Dalhousie is known for its pleasant climate and natural beauty and is one of the most famous hill stations in Himachal Pradesh. Dalhousie is located in the district of Chamba at an elevation of around 2,000 meters. The hill station is situated at the Western end of the Dhauladhar range of mountains. Surrounded by beautiful snow-capped mountains, Dalhousie is named after its founder Lord Dalhousie, the British Governor-General in India. With several Victorian-style mansions, Scottish architecture and other charming colonial buildings, this hill station will take you back in time. The place also has few quaint churches. Dalhousie is spread over an area of 14 sq km of area and it includes five hills, namely Balun, Bakrota, Tehra, Patreyn and Kathlog. The fragrant pines, oaks, rhododendron and oaks along with several other types of tress cover the slops of the mountains. This scenic hill station if framed by the river Ravi flowing at the base of the town. Dalhousie is a popular destination for honeymooners. Dalhousie also offers you the spectacular view of the majestic snow-capped Pir Panjal mountain range located in Jammu and Kashmir, Sach Pass, Bharmour and Pangi Valley. This enchanting hill station has several tourist spots like Lohali village, Kalatop, Dainkund peak, Bakrota hills and Tibetan market. The beautiful valley of Khajiar is also quite popular among the visitors. Tourists also like visiting the region near Alla. The region offers a spectacular view of the beautiful landscape.
Here is list of top 10 places to visit in Dalhousie
These tourist attractions in Dalhousie include
1. Dainkund Peak · 2. Chamera Lake · 3. St. John’s Church 4. Gandhi Chowk Shopping Plaza· 5. Kalatop Wildlife Sanctuary · 6. Khajjiar· 7.St. Patrick’s Church 8. Ganji Pahari 9. Rang Mahal 10. Panchpula
1. Dainkund Peak
Dainkund in Dalhousie region is a place worth visiting, thanks to its beautiful snow covered peaks and lush green surroundings that attract many tourists every year to this stunning place. Dainkund is the highest peak in Dalhousie and gets maximum snowfall during the winter season. There is a motorable road that leads to this hill, but one can also choose to trek this distance as the views are really astonishing here. This whole stretch is full of natural beauty that gives a completely different experience to the guests. The tall and beautiful Deodar trees, calm forests, colorful flowers, and green valleys are the reasons why people are so fond of this place. The view of Khajjiar Lake from Dainkund is something every photographer wishes to capture in his or her camera. There are a few villages nearby Dainkund that offers scenic charm and picturesque view of the mud houses in the village. The Dainkund Peak is one of the most visited places in Dalhousie and is located at an altitude of 2755 meters above sea level. It gives 360 degree view of the entire valley and provides the superb picture of the lush green trees and tranquil mountains. Although trekking is the most common activity in this area, a lot of people come here to enjoy the calm and peaceful surroundings and to visit the Pholani Devi Temple, which is one of the major attractions here. One can also find an Air Force base, which is only a few meters away from the temple, at Dainkund.
2. Chamera Lake
The Chamera lake is an artificial lake, which is surrounded by beautiful green trees and exquisite valleys. It gives way to various water sports activities such as boat riding and fishing and is a part of the Chamera Hydroelectric project that is built over the Ravi River. This lake is located at an altitude of 763 meters above the sea surface and can be accessed from Chamba district, which is only 25 to 35 km from the main market of Dalhousie. The lake offers irrigation facilities to the villagers, who live in and around the Chamera Lake area. Anyone visiting the Chamba Valley or Dalhousie, must visit this spectacular lake, which is surrounded by so many beautiful pine trees and lustrous valleys.
To encourage water sports activities on the lake, a water sports sub-center is set up by the Himachal Pradesh Department of Tourism nearby the lake. The location of this lake is favorable as it can be easily reached from Dalhousie, Chamba and Pathankot which are 25 km, 40 km, and 100 km away from the lake respectively. The Chamera Lake can be visited throughout the year, but if you really want to enjoy the snow white surroundings of the lake, then do visit it in winter.
3. St. John’s Church
St. John’s church was built at the G.P.O. (now known as Gandhi Chowk) in 1863 . Reverend John Henry Pratt was instrumental in raising money from the Christian community. St John Church is the oldest of Dalhousie’s five stately churches and is dedicated to St. John. Built on stern Romanesque lines, the Protestant church contains the 19th-century stained glass painting of Jesus flanked by St John and St Peter. Constructed in the British architectural style, this one is a fine example of buildings of the Victorian era. It is small but very nice place to visit.
4. Gandhi Chowk Shopping Plaza
A very famous place that houses some very good hotels and restaurants is what defines Gandhi Chowk. A renowned place here is the Hotel Ark that opened its doors in 1941. This hotel has been serving the public and has won the favour of many with its modern amenities coupled with an old world charm and ambience. Tall pine and oaks surround the place. Try the fare at Café Dalhousie and be blown away by its array of Chinese, Indian and South Indian delicacies. Other famous hotels here Hotel Megha View and Hotel Meghars Pungi that offers one quality standards at economical rates. Gandhi Chowk is a place that is well known among the tourist circles as well.
5. Kalatop Wildlife Sanctuary
Kalatop Wildlife Sanctuar is one of the most pristine destination in Dalhousie and is known for the lush green surroundings and snow capped Himalayan peaks. This wonderful destination tops the list of almost every traveler who visits Dalhousie with an aim to explore the natural splendours that are available in abundance here. Kalatop is located approximately 12 kms from Dalhousie and it can be easily reached through trekking. The visitors often come here with family or friends, and spend hours gazing at the beautiful surroundings of Kalatop that embrace the amazing green landscapes and majestic mountains in its vicinity. Kalatop Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the most beautiful places in Dalhousie that draws tourists and make them fall in love with the place. This high altitude forest area is located at an average elevation of 2,500 meters above sea level and offers stunning views of thick pine, deodar, and oak forests and a plethora of various fauna such as the Himalayan Black Bear, Pheasants, and Himalayan Black Marten. Trekking is the best way to explore the beauty of this forest, which is why the tourists come here in the months of October to March to catch a glimpse of snow covered valleys and dense forests.
6. Khajjiar
Khajjiar is a popular hill station about 26 km from Dalhousie in Himachal Pradesh. One of the 160 places in the world that bear tropical resemblance to Switzerland, Khajjiar is situated at a height of 6500 feet and bestowed with natural beauty and pleasant climate. Vast expanse of green meadows and dense forests besides vistas of majestic snow-clad Himalayan peaks make Khajjiar a popular destination among tourists. The Khajjiar Lake and Chamera Lake add to the charm of Khajjiar. Khajjiar is also called the Gulmarg of Himachal Pradesh and serves as the starting point for treks to Chamba, Dalhousie and Kalatop Wildlife Sanctuary among others. Indeed, trekking is the best way to explore Khajjiar. Zorbing, which involves rolling downhill from inside a plastic ‘zorb’, is a popular recreational activity during April and May. With its exotic flora and fauna, the Rang Mahal lovers and wildlife photographers. Not much is known about Khajjiar’s history but temples dating back to the 12th century still stand in majestic splendor here. The Khajji Naga Temple is the most sacred shine in Khajjiar.
7. St. Patrick’s Church
St. Patrick’s Church is the largest church in Dalhousie and it is a Roman Catholic Church. St. Patrick’s Church is made up of dressed-stone material and is maintained by the diocese of Jalandhar. It is a dome shaped structure and not conical like churches usually are. Yellowish orange lights illuminate the interiors and create a mystic ambiance in evenings. You will surely find solace when you walk inside the church.This is a 104 year old church and was constructed back in 1909 in the Baloon Falls which is two kilometres from the main Dalhousie city. The church is amidst the nature for the last 104 years and has let the winds of the town pass through it for more than a century. Your visit to the St. Patrick’s Church can be as a devotee, or as a tourist or as a traveller. Don’t forget to capture the historic structure in your photographic frame because there are some places in the world that remain immortal that way.
8. Ganji Pahari
Ganji Pahari is a famous walk in Dalhousie. It is situated in Bakrota hills that is 5 km far from the Dalhousie city. The literal translation of the word is “bald hill” and is known so because there are no trees at the peak of the hill and it looks like it’s got a bald-headed patch at the top. The peak is pleasant and grateful 1 hour walk from the town center. Ganji Pahari is a panoramic picnic spot,the place offers mesmerizing views of the surrounding. Ganji Pahari is one of the noted nature walks in Dalhousie. Tourists can enjoy some cool and fresh breeze and spend lots of time there. The literal meaning of Ganji Pahari is ‘bald hill’. The place was named after the fact that there are no trees at the peak of the Hill making the summit of the hill look like a bald patch. One can reach this place after an hour’s walk from the town center. In this attractive place travelers can enjoy the fresh air, the beautiful view of the mountains and have fun with their friends and family.
9. Rang Mahal
Located in Surara Mohalla, the Rang Mahal was founded one of the ancestral kings called Raja Umed Singh. The palace is a nice blend of the British and Mughal themes of architecture, with traditional Indian style paintings which depict the life of Lord Krishna. Some portions are open for limited period (10 to 1 in morning and 2 to 5 in evening). The palace also has shops wherein hand made handkerchiefs, shawls and shoes are available. Be ready to bargain hard and you will get a nice pair definitely. One should also visit the western side, wherein the ancestral treasury was located (One can easily make out how the construction is different from the rest of the palace). The place has a rich architecture, was designed as a place for staying for the royal women. The place has many paintings on the wall which date back to the British/Mughal era. There is gift shop for souvenirs.
10. Panchpula
The weekend trip from Dalhousie to Panchpula is most popular among tourists, who make it a point to visit Satdhara springs on their way to Panchpula. The gushing sounds of the Satdhara springs leave a mesmerizing effect on the tourists. Another popular spot in Panchpula is the memorial monument, which was built to commemorate the revolutionary Sardar Ajit Singh. There are several streams connecting this place that makes this place look more beautiful and appealing. One can also find a restaurant, built by the tourism department of the state with the intent of serving tourists refreshments and beverages. There are many impressive waterfalls at Panchpula that looks best during the monsoon as everything around these falls buzzes with natural richness during the rainy season. Panchpula is also famous for many treks that originate here and leads to Dalhousie or other nearby destinations. Availability of water makes Panchpula the main source of drinking water, which is supplied to Dalhousie and other nearby towns. Everyone from adventure lovers to trekkers to photographers, love visiting this stunning destination which is surrounded by beauty. The best time to visit this wonderful spot is in summer and monsoon as the water gushes with full force during this season and the place looks its best.
