Palampur

PALAMPUR – HIMACHAL PRADESH TRAVEL GUIDE

INTRODUCTION

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.

History

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.

How to Reach :

1.By Road :

Palampur is well- connected by a network of roads to most neighboring areas and important destinations in Himachal Pradesh state. State- run buses ply on a regular basis to Palampur from Pathankot, Mandi, Dharamshala, Jogindernagar, Shimla, Chandigarh, Gurdaspur, Sandhole etc. Delhi is also connected to Palampur by HRTC buses. Hiring private taxis and cabs is another suitable option.

2.By Train :

Palampur has its own railway station, Palampur Railway Station, connecting it to important cities of Himachal Pradesh. This railway station lies on the major Palampur – Kangra Valley Narrow gauge railhead, connecting Palampur to Pathankot and Kangra. This railway station 5.3 km away from the main area. Pathankot is the next nearest railway station, located at a distance of 113 km. Regular trains from cities like Delhi, Ahmedabad, Bhatinda, Jammu, Hatia, Udhampur, and so on, arrive at Pathankot. Taxis are available from outside the railway stations.

3.By Air:

The nearest airport to Palampur is Gaggal airport in Dharamsala, which is located at a distance of around 40 km. This airport is well-connected through regular flights from important Indian cities like Chandigarh, Delhi and Kullu. The second nearest airport is Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport in Amritsar, around 231 km.

Best Time to Visit :

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.

Places to Visit :

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.