India is the land of myriad colours and landscapes. Endless
seas, towering mountains, and golden deserts, everything can be found in
this expansive nation. Hill stations of India are especially known to
draw tourists from all over the world with their astounding beauty. Here
is a list of top 10 hill stations in India that must feature in your bucket list.
Munnar, Kerala
Munnar is an exceptionally beautiful hill station with expanses of
tea estates found all over the region. Be it a honeymoon, family
holiday, or a vacation with friends, Munnar is an ideal destination if
you love mountains.
Nainital, Uttarakhand
Nainital bustles with tourists in its peak season, and even then the
hill station is serene and incredibly scenic. The best things to do here
include walking down the winding roads feeling the fresh mountain air,
boating in the Naini Lake, or just watching the sun go down from a peak.
Darjeeling, West Bengal
Mesmerizing peaks of the mighty Himalayas can be seen from every corner of Darjeeling, which is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful hill stations in India. The toy train ride of Darjeeling is a famous tourist attraction.
Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir
Awe-inspiring mountain peaks and the gorgeous Tulian Lake make Pahalgam one of the best hill stations in India. The entire region of Kashmir is known for its scenic beauty, and Pahalgam is no exception.
Shillong, Meghalaya
Referred to as the ‘Scotland of the East,’ Shillong is perfect for
honeymooners, families, friends, and solo travellers. The rolling hills,
misty aura, and cascading waterfalls make Shillong a traveller’s
paradise.
Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu
Known for its amazing natural beauty, Kodaikanal is a sought-after
destination among globetrotters. Kodaikanal’s meandering waterfalls,
peaceful forests, and idyllic hills offer the perfect ingredients of a
spectacular hill station!
Valparai, Tamil Nadu
Perched on the Anamalai Mountain Range, Valparai is everything an
idyllic hill station should be. Lush meadows and glittering waterfalls
create the perfect setting for the visitor at Valparai.
Mussoorie, Uttarakhand
One of the most popular hill stations in Uttarakhand and all of
India, Mussoorie is ideal for a weekend getaway from Delhi. It is
situated at an elevation of over 1800m. The location is dotted with
scenic and cultural points of interest.
Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh
Located in the abode of snow, Dharamshala is a picturesque destination that all mountain-lovers will fall in love with.
Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh
One of the most beautiful North Eastern hill stations in India,
Tawang is the gem of Arunachal Pradesh. Clear blue skies, white-as-snow
clouds, and the surrounding sceneries of towering peaks make Tawang a
picture-perfect location.
Famous as the land of 5 rivers, the State
of Punjab is full of flavor, festivals, frolic, color, brave soldiers
and hard working farmers. Punjab is one of the richest states in the
nation which is rich in almost every respect. From the exquisite
cuisine, spicy platters of fragrant Sarson ka Saag and Makki di Roti,
good-natured and high-spirited people, music loving and devoted
denizens, the land of Punjab is a must visit place which will have a
long-lasting impression on your lives and tongues.
The holiest Sikh Gurudwara in Punjab, there’s nothing about this place that won’t calm your senses, and put you at peace.
2. Jallianwala Bagh, Amritsar
The historically significant Jallianwala bagh is a public garden
located in Amritsar, Punjab. The memorial has been built to honour the
innocent people killed here during the infamous Jallianwala bagh massacre that happened during the British rule.
3. The Rock Garden, Chandigarh
One of the most popular attraction in Chandigarh, the Rock garden is
the epitome of creativity. Started by government official Nek Chand as a
way to kill time back in 1957. And today, this sculpture garden is
spread over 40 acres of land. The major attraction of this garden is the
fact that everything here is made of waste material of all
kinds-bangles, wires, industry waste material, broken crockery and
kitchenware, etc.
4. The Zakir Hussain Rose Garden, Chandigarh
Named after India’s former president Zakir Hussain, the rose garden is
a botanical garden spread over 30 acres of land, with 50,000 rose
bushes of 1600 different species. Apart from other events that are
hosted, the rose garden hosts the annual rose festival called Festival of Gardens,
a major cultural event in Chandigarh, during February or March. Its
attractions include food, drinks, and different contests held for
enthusiasts of all kinds.
5. The Doraha Fort, or the RDB fort
The Dohara fort is a famous fort where several scenes of the popular film, Rang De Basanti, were
shot. Because the film was a raging success, the fort got another name,
the RDB fort. This picturesque fort is about 2 hours away from
Chandigarh, near Ludhiana.
6. Wagah Border ceremony
Every evening, hundreds of people flock to the Wagah border, the
international border that separates India and Pakistan, to witness
the majestic changing of guards accompanied by the hoisting and retreat
of the respective national flags. The border security forces of both
nations undergo the elaborate process jointly through an interesting
ceremony.
7. Qila Mubarak
Located in Patiala, the Qila Mubarak is a popular archaeological spot for history buffs and enthusiasts.
8. Harike wetland and bird sanctuary
The Harike wetland is the largest wetland in northern India in the
Tarn Taran Sahib district of Punjab. The wetland is home to several
species of flora and fauna, and is a major biodiversity reserve. It is
the best place to visit if you’re a nature lover or a wildlife
photographer.
9. The Kila Raipur Sports Festival, Ludhiana
One of the highlights of Punjab, the Kila Raipur Sports festival
takes place annually in a small village, Kila Raipur, about 20 km away
from Ludhiana. Every year,this event happens between ending January and
the beginning of February. A large number of people gather to witness an
array of sporting events, and people participating in them are
enthusiastic beyond compare.
10. Garden of silence
The beautifully landscaped Garden of Silence, located adjacent to the
beautiful Sukhna Lake, is the perfect spot for meditation and for
general peace and quiet.
11. Sukhna Lake, Chandigarh
The Sukhna Lake in Chandigarh is another major tourist attraction. On
a regular day, one can go boating, or just enjoy the beautiful scene of
the sun setting over the city.
12. Virasat-e-Khalsa
Located in Anandpur Sahib, Virasat-e-Khalsa is a museum that gives
insight into all the events that took place more than 500 years ago;
events that gave birth to Sikhism. The museum aims to illuminate the
vision of the Gurus, their message of peace and brotherhood and the
culture and heritage of Punjab. This museum took about 13 years to make,
and was opened to the public in November 2011.Also, don’t forget to sway with the lovely people, the wonderful
food, and the energy that the air this state breathes. When in Punjab,
do as Punjabis do ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amritsar
The place is drenched in the blood of all the freedom fighters, the
atmosphere is divine with the spiritual devotion, and the overall feel
and impression of this vibrant city are magnificent. One can visit the
Jallianwala Bagh and still hear the echoes of those people who died in
merciless shooting led by General Dwyer; the place that gave birth to
Udham Singh who took the revenge for all those innocents by killing that
General in London. The feeling of pride and patriotism all come to your
mind the moment you start roaming in the Jallianwala Bagh and read
various boards in the place.
Other places of interest in Amritsar are
Golden Temple
Maharaja Ranjit Singh Panorama
Taran Taran Sahib
Maharaja Ranjit Singh Museum
Harike Wetland and Bird Sanctuary
Rambagh Garden
Wagah Border
Akal Takht
Summer Palace of Maharaja Ranjit Singh
and few other places like the Durgiana Temple, Kaiser Bagh Park, Bathinda Fort and Khalsa College.
Wagah
Border is another such tourist hub which is famous across the whole
world and tourists from all over the world come here. The border is an
international border between the countries of India and Pakistan.
Visited by thousands of tourists every day, the place is famous for the
parade which is done in the evening by the soldiers on both the sides of
the border. This is a must visit place after the famous Golden Temple
in Amritsar.
Joint capital of Haryana and Punjab, the city is aptly called as the
City Beautiful. It is one of the most organised and well-planned cities
in the North India, which is full of various tourist places. While
touring Chandigarh, you can not only enjoy the city itself but also tour
the other nearby places such as Zirakpur and Mohali. Well connected via
road, air and railways, the place is one of the most visited places in
Punjab.
The must visit places in and around Chandigarh are
Sukhna Lake
Chhatbir Zoo
Shanti Kunj
Rock Garden
Leisure Valley
Le Corbusier Centre
Morni Hills
Sarkaria Cactus Garden
Timber Trail
Rose Garden
and
many more places to visit like the Yadvinder Garden, Garden of
Fragrance, Government Museum and Art Gallery, Mahendra Chaudhary
Zoological Park, Butterfly Park, International Dolls Museum, Chandigarh
Botanical Garden and Nature Park and Terraced Garden.
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Jalandhar
Jalandhar is a famous town in Punjab which is vibrating with life, full
of mesmerising colours and tastes and is one of the major shopping hubs
in the state. Famous for the extraordinary cuisine, marketplaces,
fabrics, culture, history and a lot more things, the place offers you
the true elements of Punjabi life.
While visiting the place, you can enjoy places like
Imam Nasir Masjid
Wonderland Theme Park
Devi Talab Mandir
Shiv Mandir
Tulsi Mandir
Pushpa Gujral Science City
Company Bagh
Shaheed-E-Azam Sardar Bhagat Singh Museum
St. Mary's Cathedral Church
and a few more places like Prithvi's Planet, Niku Park, Rangla Punjab Haveli, and Sheetla Mandir.
Famous for the Patiala suits, Patiala Pegs, Patiala Turbans and Paranda,
and Patiala Jutti, the region is another one of the must visit places
in the State of Punjab. The delicacies and spicy cuisine will be an
exquisite experience for your palette. Sangrur and Sirhind are the other
places of tourist interest in the region which are historically famous
and can be visited while touring the region.
Ludhiana is famous for the woollen apparel industries and fabrics. The
local marketplaces are alive with shoppers, restaurants, traders dealing
in apparels and other products and the cultural legacy is rich and
varied. The intermingling of the various cultures has developed a rich
and broadminded lifestyle in the region. Typical Punjabi culture is
visible in almost each and every aspect of the region. The town is
situated on the banks of the river Sutlej.
One of the ancient cities of Punjab and houses some of the oldest
monuments in the state. Some of the monuments date back to 3000BC even.
The land witnessed the famous battle between the Mughals and Guru Gobind
Singh. Having valour and bravery in its veins, the town is a must visit
place in Punjab.
The best travel destinations that one must visit are
Bhatinda Fort
Bhatinda Lake
Bhatinda Zoological Park
Rose Garden
Bir Talab Zoo
Lakhi Jungle
Dhobi Bazaar
and few more like the Qila Mubarak, Takht Shri Damdama Sahib, and Chetak Park.
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Pathankot
Located
in Punjab and sharing vicinity with the lovely state of Himachal
Pradesh, the place is a lovely town with an awesome weather and scenery.
You can enjoy both the Himachali and Punjabi culture in the region.
Places you can visit are the
Kali Mata ka Mandir
Ranjit Sagar Dam
Laxmi Narayan Mandir
Mukteshwar Temple
Kathgarh Temple
Hydraulic Research Station
and
other places like the Shani Dev Mandir, Ashapurni Mandir, Shahpurkandi
Fort, and Nagni Temple while touring in and around Pathankot.-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In Northern India lies a state renowned for its picturesque,
landscape of rolling hills, mountains and valleys, called Himachal; the
area boasts experiences that will leave even the most, well-travelled
tourists speechless. Its mountainous landscapes and shifting climates
make it a great place for your next adventure.
Being one of the most beautiful, natural landscapes to be found in
India, there is an endless list of things to discover and explore in
Himachal. Whilst we cannot write about them all we implore you to search
beyond our suggestions and satisfy your inner adventurer by finding out
more for yourself. But to help you get started navigating the exciting
experiences to be found there, we have put together a list of a few of
the most highly recommended places to visit in Himachal.
Capital: Shimla
Language: Hindi, Punjabi, Pahari, Kanashi
Best Time to Visit Himachal Pradesh: April to October and December to January
What to See in Himachal Pradesh: Religious places, fairs and festivals, apple farms, colonial mansions, cricket ground, museums, monasteries, royal palaces.
Things to Do
There are a plethora of things that one can do while in Himachal, and the possibilities are endless. Below are some of the most popular activities to do:
River rafting in Manali
Toy train ride from Kalka to Shimla
Trek in Spiti Valley
Heli Skiing in Hanuman Tibba, Rohtang Pass and Deo Tibba
Zorbing in Kullu and Manali
Paragliding in Solang Valley
Mountain Biking in Bilaspur
Camping in Dalhousie
Trekking in Dhauladhar and Pir Panjal
Rock Climbing in Jorkanden, Rangrik Rang and Shila
Things to See
Himachal has plenty of tourist attractions in various destinations to choose from, and following are some of the most popular ones:
Two of Himachal’s most popular and loved destinations are Shimla and Manali. With the large number of tourist attractions in Kullu Manali,
it would be unwise not to pay a visit to any of them. A lot of the
smaller towns and districts are located very close to Shimla and Manali,
which makes it easier to take one-day trips and returning to your
accommodation in the major cities. Planning travelling and gaining
tourist information from Shimla or Manali is also a lot easier than
doing it in the smaller areas.
A visit to Dalhousie is incomplete without visiting its twin McLeodganj and vice versa. Add Dharamshala to the mix and you’ve got a wonderful package tour of memories to cherish later on. Dalhousie
is a quaint little town in Himachal famous for its monasteries and
quiet resorts. McLeodganj is known for the Tibetan museum, Buddhist
monasteries and the Dal Lake along with many other smaller sights to
see. As these two are out of the various tourist spots of Himachal, it
is always recommended to visit them at least once during a trip.
