Gompas, Ladakh - Amazing Tourist Destination in North India

5 Amazing Tourist Destinations in North India (2024)

The region of Northern India is a paradise for tourists. Everyone who loves history, adventure, verdant valleys, historical monuments, majestic mountains, and so much more should make it a point to visit North India once in their lifetime. From the love story of the famous Taj Mahal to the lush green valleys of Kashmir, North India is the crown jewel of India. A mixture of exotic tourist attractions, North India is both unique and special and you will fall in love with a part of India after just one visit.

Visit the beautiful amalgamation of ancient ruins, places of worship and religious sites, snow-capped mountains that are home to some of the most stunning hill stations, and at the same time, hob-nob across India’s cosmopolitan cities. Explore the remains of erstwhile kingdoms, and rejuvenate amongst scenic mountains and lush valleys, North India truly captures the true spirit and essence of India.

5 Amazing Tourist Destinations in North India

Here are some of the most top-rated tourist destinations to visit in North India:

1. Delhi, the Capital of India

Delhi is the cosmopolitan capital city of India. The city is made up of the historical part of Old Delhi, and the newer part of New Delhi. This blend of the old and new brings together a plethora of monuments, crowded shopping malls, the metro system, and much more.

Walking through the narrow, winding bylanes of Old Delhi as you look at the testament of the former Mughal rule in the city. Tourists from all over the world flock to see the mysteries of India’s busiest and oldest market, Chandni Chowk, home to the oldest spice market in Asia, Khari Baoli.

Delhi is a paradise for history buffs. Home to many historical monuments like the Red Fort, Humayun’s Tomb, Jama Masjid, and Purana Qila, this is the one place where you get to explore years of history at one place. At the same time, Delhi is also home to many famous temples that are the ideal place for experiencing spiritual rejuvenation. While here, explore the majestic Akshardham Temple, the ISKON Temple, and the Lotus (or Bahai) Temple.

Lotus (or) Bahai Temple in Delhi - Amazing Tourist Destination in North India

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As you move from the older part of Delhi to the newer part, you will be greeted by a view of the country’s political power in Central Delhi. Must visit places here include the Rashtrapati Bhawan sitting majestically on the Raisina Hill, the India Gate, and the Rajpath. These attractions are best to visit in the evening to witness the spectacular lighting of this area.

Apart from these, there are many other attractions to visit in Delhi, including:

Agrasen ki Baoli
Waste to Wonder Park
Garden of Five Senses
Lodhi Garden
National Gallery of Modern Art
Delhi Zoo
Rail Museum
Jantar Mantar
Kingdom of Dreams
Gurudwara Bangla Sahib

And let’s not forget that Delhi is a shopper’s paradise, so don’t forget to explore the colorful bazaars and upscale markets here, including Sarojini Nagar, Janpath, Lajpat Nagar, and many others.

2. Agra in Uttar Pradesh

From Delhi to the city of the Taj Mahal, Agra. Located in the state of Uttar Pradesh, Agra is home to the famous monument of eternal love. Agra sits on the banks of River Yamuna and it is one of the most popular tourist destinations in India. The Taj Mahal, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, is the perfect amalgamation of architectural history and the legacy of the Mughal Empire. There are two other UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Agra, including the historical Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri. The city of Agra brings together history, romance, and architectural expertise all in the city.

Taj Mahal in Agra, Uttar Pradesh - Amazing Tourist Destination in North India

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Agra is part of the famous Golden Triangle Circuit for tourists, along with Delhi and Jaipur in Rajasthan. The sheer amount of Mughal art and culture on display in Agra is a delight for history and architecture lovers.

Some of the other fantastic attractions to visit in Agra are Itimad-ud-Daulah’s Tomb, Mehtab Bagh, Akbar’s Tomb, Jama Masjid Agra, Dolphin Water Park, Chini ka Rauza, and Anguri Bagh. If you have time to spare, a visit to the Taj Museum is the perfect way to learn more about the history of this magnificent city.

3. Amritsar

Home to the famous Golden Temple, Amritsar is the gateway to the state of Punjab. The iconic city of Amritsar portrays the spirit of Punjab the best. Begin your day in Amritsar with spiritual prayers at the Golden Temple. The Golden Temple, also known as Sri Harmandir Sahib, is one of the most spiritual places in India. It is the holiest shrine of Sikhs from all over, and visitors come here from all over the world to pay their respects. The Gurudwara is located in the heart of Amritsar city and is easily reachable from any part of the town. It is the stunning golden dome and overall architecture of the temple that stands out amongst the entire city. Every day, the daily community kitchen (langar) that is served by the temple committee attracts thousands of visitors and devotees.

Golden Temple in Amritsar - Amazing Tourist Destination in North India

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The next breathtaking memory to make in Amritsar is to watch the Wagah Border Ceremony, known as the Beating Retreat Ceremony. The Wagah Border is a major point of attraction and people from all over the country come here to witness this spectacular function. Located 28 kilometers from Amritsar and just 22 kilometers from the city of Lahore in Pakistan, the Wagah Border marks the boundary between the two countries.

Every evening, the soldiers from both militaries meet at the Wagah Border just before sunset to take part in a 30-minute display of military showmanship and camaraderie. The ceremony includes the closing of the international border gates between both countries and the lowering of flags of the countries. This ceremony has been going on since 1959, and it is a sight to behold.

Other places to visit in Amritsar include the famous Jallianwala Bagh, Partition Museum, Guru ke Mahal, and the maharaja Ranjit Singh Museum.

4. Leh Ladakh – A New Union Territory

Commonly referred to as India’s own Moonland, a trip to Leh Ladakh is on the itinerary of every youngster who dreams to ride down there on their motorbikes. The land of Leh Ladakh seems to be a dream world. From whitewashed stupas to the Tibetan Buddhist monasteries known as gompas, Ladakh is a beautiful landscape of intricate murals and dramatic landscapes. Ladakh is the coldest desert in the world and it is a common saying that only in Ladakh can you sit in the sun with your feet in the shade and suffer from frostbite and sunstroke at the same time.

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The culture here in Ladakh is very similar to the Tibetan culture. The locals are very welcoming and friendly to tourists.

Recently in 2019, Ladakh was turned into a Union Territory, though earlier it was part of the state of Jammu and Kashmir. The landscape of Ladakh extends from the Siachen Glacier to the Great Himalayas. There is often confusion between the twin locations of Leh Ladakh. Well, Ladakh is divided into two districts, one being Leh and the other district is Kargil. Leh is the more popular tourist destination owing to its breathtakingly beautiful monasteries, scenic views, and rich culture. Some of the best attractions to check out here include:

Pangong Lake – The most popular tourist attraction in Ladakh is Pangong Lake, which is a landlocked lake located at an altitude of 4350 meters. This 12 kilometers long lake stretches from India to Tibet, and 60% of the lake lies in the Tibetan Autonomous Region. A special feature of this lake is that it changes color from light blue to azure to green and even grey throughout the year. The famous Bollywood movie 3 Idiots was shot here.
Magnetic Hill – Known to be a cyclops hill where vehicles can defy the laws of gravity, the Magnetic Hill is a must-see attraction in Ladakh. You will find your vehicle moving upwards on the hill after being parked at a given location. Simply park your car in neutral gear in the yellow box that is located a couple of meters ahead of Magnetic Hill road. You will find your car moving at a speed of 20 kmph on its own.
Khardung La Pass – Also known as Khardzong La, the Khardung La Pass is a high mountain pass located in Ladakh that is the gateway to the Nubra and Shyok Valleys. This route is the highest motorable road in India, located at an altitude of 5602 meters. You need to get an Inner Line Permit to visit this place. It is important to know that due to heavy snowfall and rains, the Khardung La Pass remains closed from October to May.

The other places of interest to visit in Leh Ladakh include:

Zanskar Valley
Nubra Valley
Leh Palace
Thiksey Monastery
Hemis Monastery
Shanti Stupa Ladakh
Tso Moriri
Hemis National Park
Spituk Monastery

5. Rishikesh in Uttarakhand

Rishikesh is famous for being the Yoga Capital of the World. Located in the foothills of the mighty Himalayas, Rishikesh is a small town in the state of Uttarakhand, in the district of Dehradun. It is a highly revered place in Hinduism due to the convergence of the Ganga and Chandrabhaga River. Rishikesh is an adventure tourism spot, with the popular white water rafting activity being offered here. Rishikesh is also the gateway to the Garhwal Himalayas, and one of the holy places for Hindus. Due to this, Rishikesh is also regarded as a pilgrimage town.

Rishikesh in Uttarakhand - Amazing Tourist Destination in North India

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The most famous story associated with Rishikesh is of The Beatles visiting the ashram of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi here in the 1960s. Today this ashram is fondly known as The Beatles Ashram and tourists from all over the world come here seeking spiritual enlightenment. This serene town has been a spiritual center of India for the longest of time.

However, it is also very popular for adventure sports like white water rafting, bungee jumping, camping, trekking, and mountain biking. White water rafting along the fast-flowing Ganges River is one of the top-rated activities here. Many Himalayan treks also begin from Rishikesh.

Here are some of the best places to visit in Rishikesh:

Lakshman Jhula
Triveni Ghat
Neelkantha Mahadeva Temple
The Beatles Ashram
Ram Jhula
Shivpuri
Kaudiyala
Jadh Ganga Trek

Apart from these top-rated destinations in North India, there are many other states and cities you will want to check out before you wrap up your trip. Some of the other amazing places you can include in your North India itinerary include: