Home to the Golden Temple
Close to the border with Pakistan in the northwestern Indian state of Punjab and home to the Golden Temple of the Sikh religion.
Becoming a more popular tourist destination it is definitely worth adding to a tour although when we were there the centre and a lot of the roads where being renewed so the place was dusty and probably not at its best.
How to get there and Transportation
Fly from Delhi or connections from Birmingham with Air India and Doha with Qatar Airways
By Train -from Delhi, Mumbai, Varanasi, Kolkata - a few options to chose from
Bus - from Delhi, Chandigarh, Dharamsala and a few others major cities.
Car - we drove to Shimla from here but I would not recommend this, the journey was well over 6 hours so easier to fly.
Getting around
From the airport there are plenty of taxis available but hard bargaining is required.
Options are bus, auto rickshaw or car with driver which is the best option but never leave luggage in the car and do not pay all the cost at the start.
Best time to Visit
November to March are the best months to visit, weather is pleasant but can get cold.
April to June - high temperatures
July to October - Monsoon season
Where to stay
Hyatt Regency - still a good choice for Amritsar
Taj Swarna - currently rated number one.
Radisson Blu - modern hotel but reviews are mixed.
Read More about the Hyatt Regency
What to See
Golden Temple Complex
Visit twice for sunrise and evening when everything is lit up. The queue to go inside the golden temple itself (Harmandir Sahib) in the centre of the lake is long. You will be asked to have your photo taken with the many visiting pilgrims. Recommend a good guide to explain the uses of the many buildings surrounding the lake.
Opening hours 6 am to 2 am
Jallianwala Bagh
You will probably pass the entrance on your way to the temple, this is the site of the 1919 massacre which is now a memorial park and well worth visiting even if you are english. Again you are asked for photos.
Opening hours 6 am to 9 pm - free
Wagah Border
A 45 minute border opening ceremony beginning before sunset so 4.15 pm in winter and 4.45 pm in summer but you have to be there not later than 3 pm. It is not pleasant sitting waiting once you get there and it can be packed. Would not advise going with young children and babies. There is a VIP section to the left side but this is not really VIP and foreigners are kept in the same area.
Do not take anything with you except money and the camera, no bags are allowed. Water and cigarettes are taken off you at security where men and women are separated but you can then buy water from the stalls nearby.
Free entrance
Heritage Walk
Guided tour of the lanes of old Ambarsar showing the traditional trades and crafts.
Bookable through hotel - 3 hours with car and guide - cost 3000 INR per couple, taxes extra
Ram Bagh
Beautiful garden which is tribute to the founder of the city Guru Ram Das plus a museum and a Summer Palace of Maharaja Ranjit Singh
Open 10 am to 5 pm Tuesday to Sunday
Pul Kanjari village
UNESCO World Heritage site with a temple, mosque and Gurudwara, popular shopping place for locals.
35 kms from Amritsar and 6 km from the Wagah Border
Harike Bird Sanctuary
The second largest in India and also a National Wetland and Wildlife Sanctuary
Open daily from 9 am to 5 pm
Where to report animal cruelty in Amritsar
Restaurants
The Kulcha Land - Punjabi food
Circular Road, Medical Enclave - Tel +91 98143 20652
Makhani Fish and Chicken Corner - famous for fish
21A Nr Madan Hospital, Majitha Road - Tel +91 98151 93241
Beera Chicken Corner - Tandoori chicken
Majitha Road, Sehaj Avenue - Tel +918566914747
Kesar Da Dhaba - Indian, vegetarian and vegan
Shastri Market, Katra Ahluwalia - Tel +911832552103
Shopping
Alpha One Mall and Mall of Amritsar- for brands including a Marks and Spencers!
There is supposed to be a circle of streets leading to the Golden Temple which has a great selection of local crafts such as Punjabi Juttis (shoes) Phulkaari shawls, sarees, scarves, carpets, and spices but no matter how many times I tried to explain this to our guide we were just taken to a normal street and obviously a commission shop. Try asking for the Hall Bazzar and Kapra market and there is one warren of shops on the way out of the temple to your left where you can get Sikh daggers etc. We were taken to a large shop set over a few floors selling a great selection of juttis but I have no info on it.
Tips
Do not carry anything of value in the city, be careful of pickpockets
You are required to remove your shoes at the temple so do not wear anything expensive
You will need to cover your heads, scarves are available free or take your own.
If visiting the border ceremony be prepared for a walk to get there, take cash to buy when through security and a hat as it gets extremely hot.
Never pay for anything upfront especially taxis.
Amritsar Tourist Board
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