Himachal Cities

Palampur is situated about 35 kms. from Dharamshala at an altitude of 1220 meters above sea level. This pleasant little town is surrounded on all sides by well laid out tea gardens. Palampur is situated in the Kangra valley, close to the Dhauladhar range, in the northwestern region of Himachal Pradesh. The British introduced tea plantations in this area, which are now known to produce very high quality tea and are even sold in the foreign markets. Due to this Palampur is also known as the 'Tea Capital of North India'. Besides beautiful gardens and lovely walks, the place also offers a beautiful view of snow laden peaks. Palampur is known not only for its scenic beauty but also for the beautiful temples and buildings built in the Colonial period. Palampur is a popular camping region for trekkers. Palampur is a famous tourist destination for every type of travelers.

Earlier Palampur was a part of the local Sikh Kingdom but later it came under the British. The Kangra valley was the `Trigarta' of old, where the Palampur town is situated. It was one of the leading hill states and was once a part of the Jalandhar kingdom. The Palampur gets its name from 'Pulum' which means the abundant water. Countless streams and brooks criss-cross the landscape and in their intricate mesh, hold tea gardens and rice paddies. The town of Palampur came into being when Dr. Jameson, Superintendent of Botanical Gardens, introduced the tea bush from Almora in 1849. The bush thrived and so did the town which became a focus of the European tea estate owners. Since then the Kangra tea of Palampur has been known internationally. 

The major tourist attraction in Palampur is the Neughal Khund, a 305 meters wide chasm, through which gushes the Bundla stream. During the monsoon, this stream becomes a roaring torrent. Near Palampur, the charming village of Andretta is located where Mrs. Norah Richards lived. She was a pioneer of rural theatre in India and an ardent disciple of Mahatma Gandhi. Sardar Sobha Singh, a renowned artist, also stayed in Palampur. He gained prominence for his paintings of the immortal ill-fated Punjabi lovers, Sohni and Mahiwal.  Sobha Singh’s studio has become famous all over the country and attracts many tourists.

By Air:
There is no airport in Palampur. But, the nearest airport is located at Kangra, about 30 kms away.

By Rail:
There is no railway station in Palmpur. The closest railway station is located at Maranda, that is at a distance of 2 km from Palampur. Pathankot is the nearest broad gauge railway station, located about 115 kms from Palampur.

By Road:
Palampur is well linked by road and located close to Kangra and Dharamshala.