If Mussorie is fondly known as the ‘Queen of Hills’, then Landour can be termed as thetiara resting on top of the Queen’s head. Home of one of India’s favorite authors —Ruskin Bond, this pretty town is close to the city of Dehradhun. Landour is a tiny cantonment town, and since the British rule it has been a popular hill station. Located in the Mussorie range of the Western Himalayas, Landour experiences a good deal of rainfall during the monsoon, giving it a beautiful view. Winter is a harsh cold, and summer has its own strong warmth to offer, so the best time to visit would be towards the end of summer and beginning of monsoon, since it gets quite pleasant on this hill station. With a variety of trees like Oak, Pine, Deodar, Cedar, Ash etc present in this town, they provide a serene atmosphere. The Himalayan mountain ranges such as the Garwhal Mountains, Swargarohini, Gangotri, Yamunotri and the likes, surround the region rendering an astounding view. Let’s take a look at the wonderful spots you can visit at Landour.
1. Laal Tibba
Photo by Paul Hamilton, CC BY-SA 2.0
Located in Landour, the Laal Tibba hill is the highest point in Mussorie, about 8000 meters above sea level. The most popular tourist spot of Landour, Laal Tibba boasts of the beautiful view of sunrise and sunset. It has been a populated spot since it was discovered, and to this day remains a sought after tourist location. The greenery and winding pathways being an attraction, there are also many old buildings of British architecture that are a spellbinding sight to behold. The various markets in and around Laal Tibba are an appealing factor for shopping enthusiasts. Picnic spots and quaint surrounding makes this hill a loved destination.
2. Church of St. Paul
Photo by Paul Hamilton, CC BY-SA 2.0
This Anglican Church was a haven for the British military services. Constructed in the year 1839, the church of St. Paul is a popular one among the district of Dehradhun. It is a beautiful church that housed seats for about 250 people when it was built. The architecture is a sight to behold, and tourists visit this church due to its Anglican roots, and the fact that the British troops found solace in this spot. Surrounding the church are rich trees that give it a homely feeling, and the sight invites many visitors.
3. Kellogg’s Church
Photo by Paul Hamilton, CC BY-SA 2.0
Also known as the Kellogg memorial church, the Presbyterian Church was built in 1903. Named after Reverend Dr. Samuel H Kellogg, who was the owner of the school that taught Hindi to the British —known as the Landour Language School. The edifice is a beautiful gothic architecture, with windows of stained glass that catch the eye of a visitor. Tourists flock to this church due to its distinct features and beautiful carvings of the British era, alongside the appeal of a pleasant view.
4. Chaar Dukan Area
Photo by Paul Hamilton, CC BY-SA 2.0
Adjacent to the St. Paul’s Church, Chaar Dukan is a popular spot for shopping and eating. Availability of sitting on the small benches that are scattered across the path makes it a pretty area. You can take a walk around this lane where you would find a good view of your surroundings. There is a sandwich shop, which is famous for its fresh sandwiches, and tourists are usually found taking their fill while enjoying the atmosphere consisting of softly chirping birds and the rustling of leaves.
5. Landour Language School
Photo by Crispin Semmens, CC BY-SA 2.0
This historic school is amid beautiful, looming trees and tiny shrubs, like any other location of Landour. Along with this town’s Welsh influence, there are also American elements to it; for example, the fact that Americans studying anywhere close to this town are found in the school to learn Hindi. It’s interesting to take a look at Landour Language School once while in Landour, for it lets you know of how education is given great importance in this small town. This school is a leading one in terms of language learning in India. Languages like Hindi, Urdu and Punjabi are taught in this school, and students from all over the world are found here.
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