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Dharamshala is the district hqr. of Kangra district. This is a hill station lying on the spur of the Dhauladhar range about 18kms. north east of Kangra town. Hill station is wooded with oak and conifer trees and snow capped mountains enfold three sides of the town while the valley stretches in front. The snow line is perhaps more easily accessible at Dharamshala than at any other hill resort and it is possible to trek to snow point after an early morning's start.
In 1905, tragedy struck Dharamshala when an earthquake levelled it completely. After its reconstruction, Dharamshala flourished as a quiet health resort. It is divided into two distinct parts. Lower Dharamshala has civil offices and business establishments with courts.Kotwali Bazar and Upper Dharamshala compose of places with names which bear witness to its history like McLeod Ganj and Forsythe Ganj. Since 1960, when it became a temporary hqrs. of His Holiness The Dalai Lama, Dharamshala has risen to international fame as "The Little Lhasa in India".
The Variety Dharamshala offers, ranges from temples, churches, monasteries, Museums, ancient towns and places of natural beauty. Every season and every spot has its won special offering, as here under.
War Memorial :1200mt 3 KM at the very start of town, landscaped lawns and a web of narrow paths fill a pine grove where a monuments has been raised to commerncorate the past independence war heroes of Himachal Pradesh.
Kunal Pathri ( 1300mt ) :3 Km from Kotawali Bazaar-3km from Kotwali Bazar is the rock temple dedicated to a local goddess. The road passes through forests and tea gardens.
Kangra Art Museum, Kotwali Bazar :Kotwali Bazar is the main Famous shopping center, where kangra valley’s arts, crafts and rich past, displaying articrafts dating back to 5th century are housed in the Museum of Kangra Art Gallery.It includes a gallery of kangra’s famous miniature, paintings and a representative collection of sculptures, pottery and anthropological items. A section houses the work of contemporary artists, sculptures and photographers.
St. John’s Church(1600 mt) :3 Km up from Dharamshala, between Forsythganj and McLeod Ganj lies the charming St. john church built with dressed stone and having beautiful stained glass and windows, popularly called, the church of St. John in Wilderness. Under the shade of deodar branches, a memorial has been erected over the body of the British Viceroy of India, Lord Elgin who died in Dharamshala in 1863. There is a well tended old graveyard on the grassy slopes.

McLeod Ganj(1700 mt) :
9 Km up from Kotwali Bazar Dharamshala is the famous town McLeod Ganj often called “The Little Lhasa”. This is the residence of HH the Dalai Lama. The Tibetan Government in exile has been here for almost five decades. The impressive monastery has larger than life images of Budha, Padmasambhava and Avlokteshwara. A large Tibetan community and the presence of traditional architectural designs drawn from Tibet have enhanced the charm of the area. A host of Tibetan handicrafts and garments are available.

Bhagsuth Temple/water fall(1700 mt) :1 Km from McLeod Ganj is the old temple of Bhagsunath with a fresh waterspring. Further, about 0.5 Km is beautiful Bhagsunath waterfall which is enough to sooth one’s eyes and mind.
Dharamkot (2100mt) :Dharamkot is situated on the crest of hill 3Km from McLeod Ganj. This picnic spot affords a panoramic view of Kangra valley, Pong Dam and Dhauladhar ranges.
Dal Lake: 2Km from McLeod Ganj is the pretty Dal Lake, scenic picnic spot surrounded by forests of Deodar. It is a good base for trekkers. A colorful annual fair is held here every September. Tibetan Children Village is a miniature oval-shaped artificial lake called Dal lake, rimmed by fir trees. Though small in area, this lake has a charm of its own solely due to its surrounding forest and hills. Taking a dip in the lake is considered sacred. Devotees believe that a bath in the lake fulfills any boon asked from Lord Shiva at that time.
Kareri (983mt) :13Km from McLeod Ganj passing through Dal Lake, Satobari & Ghera lead to Kareri. It overlooks the flat and fertile lands of Himachal & Punjab, seems to stretch on to infinity. Kareri village has picturesque forest rest house. 13Km further is the kareri lake (3200mt) having beautiful high altitude meadows, extensive pasture land and undulating slopes carpeted with patch works of green floral patterns. Trekkers can experience the pleasure of a cold bath in the icy water of gushing streams enroute to kareri and kareri lake.
Guna Devi (2310mt) :One can trek 8 Km from McLeod Ganj, via Naddi and Gales to reach Guna Devi, small temple of goddess Kali.
Triund (2975mt) :McLeod Ganj to Triund is a 9 Km gradual trek which passes through Dharamkot & Rakkar villages. The tracks from Rawa, Dal Lake, Dharamkot & Bhagsunath meet in a ridge known as Galu devi(2130mt) which has a small temple and water point. After the snow hullah the trek rises abruptly weaking through 22 curves making the ascent tiring & difficult. On the way one can spot many birds and wild animals. Triund is a popular picnic and trekking spot at the feet of the perpetually snow clad Dhauladhar range. The snow line starts at Illaqa(3350mt)-5Km after Triund. Accommodation is available in the Forest Rest House but the water has to be fetched from a water source about a kilometer below Triund ridge to the other side. Route guidance, maps, equipment etc. may be had from the Regional Mountaineering Centre located 500 meters upward from McLeod Ganj . This interesting institute was established to keep the alive traditional arts and crafts of Tibet. It is 7 km from Kotwali Bazar.For adventurous people nothing can be more enjoyable than a 9-km climb from McLeod Ganj to Triund located at a height of 2,827 metres above sea level. Here you get a face to face view of towering snow-clad Dhaula Dhar. On a clear day you can also have a spell-bounding view of hills and valleys below.In spring the hill slopes of the path leading from McLeod Ganj to Triund are abloom with lots of wild flowers like the flame of the forest, holly hock, gladioli, hydrangea and so on.
KANGRA ART MUSEUM This treasure trove of the Kangra valleys arts, crafts and rich past, display artifacts that date back to the 5th Century. It includes a gallery of famous paintings and a representative collection of sculptures, pottery and anthropological items. Shamiyanas and local dresses used by local royalty, old carved doors, jail and pndals are also on display. Coins jewellery and manuscripts are included. A section houses the works of conteporary artists, sculptures and photographers
Aganjar Mahadev Temple(1200 mt) :Old Shiva temple at Khaniara, 8km from Dharamshala.
Chinmaya Tapovan Trust(1000 mt) :
9km from Dharamshala is a transquil Ashram complex founded in 1978 by the great exponent of the Gita- Swami Chinmayananda. The complex includes a 9 meter high image of Lord Hanuman, a magnificent Rama temple, a meditation hall, a school & a health recreation center.
Chamunda Devi (800 mt) :
15km from Dharamshala is the famous shrine of Chamunda Devi- the slayer of Chand and Mund. The goddess is said to grant boons requested to her. At the back of temple is a cave like scoop where a stone “Lingam” under a boulder represents Nandi Keshwar(Shiva). During the last few years the temple complex has been vastly improved with the additional of ghat and life like statue of Shiva. It is an enchanting spot with glorious view of the mountains, the Baner Khad, Dhad & Lahla forests.
Gopalpur(1200 mt) :
8km After Chamunda Devi is Gopalpur where the Forests Department has set up a zoo called Dhauladhar Nature Park.
Palampur (1240 mt) :
35km from Dharamshala is the Palampur town, famous for tea gardens, Bundla valley, lovely walks and trails. 2km from Palampur, is the Neugal Khad roaring in the rainy season and tinkling all the year around, affords a fine view of the Dhauladhar ranges from picturesque meadows.