Amritsar- the pool of nectar-is best known as the home of the Golden temple, the most sacred shrine of the sikhs. 

'Pati' means territory and 'ala' derives its name form the city's founder. Places to see are Qila Mubarak; Sheesh Mahal with its rich collection of Punjab paintings; The Darbar Hall in Qila; Patiala house for Armoury and Chandeliers; Baradari Palace; Temple Kali Devi and Gurudwara Dukh. 24 kilometers west of Patiala, at Nabha, are the frescoes of another local school of art in Rani Mahal.

The Manchester of India, Ludhiana is an important industrial town. It is world famous for it's woolens. Ludhiana was the site of a great battle in the First Sikh War. The world's largest bicycle manufacturer, Hero Bicycles, which produces nearly three million bikes annually, is based here.

There's little here to see; but if you're sick, the Christian Medical College Hospital (affiliated with the hospital of the same name in Velour in Tamil Nadu) is a good place to head for. Established in 1895, it was the first school of medicine in Asia.

Famed for it's quality sports goods all over the world, it is an important industrial centre. 800 years old Imam Nasir Mausoleum, Devi Talab and 4 centuries old Jama Masjid are worth visiting.

The town of Pathankot in the extreme north of the Punjab, 107km from Amritsar, is important to travelers purely as a crossroad. It's the gateway to the Himachal Pradesh hill stations of Dalhousie and Dharamsala, and on the route to Jammu and Srinagar. Otherwise it's a dull little place, although there's the picturesque Shahpur Kndi Fort about 13km north of town on the River Ravi.