The city of Dehradun can religiously be stated as an ideal, sanitised, cool, idyllic and the most picture postcard hill station located amidst the verdant Doon valley, within the Ganga and Yamuna rivers. This capital city of the Uttarakhand (previously called Uttaranchal) state of India is majestically circumvented by the Himalayan range and the Shivalik ranges. Due to so many of such nascent to perceptible qualities present in the city of Dehradun, tourism and footfall to this very place is nothing new to Indian as well overseas tourists. Indeed, since extensive period of time, Dehradun has played host to various ruling dynasties, making the place turn itself into a haven, already bursting for tourists. Tourist places in Dehradun are one substantial genre, that is pregnant with pots of information, history, pure Himalayan splendour, greenery and more greenery with cascading waterfalls, the touch of both legends and colonialism and of course, mouth-watering food. Also known as the `Abode of Drona`, Dehradun has always been an important centre for Garhwal rulers which was captured by the British. Be it in the panache of Dehradun in displaying its tourism skills, or the factor that tourist places in Dehradun outnumber the thin line between realism and idealism, this Himalayan wondrous station lends a visitor a trip worth remembering the rest of life.

The assorted range of hill resorts present scattered all through the city, makes tourist places in Dehradun one exceedingly clandestine adventurous experience, waiting to be uncovered. These resorts being spoken about, lends an enchanting view of the overhanging luxuriant green valleys, thick woodlands, snow covered peaks and waterfalls. Dehradun tours lends its tourists an almost `haunting` and `captivating` an experience due to a visit to all the out of this locales. It might just not be an overstatement if stated that these tourist places within Dehradun are in reality, highly coordinated, strategically planned for more and more footfall and of course, well maintained, with a dash of picturesque and sweeping places filling in for visitors. In the past couple of years, Dehradun has magnified and swelled enormously, with the city catering to more and more escalating tourists coming in for fresh life and breathing into peacefulness. The verdant and dense green woods, the call of the wild animals or birds, the cascading waterfalls, the watching points for the awe-inspiring Himalayan panorama, the national parks, or the venerable ancient temples - Dehradun tourism has to offer everything to every kind of tourists that can be possible under the sun. Dehradun also hold in the prestige of serving as one of the oldest cities of India and was recently declared as the Provisional Capital of newly created Uttarakhand (previously Uttaranchal) State in the month of November 2000.

Due to the advent of colonialism under British Raj, Dehradun, prior to Independence, had received its own touch of everything Victorian and the English rule of law, which, to a grand extent can still be viewed in its architectural wonders. Indeed, as a beginning paraphernalia to a tourist just arrived unto Dehradun, he/she will surely be attracted to these colonial edifices, imposing in their air. The itinerary of tourist places in Dehradun can be begun with these very British Raj buildings, as can be seen thus. The headquarters of many reputed and most prestigious National Institutes and Organizations like ONGC, Survey Of India, Forest Research Institute, Indian Institute of Petroleum etc. are located within the city`s fringes. Some of the most premier and respected educational and training institutes like Indian Military Academy (IMA), RIMC (Rashtriya Indian Military College), Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy (IGNFA), Lal Bahadur Shahstri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA), Indian Institute of Petroleum (I.I.P.), The Doon School etc. are also present in Dehradun. This Himalayan hill station is thus, for various reasons, chosen as a favoured tourist destination as it arrests lakhs of tourists, pilgrims and enthusiasts from various walks of life into its serene environs. And one cannot indeed just stop here, being all breathless. Tourist places in Dehradun can boldly add to the already-prestigious list, the yet to be savoured abundance of special Basmati rice, tea and litchi gardens, which contributes in turning the city into an earthly paradise.

Prior to get set go into a whirlwind tour of all the tourist places in Dehradun, it is mandatory that he/she should have a knowledge of the place`s historical evolution. The district of Dehradun has verily been named after its chief city of Dehra Dun. The term `Dehra` appears to be a corrupted version of `dera`, implying a provisional and impermanent abode or camp. During the reign of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, Ram Rai, Guru of the Udasi Sikhs, on being dictated by the Mughal king to retire into the wilderness of the Dun, is known to have pitched his tents here, in what is presently the Khurbura locality of the town. Ram Rai is also acknowledged to have built a temple near Dhanawala. And it was around these two sites that the town Dehra grew towards its popularity and grand acceptance until contemporary times. The term `dun` or `doon` signifies the low lands at the foot of a mountain range and as the majority of the district lies in such a terrain, it justifies the `dun` part of the name. Another derivation of the term `dun` is stated to be from Dronashram, hermitage of Guru Dronacharya, the legendary teacher from Mahabharata, who had imparted warring tactics to the Pandavas and Kauravas. It was Dronacharya who had sojourned for a season in the village of Devara, situated near to Dehra to perform his devotions at a secluded spot.

In order for the visit to Dehradun to be successful and a worth adventurous one, one very much needs to ensure that he/she visits the place at the right point of time, with a pleasing climate, to enjoy every locale to the fullest. Climatic conditions of the city, however, remains happily friendly for the tourist places pf Dehradun to be memorised to its greatest extent. The city of Dehradun very much owns a sub-tropical climate with cool winters, warm and nippy springs, hot summers and an almost impregnable monsoon. The mountains around Dehradun receive sustained snowfall in winter, but the temperature in the city hardly ever drops down below freezing point. Due to its location in the hilly part of the state, the climate of Dehradun is quite hygienic to wholesome. During the summer months, the temperature ranges between 36 degrees Centigrade and 16.7 degrees Centigrade. The winter months are rather colder, with the maximum and minimum temperatures touching 23.4 degrees Centigrade and 5.2 degrees Centigrade respectively.

The city of Dehradun`s strategic location just at the foothills of the Himalayan ranges, makes the place turn into a happening hill station for other significant destinations much higher by the Himalayas. Dehradun is approximately 235 km from the Indian capital of New Delhi. Dehradun extends from the latitude 30° 19` in the north to longitude 78° 04` in the east. Tourist places in Dehradun city itself and also including its circuitous locales, can very well be reached by the extremely soundly preserved roads under the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), a branch of architecture and construction of the Indian Army. However, in order to reach these tourist attractions hassle-free, one first needs to reach the city safe and healthy and hearty. The primary city of Dehradun is well connected to other cities of India by all three communication channels - rail, road and air.

By Air - The nearest airport from Dehradun is the Jolly Grant Airport, approximately 25 km away, on the outskirts of the town. There is a daily flight from Jolly Grant to New Delhi, which is the nearest international airport.

By Rail - Dehradun is a major railhead on the Northern Railway line, with direct trains to almost all the metropolitan cities of India and some crucial tourist destinations in Uttarakhand. The Shatabdi Express is the best option for the tourists arriving from New Delhi and the other good option is the Mussorie Express. The Dehradun-Mumbai Express connects the city to Mumbai. There are also trains to Varanasi, Kolkata and Lucknow.

By Road - Dehradun is firmly connected to other cities of Uttarakhand and Delhi with everyday bus services. Distances of some leading cities in India from Dehradun are - Agra 381 km, Kolkata 1562 km, Chennai 2365 km, Delhi 235 km, Jaipur 493 km, one can always take his pick from the private bus services, tempos, auto rickshaws, tongas, cycle rickshaws and taxis.

Tourers visiting places in and around Dehradun, must first provide themselves with reasonable and healthy and secured accommodation, in order to imbibe the touring destinations to its utmost. And, to a visitor`s heart`s content, accommodation has never posed a problem in Dehradun, with hoteliers offering their best foot forward to fulfil the Sanskrit saying - Atithi devo bhaba (my guest is like my Almighty). As such, there can be seen several options for standard hotels, which supplies good quality services to their guests. As Dehradun is quite popular amongst Indian tourists, one is advised to achieve prior reservation and reach there, just to avoid further troubles of not availing a room. Literally, a tourist is spoilt for choice, with ample accommodation facilities available in Dehradun, ranging from the luxurious business class resorts to the budget options for the common man. There can be chosen from the umpteen hotels, government guesthouses and dharamshalas, that cater to the needs of the tourists in Dehradun. The best time to rush away from one`s polluted city life, amidst dust and smoke, the best tiem to visit Dehradun is during the summers, to enjoy a cool wintry feel of clean fresh air in the greens. Getting the advance reservations done during this period of time for the stay will be better and thus always advisable. Like accommodation, food and gastronomical options are available in plenty at the mind blowing eateries and restaurants that dot Dehradun.

Tourist places in Dehradun, besides just the temples, forests, historical wonders, also very much contains the shopping destinations, a much admired choice with every visitor. Famous and well known shopping locations have, since immemorial, catered to tourers with their array of evergreen merchandise. Shopping in Dehradun can thus be a holistic as well as therapeutic an experience, picking up the local made knick knacks to treasure forever. The items found in markets of Dehradun include the hugely admired and exquisite woollen garments, woodwork, bamboo and cane items, brass statues, paintings and ornaments. Carpets weaved by Tibetan people are the specialty of the Dehradun markets. Shopping in Dehradun can indeed turn out to be a momentous experience, as one can buy some unique items of this city. While on a shopping spree in Dehradun, one just cannot miss out or overlook the colourful markets and oriental bazaars. A visitor has been heavily commended to check out the Sahakari Bazaar, Rajpur Road, Astley Hall, Paltan Bazaar and Connaught Place for their range of purchases. Excellent option for gifts and souvenirs can also be discovered from this city of splendour and wonder.

Dehradun city has been quite a `smasher` with tourists, wanting for a chunk of the rurality amidst the sylvan Himalayan foothills. As such tourist places in Dehradun does not only present itself from its assortment of urban and cosmopolitan destinations, but also, remains host to various fairs and festivals, held in the rural panache. Dehradun celebrates the Jhanda Fair on the fifth day after Holi every year in March/April. The fair fêtes Guru Ram Rai, who had arrived in Dehradun in 1699 on the same day. He had erected a gurudwara named Guru Ram Rai Durbar and also had hoisted his flag upon it. The followers of Ram Rai come together still now and the flag is ceremoniously unfurled at the Jhanda Chowk of Dehradun. Then again, the Tapkeshwar temple of Dehradun celebrates the Shivratri fair with much fervency and frenzy. Devotees of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati cram the Tapkeshwar Temple during the yearly Shivratri fair. Then, there is also the Lakhawar Fair, that is celebrated in the Lakhawar village during the months of September-October each year. Folk dance, music and sports contests mark the celebrations of the fairs in Dehradun.

Tourist places in Dehradun indeed comprise so huge a cluster, that they cannot just be wrapped up in few hours. There exists so much to see, to believe, to admire, to ponder and also, to imbibe forever. The range of tourism options in Dehradun range from its list of religious institutions for Hindus or Sikhs or even Buddhists, the historical almost dilapidated unbelievable constructions believed to hold religious as well as legendary esteem, the national parks, the forested options, the surging waterfalls, or even the Raj edifices of education and training. Pilgrimage tourism in Dehradun perhaps incorporates the most assorted and diversified structures, followed by nature tours in Dehradun, with the luxuriously plush greens at times at the base of the hills and at times perhaps at the summit with superb gushing of natural spring. With ample time in hand, a vacationist can provide meticulous time to each of splendours, as can be seen later.