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Dehradun, the capital city of Uttarakhand is a must-visit place on the bucket list of many travellers, especially during the summer months. The cool breeze of the hills provides a welcome respite from the scorching heat of the plains. Deemed a hill station since colonial times, the place has evolved over the years into a beautiful blend of the old and the new. Nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas, the valley is a paradise for nature lovers.
Here is a list of the 12 best places to visit in Dehradun on your next trip to the hills:
Dehradun Zoo
| Location | Mussoorie Road |
| Distance from Railway station | 11 km |
| Visiting hours | 10 am to 6 pm (closed on Mondays) |
| Entry fee | 10/- INR |
Previously known as the Malsi Deer Park, the Dehradun Zoo is a treat for nature lovers. A part of the Malsi Reserve Forest, the zoo houses various species of Deer, Tigers, Neelgai and a huge variety of birds ranging from the Ostrich to the Himalayan Quail. It provides visitors with the opportunity to observe the animals in their natural habitat. The place has developed itself over the years to house a park for children as well as a canteen for refreshments. The serenity and natural beauty of the place make it a popular spot among families and solo travellers alike.
Forest Research Institute
| Location | Chakrata Road |
| Distance from Railway station | 6 km |
| Visiting hours | 9 am to 5:30 pm (open every day) |
| Entry fee | 40/- INR |
Established in the year 1878, the Forest Research Institute is famous for its magnificent biodiversity and impressive architecture. The imposing building sprawls over an area of more than 450 acres of lush green fields and houses 6 museums. Made purely out of brick, the institute was also listed in the Guinness Book of World Records for a time. The beautiful Greco-Roman architecture has cemented its place as a national heritage site. If you’re a fan of Bollywood, you might have caught a glimpse of FRI too as it is quite famous for movie shootings. The six museums provide information on a wide array of topics ranging from Social Forestry to Entomology. Due to its scenic beauty and closeness with nature, the place is popular for morning walks as well as Sunday picnics in the local population of Dehradun.
Asan Barrage Bird Sanctuary
| Location | Dakpathar |
| Distance from Railway station | 40 km |
| Visiting hours | 8 am to 6 pm (open every day) |
| Entry fee | Free |
Located at the meeting point of the Yamuna canal and the Asan river, the barrage is a paradise for bird lovers. Established in the year 1967, the wetland area, also called the Dhalipur lake, hosts a huge diversity of migratory birds like the Mallard and the Ruddy Shelduck. The presence of birds featuring on the IUCN Red List has made Asan Barrage a protected Ramsar site. Although it’s open throughout the year, the months of October-December and March-April are the best to visit the place. Along with bird watching, you can also try your hand at boating here.
Buddha Temple
| Location | Clement Town |
| Distance from Railway station | 3 km |
| Visiting hours | 9 am to 7 pm (open every day) |
| Entry fee | Free |
Constructed in the year 1965 by Khochhen Rinpoche, The Buddha Temple is a place of great religious and cultural significance. The temple complex houses the Mindrolling Monastery, the Nagyur Nyingma college, a well-stocked library and a shopping complex along with beautifully maintained gardens. The temple stupa boasts of being one of the highest in the world with a height of over 60 meters. The imposing 35-meter high gold statue of Lord Buddha is another major attraction. The monastery which was built to revitalise Vajrayana Buddhism is now a major tourist attraction due to its beautiful murals, enormous collection of religious scriptures and authentic Tibetan food and handicraft. The calmness of the temple is something every visitor carries with himself long after he has left the place.
Robber’s Cave
| Location | Chakrata |
| Distance from Railway station | 10 km |
| Visiting hours | 7 am to 6 pm (open every day) |
| Entry fee | Free |
Out of the numerous waterfalls in Dehradun, Robber’s Cave has its special spot! Known locally as Guchhu Pani, the area was given its unique name due to the legend of robbers hiding in these caves from the British. The conglomerate Limestone caves also hold the ruins of a fort wall. The network of waterfalls and underground streams provide icy cold water even when temperatures are soaring. The 600 m long cave network is a popular spot among locals and tourists alike.
Fun ‘n’ Food Kingdom
| Location | Kolhupani |
| Distance from Railway station | 10 km |
| Visiting hours | 9 am – 5 pm |
| Entry fee | 400 – 650/- INR |
Combining the features of amusement and water parks in one, this one of a kind park in Dehradun is surely going to give you memories worth reminiscing. Along with the wide array of rides, the water park area is surely not to be missed. The park has a beautiful, state of the art swimming pool where one can enjoy waves as well as the rain dance. The park has a designated picnic area with lush green lawns and delighting fountains. The game zone adds to the fun where you can enjoy numerous arcade games with your friends and family. And if all the frolic has made you hungry, worry not, because the cafeteria is ready to provide you with great food at equally great prices.
For great offers and discounts, visit – https://www.funnfoodkingdom.in/index.php
Sahastradhara
| Location | Sahastradhara Road |
| Distance from Railway station | 9 km |
| Visiting hours | 8 am – 7 pm |
| Entry fee | Free |
No list of must-visit places in Dehradun can be completed without mentioning Sahastradhara – The Thousand Fold Spring. Renowned for their medicinal waters and natural beauty, the spring clusters are one of the oldest tourist attractions of the city. The water dripping down from the limestone roofs has also resulted in stalactite formation inside the caves. The sulphur-rich water is widely acclaimed for the treatment of various skin ailments. Over time, quite a few small restaurants and eateries have come up around the place to cater to the tourists. If you wish to enjoy a bird’s eye view of the area, you can take a ride on the ropeway too. Joyland, a famous water park has also been developed here. You can enjoy a wide variety of activities here ranging from rain dance to rock climbing.
Old Elloras Bakery
| Location | Rajpur Road |
| Distance from Railway station | 3 km |
| Visiting hours | 8 am – 10 pm |
| Entry fee | Free |
Established in the year 1953, Elloras is the oldest bakery of Dehradun and has garnered its fan following. The quaint little shop attracts people from far and wide for the flavourful magic it bakes. From the crunchy rusks to the scrumptious cupcakes, we are sure you’ll find something that becomes an instant favourite. Do visit the place on your next trip to get a taste of the hills.
Thano
| Location | Raipur |
| Distance from Railway station | 18 km |
| Visiting hours | Any Time |
| Entry fee | Free |
Thano is a small village situated in the middle of the city and yet miles away from its hustle and bustle. Tucked away in a thicket of Sal trees of the Thano Reserved Forest and irrigated by the Song river, the village is an explorer’s paradise. Flora and Fauna abound in the region with many bird watchers thronging the area for a glimpse of the Himalayan Flameback or the Pygmy Woodpecker. Due to its closeness to the Rajaji Park, elephant sightings are also not uncommon. The terraced fields and the ancient temple provide a glimpse into village life. The old Forest Resthouse, built in the year 1890, provides a panoramic view of the Doon valley.
Tapkeshwar Mahadev
| Location | Garhi Cantt. Road |
| Distance from Railway station | 7 km |
| Visiting hours | 6 AM – 7 PM |
| Entry fee | Free |
Situated between two hills and on the banks of the Tons river, the Shiva temple is thronged by devotees throughout the year. The main Shivalinga is situated inside the Drona Cave where water dripping down the roof anoints the idol. The Drona Cave is called so as it is believed to have been the abode of Dronacharya, the teacher of Kauravas and Pandavas. The phosphorous rich water of the springs is famed for its medicinal properties and devotees religiously take a dip before entering the temple. The thick forests and the river network add to the mysticality of the place. If you happen to visit the city during Shivratri, be sure to visit this temple as the Mahashivratri Mela held here is a sight to behold.
Khalanga War Memorial
| Location | Sahastradhara Road |
| Distance from Railway station | 9 km |
| Visiting hours | 9 am – 5 pm |
| Entry fee | Free |
The Khalanga War Memorial is a one of its kind structure – constructed by the victors to commemorate the defeated. The structure stands on the battlefield of Khlanga, where the first Anglo-Nepalese war took place in the year 1814. A one month siege by the Britishers finally resulted in the Gorkhas giving up the Nalapani Fort. Although outnumbered and less technically advanced, the Nepali army greatly impressed the Britishers with their strength and valour. The memorial stands as testimony to their astounding military courage. The monument is a National Heritage Site and a popular spot for spending quiet evenings, away from the noisy city life.
Paltan Bazar
| Location | Paltan Bazar Road |
| Distance from Railway Station | 2 km |
| Visiting Hours | 10 am – 10 pm |
| Entry Fee | Free |
Of course, no vacation is complete without a shopping trip but don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! Welcome to Paltan Bazar, the busiest area of the city no matter what season. The name of the market alludes to the city’s colonial history, referring to the British Paltans or troops which used to frequent the marketplace. The market is a must-visit for all. The innumerable shops packed in the congested streets sell the widest variety of items. From books to designer shoes, from clothes to utensils, you can find it all. And of course, if all this shopping has made you tired, you can reenergize by gorging on the delicious street food available at every corner. Happy Shopping!
Hope this article helps make your next trip to the hilly city a memorable one!
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