Whenever it comes to taking a break from the daily routine, hill stations are the most obvious choice that most people think of. Visiting these places gives you respite from your scorching heat in summer and is worth exploring during winter. Palampur is one perfect example in the northwest zone of Himachal Pradesh. Famous for its natural beauty, this small village has been driving tourist footfall for its lush tea plantations, which is why it got its name as the ‘Tea Capital of India’. But apart from tea gardens, there are other tourist places to visit in Palampur for an adventurous trip.
Top places to visit in Palampur for a joyous weekend break
Palampur earns significant attention for its verdant tea gardens, with Kangra tea as a local yet popular beverage for tea lovers. But let’s not limit the importance of this hill town of Himachal, as it is stocked with more worthwhile tourist spots. So let’s begin with the Palampur itinerary guide of places you need to explore, starting with:
Strolling across the lush green tea plantations
Strolling across manicured rows of tea bushes is one of the best things to do in Palampur, a popular tea-producing place in India. When coming here you will come to know about the process of tea making. Sipping the famous Kangra tea will make your day with some snacks.
- Best time to visit: March & June
- Top attractions: Tea gardens, tea processing, & the natural lush vegetation
- Activities to do: Walking across tea bushes, tasting the famous Kangra tea, & photography
Enjoying a scenic adventure ride with toy train
Besides enjoying a Kalka-Shimla toy train in Shimla, you can experience the same adventure ride with a toy train, one of the riveting attractions in Palampur. Listed among the UNESCO heritage sites, this toy train will take you across lush green forests, cascading waterfalls, & meandering rivers. Besides scenic views, you will also notice the rustic rural life.
- Best time to visit: March & June
- Top attractions: Toy train ride, small settlements, meandering rivers, waterfalls, & verdant woods
- Activities to do: Enjoying the toy train ride, admiring scenic vistas, & glimpse of rural settlements.
Admiring the architectural marvel of Baijnath Shiva Temple
Lord Shiva is one of the revered deities in Hindu religion. Baijnath Temple in Palampur is one of the famous holy shrines dedicated to him. Other than praying to him, the architectural marvel of this temple will also grab your attention. It holds historical significance as it was built in the 13th century. According to mythological belief, it is where Ravana worshipped Shiva to get the boon of immortality.
- Best time to visit: March & June
- Top attractions: Exploring architectural marvel, noticing exquisite stone carvings, & admiring historical sculptures
- Activities to do: Seeking blessings of Lord Shiva, admiring architectural wonders including exquisite stone carvings
Experience peace at Jakhni Mata Temple
Jakhni Mata Temple is one of the popular places to visit in Palampur. Located near Chandanpur, it is known to be the highest point in Kangra. This temple is dedicated to Devi Latti Jakhni, & is 5 km from Palampur. People can reach the temple via hiking; if not, driving is ideal for a steep climbing way.
- Best time to visit: March & June
- Top attractions: Jakhani Mata Temple
- Activities to do: Taking blessings of Devi Latti Jakhani & hiking
Exploring wildlife at Dhauladhar National Park
Dhauladhar National Park, also called Gopalpur Zoo, is an ideal retreat for wildlife enthusiasts who can spot various animal species, including Himalayan black bears, leopards, & musk deer. Sprawling at 944 sq. km, this national park is also appealing for its rarest plant species.
- Best time to visit: March & June
- Top attractions: Rarest plant & animal species
- Activities to do: Spotting endangered animal species like leopards, Himalayan black bears, musk deer, & more.
Indulging in thrilling fun at Bir Billing
Looking for some thrill in Palampur? You can have it by paragliding in Bir Billing, popularly called the Paragliding Capital of India. It is a must-place for adventure junkies who have no fear of accepting daunting challenges. In this activity, you will be flying in the middle of the Himalayan landscape. You need to check out for climatic conditions for your safe paragliding experience.
- Best time to visit: October & November
- Top attractions: Paragliding, Tibetan refugee settlement, Buddhist monasteries, & large stupa
- Activities to do: Paragliding is the main attraction in Bir Billing
Picnicking at Neugal Khad
Neugal Khad is one of the major tourist spots in Palampur, best for picnicking & casual outings with family & friends. The place derives its name from the Neugal River that flows through this hill town. Here, you can spend plenty of time amidst the surrounding picturesque beauty of the Dhauladhar range.
- Best time to visit: March & June – September & November
- Top attractions: Neugal River, Dhauladhar Range, greenery, & natural scenic beauty
- Activities to do: Picnicking, photography, & river bank walks
Learning the art of pottery making at Andretta Pottery Studio
Are you curious to learn new things? If yes, you should visit Andretta Pottery Studio to learn pottery making. Nestled in the central region of Andretta village, this studio & the Craft Society are worth exploring to learn how to make pottery. You may not excel in making pottery initially, but practice makes a man perfect.
- Best time to visit: March & June
- Top attractions: Scenic surroundings, art workshops, & pottery studios
- Activities to do: Learning the art of pottery making
Paying tribute to Kargil martyr at Saurabh Van Vihar
Some places in India are named after people who have done some exceptional deeds during their lifetime. Saurabh Van Vihar is one example dedicated to Kargil martyr Saurabh Kalia. This fantastic place is worth visiting for its natural beauty, lush greenery, & serene ponds. It is a great relief from the bustling city life.
- Best time to visit: March & June
- Top attractions: Serene ponds, natural surroundings, & idyllic atmosphere
- Activities to do: Nature walk, watching birds, & picnicking
Shopping for souvenirs at Tashi Jong Monastery
Tashi Jong Monastery is also a great place to explore in Palampur. Besides Dharamshala, you will also notice the Tibetan culture & divine ambience here. When visiting this monastery, you will learn about the practices & traditions of Tibetan Buddhism. It’s very nearer to Palampur, & is worth visiting to find solace & experience mental peace.
- Best time to visit: March & June
- Top attractions: Monastic structures, peaceful ambience, & Tibetan culture
- Activities to do: Learning about practices & traditions of Tibetan Buddhism, meditating, experiencing mental peace & solace.
Best resort in Palampur to explore its major attractions
If you want to explore the major attractions, book your staycation at jüSTa Palampur Resort & Convention Centre. It is one of the top luxury resorts in Palampur, providing all kinds of facilities & excelling in hospitality services to meet the needs of its guests. Featuring 27 well-structured rooms acquainted with all modern amenities, it is a peaceful retreat to get familiar with Himachali culture & admire its lush green lawns. Other than enjoying a good night’s sleep in its comfy bedding, you can also maintain your regular fitness routine with the facility of a gymnasium here.
The resort is not only appealing in terms of its flawless hospitality features. It is also an ideal venue for planning a destination wedding in Palampur. It has an in-house banquet hall named The Jehan, which features all possible amenities to make your special event into beautiful reminiscing memories.
When coming to Palampur, returning without tasting the Himachali cuisine is impossible. To have it, you are most welcome to the resort’s multi-cuisine restaurant, one of the best dining restaurants in Palampur. Here, you can savour not just the Himachali but other mouth-watering Indian cuisines also, depending on your taste. The meals here are prepared with the freshest ingredients, giving guests a memorable dining experience.
Conclusion
With many top places to visit in Palampur, your weekend will be a memorable journey. Planning your stay at the nearest best resort in Palampur helps you reach the nearest tourist attractions with ease. Palampur is a treasure trove of natural beauty, tea plantations, adventure sports, historical sites, wildlife sanctuaries, & temples.
