Palampur is an idyllic town with a rustic charm and vibes of quaintness. It is situated in the Kangra Valley. In 1849 British introduced tea plantations in Palampur. The climatic conditions were conducive to growing tea, and it thrived. As the tea estates proliferated, the British built schools, colleges, hospitals, and roads to have tea plantation workers settle there and connect it to the market.  The Government of Himachal Pradesh says, “Palampur has a backdrop of Neural chasm and the Bundle stream cutting across on one edge. Surrounded by green tea estates and forests of p one and deodar, it has several interesting trails.” If you plan to visit or are staying in a resort or hotel in Palampur, our comprehensive list covers places and experiences you should try at least once when you visit Palampur. 

Natural 

  • Saurabh Van Vihar: Refer to recreational.
  • Neugal Park
  • Dhauladhar National Park: The park is more familiar as Gopalpur Zoo and houses some of the endangered species including leopards, Asiatic lions, sambhar, deer, and many more. If you are interested in the endemic flora and fauna of the region, Dhauladhar National Park is a great place to spot them. Distance: 13 km Entry Fee: INR. 50
resort or hotel in Palampur,

Tea Gardens 

  • Wah Tea Estate: Run by the 4th generation of tea planters, the Wah Tea Estate’s legacy goes back to the British Era. The Estate was acquired by Sir Sikander Hayat-Khan (son of the Nawab of Wah in Pakistan), and later (in 1953) sold to the Chaiwala family. At Wah’s tea estate, you can get a brief of:  
    • Estate’s history 
    • Tea production (plucking, packaging and processing) 
    • All about types of tea 
    • Tea tasting session 

      Distance: 7 km

  • Palampur Cooperative Tea Factory: If you want to see how is processed to be converted into the final product, the Palampur Tea Factory is a great place to visit. The factory produces only the orthodox black variety of tea – a strong and sharp flavour. There is a shop within the factory premise if you want to buy some tea. Distance: 3 km Entry: Free
  • Himalayan Brew Tea Factory: A family-owned tea company, the factory has roots in the 19th century. Now run by the 5th generation of tea planters, the sprawling tea estate has everything in-house. Distance: 7 km 

Art and Culture 

    • Kangra Fort
    • Masrur Rock Cut Temple: The 8th-century temple is carved out of monolithic rocks. The incomplete structure indicates ambitious plans for the temple. The temple follows North Indian Hindu temple style architecture – square plan, shikhara type, shrines in Mandala style, and a large water pool. The temple survived the 1905 earthquake. Distance: 22 km
    • Naam Art Gallery: The exhibition shows paintings of Elsbeth Buschmann, a German painter, and A. W. Hallett, an English painter. For an art enthusiast, the art gallery is a must-visit. Distance: 30 km
    • Shobha Singh Gallery: The gallery is dedicated to Sobha Sing, a famous Punjabi artist. His masterpieces including portraits of Guru Nanak and depictions of Sohni-Mahiwal and Heer-Ranjha are displayed here. The Kangra school of art is visible. The gallery also houses busts of some prominent Punjabis like M.S. Randhawa, Prithviraj Kapoor and Nirmal Chandra, Amrita Pritam and more. If you want to the intricacies of the Kangra school, Sobha Singh gallery is a great place to explore the art of the hills. Distance: 14 km
  • Andretta Artists’ Village

Recreation 

  • Mountain Railway: A UNESCO world heritage site, the Kalka-Shimla Railways runs along the foothills of the Himalayas. The railway linking the valley with the rest of India during the mid-19th century changed the social and economic mould of the region.
  • Neugal Khad: Neugal Khad is a narrow stream of sparkling clean water. Although the water is not flowing all year round, the stream has gravel strewn bank and the shallow trickling water makes it a great sport for picnics. Distance: 2 km Entry: Free
  • Saurabh Van Vihar: The park inside the Neugal Khad. It is dedicated to the Kargil War martyr Capt. Saurabh Kalia. A great picnic spot away from the crowd and bustle of tourists in the main city. A great place to go with kids if you are staying at a nearby hotel in Palampur.  The park also has:
  • An Aquarium 
  • A lake (boating available) 
      Distance: 4 km       Entry: Free 

Adventure 

  • Bir and Billing: A renowned place for paragliding and many other sports, Bir Billing is a preferred place for everyone to seek adventure. Just a short drive away, Tatva’s is the best hotel in Himachal Pradesh to make the most out of adventure in Bir Billing. Distance: 35 km
  • Triund: A convenient and short trek when are staying in a hotel or resort in Palampur. When you ascend the trek, you see the golden Dhauladhar ranges and the Kangra Valley. Distance: 41 km 

Religious 

Buddhist

  • Tasi Jong Buddhist Monastery Distance: 31 km
  • Dorzong Monastic Institute: Established by the Eight Kyabje Dorzong Rinpoche, the monastery preserves the original doctrines of Buddhism, especially the Drukpa Kagyu lineage. The monastery is located near Gopalpur village in the valley of Kangra, surrounded by cedar forest and the Dhauladhar ranges. Distance: 25 km
  • Palpung Sherab Ling Monastery: The monastery is located near Bir. The monastery is one of the branches of the Palpung Monastery of Eastern Tibet. The monastery offers courses in Buddhist studies and more than 1200 monks reside here. Meditation retreats are also available. Distance: 24 km 

Hindu

  • Jakhni Mata Temple:  The temple is situated at the highest point in Chandpur village. The climb is steep, so people typically use cars. But, steadfast hikers, go anyway. Local folklores trace the history of the Jakhni Mata temple to at least four and half centuries back, when locals brought an image of the Jakhni Mata here from Bharmour.  Distance: 10 km
  • Baijnath: The 13th-century temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. An inscription mentions that a shrine dedicated to Shiva had already existed. The sanctum houses a Shiva lingam. Images of Lord Ganesha, Lord Harihara, and snapshots of the wedding of Lord Shiva and Parvati are inscribed on the walls. Distance: 16 km
  • Birni Devi Temple
  • Bundlamata Temple 
  • Langha Mata Temple 
  • Mata Ashapuri Temple 
  • Jwalamuki Temple 
  • Chamunda Devi Temple  
  • Birni Devi Temple 
  • Chitpurni Temple 
  • Masrur Rock Cut Temple 

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