Updated on January 10th, 2026
Travellers from the Punjab, Chandigarh, Jammu or Delhi regions, who have a few days (2 or 3 days) off work and would like to go to some hill areas, can make McLeod Ganj in upper Dharamshala their travel destination. To continue with the location of this small town is in the north-western region of Kangra Valley of Himachal Pradesh. Another major city in the Punjab state of India is ‘Jalandhar’, about 166 km from here. The distance from Chandigarh is 239 km. So a visitor travelling from Jalandhar with his/her vehicle would need about 4 hours. After Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur is the last Punjab district to touch Himachal. The hills start from Hoshiarpur as you enter the state of Himachal Pradesh. Gaggal Airport is the nearest airport, about 15 kilometres away from the region. Some areas with regular air flights are Jammu, which is 200 km, Amritsar, which is 210 km, and Chandigarh.
Explore the scenic beauty all the way
Dharamshala is one of the most beautiful places to visit in the Himalayas, as it is surrounded by snow-capped Dhauladhar ranges. I travel to this place quite regularly while I stay in Jalandhar. I know many prefer Dalhousie and Jammu or even Shimla, but I believe there are better options in Dharamshala. the entire drive is through Chintpurni, Kangra, and Hoshiarpur to reach Dharamshala. As seen in pictures, McLeod Ganj is also one of those amazing hilly terrains. The Himalayan alpha ranges of the Kangra Valley are located in this hemisphere. It is one of the most scenic valleys in the Himalayas. Another good alternative is scooting via Pathankot, which is also very nice to travel through.
Kangra Fort: An icon of the historical past
While reaching Kangra by road, you can see the ‘Remains of Kangra Fort’ on your left side. Bhuma Chand built this fort. It is located at strategic heights surrounded by the Ban Ganga and Manjhi rivers. We can judge the importance of this fort from the common saying that ‘Kangra belongs to those who conquer Kangra Fort’. The Raja of Kashmir made the first attack on this fort in 470 AD. After that, there is a long list of those who made this fort their target. In the second half of the 18th century, after the Mughal empire declined, Raja Sansar Chand II recovered his ancestors’ ancient fort in 1789, but Maharaja Ranjit Singh of Punjab compelled him to surrender it in 1809.
It remained in the hands of Sikhs till 1886, when it fell into the hands of British Rule. Kangra Fort is an attraction for tourists. There are two temples inside the fort. One is the Laxmi Narayan temple, and the other is the Adinath temple. Interestingly, this fort is the largest in the Himalayas and probably the oldest dated fort in India. At present, the fort is under the control of the ‘Archaeological Survey of India. It was badly damaged in the 1905 earthquake.
McLeodGanj-Land of Monasteries
People worldwide also know McLeod Ganj for its scenic beauty and as the residence of the Dalai Lama, and they call it Little Lhasa. After the British left India in 1947, McLeod Ganj was also a ghost town until the Dalai Lama, the Tibetan spiritual leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner, settled here with thousands of his followers in 1959, and it gained prominence.
As Dharamshala became the headquarters of the Tibetan Government in exile, headed by the Dalai Lama, it gained prominence worldwide, and prominent personalities started arriving here. McLeod Ganj emerged as a major Buddhist center. During the last three decades, the Tibetans have built many religious, cultural, and educational institutions in and around McLeod Ganj. Several monasteries and Tibetan schools came up at McLeod Ganj. With all this mix, McLeod Ganj presents a multicultural face. It has now become a sort of hippie town, with visitors and travellers from all walks of life heading to this hill station.
Tourists come from different nations and cultures. International tourists equally affect businesses. Today, this place has become an important tourist destination, with many hotels, restaurants, shops, and cafes, leading to growth in tourism and commerce. Several shops are selling Tibetan art and literature. McLeod Ganj is also a shopping hub. It is an excellent place to shop for a few things like shawls, woollen dresses, ornaments, statues, and unique paintings. Tibetan art and craft items are also there for shopping.
Yoga and Reiki classes are also available, where you can learn to relax your mind and soul. There are many Yoga learning centres and spa therapies that offer meditation and peace centers. These centres are some of the popular McLeod Ganj tourist attractions for those who seek peace and relaxation of the soul. Relaxing Spa therapies are one of the refreshing things to do around McLeodGanj.
Tsuglag Khang or Dalai Lama Temple
Tsuglag Khang or the Dalai Lama’s temple, is important to visit while you are in McLeod Ganj. It is the biggest Buddhist temple outside Tibet and is located opposite the Dalai Lama’s residence. The temple is magnificent from the inside, and you rotate the prayer wheels in a monastery. It has statues of the bodhisattvas Shakyamuni, Avalokitesvara, and Padmasambhava. The temple is visible from a distance, covered with multi-colored prayer flags. Depending on the time of your visit and chance, you may meet the Dalai Lama as he often comes out to be with his devotees and followers.
Take a short hike to Bhagsu Waterfalls
Bhagsunag Temple is situated about 2 km from McLeod Ganj. You may choose to go there by your vehicle or even on walking. Walking would be a better option if you want to feel a cool climate on the way. Very next to the Bhagsunag temple is a waterfall, one of the major tourist attraction spots in Dharamshala. Bhagsu waterfall is an ideal recreation and picnic spot. You can sit near the water stream and enjoy the natural surroundings full of amazing views. You can also take a dip in the chilly water of fall.
McLeod Ganj is a great eating place, and the town has an abundance of restaurants, especially in the mid to upper range, that cater to tourists. You can have various dishes ranging from the local Tibetan to Chinese, Korean, Israeli, and many more. The must-try is the momos available in and around the restaurants, even in tiny carts and stalls. A few years back, during our visit to this place, we stayed in Hotel Jungle Hut on Bhagsu Road. It was a perfect hotel with good accommodation. Recently, I stayed at Hotel King Castle, which was a small hotel with a homely stay. While you are in this beautiful place and you want to see all the attractions, it’s advisable to hire a local guide and even a taxi; this will save you time and avoid traffic.
Cafés and Relaxation
Bhagsu also boasts a few laid-back cafes where you can enjoy a meal or a cup of coffee while soaking in the breathtaking views. These spots offer a great atmosphere to connect with fellow travellers and share stories about your adventures throughout the region. The local dish, bhagsu cake, is a must-try for its unique flavour and flaky texture, providing the perfect accompaniment to your drink.
Shopping for local crafts and other items
There is a beautiful market where you can spend time if you love shopping. Although people visit McLeod Ganj as an escape from the busy life of big cities, shopping may still attract you. Local Tibetan handicrafts and other decorative things can be the best bargain to make your trip a memory for many years. A few items like singing bowls, beautiful silk and satin wall hangings, carved boxes, Buddha statues, jewellery items, beautiful gems, and fabric paintings are available. Yes, the price of things is a matter of concern. You must know the art of bargaining. There is an abundance of items that you will love to buy.
Church of St John in the Wilderness
Church of St John is another must-visit place while you are in McLeod Ganj. Being there, you really enjoy the green nature. You will feel a beautiful blend of forest, mountains, and snow in winter, and the magic of the sun’s rays filtering through tall and green deodar trees in summer.
The excellent St. John Church in McLeod Ganj holds a rich history. They constructed the church using Gothic Stone in memory of John the Baptist. The churchyard is the last resting place of Lord Elgin, who served as the Governor-General and Viceroy of India in 1861 during the British period. The church is also famous for its Belgian stained-glass windows donated by Lady Elgin, wife of Lord Elgin.
Naddi- A tiny village near the sky
‘Naddi’ is another scenic picnic spot located 5 km northwest of McLeod Ganj. It offers a spectacular view of Kangra Valley. You can trek to Kareri Lake, Triund, and Guna Devi from here. It’s a top-rated destination for nature lovers. Triund is a nice trekking spot in the Dhauladhar range of the Himalayas, and it is around 9 km from McLeod Ganj. The route to Triund from McLeod Ganj goes through Dharamkot and the Galu Temple. The road is motorable up to the Galu Temple from McLeod Ganj. Beyond the Galu temple, the actual trek path to Triund starts. The trek route is very rocky, and one needs to be careful when walking.
The entire route up to Triund passes through a forest trail and is filled with natural beauty. The view of mountain peaks and forests has many things to create a long-lasting impression on your mind and soul. Triund is a beautiful mountain ridge portraying astonishing views of the snow-clad Dhauladhar Mountains in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh.
Must explore another Dal Lake
If you are going toward Naddi, just at a distance of 2 Km from McLeod Ganj, there is an oval-shaped lake called Dal Lake. Although it is not as big as the one in Srinagar, it is also located beautifully and engulfed by deodar trees. There is also a Shiva shrine nearby. You can enjoy sitting there, and if you like, boating is also available. You can also enjoy fishing with the permission of the concerned authorities. We should avoid swimming because of the possibility of snakes in the lake water.
This lake attracts tourists from all over the world because of its serenity and beautiful panoramic view. In September every year, tribal people living there celebrate a festival, so if you go around that time, you may take part in their activities. If you are staying in nearby hotels, this place is good for an early morning walk and also for spending some time relaxing in the woods near the lake.
The tribal people living in the surrounding regions of Dal Lake come to celebrate the most-awaited festival in September, where several food stalls and other attractions are set up.
McLeod Ganj is undoubtedly a beautiful place with natural beauty. It has everything to make your trip really memorable and wonderful. You will certainly love being there again and again. I like this place so much that I have been there so many times. If still wondering what else lies hidden in the Himalayas around McLeod Ganj and Dharamsala, the only way out is to plan your trip at soon as possible. The other best destination you must plan to visit is Dalhousie & Khajjiar in the Chamba District of Himachal. Another beautiful place near McLeod Ganj is a beautiful and calm village called Dharamkot. Here, read more about this Place. Dharamkot, A hippie village near McLeod Ganj.
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2 Comments
This is a place is full of nature and one of my favourite places. I have been to this place few times.
The McLeod Ganj view of nature looks beautiful. Amazing scenery with natural beauty everywhere like lush green hills, grassy slopes, and lovely sunsets. Dharamkot is one of the must visited places. Keep it up.