'I like the wide roads and weather of this place very much. Besides, there are many prominent tourist spots in Chandigarh, and moreover this is the gateway to countless beautiful places in Himachal Pradesh. I have visited this place over 15 times in the last six years,' Steve Taylor, an Australian tourist, told IANS.

As far as domestic tourists are concerned, 522,000 tourists have visited Chandigarh in the first seven months of this year, almost the same as in the corresponding period last year.

In 2007, 928,000 domestic tourists came here but in 2008, this figure declined to 908,000.

Designed by legendary French architect Le Corbusier, the city boasts many acclaimed tourist destinations like Sukhna Lake, Rock Garden, Rose Garden and the Museum and Art Gallery.