Dalhousie is not surprising that the heat-fearing British built 80 hill stations within a span of just 30 years. Named after the Marquess of Dalhousie, a British Governor General, this resort came up as the solution to the man's search of leisure holiday. Thanks to the whim of Brits like him, our delightful hill stations got a head start right away.

.Dalhousie stands at the foot of one of the main spurs of the Dhauladhars. The views are spectacular to the north; range upon range of hills culminating in the snow of the Pir Panjal mountains of Kashmir and to the south the plains of Punjab. Far below runs the valley of the Ravi, while the Beas and Chenab can be seen snaking across the plains.

Dalhousie retains much of the ambience of the Raj. The town spreads around five hills - Kathlog, Portreyn, Tehra, Bakrota, and Balun - and is clothed extensively in stately groves of deodar and oak. Its two busy points, Gandhi Chowk and Subhash Chowk, are connected by the Mall which is actually two roads intertwined like the figure of eight. You'll probably find yourself at the bus stand on reaching here first, which is the scruffiest part of the town. The main parts of Dalhousie lie above this terminus. Its tin-roofed, half-timbered houses present the most delightful sight.

There are some churches and temples to see in town, but the best sites are outside it. It really pays to take long walks to places like Subhash Baoli, Jhandri Ghat, Satdhara and Dainkund Peak. These are marvellous forest trails and picnic spots with splendid vistas over the Chamba Valley. But the best sites around Dalhousie are Khajjiar(22km) and Kalatope(9km). Its no wonder that some people say that Dalhousie is a cheaper, but arguably more attractive, alternative to Shimla. The best time to visit is perhaps autumn which has sunny skies and clear nights.There are some churches and temples to see in town, but the best sites are outside it. It really pays to take long walks to places like Subhash Baoli, Jhandri Ghat, Satdhara and Dainkund Peak. These are marvellous forest trails and picnic spots with splendid vistas over the Chamba Valley. But the best sites around Dalhousie are Khajjiar(22km) and Kalatope(9km). Its no wonder that some people say that Dalhousie is a cheaper, but arguably more attractive, alternative to Shimla. The best time to visit is perhaps autumn which has sunny skies and clear nights.