Shimla, Himachal Pradesh
This city is the capital of Himachal Pradesh and is one of the major tourist attractions in this state. The city of Shimla is a famous hill station and is counted amongst the top ten preferred entrepreneurial locations in India. Shimla is generally famous for its discrete culture and the magnificent scenic beauty it possesses. Some of the major tourist attractions here include Christ Church (this is the second oldest church in Northern India), Jakhu Hill (the highest peak in this area that offers an awesome view of this town and the snowcapped Himalayas), Shimla State Museum (presents a cultural wealth of the state), Summer Hill (a lovely place where Mahatma Gandhi stayed during their visit to Shimla), Tara Devi (a hill temple dedicated to Goddess of Stars), Anand Vila (a temple of all faiths dedicated to Mother Nature), and Tattapani (holy temple with sulfur springs). The other attractions around this place include Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple, Junga, Mashobra, Kufri, Chharabra, Arki, and Sanjauli.
Gulmarg, Jammu & Kashmir
One of the well-known hill stations in northern India, Gulmarg is worth visiting the place. The place is named Gulmarg, as it is blessed with grassy hills and colorful flowers. The several attractions in Gulmarg include Khilanmarg (terrific view of meadows carpeted with flowers), Alpather Lake (a beautiful lake situated at the foothills of Apharwat hills), Ningli Nallah (a pretty mountain stream that flows from the Apharwat hills), Ferozpore Nallah (a stream that meets the Bahan river and famously known as the “water’s meet”), Shrine of Baba Reshi (a tomb of Sufi Saint named Baba Reshi), Golf Course (one of the world’s highest golf course and a clubhouse), Gondola Lift (breathtaking lift from high above Gulmarg through pine-clad slopes), and the Gulmarg Biosphere Reserve (home for red fox, musk deer, black bear, etc.).
Mysore, Karnataka
This city is the second largest and one of the must-visit cities in Karnataka. Mysore has been a major town since olden times. The city was known as the Mysore Kingdom and was ruled by the Wodeyar family. Prior to becoming the Mysore Kingdom, the city also served as a major part of the Vijaynagara Empire. Today, Mysore has several tourist attractions including the Mysore Palace, Amba Vilas Palace, St. Philomena’s Church, Jaganmohan Palace, Lalitha Mahal, Jayalakshmi Vilas, Regional Museum of National History, Folk Lore Museum, Railway Museum, Krishnarajasagar Dam, Nagarhole National Park, Bandipur National Park, and many other attractions.
Kannur, Kerala
One of the highly urbanized cities in Kerala, Kannur is known as the land of looms and lore. The city is well balanced with several big industries efficiently functioning and festivals held in temples. The district has several magnificent beaches, some of them include Payyambalam Beach (unbroken coastline of a few kilometers), Baby Beach (St. Angelo Fort), Meenkunnu Beach (Azhikode), Mapila Bay (famous as a seat of Kolathiri Kings), Kizhunna Ezhara Beach (secluded beach in Kerala), Muzhappilangad Drive-in Beach (famous for the Green Island and is the only drive-in beach in Kerala), Dharmadam Island (privately owned island and permission required to visit it). Apart from beaches, Kannur is also famous for the Aralam wildlife sanctuary, Snake Park at Parassinikkadavu, St. Angelo Fort, Vaithalmala hill station, Ezhimala (capital of ancient Mooshika Kings), and Madayipara (famous for biodiversity).
Shillong, Meghalaya
The city of Shillong is the capital of Meghalaya and a major tourist destination in north-eastern India. The city is a major hill station and has some magnificent tourist spots. Shillong is often referred to as the “Scotland of the East”, as a number of European settlers from Scotland resided on the rolling hills around this town. Some of the major tourist attracted destinations in Shillong include the Elephant Falls (two successive falls set in dells of fern-covered rocks and situated around 13 kilometers from the city), Wards Lake (an artificial lake with a garden and boating facility), Gleneagles of the East (it’s one of the natural and largest golf courses in the world), Shillong Peak (highest point in the state), and Motphran (also known as the Stone of France is erected in the memory of Khasi Labor Crops who fought for British during the World War I). The city also has some other attractions including the Capt. Williamson Sangma State Museum, Entomological Museum, Don Bosco Centre for Indigenous Cultures, Chrysalis Gallery, Crinoline Falls, Cathedral of Mary Help of Christian, Spread Eagle Falls, Sweet Falls, and Bishop and Beadon falls.
Chilika Lake, Odisha
This is the largest brackish water lake in the Asian continent and is spread across 1100 sq. km. The lake is one of the major tourist attractions in Orissa and consists of varied flora and fauna and several small islands. The major attractions of this lake include a wide range of fish species, thousands of migratory birds, the Chilika sanctuary, Kalijai Island with the temple of Goddess Kalijai, and the culture of fisher folks living here.
Jaipur, Rajasthan
This city is the capital of Rajasthan and one of the most highly tourist-attracted places in India. The city is often referred to as the “Pink City” or the “Paris of India”. Jaipur was founded by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II in 1727. While building this city, several astrological, mathematical, and astrophysics concepts were used which made this city one of the best-planned cities during the early ages. One cannot miss the magnificent architecture of the enormous places, historical monuments, and temples on their visit to this city. Some of the major tourist attractions of this city include Hawa Mahal, Jantar Mantar, Amber Fort,, Nahargarh Fort, City Palace, Rambagh Palace, Central Museum, Albert Hall Museum, Sisodia Rani Garden and Palace, Ram Niwas Garden, Jaigarh Fort, Govind Dev Ji Temple, Jal Mahal, Birla Temple, Garh Ganesh Temple, and Chokhi Dhani.
Gangtok, Sikkim
The city is the capital of Sikkim and is one of the major tourist destinations in this state. The city is also considered the center of Sikkim’s tourism industry with its year-round mild temperature and perfect location. No early record of the presence of this city can be found until the Enchey Monastery was built in 1716. After the construction of this monastery, Gangtok became well-known and a major Buddhist pilgrim destination. Other than the Enchey monastery, some of the worth visiting places here include the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology, Do-Drul Chorten, Ranka monastery, Lingdum monastery, Directorate of Handicrafts, Saramsa Garden, Ridge Park and Flower show, Nathu La Pass, Ban Jhakri Falls, Baba Mandir, Ropeway Ride, Tsomgo Lake, Tashi View Point, Himalayan Zoological Park, Temples of Maharajas, and the Rumtek monastery. The other nearby attractions here include Pelling, Lachung, Ravangla, Yuksom, and Lachen. The city of Gangtok is well connected with roads as well as railways.
Ooty, Tamil Nadu
Ooty is one of the most famous hill stations in India and is situated in the dense forests of the Nilgiri Hills. The lofty mountains, sprawling grasslands, dense forests, lakes, and miles of tea gardens of Ooty give a splendid view to its tourists. Some of the major tourist attractions of this hill station include Government Botanical Gardens, Ooty Botanical Gardens, Ooty Lake, Fernhills Palace, Stone House, Toda Huts, Ooty Mountain Railway, St. Stephen’s Church, Wax World, Ooty Golf Course, Tribal Museum, Doddabetta Peak, Pykara river, Pine Forest, Wenlock Downs, Kamaraj Sagar Dam, Mudumalai National Park, Mukurthi National Park, Emerald Lake, Needle Point, Parsons Valley Reservoir, and the Upper Bhavani.
Taj Mahal, Uttar Pradesh
The UNESCO declared Taj Mahal a World Heritage Site in 1983. Since then it has been a major tourist attraction all over the world. Taj Mahal is also considered to be one of the wonders of the world, which makes it worth visiting. This historical monument is a major tourist attraction in Uttar Pradesh. The architecture, interior and exterior decorations, surrounding gardens, outlying buildings, and construction strategies are worth seeing.
Nainital, Uttarakhand
This is one of the famous and highly tourist-attracted hill stations in Uttarakhand. Nainital lies around 6350 feet above sea level and comprises three mountains including the Naina, Deopatha, and Ayarpatha. The hill station has a huge number of picturesque destinations that attract tourists to visit this place again and again. Some of the major tourist attracted destinations here include Naina Lake (the base point for tourism in Nainital), Naina Peak (awesome view of snow-grabbing Himalayan ranges), Naina Devi Temple (dedicated to Goddess Naina Devi), Sher-Ka-Danda Hill (a ropeway takes you to the hilltop and give an awesome view of Nanda-Devi, Trisul, and Nanda Kot pecks), and Kilburn Hills (the peaceful area from where one get a bird’s eye view of Naina Lake). The other attractions here include the Cave Garden, Ropeway of Nainital, Bhimtal Lake, and Naukuchia Lake.
Darjeeling, West Bengal
Darjeeling is also famously known as the Himalayan City and is well known for its Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, which is one of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites. The city of Darjeeling is situated in the lower ranges of the Himalayas that has an average approximate elevation of 6700 feet. Darjeeling is also famous for its tea industry and one can experience the fascinating view of the deep tea-cultivated valleys.
