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Main Tourist Centers of North India

Northern India is an amalgamation of ancient ruins, religious sites and


places of worship, beautiful valleys, hill stations and some of the
country's fast paced cosmopolitans. Our list of the best places to visit in
north India will take you through historical monuments such as The Taj
Mahal, snow-clad towns like Manali and even unforgettable road trips all
the way to Leh-Ladakh.

Here is the list of Some Top Places to Visit in North


India
1. New Delhi, NCR - The city of cities

From historical monuments to crowded shopping malls, from Mughal gardens to


Delhi University campus, the capital city has multiple personalities making it 'The
good, the bad and the ugly'.
The Capital city of India and the base location to explore North India, Delhi is
considered to be the city with a heart.

2. Agra, Uttar Pradesh - The City of the Taj Mahal


Home to one of the 7 wonders of the world, the Taj Mahal Agra is a sneak
peek into the architectural history with other UNESCO World Heritage Sites
as Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri. History, architecture, romance all together
create the magic of Agra and hence makes for a must-visit for anyone living
in or visiting India.

3. Auli, Uttarakhand - The Skiing Destination of India


Dotted with the apple orchards, old oaks and pine trees there is no dearth of
natural beauty in Auli. Apart from skiing you can also go for numerous treks in
the hills of Garhwal Himalayas and enjoy the spellbinding views of the snow-
draped mountains. Auli is a popular hill resort in the Himalayan range dating
back to 8th Century AD.

4. Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir


A land like no other with superabundance of attractions to visit and
phantasmagoric and fabulous landscapes, amazing people and culture,
Ladakh is truly a heaven on Earth.
5. Amritsar, Punjab - Gateway to Punjab - home to Golden
Temple
Home of the glorious Golden Temple, the iconic city of Amritsar, portrays the
heroic character of the Punjab. A day in this peaceful city starts with the spiritual
prayers from Gurudwaras. The original name of first the ancient lake, then of the
temple complex, and later the surrounding city, meaning "pool of ambrosial
nectar."

6. Manali, Himachal Pradesh - Lover's Paradise - India's


Honeymoon capital
Nestled in between the snow-capped slopes of the Pir Panjal and the
Dhauladhar ranges, Manali is one of the most popular hill stations in the
country. With jaw-dropping views, lush green forests, sprawling meadows
carpeted with flowers, gushing blue streams, a perpetual fairy-tale like mist
lingering in the air, and a persistent fragrance of pines and freshness - 
Manali has been blessed with extraordinary scenic beauty. From museums to
temples, from quaint little hippie villages to bustling upscale streets, river
adventures to trekking trails, Manali has ever a reason to be the tourist
magnet it is, all year round.

7. Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir - The Paradise on Earth


Famously known as ‘Heaven on Earth’, Srinagar is every bit the epitome of paradise
on earth. As picturesque as the most stunning painting to ever be painted, Srinagar,
the capital of Jammu and Kashmir, lies on the banks of the Jhelum river, and has a
cool, pleasant climate all year round, contributing to the perpetual influx of tourists
visiting this city which offers a plethora of gorgeous scenic vistas.

8. Rishikesh, Uttarakhand - Yoga Capital of the World


Situated along the convergence of Ganga and Chandrabhaga, Rishikesh on
the foothills of Himalayas is the hub of many ancient temples, popular cafes,
yoga ashrams and adventure sports.
Rishikesh is the most beautiful blend of spiritual and adrenaline pumping
experiences. With Whitewater Rafting industry growing and a number of
camping and cafe spots springing up, Rishikesh has grown immensely as a
favourite, catering to people with different needs.

9. Haridwar, Uttarakhand - Ganges' Wave of Religion and


Spirituality
No spiritual journey can ever be considered complete without a visit to
Haridwar, one of the holiest pilgrimage sites for Hindus. Literally meaning 'the
abode of Lord Vishnu', Haridwar, located in the Garhwal region of
Uttarakhand, is a land of legends and myths. Considered as one of the seven
holiest cities in India, Haridwar sees millions of people flock to it every year to
pay their respects to the Lord, or to wash away their sins. However, with the
passage of time, Haridwar has evolved from being a mere religious city to a
multifaceted cultural and spiritual centre, and only after exploring Haridwar
will you realize that there is a lot more to the city than just visiting temples
and taking a dip in the holy Har ki Pauri. Haridwar has a perennial mystical
air around i, and is the perfect holiday option for anyone seeking spiritual
connection as well as a chance to indulge in and get closer to nature.

10.Gulmarg, Jammu & Kashmir - The Skiing School and


Honeymoon
Situated at an altitude of 2730 m above sea level, Gulmarg is surrounded by
snow covered mountains, lush green meadows, deep ravines, evergreen
forested hills and valleys.

11. Spiti, Himachal Pradesh


Long winding roads and picturesque valleys presenting glimpses of cold
deserts and snow-crowned mountains, with intermittent greenery and picture-
perfect villages welcome you when you set foot into Spiti Valley. Bordered on
all sides by the Himalayas, Spiti Valley, located in Himachal Pradesh, has an
altitude of 12,500 feet above sea level, and gets around 250 days of sunshine
in the year, making it one of the coldest places in the country. With the thick
Himalayan snow cutting Spiti off from the rest of the country for around 6
months a year, the summer months are the only time Spiti is directly
accessible via motorway.

12. Jaipur Rajasthan - The Pink City

Jaipur is a vibrant amalgamation of the old and the new. Also called the Pink
City, The capital of the royal state of Rajasthan, Jaipur has been ruled by
Rajput kingdoms for many centuries and developed as a planned city in the
17th century AD. Along with Delhi and Agra, Jaipur forms the Golden
Triangle, one of the most famous tourist circuits of the country.

13.Mussoorie, Uttarakhand - The Queen of hill-stations


It a very popular choice of holiday for honeymooners. If you want to enjoy the
beautiful Mussoorie is the place you should be heading to. Nestled amidst the
foothills of the Garhwal Himalayan ranges, Mussoorie, also known as Queen
of The Hills, stands at an altitude of 7000 feet above sea level, and has a
cool, pleasant climate throughout the year. The pristine, natural beauty of
Mussoorie makes sight of the rolling green slopes juxtaposed with the snow-
capped peaks of the Himalayas, Mussoorie is the place for you to be.

14.Pushkar, Rajasthan - The Only Dedicated Brahma Temple


and the Mesmerising Cattle Fair
Pushkar, a small temple town, is located around 15 km from Ajmer in
Rajasthan. Every November, Pushkar is host to the Pushkar Mela, one of the
biggest camel fairs in the country. Perfect choice for a weekend getaway from
Jaipur, Pushkar is located amid Aravali ranges. Known for the world's only
dedicated Brahma temple, Pushkar is primarily a pilgrimage site for Hindus

15.Jodhpur, Rajasthan - The Blue City


Also known as the "The Blue City", "Sun City" and "Gateway to Thar", Jodhpur is
famous for its Mehrangarh fort, blue houses, temples, sweets and snacks. Apart
from the fort, there are multiple temples, lakes, shopping streets that are like a
mirage from a bygone era.

16.Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh


Dharamsala is famed as the holy residence of the Dalai Lama and houses the
Tibetan monk in exile. Dharamsala is located in Kangra district at a distance
of 18km fro Kangra City. The city is distinctively separated as upper and
lower divisions with different altitudes. The lower division is the Dharamsala
town itself whereas the upper division is popularly known as Mcleodganj .

17.Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh


Varanasi, also called Benares, Banaras, or Kashi, city, southeastern Uttar
Pradesh state, northern India. It is located on the left bank of the Ganges
(Ganga) River and is one of the seven sacred cities of Hinduism. There are a
number of temples in Varanasi dedicated to Hindu Gods and Goddesses.

18.Kedarnath, Uttarakhand

This is one of the Char Dhams and one of the busiest pilgrim centres in the
Garhwal Himalayas. It is believed that in order to evade the Pandavas, Lord
Shiva hid himself in the form of a bull at Kedarnath, and when found by the
Pandavas, he went further into the earth leaving the hump on the surface.

19.Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh


Lucknow, the City of Nawabs, is a charming place known in equal measures
for its tehzeeb, Islamic monuments, and Chikankari handicrafts. The city has
an artistic ambiance and boasts of a number of historic monuments,
museums, palaces, temples and mosques that appeal to history buffs and
explorers. Lucknow is known for the best mughlai cuisine and street food

20.Chandigarh, Punjab - India's first planned city


Chandigarh, a union territory that is the capital of both Punjab as well as
Haryana is a subtle and ideal definition of the word 'city'. In a culture that
includes instances of both traditional Punjab as well as a modernity,
Chandigarh is a pretty town resembling a morning dream which is sure to
flatter you with its innocence and pleasantness.

21.Dalhousie, Himachal Pradesh - Little Switzerland of India


The tiny tinsel town Dalhousie tucked away in the lap of Himachal Pradesh is
a piece of paradise for all the travellers. It boasts of old world charm,
mesmerising natural landscape, pine-clad valleys, flower bedecked meadows,
fast flowing rivers, magnificent misty mountains and some of the most
spectacular views in the world. The air smells of the Scottish and Victorian
architecture and the ambience reminds you of the pristine British flavours.

22.Shimla, Himachal Pradesh - The Hill-Station with Rich


Colonial History
Probably the most popular hill station in northern India, Shimla is the capital
city of Himachal Pradesh famous for its Mall road, the Ridge, toy train etc.
among honeymooners and families alike.

23.Nainital, Uttarakhand - Misty lakes and mountains


One of the most beautiful tourist destinations in Uttarakhand, Nainital, which
is nestled amidst the Kumaon Hills, is a quaint hill station built around a
uniquely shaped lake known as the 'Naini Lake' (thus contributing to its name
Nainital). Also famously known as 'City of Lakes,' Nainital abounds in natural
beauty, with its snow-capped hills and tranquil lakes lending it a nostalgic
charm of its own. Situated at an altitude of 1938 km above sea level, Nainital
has a pleasant climate all year round, and can rightfully be called a
picturesque paradise for all travel lovers.

24.Jaisalmer, Rajasthan
The golden dunes of Jaisalmer give it the moniker- the Golden city. The desert in itself
is mesmerizing and stretches over thousands of kilometers. The Desert National Park
is one of the few places in India to spot the endangered Indian bustard. Jaisalmer
flaunts its rich past with Havelis, cenotaphs, and ornate forts. It is also home to many
magnificent Hindu and Jain temples. Apart from its visual beauty, a camel ride across
the Jaisalmer desert is a unique treat and an unforgettable experience.

25.Atal Tunnel

Atal Tunnel is a horseshoe-shaped highway tunnel that connects Manali and the
Lahaul-Spiti valley, reducing the time taken by around 4-5 hours. Named after
the former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the tunnel is the world’s longest
one above 10,000 feet and is constructed in the Pir Panjal ranges, under the
Rohtang Pass. It is an all-weather tunnel that has made possible the entry into
the valley, which is usually landlocked during the winter months. The tunnel’s
North End brings visitors into Sissu, which is surrounded by high peaks.

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