Himachal, which literally stands for "the land of snow”, is one of the best hill stations in India. This place can be ideal for spending your summer vacation. Taking part in adventure sports, witnessing picturesque landscapes and indulging in their culture, there are many things to try in Himachal Pradesh.

If you are interested to know more about "what Himachal Pradesh is famous for”, keep reading till the end.

1. Kullu

Kullu is situated on the banks of the Beas River. This tourist spot remains busy throughout the year because of its pleasant temperature. However, if you want to enjoy sightseeing, March to June is the best time, while winters are ideal for experiencing the snow. Here you can participate in numerous adventure sports and check out some popular places in and around Kullu.

2. Manali

Manali is one of the famous places in Himachal Pradesh. Most visitors plan a Kullu and Manali trip together as these two are located close by. Manali is not just a place popular for its spectacular views. It also offers innumerable options for adventure sports.

Some of the interesting places to visit in Manali are Hadimba Devi Temple, Rohtang Pass, Solang Valley, Beas River, Tibetan Monasteries, Vashist Hot Water Springs, Kothi, and Manu Temple.

3. Shimla

It was because of the scenic beauty and cooler temperature that the British Raj declared Shimla as their Summer Capital. Even today, you can find glimpses of the past through numerous architectural elements. Apart from that, when you are in the town do not forget to visit the Ridge, Jakhoo Hill, Mall road, Kalka-Shimla Railway, Daranghati Sanctuary, Kurfi and Solan.

4. Chamba

Chamba is located on the banks of River Ravi. Popular for its temples and caves, this small Himalayan town is one of the famous places of Himachal Pradesh. Some important nearby locations you must check out are Champavati Temple, Chamunda Devi Temple and Akhand Chandi Palace.

5. Dharamshala

Another popular tourist destination of Himachal Pradesh is Dharamshala. Often referred to as the "Scotland of India", this is an ideal place for solo travelling. Surrounded by snow-capped mountains on three sides and a valley on one side, the town is like a postcard image that came alive. Further, the pleasant weather and its peaceful ambience are the major elements that drive tourists to this spot.

6. Dalhousie

Dalhousie is one of the famous places in Himachal Pradesh. This place was named after Lord Dalhousie, the British Governor of Colonial India. The speciality of this hill station is that it spreads across five hills of varying altitudes and vegetation. Some popular destinations close to Dalhousie are Khajjar, Dainkund Peak, Kalatop Wildlife Reserve, Ganji Pahari, Panchpula, and Sach Pass.

7. Kangra

Kangra is among the most picturesque valleys of all time in Himachal Pradesh. Besides its amazing scenery, Kangra is also known for its connection with Mahabharata. This mystic town is an ideal location if you are looking for a place to enjoy your solitude. From tea plantations to ancient temples, there are many noteworthy places to visit in or around Kangra.

8. Kasauli

Kasauli, like few other places in Himachal Pradesh, is a reflection of Colonial rule. Nevertheless, the views you get from this town are unparalleled. As this place is located on the outskirts of Punjab and Haryana, tourists visiting these states can also tour this town.

The top attractions of Kasauli are Kasauli Brewery, Manki Point, Sunset Point, Mall Road, Krishna Bhavan Mandir, Shri Baba Balak Nath Temple, and Gurkha Fort.

9. Hamirpur

Unlike the other hill stations in Himachal, Hamirpur is located at a much lower elevation. It is said that this is the most literate district in the whole state. Moreover, the hills in and around this district offer plenty of scope for outdoor activities like hiking, trekking, and more. If you ever visit this place, pay homage to Deotsidh temple, Sujanpur temple, Awah Devi temple, and Bilkeshwar temple.

10. Parwanoo

Yet another stunning hill station of Himachal Pradesh is Parwanoo. Situated near the borders of Haryana, this town is wrapped in lush greenery. In addition, its location made it easily accessible to other tourist locations. Some of the places you can visit from Parwanoo are Kalka, Pinjore, Mughal Gardens, and Gurudwara Nada Sahib.

11. Solan

This city has a unique nickname: "the mushroom city of India". This is because the locals are involved in extensive mushroom farming. Solan is surrounded by stunning mountains and deep forests and provides a great opportunity for hiking and trekking.

Some of the top attractions of Solan are Karol Tibba, Mall Road, Shoolini Mata Temple, Mohan Shakti National Park and Motilal Nehru Central State Library.

12. Pragpur

Pragpur is an ornamental village that has beautifully preserved its old-world charm. To appreciate its unique architecture and beauty, the state government declared Pragpur the first Heritage Village in India in 1997. This also falls under the offbeat places in Himachal. Therefore, it remains less crowded even during the peak seasons.

13. Sirmaur

Sirmaur is also among the famous places of Himachal Pradesh, located in the South-Eastern part of the state. When you are here, visit the nearby locations like Shivalik Fossil Park, Churdhar Peak, Renukaji, Haripur, and Habban Valley.

14. Chail

Maharaja Bhupinder Singh founded this famous hill station in Himachal Pradesh. Chail has a very pleasant atmosphere, and it can be your ideal vacation spot for summer. Besides seeing the highest cricket ground, you can also visit prominent locations like the Sidh Baba Ka Mandir and Chail Wildlife Sanctuary.

15. Una

Una is called the gateway to the Himalayas. Although located on the banks of the Swan River, it is the hottest district in the state as it remains warm most of the months. On your tour to this district, visit some popular places in and around it, such as the Pong Dam, Chintpurni Temple, Kaleshwar, Kila Baba Bedi Ji and Thaneek Pura.

16. Taragarh

Another offbeat and lesser-explored hill station in Himachal Pradesh is Taragarh. Located at the foothills of the Dhauladhar Mountains, this town has not had many places to explore. Nonetheless, you will have enough adventure sports options to make your stay fun-filled.

Tashijong Monastery and Andretta Pottery Village are the two places you need to check out whenever you visit Taragarh.

If you are still looking for other things Himachal Pradesh is famous for, check out the following.

17. Trekking

It feels out of the world to trek amidst the most breathtaking sceneries, and Himachal Pradesh is ideal for it. Trekkers from around the country come to take part in the trekking trails to explore the mountains. There are 270 trekking trails available in Himachal Pradesh. However, the most popular one starts from the Spiti Valley.

Other popular trekking locations are Kinnaur to Kailash, Bharmour to Padum and Bar to Bhangal.

18. Skiing

Skiing is one of the famous things in Himachal Pradesh that you must try on your visit. There are two kinds of skiing performed, one of which is Alpine and the other is Nordic. The best time to go skiing in Himachal Pradesh is from December to March.

19. Babru

Babru is the Himachali variant of Kachoris. This delicacy is made by stuffing a paste of black gram into small dough balls taken from the kneaded dough. Patties made with this are then rolled and deep-fried. Most people serve this with tamarind chutney, madra or raita. Although this is a snack preparation, some households make this for weekend breakfast.

20. Madra

Madra is one of the famous things of Himachal Pradesh you must try. This chickpea-based dish is a sattvic food which is also very easy to make. It is generally served with steamed rice.

Blessed with gorgeous scenery and an amazing climate, Himachal Pradesh is one of the best places to spend your summer vacation. As you have read till here, we hope you now know “what Himachal Pradesh is famous for”.

In this article, we have curated a list of the most popular things, places and activities to try in the state of Himachal Pradesh. This will give you a clearer idea of how to plan for a trip to the Himachals.