Dharamsala popularly known as the Scotland of India , is once of the 80 hill station established by the British between 1815 and 1847 and has one of the most spectacular setting for a hill station.Thais hill station is closest to the perennial snowline and is built along a spur of the Dhaula Dhar range.The town varies in the height from1250 metres at the bazaars to 1768 metres at McLeodjang.Dharamsala is surrounded by deodar forests and provide a superb view of the great granite mountains that almost overhang the town.
About 19 km away from Dharamsala is McLeodganj which has a strong Tibetan influence.Monks in deep red are a common sight in this town and it is the headquaters of the Dalai Lama in India.The Dalai Lama settled here after his flight across the Himalayas following the chinease invasion of Tibet in Oct. 1959.The Tibetan community has tended to take over the hospitality business and provide cheap and clean hotels and small friendly resturants.

Places to Visit in Dharamsala are : –

Bhagsunath

11 km.It has an old temple, a spring, slate quarries and a small yet beautiful waterfall.A popular picnic spot.

Dall Lake

11 km.The lake lies amidst hills and safety fir trees.

Dharamkot

11 km.Situated on a hill, this picnic spot affords a panoramic view of the Kangra district and Dhauladhar.

Triund

2,827 m and 18 km.triund lies at the foot of the perpetually snowclad Dhauldhar.The snowline starts at IIq, 5 km from Triund.It affords a breath-taking view of the snow above and the valley below. Trinud is among must go list in Places to Visit in Dharamsala.

Kareri

1,983 m, Kareri is 22 km from Kotwali Bazar. 13 km from the Kareri Rest House is Kareri lake surrounded by green meadews oak and pine trees.

Chamunda Devi

15 km by a motorable road, is the village dadh, with an excellent view of Dhauladhar on three sides and the Baner Khud and Pathiar and Lahla Forests.The famous Chamunda Devi Temple is located here.

Lord Elgin’s Memorial

8 km.The Church of St.John in the wilderness has a monument to Lord elgin, Viceroy of India, who died at Dharamsala and was buried here in 1863.

Kunal Pathri

3 km.A level walk from Kotwali Bazar leads up to the rock temple of the local goddess.

Machhrial and Tatwani

25 km.There are hot springs at tatwani.On the way there is a waterfall at Machhrial,twice as big as that at Bhagsunath.

Nurpur

95 km. from Dharamsala and 24 km from Pathan kot, Nurpur has an old fort and temple to Baij Raj.Nurpuri shawls are a good buy.

Dehra Gopipur

56 km Dehra Gopipur is situated on the banks of the Beas which provide good fishing.