It is located at 30° 58' N 73° 51' E and at an elevation of 177 meters (583 feet),[1] and lies about 70 km south of Lahore, the capital of Punjab.

[3] Some important places around Chunian include, Gillan Wala, Dhose, Sadha otar, Gurdas Walla, Bhemkie, Charkey, Kott Ch.

In 2016, the Government of Pakistan created an industrial zone on the outskirts of the city to provide a boost to the local economy.

A large area of unexcavated mounds extends to the south-west of the city where ancient bricks and shards of pottery can be found on the surface.

The present name is popularly believed to have been derived from 'Chunni', name of a daughter of Raja Todar Mal, the dewan or revenue minister to Mughal Emperor Akbar the Great.