Famous tourist destinations in Himachal Pradesh

The state of Himachal Pradesh is popularly known for its pristine natural beauty as the state is situated on the lap of the western Himalayas and is wrapped with a good number of glaciers and rivers.Tourists visiting the state of Himachal Pradesh, have plenty of spectacular places to explore such as Manali, Dalhousie, Shimla, Chail, Kullu, Kasauli, Palampur etc. Each of these destinations has pristine natural grandeur of its own, which is capable of delighting the senses of any visitor. The formidable snowy peaks, the tall deodar trees, alpine fields and fruit orchards set amidst grassy meadows and rocky slopes is more or less a common site in the upper reaches of the state. A visit to any of the location of this state is always a visual treat for the individuals, which can provide a lifetime of memories to cherish for individuals visiting Himachal Pradesh.

The various picturesque spots and towns in this state provide the experience of an indispensable beauty in the lap of the nature. Sometimes words fall short and our eyes are the only witness penning the essence of the ethereal beauty of nature alike the extraterrestrial bodies. This is why tourist's holiday in Himachal Pradesh lives up to eternal moments of your life. Beyond the emerald green meadows and evergreen forests, Himachal Pradesh holds a destiny where the horizon is said to be celestial. Moored in between the lofty mountains, Himachal Pradesh at one breath is one such destination in India. Most of the people know that Shimla and Manali are the only two tourist places in Himachal Pradesh India. But there are more than a dozen tourist attractions in Himachal Pradesh. The following are the most popular tourist places in Himachal Pradesh :

Shimla

Whether you are visiting Shimla during the summer, monsoon, autumn, or winter as one of the popular hill stations in India and placed at an elevation of 2,205 meters, it has got its own charm which keeps shining throughout the year. During the peak winter season the hill station is carpeted with a thick layer of snow simply captivating the domestic travellers and pulling in thousands of skiers from all over the world. Shimla, throughout the decades, housing several colonial buildings such as the Christ Church, George Castle, and Wildflower Hall that is now a heritage hotel in Shimla; temples like the Jakhoo Temple and Tara Devi Temple; and museums, Chadwick Waterfalls and Daranghati Sanctuary is valued as an important cultural hub in Himachal Pradesh. The Mall Road arraying with several shops of traditional crafts and dresses, hotels and restaurants are one of the busiest places in Shimla. Skiing in Shimla during the winter, the ideal places are the slopes of Kufri, which is an hour drive from the hill station. On the other hand, travellers seeking for bit of peace from the tourist crowd may drive to Chail that is approximately 45 kilometers from Shimla.

Manali

Manali, on the other hand, is the gateway to several remote places in Himachal Pradesh and also wide opens countless adventure activities like trekking, river rafting, paragliding, hiking, mountain biking, skiing and mountaineering. The Beas Kund Trek, Bhrigu Lake Trek, Malana Trek and Chandra Tal Trek are some of the popular trekking options from Manali that can be recommended both for amateur and experienced trekkers. The major tourist attractions in and around Manali are Hidimba Devi Temple, Pandoh Dam, Bijli Mahadev, Manali Sanctuary, and the Mall. Rohtang Pass at an altitude of approximately 4,000 meters, which is the highest point in the region, is undoubtedly a must visit place from Manali. The lush greenscape of Solang Valley that turns out to be one of the best skiing slopes in India is another nearby attraction from Manali.

Vashisht

Vashisht, which is a small hamlet with sandstone temples and hot sulphur springs, is the hub of travel hippies from all over the world. Vashisht is also renowned as a Hindu pilgrimage site and is dotted with several ancient temples dedicated to various Hindu deities such as Vishnu, Rama, Lakshman, and Sita. It is one of the must visit places in Himachal Pradesh on trip to Manali.

Dalhousie

The name itself represents the colonial colours. Dalhousie at an elevation of 1,970 meters is another popular hill station in India in Himachal Pradesh which is well known for housing several heritage buildings that dates back from the early 19th century. The St. Andrew’s Church and St. Patrick’s Church at Balun, St. Francis’ Church at Subash Chowk and St. John’s Church at Gandhi Chowk are some of the prominent churches in Dalhousie that reflects the typical European architectural style. Other attractions in Dalhousie are Rang Mahal, Chamunda Devi Temple, Jhandri Ghat, Shivkul ashram, and Bhuri Singh Museum. Set in the midst of thick forest of oak, pine and deodar in the Dhauladar range, the Kalatop Wildlife Sanctuary, which is approximately 5 kilometers from Dalhousie, marks a pleasant gateway. It provides shelter to various species of flora and fauna and also offers several forest trails including the Kalatop-Khajjiar trek.

Khajjiar

Khajjiar is another popular hill station that is tucked at an altitude of 2,000 meters. Khajjiar is long-familiar for hosting a picturesque ecosystem with lakes, pastures and forest.

Dharamshala

Dharamshala at an elevation of approximately 1,500 meters and surrounded by dense pine and deodar forests is a perfect getaway for both leisure and adventurous travellers. The hill station is dotted with several architectural and cultural attractions that include the ruins of Kangra Fort and Nurpur Fort, War Memorial that is dedicated to the Indian soldiers who lost their lives in Indo China war of 1962, Indo-Pak wars of 1947, 1965 and 1971 and UN peace operations, Chamunda Devi Temple, Kangra Art Museum, and Library of Tibetan Works and Archives. Moreover. the international cricket stadium in the lap of the Dhauladar range is another major tourist attraction in Dharamshala. Close to Dharamshala and at the Upper Valley, Mcleodganj, the seat of Dalai Lama, is a must visit place from Dharamshala. Mcleodganj houses the typical Indo-Tibetan culture and the major attraction is the impressive Namgyal Monastery that was built in the mid 16th century. Nonetheless, travellers looking for some leisure activities have the option of going for angling for Masheer at the River Beas in the 20 kilometer stretch between Nadaun and Pong Dam. Encircling the hill station there are several other attractions like the Bajreshwari temple, Kumar Pathri, Gyuto Monastery, Triund, and Jawalamukhi Temple. Travellers seeking to explore the best of Dhauladar Range. have the option of picking from treks such as Dhauladhar Round Trek, Indrahara Pass Trek, Moon Peak Trek, Nag Dal Trek, Kareri Lake Trek, and Lam Dal trek.

Manikaran

A popular pilgrimage site in Himachal Pradesh for both the Hindu and Sikh pilgrims, Manikaran at 1,760 meters is dotted with several temples –dedicated to various Hindu deities, and a gurdwara. There are also many hot water springs where devotees can take a sacred bath.

Sangla

Perched at an altitude of 2,700 meters in the remote Kinnaur district, Sangla, overlooking the eye-popping Baspa Valley, is one of the must visit places in Himachal Pradesh that host numerous scenic attractions, trekking options, and nature walks. Sangla, on the other hand, is a gateway to numerous treks and hikes. The Kinnaur-Kailash Circuit, Rupin Pass trek and Sangla-Kanda trek are some of the well known treks in Himachal Pradesh that marks a significant place in the toeing travellers’ diary. A short hike of 6 kilometers to Batseri Village is a must for the leisurescapers. Some other nearby attractions in and around Sangla are Kamru Fort, Trout Fish Firm, and Rakcham village.

Dhankar

Located in between the towns of Kaza and Tabo in the district of Lahaul-Spiti, Dhankar at an elevation of 3,894 meters is home to the ancient Dhankar Gompa, which belongs to the Gelugpa sect of Buddhism. In the midst of the barren landscape, the gompa that was built as a fort monastery is the residence of several Buddhist monks and houses a statue of Vairochana (Dhayan Buddha) consisting of 4 figures seated back to back in addition to various crumbling thangkas. The gompa is also crafted with a small museum displaying a wide range of ancient artifacts.

Malana

It is an isolated and ancient village in Kullu valley that is located at an elevation of 3,029 meters and can only be accessed on foot. The Malana trek, which is a 4-5 days of trek from Manali, passes through the Chandrakhani Pass at 3660 meters, which is accessible from Chiklani at 2370 meters after crossing Rumsu via Naggar. Malana preserves a rich indigenous culture and is dotted with a small cluster of around two hundred stone roof houses.

Bir-Billing

world's best paragliding destinations at the twin towns of Bir and Billing. The 2015 Paragliding World Cup was held there, for the first time in India, in October 2015. The peak paragliding season runs from March to May and October to November. Billing Valley Adventures and Billing Adventures of Himachal offer paragliding, trekking, and camping. Other attractions are tea gardens and monasteries. Serene Palpung Sherabling Monastery offers periodic courses in Buddhist meditation and philosophy. Deer Park Institute offers accommodations along with courses on Buddhist and Indian philosophy.

The mountainous landscape of Himachal Pradesh, at the foothills of the Himalayas, is made up of a series of valleys and snow covered peaks. It's deservedly favored by adventure lovers but also provides a refreshing escape for those who are craving crisp mountain air. These things offers a blend of tranquility and adventure that makes it one of northern India's most popular destinations.