Landour - Mussoorie’s Best Kept Secret

While Mussoorie is one of India's most popular hill stations, the beautiful hill station of Landour near Mussoorie is relatively unknown. If you’re a tourist searching for less crowded hill stations, look no further than Landour. The beautiful offbeat hill station near Mussoorie is dotted with colonial-style architecture amidst the towering Deodar, Oak, Blue Pine, and other Himalayan Trees.

About Landour 

The quiet cantonment town of Landour is situated 984 ft above Mussoorie. Built by the British Indian Army, Landour’s town plan has a European touch. Named after a south-west Wales village called Llanddowrer, the small and peaceful hill station near Mussoorie is a perfect gateway to spend some quality time with loved ones away from the hustle and bustle of city life.

5 Must-Visit Places to Visit in Landour

1.   Char Dukan 

Named after the four historic shops lined in a row and still in operation, the Char Dukan area near Sister's Bazaar is ideal for people seeking seclusion. You can stroll around the area and try different varieties of teas with some great local delicacies like Cinnamon waffles, Banana pancakes, Nutella pancakes etc.

2.   St Paul’s Church 

Located near the Char Dukan area, St Paul's Church is famous for its unique Indo-gothic architecture with stained windows. Established in 1839 and consecrated in 1840, the historic Anglican church is reminiscent of the British-Raj era. 

3.   Laal Tibba 

The original Laal Tibba was in Mussoorie, where a large binocular was fixed to see the snow-clad Himalayan peaks. After constructing a TV tower, the Landour ridge towards the west was renamed Laal Tibba, and the binocular was shifted there. 

Laal Tibba is one of the most frequented tourist spots in the Landour-Mussoorie area, providing an uninterrupted view of the majestic Garhwal mountain range.

4.   Kellogg’s Memorial Church

Built in 1903, Kellogg's Memorial Church is a great place to visit for gothic architecture enthusiasts. Named after Dr Samuel Kellogg, who taught Hindi to the British in the Landour Language School, the church is known for its beautiful and ancient architecture. Fun fact- while the school is situated in the Laal Tibba area today, the classes are still held on the church's premises.

5.   Pari Tibba 

The heavily forested Pari Tibba is less affected by human activities compared to the other Landour hills frequented by tourists. Once the private hunting estate of the Tehri-Garhwal ruling family (which saved it from deforestation), the place is also called Burnt Hill due to the unusual number of lightning strikes that have happened over the years. 

The hill doesn’t have motorable roads making it one of the best places to visit in Landour for nature lovers and hiking enthusiasts.

Where to Stay 

Landour is just 4.8 km from Club Mahindra Mussorie, one of the best resorts in Mussorie. The exquisite resort can be an ideal place to make your base and explore Landour in Mussorie with friends and family.                               

Landour has been a best-kept secret of Mussorie. However, offbeat travellers are slowly beginning to notice the scenic aura of this quaint hill station. Visit this place once, and you’ll know why Ruskin Bond, the celebrated Indian author, never left this place in his entire life.