Mussoorie was discovered by a young adventurous British military officer along with British government’s Superintendent of Revenues at Dehradun, Mr. Shore in 1825. They established shooting lodge and became hugely popular with the Raj era. The main strolling area of the hill station is vast Mall. It stretches from Picture Palace at its eastern end to the Public Library at its western end. Britishers exclusively used this Mall for evening walk and leisure and during pre independence signs on the Mall expressly stated” “ Indians and Dogs Not Allowed”. Dalai Lama, the exile Tibetan guru established the Tibetan Government of Exile in Mussoorie in 1959. Later on for various reasons it was moved to Mcleodganj in Himachal Pradesh. Mussoorie has always being influenced by Tibetan culture. In 1960 first school of Tibetan study was established. Most of the Tibetans ( around 5000) still live at Happy Valley in Mussoorie. In recent times Mussoorie has experienced some over development of hotels, resorts, tourist lodges as the place is always crowded with people from near by cities like Delhi, Ambala and Chandigarh.

Sights And Activities

The Mall
The hub of town stretches from Old Picture Palace cinema to the Library. Clock Tower is a good place to find some excellent antique watches. The middle section the Mall known as Kulri is lined up with shops, ice cream parlors, video games parlor and several point where you can expand your eyes to lush Doon Valley. If you are a book worm, Cambridge Bookshop near the old post office is the right place for you. The best part of the Mall is rope way that goes to Gun Hill. Skating ring at Kulri is another good place for a nice experience.

Camel’s Back Road
A quiet 4 km stretch overlooking the hills near the Library end is an excellent place to pass a cool and quiet time. A 10 minutes horse ride or rickshaw ride to the road can be a good experience. There is no such particular attraction but an old cemetery that preserve some old documents of Raj’s era.

Gun Hills
An extinct volcano, this magnificent hill rises to 400ft above the Mall. The best way to reach there is through rope way from Mussoorie Mall. A stunning views of surrounding area from here is glorious. Apart from that chain of food joints and souvenir shops are best to shop and taste some exotic cuisines.

The Walks
The best way to expose the beauty of Mussoorie is through slow walking that starts from the Mall area to Happy Valley. The road takes you through old oaks forest, past the old Charlleville Estate, IAS Academy, and Tibetan School. Savor the taste of roadside chowmein and momos. Another option is to take the route of Library to Clouds End. There are other rewarding walking trail including Camel’s Back Road, Barlowganj walking trail through virgin woodland.