Planning your next trip to Dharamshala, a panoramic hill station set amidst the thick cedar forests at the foot of the Himalayas. It is a scenic beauty surrounded by the Dhauladhar ranges and green deodar trees. The cool atmosphere and lush green trails make it an exceptional and one of the must-visit places in Himachal Pradesh. The history and enchanting charm of Tibetan monasteries attract thousands of people to spend their summer in Dharamkot.
Dharamshala is home to the Dalai Lama, where spiritual seekers and monks come to seek the knowledge of his holiness. This picturesque destination boasts stunning lakes, vibrant monasteries, colorful temples, sparkling waterfalls, and vintage forts & museums.
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Do you want to enjoy your trip to Dharamshala hassle-free and organized? We present you with the list of the best places to visit in Dharamshala. It’s time to explore and rediscover, relax, unwind, and chill out.
Places to Visit in Dharamsala
Triund Hill
Triund Hill is an exciting natural scenic beauty with the background of the snow-peaked mountains of the Dharamsala. It is a small hill station famous for adventurers and trekkers, which offers panoramic views of the most beautiful place in Dharamkot. It is perched at the height of 2,828 m above sea level, surrounded by the Dhauladhar Mountains and Kangra Valleys. Triund looks stunningly beautiful with the trekking trails. You will get mesmerized with the breathtaking lush green land and beautiful view of the moon peak.
Triund Hill is a perfect climatization point for trekkers and climbers, where they can relax for a bit before resuming trekking. Its clean air and refreshing environment make it a popular tourist attraction in Dharamshala and McLeodGanj. It also offers a panoramic view of Bhagsu village, McLeodGanj. There are plenty of spaces to camp and spend your night on a 6 km trail.
Famous For:Â Snowline at Ilaka further trek from Triund Hill and Galu Devi Temple located at the top of the hill.Â
Opening Timings:Â Open 24 hours
Ideal Time to Explore: 5 – 6 hours
Best time to visit: March – December, trekking is closed between December- Feb
How To Reach: You can take a taxi ride from Mcleodganj till Galu or go for trekking from the McleodGanj. You can go for a pony ride to reach the top.Â
Things to do: Trekking, camping, photography
Dharamshala Cricket Stadium
Dharamshala presents you with a picturesque stadium set amidst the greens of the Dhauladhar range. This cricket stadium is a must-visit place for cricket fans. You will witness the highest international cricket stadium in the World, which is also popularly known as Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association ( HPCA) Stadium. It is located at a height of almost 1500 m above sea level. It has witnessed various cricket matches. Rolling meadows and snow-capped mountains add natural beauty to the stadium. The Dharamshala Cricket Stadium stuns with the misty greeneries and snowy mountains in Winter.
The first match was played in 2010, where Chennai Super Kings defeated Kings XI Punjab during IPL. Since then, it has become the world-owned stadium for international cricket matches. It is exciting to watch cricket matches while taking in the fresh mountain air and enjoy the riveting atmosphere.
Famous For: World-class international and local matches.
Opening Timings: 9: 00 A.M – 6:00 P.M
Ideal Time to Explore: 1 hour
Tickets: 20 Rupees per person
How To Reach: Can take a taxi to reach there.
Best time to visit: Between December and FebruaryÂ
Things to do: click pictures, enjoy a fun outing, and watch cricket live
St. John Church
Nestled amidst verdant green deodar trees, St John in the Wilderness Church is one of the most famous and peaceful places to visit in Dharamshala. It is surrounded by the verdant green deodar trees and situated about 8 km away from Dharamshala. St. John’s Church is an Anglican church with stained glass windows from Belgium. This neo-Gothic style of architecture church is a popular attraction for architects and tourists.
It is one of the oldest churches in Himachal Pradesh, which was built in 1852. It is one of the tourist attractions in Himachal Pradesh, which adds charm to the region. This holy place is dedicated to John the Baptist. In Dharamshala, this oldest structure has stunning construction and peaceful vibes. The St. John Church is a perfect place to feel the serenity and rediscover yourself away from the hustle and bustle of your life.
Opening Timings: 9:00 to 6:00 P.M ( Mon- Sat), 10:00 AM to 11: 30 AM ( Sun)
Ideal Time to Explore: 45 mins
How To Reach: You can reach by taxi.Â
Things to do: Prayer, photography
Tsuglagkhang Temple, Dharamshala
Tsuglagkhang Temple is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Dharamshala. It boasts a rich Tibetan culture. Monks, pilgrims, and tourists visit this monastery every year for a peaceful time. The temple has a huge idol of Lord Buddha and statues of famous Buddhist monks, including Padmasambhava, Avalokiteshvara, and many more. Monks and Lamas come here to spend their time chanting and meditating. There is a gold-plated prayer wheel at the center of the temple with chants of Om Mani Padme Hum. Purity and Humanity filled everywhere in the air of Tsuglagkhang.
Tsuglagkhang Complex is a popular attraction in Mcleod Ganj. It is also the Official Home of the 14th Dalai Lama.. Tsuglagkhang Museum has preserved historical documents, handicrafts, pottery, and paintings. It shows the life and culture of the Tibetans and the various struggles they faced in their life.
Famous For: Photang, Tsuglagkhang Temple, Tibet Museum, and Namgyal Gompa.
Alternate Names: Popularly known as the Dalai Temple Complex, where people come to learn spirituality from monks.
Opening Timings: 5:00 Am to 8:00 PM ( April to Oct), 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM ( Nov to March)
Ideal Time to Explore: 2 hours
How To Reach: reach by taxi or take private buses.
Things to do: You can pray your respects, rotate the prayer wheel, meditate in the prayer hall, and visit the temple museum.
Kangra Valley
Kangra Fort has been appreciated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is home to famous tourist places in Himachal Pradesh, which include Kareri Lake and Brajeshwari Temple. Some temples are known as the holiest places in Kangra. Feel refreshed while sitting on the side of fresh and clear water of the Kareri Lake.At the foot of the Dhauladhar ranges, this diverse and picturesque valley is the largest region of Himachal Pradesh.
You can witness an eternal flame in the Jawala Devi temple situated in Kangra valley, which has been burning for thousands of years from a hollow rock as a manifestation of the goddess Jwala Devi. The local people of Kangra are gentle and hardworking. You will feel welcomed when you reach there.
Famous For: Jwala Devi Temple, Chamunda Devi Temple, Baijnath Shiv Temple.
Ideal Time to Explore: one day
Best time to Visit: March to AprilÂ
How To Reach: take private buses or taxis to reach
Things to do: Take photography, trekking, and pray at the temples
Hopefully, you get a fair idea about the places to visit in Dharamshala and McLeodGanj. Honeymooners and travelers can seek blessings at the monasteries and temples, sightseeing, and explore the market for souvenirs and crafts. You can enjoy various Tibetan dishes at fine dining restaurants. So, excuse the hustle and bustle of your life for some days and plan for a fabulous summer vacation to this captivating hill station right away.
FAQ
How many days are enough for Dharamshala?
Dharamshala is a hub of the most beautiful attractions, which you can explore to add a wonderful experience to your travel diaries. It will take almost 3-4 days to complete the entire trip. You can also divide the traveling time into experiencing Lower Dharamshala, McLeod Ganj, and Dharamkot.
What is the best time to visit Dharamshala?
To plan a fun trip, it is best to delve into the season. The peak season for tourists is between March to June when travellers can have a pleasant experience. During December – February, its weather is quite piercing, but winter is an exciting time for honeymooners or trekkers to explore hilly stations.
Which is better, Dharamshala or Shimla?
Dharamshala is a natural scenic beauty, where tourists can spend some quiet time in the mountains. Shimal is the most attractive destination in India. Because of its popularity, it has become a very congested and commercialized destination.
However, both Shimla and Dharamshala are real gems of Himachal Pradesh. You can check out the list of Best Places to visit in Shimla to decide where to go for your next holiday trip.
Is August a Good Time to Visit Dharamshala?
During August, Dharamshala experiences heavy rainfall during this time. It is not an ideal time for travelers to visit Dharamshala. This weather can affect your trip and ruin your plans of enjoying trekking in the hilly areas. You may have to stay in the hotel the whole time.
What are the things to do in Dharamshala?
Some of the top things you can do in Dharamshala for an adventurous vacation are:
• Paragliding in Bir Billing
• Camping
• Trekking
• Rock climbing
• Cycling