come out of it well (the 1919 Jallianwala Bagh massacre is particularly shocking), but the past informs the present in this part of India.

Be culturally blasé. Religion and traditional culture is important in Punjab and around, so dress modestly. Bring clothes that cover the arms and wear shorts and skirts that go below the knees. A light scarf is also a good idea for covering shoulders and arms when it’s hot.

Ask for a drink in Rishikesh. This is a sacred town, so no alcohol is permitted.

Expect easy-peasy traveling conditions. Most vacations in the region use a mixture of public buses, private vehicles and trains, with some walking, too. Roads can be bumpy and windy, especially as you head for the Himalayas, and to ensure you see key sights, long train rides are often included to cover more ground. Treat it all as an adventure, with the chance to mingle with local people and see incredible scenery making up for any comfort deficit.