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Sightseeing in Mussorie includes visit to the Mall road, which is the backbone of Mussoorie; the Library, that is to the west, and Kulri to the east is main transport centre.
The top of Landour just a few kilometers from Kulri is a meeting point with small cafes, where you can relax over a hot cup of tea and tank up on local gossip. 3 kms west of the Library is the Tibetan settlement called the Happy Valley. Marked by the Tchechencholing gompa overlooking the Doon valley, the settlement also includes a school and some shops selling Tibetan handicraft items.
The Bhadraj temple, dedicated to the elder brother of Lord Krishna (incarnation of Vishnu), is worth visiting for its views of the Doon valley and Chakrata range.
Gun Hill, a curious flat-topped hill is the second highest peak of Mussoorie. You can reach it on foot or on a pony by a bridle path from the Mall. Alternatively a 400 metre ropeway takes you up to the hilltop on a scintillating journey with great views. From the hilltop you get to see some of the more prominent peaks including Banderpunch, Srikanth, Pithwara and the Gangotri group. In colonial times, a gun placed on the summit used to fire at mid-day for locals to adjust their watches.
Clouds End, the English chateau built in 1838 and one of the first buildings to come up in Mussoorie is tucked away about 8 kms from the Library. Now converted into a holiday resort, the house is surrounded by dense forests and views of snow peaks and the River Yamuna.
Childer’s Lodge, the highest point in the area, is 5 kms from the Tourist Office. Reached by foot or on ponies, the summit offers great views of snow peaks.
Alternatively, Camel’s Back road, a 3-km road encircling the base of Gun Hill is also a good place to view the breathtaking Himalayan sunset. Named after a nearby rock formation that looks like a camel’s back, a walk or pony ride along this road yields the sights of snow mountains. 8 kms from the centre of town is the house where Sir George Everest, the first Surveyor General of India lived and worked.
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