Famous Places and Places to visit in and around Dharamshala:-

Pong Lake Sanctuary :

Altitude : varies from 335 meters to 435 meters.

Annual Rainfall : mean annual rainfall is 1780 mm.

Temperature: temperature varies from 5 to 44°C.

Area : 30,729 hectares ( 307.29 sq. km. ).

Location : near Dehra-Gopipur.

Approaches : easily approachable from many places.

In 1983, the Sagar was declared a wildlife sanctuary and over 220 species of birds belonging to 54 families have been sighted over the waters and the fringing mud-banks - these include black-headed gulls, plovers, terns, ducks, water-fowl and egrets. Maharana Pratap Sagar Lake is the only place in India other than Bharatpur (Rajasthan) where the rare red necked grave has been found. The sanctuary is close to several places of Hindu Pilgrimage - Jwalamukhi, Chamunda Devi, Chintpurni, Brajeshwari Devi, Mahakalesar, Bagalamata and Naina Devi. The seat of His Holiness the Dalai Lama at Mcleodganj and the Namgyal Monastery are a short drive away. The other Buddhist monasteries at hand are Tahijong and Bir.

Norbulingka Institute, Dharamshala : Norbulingka was established to preserve and teach the ancient Tibetan arts. The shady paths, wooden bridges, small streams tiny water falls make this place look like heaven. Here one can watch the wooden carvings and embroidery being done. The nunnery close to the institute is a place where women are taught the advanced levels of Buddhist philosophy.

Flora The sanctuary is a wetland. Forest Types include dry deciduous scrub, dry bamboo and Himalayan pine forest. Fauna (Mammals) Indian wild Bear, barking Deer, red Indian Fox, Indian hare, Hedgehog, long eared, Jackal, common Langur, Rhesus Macaque, Mongoose, Nilgai, Indian Porcupine and Sambar. Reptiles Indian Cobra, Book's Gecko, common Indian monitor and Indian Python. Fish Tort Putitora ( Mahasheer ), Wallago Attu ( Mallip ) and Ophiocaphalus.