City of Dharamshala

Set against the steep, pine-clad wall of the Dhauladhar range, Dharamshala is a town of two halves and a place of deep spiritual resonance. Below lies the older settlement, while above, the hillside enclave of McLeod Ganj has become world-famous as the home of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the heart of the Tibetan community in exile.

It is this Tibetan presence that gives the town its distinctive character. The Tsuglagkhang complex, the Dalai Lama's main temple, draws pilgrims and visitors alike with its prayer wheels, murals and serene atmosphere, while the nearby Tibet Museum and the Norbulingka Institute, dedicated to preserving Tibetan art and craft, offer a moving insight into a culture in exile. Maroon-robed monks, fluttering prayer flags and the gentle hum of chanting are part of everyday life here.

The setting is magnificent. The jagged Dhauladhar peaks rise almost vertically behind the town, their snow lingering well into the warmer months, and walks lead to the waterfall and tea-house at Bhagsu, the photogenic St John in the Wilderness church set among deodars, and the popular ridge-top viewpoint at Triund for those who relish a longer trek.

The flavour of a visit blends the contemplative and the convivial, monastery courtyards and meditation, alongside lively cafés serving momos and Tibetan thukpa, craft shops and a famous cricket ground with a mountain backdrop.

For a Himalayan itinerary, Dharamshala offers something rare, a meeting of dramatic alpine scenery and living Tibetan Buddhist culture, all within an unhurried hillside town. It is a place that engages the spirit as much as the eye, and a memorable stop on any journey through the northern mountains.