To help inspire or plan your trip to India, some of its major attractions for travellers are shown below, including some of the best natural, historical, cultural and adventure sites in the country. These include all of UNESCO World Heritage Sites for India which represent the best of the world's cultural and natural heritage.
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Go to Region of India-> Northern India - Rajasthan - Little Tibet - Northeast India - Central India - South India

Northern India - Cultural attractions



Rajasthan - Cultural attractions

Camel Safari in Thar Desert

A camel safari through the Thar Desert in Rajasthan is a great opportunity to experience the traditional Rajasthani desert lifestyle and evoke the atmosphere of the ancient trading camel caravans. You'll pass small villages inhabited by nomadic and pastoral tribes, see herds of sheep and goats and other desert fauna and flora and camp out in the desert underneath the stars.

Pushkar

The lakeside oasis town of Pushkar is a quiet and peaceful place for most of the year, visited by pilgrims attracted to its sacred lake and the temple to the Hindu god Brahma, one of the few in India. The temples and bazaars on the lakeside are worthy of exploration and the views over the lake, with the temples reflected in the waters, are stunning. Every year during the November Full Moon, Pushkar comes alive when thousands of people visit for its famous Camel Fair.

Nawalgarh

Nawalgarh was founded in 1737 by Thakur Nawal Singh and is a typical town of the Shekhawati region. Home to many wealthy merchants, Nawalgarh is renowned for its finely built havelis (or mansions) which have been rich decorated with mural paintings both inside and out. The paintings depict floral designs of Mughal influence, scenes from Hindu mythology and modern inventions such as trains, bicycles and cars, providing a document of changing Indian life in the 19th century.



Little Tibet - Cultural attractions

Dharamsala
Dharamsala
Dharamsala

The old British hill station of Dharamsala was a quiet and anonymous town until 1959 when the Dalai Lama settled here after the Chinese invasion of Tibet. The town has a strong Tibetan influence, especially in its upper part of McLeodganj, located 500 metres above Lower Dharamsala. It's possible to catch a public audience of the Dalai Lama here while Tibetan buildings of note include the Namgyal Monastery with its Kalachakra Temple, the Thekchen Choling temple, the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives, Nechung Monastery and the Tibetan Medical and Astrological Institute. The ridge of Triund above town at 2827 metres offers a pleasant trek and spectacular views of the town and the Dhaula Dhar Mountains to the north-east and the Kangra Valley to the south-west.



Northeast India - Cultural attractions

Darjeeling

A former hill station of the Bengal government during the British Raj, the town of Darjeeling is located at 2124 metres overlooked by Kanchenjunga, the world's third highest mountain at 8586 metres, with spectacular views of the Himalayas from Tiger Hill, just outside the town. The Himalayan Zoological Park attempts to breed snow leopard, Tibetan wolf and Red panda while the Botanical Gardens has a unique collection of Himalayan plants, flowers, and orchids. The Mountaineering Institute's Everest Museum is dedicated to climbers of the Himalayas. The Tibetan Refugee Centre was established in 1958 by Tibetans fleeing the Chinese invasion and sells Tibetan handicrafts. Other attractions include nearby Tibetan monasteries (particularly Ghoom Gompa), tea plantations and some colourful markets.



Central India - Cultural attractions



South India - Cultural attractions

Mysore

The city of Mysore has numerous historical and cultural attractions. The huge and opulent Maharaja’s Palace was originally built in the 14th century but has been rebuilt and restored since. Chaumundi Hill outside the city has an enormous monolithic sculpture of the sacred bull Nandi dating to the 17th century and a temple dedicated to Durga. Srirangapatnam Palace to the north-west of Mysore contains murals of Tipu Sultan's battles against the British and the French, along with the ruins of the fort and the family mausoleums. Mysore is famous for its sandalwood, rosewood and teak carvings and furniture which can be purchased in the city's many bazaars.