Dalhousie City

P= Potrein Hill, T= Tehra Hill, B=Bakrota Hill

Built on and around five little hills in the 1850s, this beautiful hillstation in the western edge of the Dhauladar range is a perfect place where you can retreat, relax, and rejuvenate physically and spiritually. These hills are covered with a thick growth of ban oak, rhododendron, pine and deodar (cedar) tress, and a large variety of shrubbery.

Tehra hill, locally called Moh Tibba, is the center of the town. The level walk around it is the Mall. On the northern side is the Thandi Sarak, from which beautiful news of valleys below and the Pangi Hills (18,000 - 21,000 ft) above are a delight for the eyes.

Dalhousie's natural beauty, invigorating air, warm sunshine and quiet surroundings add enchantment to its level walks and treks amidst the dense forests.

GPO Subash Chowk, courtesy of Saahil M.

On its eastern end is the GPO (aka Gandi Chowk) which is the hub of activities, shopping, restaurants, and starting point for most treks. On its western end is Subash Chowk (aka Charing Cross). From here starts a northern level walk around Potrein Hill, this circle along with the circular walk around Tehra constitutes the circle of 8, where tourists are seen walking around. On this hill-top is located the famous Sacred Heart Convent School. Courts, Police Stations, Civil Hospital and shops are scattered around this walk called Patreni Chakkar (aka Court Road).

A large number of Tibetan refugees were settled in Dalhousie in the early 1950s and though most of them have moved out, they have left behind a large number of rock frescoes in Garem Sarak, the walk on the southern side of Tehra Hill. A Tibetan market near the GPO is popular with visitors for shopping for souvenirs and imported goods.

Sadar Bazar area is located on the foothills of Patreni Chakkar. Most locals live in this area. Its tiered streets and sloping tin-roofed, multi-storied homes take you to the old world. At its end are the local temple, Arya Samaj, Masjid, and Gurudwara. All these religious places standing side-by-side make a statement about the secular and peaceful nature of its inhabitants and their diversity.