Dehradun is the capital of Uttarakhand. It’s a beautiful city filled with amazing scenic beauty and a tranquil pace of life. If you are a fan of literature, you would know about Dehradun from the countless short stories and novels of Ruskin Bond. Dehradun is just as beautiful as he describes it to be. From tall green mountains to thick forests filled with rich flora and fauna, if you want to have a nature retreat, this is your perfect destination. There are various attractions in Dehradun and places to visit. Here are the 15 must-visit Dehradun tourist places that will help you create the best trip ever.

15 tourist places in Dehradun you must visit on your next trip

The natural beauty of Dehradun is unparalleled, and the tranquil pace of life in this city is sure to help you unwind and enjoy your trip to the fullest. The extreme diversity of flora and fauna of Dehradun can rarely be matched by other hill stations in India, making Dehradun charming and unique in its way. So, when planning your next trip to Dehradun after reading the spectacular short stories of Ruskin Bond, be sure to check this guide and make the most of your trip.

Mindrolling Monastery

The Mindrolling Monastery has a history of over 300 years. It is one of the most important Buddhist landmarks in India and also houses the tallest stupa in Asia. It is an exquisite visual treat as the Monastery is an architectural landmark in its own right. If you want to pick perhaps the best place to visit in Dehradun, the Mindrolling Monastery is it.

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Robber’s Cave

Known to be an abode of Lord Shiva, the Robber’s cave is an exceptional natural phenomenon that you can find in Dehradun. The speciality of these caves is that the river flows from the middle of the caves. The name Robber’s cave, however, came to be because these limestone caves were popular hiding spots for robbers. This is a unique location that falls among the best places to visit in Dehradun.

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Sahastradhara

Located close to the Robber’s Cave, Sahastradhara is a beautiful series of small waterfalls in Dehradun. These waterfalls contain Sulphur, which is known to have therapeutic values. It is also a very visually attractive location that will take your breath away. It takes only a few hours to visit this spot, so you must put it on your list of Dehradun visiting places.

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Sahastradhara Ropeway

Following up with the beautiful waterfalls, you have a ropeway that you can visit to get an aerial view of the entire Doon Valley. The ropeway ride is over an hour long, so you will get plenty of time on-air to take in the scenic beauty. What’s better? Upon reaching the other end station, you have a beautiful park where you can engage in activities such as rock climbing. So, make sure you keep riding the Sahastradhara ropeway on your list of things to do in Dehradun.

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Dehradun Zoo

Dehradun, previously known as the Malsi deer park, is a well-maintained zoological garden close to the city centre of Dehradun. This zoo features various endangered animals such as the Nilgai, two-horned deers, tigers, and peacocks. You can merrily spend a leisurely day with the animals of this zoo and even have a picnic on-premise. This beautiful zoo has many wonders you can see when you go there, so keep it on your list of places to visit in Dehradun.

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Ghanta Ghar

Located at the heart of Dehradun, this clock tower is an exceptional historical monument in the city. Even though it currently does not work, the click was said to have been strategically made so that even a person at the other end of the city could hear its bell. This is one of the most accessible landmarks for you to visit as it is located at the heart of the city. So be sure to see it when you are casually strolling for a lovely evening or morning walk.

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Shikhar Falls

The Shikhar falls are one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Dehradun. However, not everyone gets to experience the beauty of these waterfalls because you are required to trek 1 km through rugged terrain to get to the falls. The trek makes seeing the waterfalls even better as you gain a sense of achievement in being able to see these magnificent falls after your difficult trek. If you are an adventure lover, this is one of the best places in Dehradun to visit.

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Tiger View Jungle Camp

Continuing the theme of adventurous attractions in Dehradun, how would you like to camp in the wild where tigers live? It’s not as dangerous as it sounds. However, this is an exceptionally fantastic experience where you can see tigers up close. You can even enjoy a safari in the jungle to spend time with tigers and disconnect from the outside world. For wildlife enthusiasts, this is the best place to visit in Dehradun.

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Kedarkantha

The peak of Kedarkantha is an easy trek you can embark on to give yourself one of the best adventurous experiences of your life. This ridge shape peak, located around 80 km from the city,  is available for trekkers year-round and is even snow-covered in the winters. Trekking to this peak in the Tons river valley is a dream for many trekkers. 

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Tapkeshwar temple

The Tapkeshwar Temple is considered the holiest place in Dehradun and is one of the must-see places to visit near Dehradun. The popularity of these caves comes from two things. Firstly, this cave was once the home of Dronacharya, which is why it is also known as the Drona cave. Secondly, the river flows into the cave and naturally drips on top of the Shiv Ling inside the temple.

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Lachhiwala

This popular tourist destination in Dehradun is a picnic spot, water park, and nature retreat all in one. This nature park has beautiful forests with a brook flowing through it. You can rent hotels or resorts in this park and stay in the lap of nature in complete peace and serenity. The best part is that Lachhiwala is located quite close to the city centre, so you can easily plan your trip here.

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Khalanga War Memorial

One of the best historical monuments you can visit in Dehradun is the Khalanga war memorial. It was built by the British in honour of the Gurkhas even after the Indo-Nepalese war. This memorial is truly the only one of its kind in the world. So, be sure to visit this monument to learn more about its history and the Indo-Nepalese war.

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Kalsi

Kalsi is a small village on the banks of River Yamuna around 30kms away from Dehradun. This beautiful village is one of the many offbeat places in Dehradun you can visit to see the unfiltered beauty of nature. One of the best things you can see in this village is a 3rd century BC Ashokan rock edict, which still exists. So, make sure you visit this place because there are many more surprises here, which you can find out when you visit.

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Assan Barrage

This artificial lake close to Dehradun is a bird lover’s paradise. This artificial lake created by the barrage attracts thousands of species of birds every year. Surrounded by mountains, it is truly one of the most beautiful places you can visit in Dehradun. The natural beauty matched with the soothing sounds of birds chirping can help you unwind, relax, and enjoy your time in Dehradun.

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Rajaji National Park

If you want to experience the true extent of Himalayan wildlife up close, this is the place. With hundreds of unique, even endangered animals sheltered here, this park will leave you in awe when you visit it. The Asian Elephant, Himalayan Bear, Tigers, Leopard, King Cobra, wild boar, and barking deer are some animals you can see at this magnificent national park.

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