THE TEA CAPITAL OF NORTH INDIA

Palampur is the tea capital of North India. This hill station is not only known for its numerous tea gardens and paddy fields but it also known for its colonial architecture and temples. One can enjoy the scenic beauty of the Dhauladhar range and the slopes of the Kangra valley from Palampur. Palampur and places around it are popular for adventure sports like hang-gliding and trekking.

LOCATION

Palampur is located in the northwestern part of the state of Himachal Pradesh, in the northern region of India. It is situated in the Kangra valley, near the Dhauladhar ranges. It is located on an altitude of 1,220 m above sea level. Palampur is 30 km from Dharamshala. The weather in Palampur is moderate. Summers (April-June) are mild and winters (November-February) are cold but pleasant. It experiences southwestern monsoon rains in July-September.

VISITING TIME

Palampur has a mild climate and can be visited throughout the year. However, the best time to visit Palampur is between March to June and mid-September to November.

THE PAST

Palampur got its name from the word pulum that means abundant water. It was a part of the local Sikh kingdom and later came under the British rule.

TOURIST SPOTS

The tourist can take a walk in Palampur and enjoy its colonial architecture. The tea factory and St John' s Church are important places to visit in Palampur. A walk beyond the town will take one to the Bundla Chasm, where a waterfall drops into the Bundla stream. One can see the captivating Dhauladhar range from Neogal Park, which is 1 km from Palampur. One can go on innumerable promenades along the tea gardens and the nearby forests or into the Dhauladhars.

SITES NEARBY

There are a number of places of tourist importance near Palampur: The village of Andretta is 13 km from Palampur and is an important craft center, which is known for its pottery. A number of well-known artists had made their base in Andretta. Sujanpur Tira, which is 42 km from Palampur, is famous for its fort and old temples. The town of Baijnath is 16 km from Palampur and is famous for its Shiva temple. A mini zoo is also located at Gopalpur, which is at a distance of 13 km from Palampur. The Chamunda Devi Temple located on Baner River, 10 km from Palampur, is an important place to visit. There is a Tibetan monastery at Tashijong, which is 12 km away from Palampur. The monastery complex is famous for producing traditional Tibetan handicrafts.

ADVENTURE

Several trek routes lead out of Palampur, particularly over the Dhauladhar Mountains towards the town of Chamba. Some important treks are over the Sanghar pass to Bharmaur via Holi and from Baijnath over the Jalsu pass to Bharmaur. A four-day trek will lead the traveler to Holi, via Waru La.

Twenty-eight kilometers from Palampur is an important center for the adventure sport of hang/paragliding. It also has numerous Buddhist monuments and is famous for its Tibetan handicrafts. The town of Billing, which is 42 km from Palampur and 14 km from Bir, is also an important center for hang-gliding.

SHOPPING

Palampur is an ideal place for the purchase of exquisite Kangra tea, local handicrafts, Tibetan carpets and pullovers.

HOW TO REACH

Palampur does not have an airport or railway station. The nearest railway station is at Maranda, which is 2 km from Palampur and on the narrow-gauge line between Pathankot and Jogindernagar. The main bus station is located 1 km south of the main Bazaar. The bus service from Palampur to Dharamshala (2 hours), Mandi (4 hours), and Pathankot (4 hours) is frequent. Travelers can also make use of taxis to travel to these towns from Palampur.