Ram Bagh Garden
Situated in the new part of town, the picturesque Ram Bagh garden was once the summer palace of the erstwhile Maharaja Ranjit Singh (1780-1839), the Lion of Punjab. Earlier known as company garden, its name was changed to Rambagh by the king to commemorate his faith and devotion to Guru Ram Das, the founder of the city of Amritsar. Build in the model of Shalimar Gardens at Lahore, Ram Bagh encompasses a collection of rare coniferous trees, herbal plants and water channels set with fountains and golden fish. At one end of the garden, there is a lively statue of the king saddled on a horse.

The palace located in the middle of the garden has been converted to a museum. It contains weapons dating back to Mughal times and some portraits of the ruling houses of the Punjab and a replica of the diamond 'Kohinoor'. One can enter the Ram bagh through a huge fortified gate with a small entrance fee. It is closed on Wednesdays.

Gobindgarh Fort

Previously known as Bhangian Da Killa, the Gobindgarh Fort located in the South-West of Amritsar was built in 1760 by the army of Gujjar Singh Bhangi of Misl (the 12th Sikh Guru). Later in 1805-09, it was rebuilt by Maharaja Ranjit Singh with the help of Jodh Singh and he strengthened the fortification of the fort in order to keep his treasures and treaties in safety.

Gobindgarh Fort was constructed with brick and lime on a square pattern with a parameter of 1500 square meter with two strong gates, four large bastions and well-defined rampart. The magnificent main entrance is called Nalwa Gate and the other gate known as Keelar Gate is said to have a connected with the tunnel of Lahore, which is used to escape from the enemies. There were 25 cannons on the ramparts and they are now replaced with modern weaponry. In the center of the fort there is a Toshakhana, which is specially constructed to store a huge amount of food and grains for the 12,000- army men.

After the annexation of Punjab, the fort was occupied by the British Army and they had added Darbar Hall, Hawa Mehal and Phansi Ghar (hanging place) to the fort. After separation, it offers a temporary protection to a large number of immigrants from Pakistan . The fort that occupies a unique place in Indian military history has been taken over by the Indian army in October 1948 and it is now under the administration of Indian Defense Force. In December 2006, the Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amrinder Singh had declared to open the fort for general public and tourists

Taran Taran
Constructed by Maharaja Ranjit Singh, Taran Taran is an important Sikh tank located about 25 km south of Amritsar which consists of a Gurudwara and a tower on its eastern side. It is said that the water in this sacred tank have curative powers and any leper who can swim across the tank will be miraculously cured. The Darbar Sahib Sri Guru Arjun Devji Gurudwara was built in AD 1768 in memory of the 5th Sikh Guru Arjun Devji. Erected similar to the architecture of Golden Temple, it has a gold plated dome. Fairs are held here on every Amavasi (moonless night). Baisakhi , Diwali and the birth anniversaries of the Gurus are also celebrated here. Free accommodation facilities are provided to the pilgrims.Top

Akal Takht
Akal Takht also known as Akal Bunga, situated just opposite to the Golden temple is one among the five sacred Takhts of Sikhs; the others being Takht Shri Damdama Sahib at Talwandi Sabo, Takht Shri Keshgarh Sahib at Anandpur, Takht Shri Patna Sahib and Takht Shri Hazoor (Hazur) Sahib at Nanded. In Persian, the term Akal means 'the timeless one' and Takht means 'throne' . Hence, Akal Takht as a whole means 'The throne of the timeless one' (literally means Eternal Throne i.e. God.).

Built in 1609 by the sixth Guru, Guru Hargobind, Akal Takht is the place of the Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee, the religious governing body of the Sikhs. It is a massive five story building standing on a marble paved platform. The ground floor was ready in 1774 and four stores were added later by Maharaja Ranjit Singh. The Golden dome was constructed by famous Sikh General Han Singh Nalwa. Akal Takht stands as a symbol of justice, political and military resistance against the Mughal Empire in the 17th and 18th century.

The holy book of the Sikhs, Guru Granth Sahib is kept here. In every morning, it is taken out to the Golden temple as a procession and at night it is brought back to Akal Takht. It is also used as the warehouse to kept ancient weapons, used by the Sikh soldiers and Gurus. All instructions affecting the whole Sikh community are issued from here.

In 1984 during the army action called Operation Blue Star Akal Takhat was badly damaged by the Indian Army. The Government of India got the building reconstructed but it was demolished in early 1986 to be replaced by one raised through karseva, voluntary free service of the Panth and by money accruing from voluntary donations.

Attari Wagah Border
Attari Wagah Border often known as the 'Berlin wall of Asia', is the ceremonial Indian-Pakistan Border situated 28kms from Amritsar and one of the famous tourist attraction of the city. Each evening a retreat ceremony takes place with the BSF (Border Security Forces) on the Indian Side of the Border. The flags of both the nations are lowered and a thrilling parade is performed by the soldiers of both nations.

The change of guards which take place on the Pakistan side with Satluj rangers and the flag hoisting and lowering ceremonies, performed by the elegantly dressed skilful jawans of Indo-Pakistan border security forces is attended by a large number of visitors. The ceremonies will conclude at sun set with a bugle sound heard together from both sides shows that India and Pakistan are one and at the same time flags of the two nations are retrieved ceremoniously and the patriotic vehemence rises and lights are switched on. Wagah Border is only a land route to approach Pakistan and central Asia.

Tower of Baba Atal Rai
The 33 meters (108 ft) high nine storied octagonal tower of Baba Atal Rai, located few miles away from the main city on the south-east of the Golden Temple is the tallest tower in Amritsar. This significant landmark of the city was built during the year 1778 - 1784 in memory of the sixth Sikh teacher, Guru Hargobind and his youngest son, Baba Atal Rai. Originally it was built as a samadhi, or cenotaph that enshrines the remains of Atal Rai and Guru Hargobind and with the passage of time, it was transformed into a Gurudwara. Although Atal Rai died at the age of nine, he was honoured with the title of Baba for the extraordinary powers he had displayed. The present nine-storey building represents the nine years of Baba Atal's life.

Baba Atal Rai Tower is not only a mere religious site but it has emerged as one of the favorite hangouts for the tourists. The first floor of this tower is elaborately adorned with miniature works depicting Guru Nanak's life. From the top of the tower, one can view the scenery of the whole area.

Jallian Wala Bagh
Located 400 meters north of the Golden Temple, Jallian Wala Bagh is a place noted for its notorious massacre under British rule. The incident was happened on April 13,1919. During the time of freedom struggle, when Mangal Pandey blew the bugle for commencing the struggle for independence, General Dyer, the Lieutenant Governor of the province, made a law that no Indian will be allowed to hold gatherings or processions. On 13th April to celebrate the Baisakhi festival, thousands of people gathered at Jallian Wala Bagh ground that is surrounded by high walls on all sides and has only a narrow alley for access. Thinking it as a violation of the law, General Dyer personally led the troops to the sight and ordered his men to open fire without any warning which is resulted in the death of 379 and injured more than 1200. India was outraged by Dyer's massacre. Gandhiji, called for a nation wide strike and started the Non-cooperation Movement, which became an important mile stone in the struggle for India's Independence.

The Jallianwala Bagh ground has been converted into a memorial park with beautiful lawns, which can be entered through a narrow path between the houses. At the entrance of the garden, a martyr's memorial has been constructed in memory of those who lost their lives in the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre. It was built in 1960 with Rajasthan red stones having four stone lamps at its edge that looks like a flame and the foundation is made up of granite pieces. The well into which many people jumped and drowned attempting to save themselves from the hail of bullets and the remnants of walls with bullet holes are also preserved as a protected monument inside the park. Within the garden, there is a gallery dedicated to the martyrs which displays the photographs and letters of that period. It remains open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. during summer and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m during winter

Pul Kanjari
Pul Kanjari is a small village situated 35kms away from Amritsar on Amritsar-Lahore road, near the villages of Daoka and Dhanoa Kalan on the Wagha border. It is one among the heritage sight built by Maharaja Ranjit Singh, where he used to take rest while passing by along with his royal troop. During his reign, Pul Kanjari was an important trading centre and the king used to stay there for few days when travelling between Lahore and Amritsar. The legend has it that the village was named after a pul (bridge) that was built by the king for a dancer Moran. It is said that one day while crossing the canal one of her shoes fell into the water which vexed her a great deal and a bridge was constructed on her insistence. This fortress also contains a bathing pool, a temple, a Gurudwara and a mosque which were the secular concern of the Maharaja. The village has a monument built in memory of the Jawans who lost their lives in the 1971 war with Pakistan .

Serai Amanat Khan
Located 38 kilometers south west of Amritsar, Serai Amanat Khan is one among the four serais of Punjab, famed for the carved out gate built in Mughal style. Serias means inn. Amanat Khan seria consists of hundreds of rooms which is about 100 yard both in length and breadth and it provides accommodation to the people passing the royal road from Atari to Govindwal.

The tomb of Amanat Khan, located within Serai Amanat Khan premises is majestically surrounded by four minarets. The serai also houses a mosque adorned with beautiful verses in Persian. The other remnants of the past that can be seen here are the glazed tile furnishings and a beautiful 'Bouli' that is attached to the ruined well of the serai.