Top Places to Visit near Dharamshala In Himachal Pradesh, Dharamshala is a pristine hill station that was previously known as Bhagsu. The town is located in the Kangra Valley and deodar forests and coniferous forests surround the city. Though Dharamshala is a very beautiful place in itself, there are a variety of other places to visit around the hill station that are just as wonderful. If you’ve got enough time on your hands for an extended vacation, you could fly to any of them with Dharamshala or Mcleodganj as your base. This is a sanctuary for trekkers who want to go deep into the mountains to see the Himalayan beauty that no one else normally sees. There are also enough possibilities here to enjoy adventure sports. Here are some of the other places which should be high on your travel list to visit near Dharamshala.
Mcleodganj
Mcleodganj, popular among trekkers, is a hill station close to Dharamshala. McLeodganj (also spelt McLeodGanj or Mcleodganj) is a suburb of Dharamsala in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh, India. Its culture is a beautiful fusion of Tibetan with some British influence.
Due to its large population of Tibetans, it is known as Little Lhasa’ or ‘Dhasa‘ (a short form of Dharamshala used primarily by Tibetans). McLeod Ganj is headquartered in the Tibetan government-in-exile. It has an average elevation of 6,831 feet (2,082 metres). It is located just behind the Dhauladhar Range, whose highest peak, ‘Hanuman Ka Tibba,’ lies at around 5,639 metres (18,500 feet).
Triund
Situated in the laps of the dhauladhar mountains, Triund is the crown jewel of dharamshala, with the perfect view of the dhauladhar mountains on one side and the kangra valley on the other. Triund is a hiking spot that is very popular. Every year, Triund attracts a lot of tourists from India and all over the world. It is possible to characterise Triund trek as a quiet trek that almost all age groups can easily accomplish. Triund has an unambiguous route that goes through a lovely mixed oak, deodar and rhododendron woodland. “For the first five kilometres, trekking is reasonably straightforward, but the last one kilometre may require some toil, the last one kilometre is generally known as the “22 curves. There are several tiny chai shops along the way, where one can refresh during the walk. The track is worth it as the panorama is awe-inspiring and exhilarating when you hit triund.
Kangra
Kangra Fort is one of the closest historical places to visit near Dharamshala and is a vestige of the past of the valley. The fort is spread over 4 km and there are temples, mosques, palaces, and royal gates in its structure. It dates back to a few years before 470 AD, the year when the King of Kashmir first invaded it.
Also mentioned in the Mahabharata were the legends about this fort. In addition to mythological references, before being taken over by British rulers who took power after the Sikh War in 1846, Kangra Fort was ruled by the likes of Jahangir and Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Many years later, in 1905, a devastating earthquake hit the Kangra Valley, destroying the fort. It attracts a large number of visitors in all seasons, even if it is in ruins today making it one of the best places to visit near Dharamshala.
Dal Lake
Dal Lake is a small mid-altitude lake (1,775 metres above sea level) located 11 kilometres from Dharamshala near Tota Rani village on Macleodganj Naddi road in Kangra Himachal Pradesh district. Dal Lake is a 2KM walk west of MacLeodganj bazaar. The Dal Lake is renowned for its scenic beauty and pilgrimage centre, nestling among lush green forests of deodar trees. A natural paradise is the area around Dal Lake. Around one hectare (i.e. 10,000 square metres) is the area of the lake. A famous Lord Shiva temple is located on the bank of Dal Lake, which is considered to be very sacred and as old as 200 years old. One legend has it that a sage called Durvasa prayed to Lord Shiva here.
Dalhousie
Dalhousie is approximately 116 kilometres from Dharamshala and is spread over five hills. Near Dharamshala, it is one of the most popular tourist places. Located at an altitude of 1970 metres, the British and the Scottish founded this hill town and much of the architecture here is still from the colonial period. There are several boarding schools dating back to the British period here. As you make your way through the Scottish and British buildings that still house government offices or have been converted into hotels, you can hardly feel that you are in India. Khajjiar’s tiny village here is a prime example of pristine mountain life. It is known as India’s mini- Switzerland. Be sure to visit the beautiful Panchpula waterfall. The Daikund Peak trek begins from here as well so many trekkers even come here. The Chamera Dam provides a great photography spot. As they come here to think, write and reflect on life, Dalhousie has several writers visiting from time to time.
Naggar
Naggar is about 217 km from Dharamshala and is situated by the incredible Beas Mountain River, in the Kullu district. It is an ancient city and not many people are aware of it, which is why it is a perfect place to enjoy the tranquilly of the hills, with the tourists’ cacophony. For over 1400 years, this hill city has been the capital of the Kullu Kingdom and has a very indigenous culture and way of life of its own. Naggar Castle built over 500 years ago by Raja Sidh Singh, is the main attraction here and this palace was made from the stones of Rana Bhonsle’s abandoned palace. It is a rare and beautiful specimen of architecture in Pahadi. You will need to visit the Art Gallery of Nicholas Roreich, named after the Russian painter and explorer who settled here in the 20th century.
Shimla
The sparkling capital of the alluring state of Himachal Pradesh (HP) is Shimla . It is also the largest town in the northern Indian state, a district bordered by the nearby Mandi & Kullu hill stations. One has plenty of places to explore, such as the temple of Jakhoo, the Ridge, some of which are common Indian film locations, such as Mall Lane.
Because Shimla, especially Hill Station, is one of the top tourist destinations. It has all the facilities needed for a fun and comfortable stay by visitors, including transportation services such as airlines (Chandigarh is the nearest), hotels, taxis and taxis, amusement parks, snow sports activities.
There’s no lack of breathtaking sights once in Shimla that will make you an ardent admirer of this famous Hill Station. The stunning views, enormous peaks and lush greenery set the stage for a vibrant stay are the reasons why thousands of tourists visit every month. Mall Lane, Ridge, Kufri, Jakhoo Temple… and the list is endless. Some of the famous places that you can visit in Shimla are:
Manali
Manali is Northern India’s main hill station and is the destination of thousands of tourists every year. For those plagued by the hot Indian summers, its cool atmosphere provides a perfect sanctuary. Manali is also popular for adventure sports like skiing, hiking, mountaineering, paragliding, rafting, trekking, kayaking, and mountain biking, in addition to offering quite a few places for sightseeing. In short, Manali, the true “Valley of the Gods,” is a perfect place for those seeking both adventure and comfort. The brightly patterned puttoos of the Kulluis, Tibetan women wearing ankle-length rainbow-striped pinafores, Nepali porters, Buddhist monks, and even the unusual Zanskaris group, swathed in fusty woollen gonchas, muddled with souvenir-hunting Indian and Western tourists-all add up to Manali’s welcoming hubbub.
Bir
Dharamshala is approximately 64 km from Bir. On your next trip to Dharamshala, which is popular because it is the second tallest paragliding site in the world, you must definitely visit Bir. This hill town is situated in Himachal’s Joginder Nagar valley and has a Tibetan refugee settlement here as well. It is one of the most popular mountain resorts in Himachal Pradesh. There are few things as breathtaking as sailing over the mountain peaks and valleys that stretch out for miles below you as you have a bird’s eye view of the entire range. Paragliding in Bir is more like a dream-like experience. The Dharmalaya Institute is one of the main places to visit here. It has an eco-campus that works to encourage eco-tourism and to improve sustainable development in the region. As you will come across several new deer species, the Deer Park is a must visit. For some tea tastings and to pick up some rare blends, visit the Bir Tea Factory. The Chokling Gompa is a cave that is excellent and very exciting for some light exploration.
Baijnath
The town of Baijnath is located 50 km away from Dharamshala, where the city is named after the famous Shiva temple, known as the Baijnath Temple. The temple’s architecture and the inscriptions on its walls represent the early mediaeval styles of North India, built by 2 merchants as a shrine to Lord Shiva in 1204 AD. The temple is the city’s main attraction and a tourist attraction.
