Dharamshala is a lovely hill town in the Himalayan Dhauladhar range. It is Himachal Pradesh’s winter capital and is located on the upper slopes of the Kangra valley. Dharamsala was once known as a British hill station during the colonial era, but it was quickly occupied by Tibetan communities and is now home to the world’s greatest Buddhist leader, the Dalai Lama. If you’re visiting from nearby cities like Chandigarh, Delhi, Amritsar, or Jammu, Dharamshala, which is sometimes overshadowed by the more prominent neighbourhood of McLeodganj, is a more laid-back and tranquil place to spend a long weekend. Aside from Mcleodganj, you can visit the quaint little hippie village Dharamkot, which is undiscovered by tourists.  As a result, away from the crowds of other tourist destinations, Dharamsala is also known as one of the top destinations for solo travellers. Aside from the serenity, tourists flock to Dharamsala for its thangka paintings, museums, bustling street markets, and cuisine. There are also several trekking options in Mcleodganj, which is only 3 kilometres from Dharamsala. And, like Shimla, Manali, and Dalhousie, Dharamsala experiences freezing winters, making spring and summer (mid-February to mid-July) the best times to experience this little Lhasa in India’s rich and regal Tibetan culture.

Shopping 

Dharamshala is a tourist shopping paradise, with many unique, locally made items. The most well-known shopping areas in Dharamshala are Jogibara Road and Kotwali Bazaar, both of which are located near McLeod Ganj. Nowrojee & Sons, a 152-year-old shop in McLeod Ganj, sells many antique items, including World War II relics from the United Kingdom and Germany. Tibetan and Buddhist artefacts such as brass artefacts, statues, wall hangings, wooden and stone bead prayers, and so on are available in Dharamshala. The Divine Buddha Handicrafts, Tibetan Handicraft Centre, and Semshook Tibetan Handicrafts are some of the best places to look for these items.The Namgyal Bookstore is also a good stop for books on Tibetan and Buddhist culture, as well as Himachal Pradesh and Himalayan history.

Restaurants and Local Food in Dharamshala
There are numerous restaurants and cafes in the area that serve good food. Because Tibetan culture predominates, Tibetan cuisine is commonly served. Try the momos, thukpas, and other Tibetan specialties. This restaurant’s other specialty is honey ginger lemon tea, which is a refreshing drink. Many cafes also serve English breakfast, which includes Pancakes, Omelettes, and Sandwiches. The Green Restaurant and the Herbal Tea Shop are two of the best places to eat in town. There are also a few pubs here that serve imported alcohol as well as food while playing music in the background. Here, momos are a specialty. Tingmo momos, Tibetan-style samosas known as Baklebs, and a meal of soup and noodles known as Thukpas are the most common.

Best Time To Visit Dharamshala
The best time to visit Dharamshala is between mid-February and mid-July (spring and summer), when the weather is pleasant and temperatures range from 21 to 34 degrees Celsius. Winters here are cold, with snowfalls on occasion, but it makes the valley look even more beautiful. Monsoon season (late July to early September) should be avoided as it may disrupt your travel plans, but this area does not receive a lot of rain, unlike other parts of Himachal and Uttarakhand.