Himachal Pradesh is synonymous with tranquillity. Himachal, ‘the land of snow’, is a visual delight for tourists. In this article, we list the 10 best places to visit in Himachal Pradesh, if you are planning a trip to the state.

 

 

 

 

  

With lush fields, holy places, snow-covered mountains, flowing rivers and lovely orchards, there are several tourist places to visit in Himachal Pradesh.

 

Places to visit in Himachal Pradesh #1: Shimla

 

Shimla, the ‘Queen of Hills’ and the capital city of Himachal Pradesh, is one of the most popular hill stations in India and among the top tourist places to visit in Himachal. Situated at an altitude of 2,200 metres, Shimla derives its name from Goddess Shyamala, an incarnation of Goddess Kali. The city’s location at the foothills of the Himalayas, amid greenery and snow-covered mountains, makes it ideal for trekking. In winter the entire city gets covered in snow and tourists can enjoy ice skating and skiing. Churches, temples and the natural beauty of the city attract tourists. A perfect place to stroll, Shimla has some beautiful colonial-era architecture, including the Viceregal Lodge, the Town Hall, Gaiety Theatre, the Christ Church, St. Michaels Cathedral and the new Tudor building at the Ridge. These places boast colonial and neo-gothic architecture. One of the top places to hang out in Shimla is The Ridge, a large open area that was once a ridge between two of the seven hills that form Shimla. Enjoy breathtaking views of the sunset and sunrise from Scandal Point and Observatory Hill. A tourist must also visit the Himachal State Museum, Mall Road, Summer Hill, Baijnath Temple and Jakhoo Hills, a hamlet for nature lovers and pilgrims who come for God Hanuman’s blessings, standing at an altitude of 108 ft at the Jakhoo Temple.

See also: Places to visit in Shimla

 

Places to visit in Himachal Pradesh #2: Kullu-Manali

 

Kullu and Manali, due to their proximity, are often considered a single place. Located at the banks of the Beas River, the Kullu valley has the picturesque towns of Kullu and Manali. Kullu-Manali is one of the topmost tourist places in Himachal Pradesh and is visited by a large number of tourists and pilgrims. It is known for snow-covered mountains, scenic beauty, history and culture. A tourist must visit the Great Himalayan National Park, Sultanpur Palace, Bijli Mahadev Temple, Bhrigu Valley and Parvati Valley in Kullu. Manali is famous for its Tibetan monasteries, the Rohtang Pass, Solang Valley and Hadimba Devi Temple. The Great Himalayan National Park is one of the prominent national parks in India, surrounded by the Himalayas ranges and lined with deodar and oak trees. It has more than 375 species of fauna, 31 species of mammals and 181 species of birds. Kullu-Manali is also known for adventure sports such as trekking, angling, rafting and mountaineering. Kullu-Manali has several prominent places like the Gadhan Thekchhokling Gompa monastery and Vasishta hot water springs. Solang Valley and Rohtang are at a distance of 14 km and 51 km from Manali, respectively, and are excellent for skiing, paragliding, zorbing and mountain biking. The Rohtang Pass is at a height of 3798 meters and is only open between May and November due to snow. From here, you can enjoy spectacular views of glaciers, towering mountain peaks and the serene Chandra River.

Also read: Places to see in Manali

 

Tourist places to visit in Himachal Pradesh #3: Dharamshala and McLeodganj

The most popular tourist places in Himachal Pradesh are Dharamshala and upper Dharamshala or McLeodganj, which are about 5 km from each other. One can also reach McLeod Ganj from Dharamshala through the skyway in ten minutes. The skyway has a mono cable, detachable gondola (cabin) system with 18 gondolas and the capacity of ferrying 1,000 persons per hour. Largely home to Tibetan Buddhists, Dharamshala and McLeodganj are places of peace and bliss. Worth visiting are the Dalai Lama Temple (Tsuglagkhang Monastery), Namgyal Monastery and Gyuto Tantric Monastery Temple. Dal Lake, a natural lake, is a popular tourist place in Dharamshala. Apart from spiritual centres, the delightful landscapes of Dhauladhar mountain ranges, wonderful conifer, pine and deodar forests, lush tea gardens and stunning hillsides are apt for nature walks, picnics and adventurous treks. A tourist must visit the Kangra Fort and the Kangra Museum.

See also: Places to visit in Dharamshala

Best places to visit in Himachal Pradesh #4: Dalhousie

 

Dalhousie is one of the best places to visit in Himachal Pradesh. Known for its pleasant climate and scenic beauty, it has a variety of vegetation that includes pine, deodar, oak and rhododendrons. It is spread across the five hills (Bhangora, Bakrota, Terah, Potreyn and Kathlog) close to the Dhauladhar mountain range. Dalhousie is named after The Earl of Dalhousie who established this place as a summer retreat in 1854. It attracts tourists with views of the Himalayas and Victorian-styled colonial architecture. Dainkund Peak, Chamunda Devi Temple, Bhuri Singh Museum and Subhash Baoli are major attractions. Dainkund is the highest peak at 2,755 metres and is also called a singing hill due to the pleasant sound produced by the winds flowing through the woods. Panchkula, surrounded by lush green forests, cascading waterfalls and scenic viewpoints, is another tourist place. One of the tourist attractions of Dalhousie is the natural spring located in Karelanu, which has medicinal properties. Francis Church, built in 1894, has an intricate wooden roof and colourful Belgium glass and is a must-visit.

 

Best places to visit in Himachal Pradesh #5: Khajjiar

 

 

Khajjiar, in the Chamba district, is a hill town known for its cedar forests, ancient temples and lakes. At an altitude of over 6,500 ft above sea level and with the Dhauladhar Ranges in its backdrop, Khajjiar is called the ‘Mini Switzerland of India’. Khajjiar Lake and Khajinag temple, a 12th-century shrine dedicated to the serpent god, are the main attractions. A tourist can go for adventurous activities including paragliding, zorbing and trekking. Khajjiar is famous for the Kala Top Wildlife Sanctuary, a beautiful wildlife reserve surrounded by cool and refreshing water streams, lush green grasslands and thick deodar forests. The sanctuary has a wide variety of wild species like black bears, Himalayan black marten, deer, leopards, serows, and the famous goat antelope.

 

Tourist places to visit in Himachal Pradesh #6: Kasol

 

Kasol is a picturesque village and tourist destination in Himachal Pradesh. It is the ultimate destination for natural scenic beauty. Kasol is famous for the Parvati River, trekking basecamp, Malana and its Israeli inhabitants that often give it the name, ‘Little Israel of India’. The Parvati River is one of the main features that bring people interested in rafting and kayaking to this region. Manikaran Sahib Gurudwara, built between two raving rivers – Beas and Parvati, is situated 6 km from Kasol. A hot spring originates at its peak that is believed to be sacred. Kasol is the Himalayan hotspot for backpackers and a base for treks to Malana and Kheerganga.

 

Must visit tourist places in Himachal #7: Kasauli

 

 

Kasauli is around 60 km from Chandigarh. This charming hill station is a paradise with plenty of flora and peace. Established by the British in 1853, the Christ Church, with neo-gothic architecture and stained-glass windows, is located amidst a picturesque location of pine and deodar trees The hill station is equally famous among tranquillity seekers and honeymooners and adventure lovers. The cantonment town has a brewery, said to be the oldest functioning distillery for scotch whisky in Asia. Kasauli is also the seat of the renowned Pasteur Institute, popularly known as the Central Research Institute. Kasauli has been associated with writers Ruskin Bond and Khushwant Singh and is known for its colonial architecture, pine trees and Tibetan markets. Kasauli is a hiker’s paradise and can be covered mostly by foot. Manki (Monkey Point) is the highest point at Kasauli and is believed to be the place where Lord Hanuman placed his foot while searching for the Sanjeevani Buti for Lakshmana in the Ramayana. Gilbert Trail is an easy hike of barely 1.5 km from Kasauli Club to the Air Force Station, close to Sunset Point. The trail is known for its scenic views and sightings of different species of birds.

See also: Places to visit in Kasauli

 

Places to visit in Himachal Pradesh #8: Kufri

 

Kufri is a tiny hill station in Himachal Pradesh known for its trekking and hiking trails. In winter, adventure-seeking tourists visit Kufri to enjoy skiing and tobogganing on snow-covered slopes. The Mahasu ridge is a great spot for skiing beginners. Situated 20 km from Shimla, Kufri is nestled in the Himalayan range. Worth visiting is the Himalayan National Park (or the Kufri National Park), sprawled over 90 hectares. This park has a wide range of Himalayan flora and fauna with over 180 species of birds and a large variety of animals such as the spotted snow leopard, brown bear, common leopard and musk deer. The park also gives a spectacular view of the entire snow-capped Himalayan range. Mahasu Peak is the highest point in Kufri with breathtaking views of the Badrinath and Kedarnath ranges. You can visit the Nag Devta temple (the Snake God) at the peak. Fagu is a tranquil snow-clad hamlet that offers a perfect mix of scenic vistas, serene surroundings and innate pleasure. Kufri is famous for its apple orchards, lush green pine and cedar trees. One of the most unique things to do in Kufri is the Yak safari.

 

Himachal Places to visit #9: Palampur

 

 

 

Palampur, also known as the tea capital of northern India, has aromatic tea gardens spread over a vast area and produces the famous Kangra Tea. Tourists can visit the beautiful Church of St. John and enjoy the splendid architecture. Neugal Khad, a wide water stream is popular for family picnics and day outings. Also known as the Mecca of paragliders, the hills of Bir and Billing offer a galvanizing 30 minutes paragliding expedition. Another popular activity in Palampur is a toy train ride. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage site, you can enjoy the ride between Palampur and Pathankot through pine and deodar forests, beautiful streams and waterfalls. Andretta, a small artist colony that exhibits art, sculptures, paintings, antiquities and heirlooms, is worth visiting. The Tashi Jong Monastery is both a centre for Buddhist worship and the abode of Tibetan refugees.

 

Tourist places to visit in Himachal #10: Kangra

 

 

There are several places to visit in Kangra, which lies at the foothills of the Dhauladhar range. Kangra is 13 km from the Gaggal airport. This ‘Land of the Gods’ has managed to protect its beauty and serenity. Masroor temples in Kangra are 15 rock-cut temples believed to have been made by the Pandavas during exile. Each temple is carved and decorated with sculptures. Kangra is home to the Kangra Fort that is mentioned in the war records of Alexander. The land has seen the rule of multiple invaders like the Tughlaqs and Mughals. The fort has stone sculptures, carvings, idols and other artefacts. The district of Kangra is also called Dev Bhoomi as it has numerous temples and shrines such as the Bajreshwari Devi Temple, Baijnath Shiv Temple, Chintpurni Temple, Chamunda Devi Temple and Jwalamukhi. The Kangra valley also has geological trekking, mountaineering, hand gliding and paragliding for tourists. Also known as Kumarwah Lake, Kareri Lake is an extremely popular trekking destination in Himachal Pradesh.

 

Shopping in Himachal Pradesh

 

Source: Pinterest

 

Source: Pinterest

 

 

There is a lot to shop in Himachal Pradesh, including handicrafts, caps, Tibetan carpets, wood, metalwork, jams and pickles. Himachal Pradesh has always been a favourite destination for woollens. The woodwork in Himachal is famous for intricate designs and carvings, ideal for home décor. Pashmina shawl and Kullu shawl are worth their cost. Himachali caps are unisex and are available easily across Himachal. Shimla has several government-run emporiums and shops. Lakkar Bazaar has shops for wooden handicrafts, decorative pieces and wooden souvenirs. Mall Road is the shopping centre of Manali. Buy woollen shawls, antiques, Tibetan handicrafts and inlaid silver jewellery. Gandhi Chowk Shopping Plaza in Dalhousie has jewellery, shoes, clothes and warm woollen shops. Tibetan Market in Kullu is worth visiting for handicrafts, imported goods, woollen apparel, musical instruments, hand-woven carpets and intricately designed rugs. Paintings of Himachal Pradesh – Thankas – are done on various Buddhist themes. Kangra style of painting is another popular handicraft of the state.

 

Must-have food in Himachal Pradesh

 

 

 

  

The cuisine of Himachal Pradesh or Pahari cuisine is largely influenced by Punjabi and Tibetan cuisine. A tourist must have Dham (a platter of popular state delicacies served as a single meal), a vegetarian dish that comprises rice, rajma, chickpeas, khatta dal, curd and jaggery. Often prepared during festivals and special occasions, Madra is a popular dish from Chamba. Made with soaked chickpeas or kidney beans and a range of spices, Madra is best enjoyed with flatbread. Siddu, patrode, cheese and babru are the authentic snacks of Himachal. Siddu is a traditional bread made from wheat flour and eaten with butter and mutton. It is available in restaurants across Himachal. Kullu is famous for trout fish, thanks to the Beas and Tirthan rivers that are home to this species of fish. The fish is traditionally pan-fried in mustard oil and topped with a light lemon-onion sauce. Restaurants serve it with boiled vegetables and rice. Patrode, prepared with the leaves of Arbi (Colocasia), gram flour (besan) paste and all Indian spices, is a seasonal food made at the end of the monsoon season. Mittha is a popular sweet dish made with sweetened rice, saffron, raisins and dry fruits. The people in Himachal make this scrumptious sweet dish to celebrate special occasions and ceremonies. Tourists can enjoy Tibetan cuisine in and around Dharamshala and McLeodganj. Must have are momo, thupka, tingmo, luchi poti and naizha cake.

 

  

FAQs

Which is the best time for tourists to visit Himachal Pradesh?

Himachal Pradesh can be visited throughout the year depending on the weather you prefer. The best time to visit Himachal is from March to June and September to December. If you love adventure and sports, you should visit Himachal Pradesh during the winter.

Which is the best way to travel to various tourist places in Himachal?

The road is the most efficient way of travelling in Himachal Pradesh. The state is well connected to all the major cities via road. There are regular bus services connecting Shimla, Kullu, Manali, Chail, Solan and other cities. Taxis are one of the most popular modes of public transport in Himachal Prad