Himachal Pradesh is a northern Indian state in the Himalayas. It's home to scenic mountain towns and resorts such as Dalhousie. Host to the Dalai Lama, Himachal Pradesh has a strong Tibetan presence. This is reflected in its Buddhist temples and monasteries, as well as its vibrant Tibetan New Year celebrations. The region is also well known for its trekking, climbing and skiing areas.
1. Kullu
Kullu in Himachal Pradesh is one of the most frequented tourist destinations. Often heard along with the name Manali, yet another famous tourist spot, Kullu is situated on the banks of Beas River. It was earlier called as Kulanthpitha, meaning ‘The end of the habitable world’. Awe-inspiring, right? Kullu valley is also known as the ‘Valley of Gods’. Here are some leading destinations in the magical land.
- Basheshwar Mahadev Temple
- Sultanpur Palace
- Parvati Valley
- Great Himalayan National Park
- Kasol
- Bijli Mahadev Temple
- Manikaran
- Bhrigu Lake
The attractions in Kullu are more. Trekking, mountaineering, angling, skiing, white water rafting and para gliding are some of the adventurous sports available here.
2. Manali
Located at an altitude of 6726 feet, Manali offers splendid views of the snow-capped mountains. The land is not just a feast to your visual senses; it also offers you the chance to ascertain your fitness level with the sporting facilities here. Given below are some top destinations in Manali for you to enjoy and bring out the adventurer in you.
- Rohtang Pass
- Solang valley
- Hadimba Devi Temple
- Vashist Hot Water Springs
- Tibetan Monasteries
- Beas River
- Gulaba
- Kothi
- Manu Temple
3. Shimla
The enchanting beauty of Shimla made British declare the land as their summer capital. The colonial influence is still evident in the city. The hill station offers spectacular views of the snow-capped Himalayan ranges. With lakes and rich greenery around, Simla welcomes tourists round the year, of course, if you don’t mind the ‘below zero’ temperature in winter. Here are the leading destinations in Simla.
- The Ridge
- Jakhoo Hill
- Mall Road
- Kalka–Shimla Railway
- Christ Church
- Indian Institute Of Advanced Study
- Summer Hill
- Kufri
- Annandale
- The Shimla State Museum
- Chail
- Solan
- Daranghati Sanctuary
- Naldehra And Shaily Peak
- Arki Fort
4. Chamba
The spectacular beauty of Chamba has made this place dear to nature lovers. Located on the banks of River Ravi and at an altitude of over 900 meters above sea level, Chamba makes an excellent holiday retreat. Here are some important destinations in Chamba.
- Akhand Chandi Palace
- Champavati Temple
- Lakshmi Narayan Temples
- Chamunda Devi Temple
- Bhuri Singh Museum
5. Dharamshala
‘The Scotland of India’, as Dharamshala is famously referred to, has snow-clad mountains on three sides and valley on one side. The mountains being over 4000 m height, you can have an excellent view of them from every viewpoint. Pine trees and tree gardens along with snow covered mountains render magic to the air. Here are some top attractions in Dharamshala.
- Tsuglagkhang Complex
- Namgyal Monastery
- Masrur
- Attractions in Mcleodganj
- Kareri Lake
- Gyuto Monastery
- Kangra Museum
- Kangra Fort
- Dal Lake in Dharamshala
- Naddi Village
6. Dalhousie
Retaining not only the colonial looks but also the name, Dalhousie, was named after Lord Dalhousie, who was the British governor in the 19th century. This hill station is spread across five hills. The varying altitudes of the land have a wide range of vegetation including pine, oak and deodar. Here are the leading attractions in Dalhousie.
- Khajjiar
- Kalatop Wildlife Reserve
- Dainkund Peak
- Ganji Pahari
- St. Francis Church
- Panchpula
- Chamera Lake
- Garam Sadak
- Subhash Baoli
- Sach Pass
7. Kangra
One of the scenic valleys in Himachal Pradesh, Kangra, is not just rich in nature but also in history and culture. It has a rich past, which could be gauged by the fact that its name is mentioned in the epic Mahabharata. This picturesque valley has some of the beautiful attractions to offer.
- Kangra Fort
- Nadaun
- MaharanaPratap Sagar Lake
- Taragarh Palace
- Gopalpur Nature Park
- Nurpur
- Nadaun
- Indrahar Pass
- Tatwani Hot Spring
- Kareri Lake
8. Kasauli
Kasauli is situated at an altitude of 1927 meters and like a few other places in Himachal Pradesh, reflects the influence of colonial rule. The views from here are spectacular. The serenity of the place is enchanting. Here are some top attractions in Kasauli.
- Kasauli Brewery
- Christ Church
- Sunset Point
- The Mall
- Manki Point
- Krishna Bhavan Mandir
- Gilbert Nature Trail
- Shri Baba Balak Nath Temple
- Barog
- Gurkha Fort
9. Hamirpur
Being in the lower elevation, Hamirpur is warmer. The altitudes vary from near flat lands to higher levels of land that reach up to the heights of cliffs. The hilly ranges here offer great scope for trekking. The land is said to be the most literate district in the state of Himachal Pradesh. Given below are some of the tourist attractions in Hamirpur.
- Deotsidh Temple
- Sujanpur Tihra
- Awah Devi Temple
- Bilkeshwar Temple
10. Parwanoo
Parwanoo, surrounded by hills is yet another beautiful hill station in the land. The town, surrounded by lush greenery, lies near the border of Haryana and hence, it is a convenient location from where you could visit many tourist attractions nearby. Here are some of the tourist attractions in and around Parwanoo.
- Kalka
- Pinjore
- Mughal Gardens
- Fruit Orchards
- Gurudwara Nada Sahib
- Cactus Garden
- Timber Trail
