Dalai Hills is a serene viewpoint above Happy Valley, close to the Tibetan settlement and the Shedup Choephelling Temple in Mussoorie. A short walk (roughly 300–400 m) from the temple leads to a hilltop with a large Buddha statue, prayer flags and open meadow-like space. From here, you get sweeping views of the Doon valley and distant Himalayan ranges, especially at sunrise and sunset. Because it is a bit away from the main Mall Road, Dalai Hills feels peaceful – you’ll often find people quietly sitting near the statue, meditating, clicking photos among the fluttering prayer flags or just enjoying the cool wind and silence.
About this place
History & highlights
The history of Dalai Hills is tied to the Tibetan exile community in Happy Valley. After 1959, when the Dalai Lama and many Tibetans fled Tibet, a settlement was established here with a monastery, homes and small businesses. Over time, a hill above the settlement was marked with prayer flags and later a Buddha statue as a symbol of peace and gratitude to India for shelter. This area became informally known as “Dalai Hills” among locals and visitors, honouring the 14th Dalai Lama and the Tibetan presence in Mussoorie. For many Tibetans and Indian Buddhists, the spot is both a viewpoint and a spiritual balcony, representing hope after exile. In recent years travel websites and vloggers have popularised Dalai Hills as a quiet, offbeat alternative to crowded viewpoints, but it still retains a reflective, ashram-like mood thanks to the monastery and the community living below.
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