Palampur Tourism, Palampur Hotels, Tourism in Palampur, Himachal Pradesh, India

Palampur is a fascinating spot in the Kangra Valley. This place is being developed as large tourist centre. A ropeway and an amusement park is also on the to be established here. An Agricultural University is already functioning and some tea factories are also coming up. There are also some pleasant walks around the town. A short walk from here takes one to the awe inspiring Bundla chasm which falls over a 100mts. to the Bundla stream. The stream is a thin streak running over stony ground far below the cliff. During the monsoon seasons, it swells and rages - madly over the entire width of the chasm taking stones and boulders along with it and makes loud roaring noise like thunder. Palampur houses two very important institutions - Agriculture University and CSIR Complex.

Palampur is surrounded on all sides by tea gardens and pine forests. The place enjoys a healthy climate and the pine scented air is said to have curative properties. The scenery presents a sublime and beautiful contrast- the plain presents a picture of rural loveliness and repose, while the hills are majestic. Behind this town stands high ranges of Dhauladhar mountains, whose tops remain covered for most part of the year. Palampur is very famous for its para-gliding sites i.e. Bir and Biling.

The famous Baijnath temple is situated near Palampur. The Gopalpur Mini Zoo is located near Palampur. Tourism in Palampur offers numerous beautiful places to explore around i.e. Bir, Biling, Neugal Khad, Neugal Park, Bundla Stream, Andretta, Shibha Singh's Art Gallery and refreshing Tea Gardens. The Art Gallery of Sardar Shobha Singh, well known Indian portrait and painter, is worth a visit. Palampur enjoys healthy climate all year long and so can be visited any time during the year, however the temperatures can drop to 0°C in extreme winter time. There are some fine and easily accessible places near Palampur to enjoy the ‘fun in snow’ time in the lap of Himalaya.

Tourism in Palampur is refreshing and memorable as the place enjoys healthy climate all year long and there are numerous fine places to explore around. Palampur with its fine location, healthy climate, beautiful tea gardens, grand view of Dhauladhar Mountain range is one of the must visiting places in Himachal and in Dhauladhar Voyage.

Bir and Biling :
( 35 km. from town.) This village is famous for its Buddhist monasteries. Hang gliding pilots use it as their landing site. Bir, surrounded by tea gardens and an amphitheater of low hills, is an ideal landing around for para-gliders. Bir has Buddhist Monasteries that are worth visiting. Fine Tibetan handi craft are also produced here. Billing, up in the hills 14 kms. from Bir with an arena of 200 kms. for high altitude and cross country flying, is one of the best aerosports sites in the country. This is one of the most beautiful jeepable routes in the Kangra valley situated at a height of about 9500 feet. At billing there is only a Guest house of the Forest Dept. being looked after by a caretaker named "Thakur". This guest house can be booked from bir in advance for over night stays. This place is the originating point for hang and para gliders. You can fly upto chamba from here. The ariel view of the chamba and kangra valleys are really breathtaking.

Neugal Khad :
( 2 km. from town.) Neugal Khad provides a fine view of the Dhauladhar range. It is roaring in the rainy season and gurgling all the year round. Himachal Tourism cafe provides food and a fine view from its restaurant. It is a famous picnic spot and ideal for a day escape from busy life. The Cafe is situated in a striking location. you can have a grand view of magnificent snow clad Dhauladhar Mountains from here. There are some new hotels constructed in this area proving quality stay. It is avery famous spot for a day picnic etc. People from near and far visit here and spend some quality time in the lap of Himalaya. This place is at a walking distance from the tea gardens of Palampur. This whole area is blessed with natural beauty.

Bundla Stream :
( 2 km. from town) Bundla stream with wide chasm of more than 100 metres, swells up and rises madly in monsoons taking stones and boulders along with it making a loud noise like that of continuous thunder. This is a lovely walk from Palampur to Bundla.

Andretta :
( 13 km. from town ) It is the home of the famous artist, late Sardar Shobha Singh and late playwriter Norah Richards. This presents an excellent view of the Dhauladhar Range.

Sobha Singh's Art Gallery :
Sobha or Shobha Singh's Art Gallery is situated in Andhretta which is 13 km. from town. Well known Indian portrait painter late Sardar Sobha Singh's art gallery still draws visitors each day. Punjabi playwright Mrs. Norah Richard also lived and died here. The Punjabi University holds an annual competition in Andretta in honour of Norah Richard in which plays are staged in the open. many living artists have made this village their home due to its scenic location, and quietness, as it is far away from noisy roads.

Tea Gardens :
Palampur is very famous for its beautiful tea gardens. Tea gardens are spread in the entire Palampur area providing Palampur with a unique environment. The entire tea production of Himachal pradesh is produced in kangra especially in the Palampur valley. It was Dr. william jameson who had itroduced the chinese green tea, had brought the seeds from the kumaon hills, to Nagrota and Bhawarna hills first. After testing and trying period of more than 75 years, the four co operative tea factories at Palampur , Bir, Sidhbari and Baijnath encouraged the disillusioned planters to produce quality tea and it is fetching good price now. Tea in Kangra valley was introduced in 1854. When "Holta" tea estate was set.

Baijnath Temple :
( 16 km. from town.) The Shiva temple at Baijnath is one of the most remarkable monuments of the Kangra valley. Ancient name of this town was 'Kirgrama'. Baijnath got its name from Shiva Vaidyanatha. The temple consists of an 'Adytum' surrounded by a spire of the usual conical shape with a 'Mandap' covered with a low pyramid shaped roof. The 'Adytum' contains the Lingam. There is fine sculpture work to be associated with Ravana, who worshipped Shiva at this spot and gained immortality. Baijnath is one of the 'Twelve Jyotirlingams'. Shivratri of Baijnath is a well attended fair.

Gopalpur Zoo :

Lying on Dharamshala-Palampur road, wildlife department of H.P Goverment has established a zoo at Gopalpur spread over 12.5 hectares of thick forest. Animals which can be seen here include Asiatic Lion, Himalayan black bear,(a major attraction with the tourists), Leopard, Sambar, hog deer, barking deer, red fox, angora rabbits and so on. It also serves a great picnic spot. You can certainly expect quality time here. The whole area has long outskirts to explore around and provides a good view of Dhauladhar Mountain Range.

Pong Lake Sanctuary :

Altitude : varies from 335 meters to 435 meters.
Annual Rainfall : mean annual rainfall is 1780 mm.
Temperature : temprature varies from 5 to 44°C.
Area : 30,729 hectares ( 307.29 sq. km. ).
Location : near Dehra-Gopipur.
Approaches : easily approachable from many places.

In 1983, the Sagar was declared a wildlife sanctuary and over 220 species of birds belonging to 54 families have been sighted over the waters and the fringing mud-banks - these include black-headed gulls, plovers, terns, ducks, water-fowl and egrets. Maharana Pratap Sagar Lake is the only place in India other than Bharatpur (Rajasthan) where the rare red necked grabe has been found. The sanctuary is close to several places of Hindu Pilgrimage - Jawalamukhi, Chamunda Devi, Chintpurni, Brajeshwari Devi, Mahakalesar, Bagalamata and Naina Devi. The seat of His Holiness the Dalai Lama at Mcleodganj and the Namgyal Monastery are a short drive away. The other budhist monasteries at hand are Tahijong and Bir.

Flora
The sanctuary is a wetland. Forest Types include dry deciduous scrub, dry bamboo and Himalayan pine forest.

Fauna ( Mammals )
Indian wild Bear, barking Deer, red Indian Fox, Indian hare, Hedgehag,longeared, Jackal, common Langur, Rhesus Macaque, Mongoose, Nilgai, Indian Porcupine and Sambar.

Reptiles
Indian Cobra, Book's Gecko, common Indian monitor and Indian Python.

Fish
Tor Putitora ( Mahasheer ), Wallago Attu ( Mallip ) and Ophiocaphalus.