15 unique places to visit in India

With some of the most incredible landscapes, rich culture, diverse wildlife and unique architecture in the world, India has so much to offer. India is a country of amazing diversity and natural beauty, with some of the most interesting and historic places. There are some great places to visit in India that will provide you with a unique experience that you won’t find anywhere else on earth.

See also: 15 beautiful places in India for tourists to visit

Unique places to visit in India

Here are 15 unique places to visit in India that are sure to give you an incredible experience and make your trip unforgettable.

 

1. Nubra Valley, Ladakh

 

Nubra Valley is a remote Himalayan desert region in Jammu and Kashmir, Northern India. It is home to an array of unique animal species like snow leopards, Tibetan wolves, ibexes and the red fox. It also has a variety of natural wonders like dunes, rugged mountains, high-altitude lakes, and ruins of ancient Buddhist monasteries. The Buddhist philosophy is believed to have originated here some 2,500 years ago. From June to August, Nubra Valley is at its most beautiful.

See also: Places to visit and things to do in Ladakh for a dreamy vacation

How to reach Nubra Valley

By rail: Jammu railway station is the closest. To reach Leh and then Diskit in Nubra valley, one can either hire a taxi or take a bus.

By air: Nubra Valley can be reached by taxi or bus from Leh, which is the nearest airport. It is also possible to reach Srinagar from Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Jammu, Leh, and Dubai via Diskit Flights.

By road: A bus or jeep can get you to Nubra from Leh, about 150 kilometres away. To enter, one must cross Khardung La or K-Top and obtain an inner line permit. It is possible to travel to Diskit and Hunder from Khalsar or to Sumur until Panamik from Khalsar.

 

2. Corbett National Park, Uttarakhand

 

Corbett National Park spans over 1,000 sq kilometres in the Himalayan foothills. The reserve is home to tigers, rhinos, elephants and much more. For a fun-filled trip, make sure you visit one of the many viewpoints which provide breathtaking views. Exploring this place would be a lifetime experience for any nature lover.

Indians pay Rs 200 for entry to Jim Corbett National Park, while foreigners pay Rs 1,000 for four hours. Depending on the kind of vehicle hired, the ride costs between Rs 500 and Rs 1,500. It costs about Rs 3,000 to go on an elephant safari. Corbett jeep safaris take place in the morning between 6:30 am and 9:30 am and in the evening between 2:30 pm and 5:30 pm. Depending on weather conditions and season, timings may vary.

How to reach Corbett National Park

By rail: Railway stations in Uttarakhand are connected to major cities through Ramnagar Railway Station. Among its connections are New Delhi, Lucknow, Kathgodam, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Nainital, and Kashipur.

By air: Domestic airports closest to Corbett are Pantnagar Airport, and Pantnagar, approximately one-and-a-half hours away. Jagson Airlines offers reasonable connections to New Delhi. It is approximately four-and-a-half hours’ drive from Corbett to Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi, about 274 km away.

By road: From Ramnagar, Corbett is nine kilometres; 146 kilometres to Kotdwar; 174 kilometres to Haridwar; 194 kilometres to Rishikesh; and 227 kilometres to Dehradun. There are some private travel services, as well as the Uttarakhand State Road Transport Corporation (USRTC).

See also: Top 10 tourist places to visit in Uttarakhand

3. Jal Mahal, Jaipur

Source: Pinterest

 

Jal Mahal is one of the most iconic architectural marvels that you can visit on a tour of Jaipur. Entry to Jal Mahal is free and so is the car park. It opens at 7 am and closes at 10 pm. You will be amazed by the details put into the design of this stunning piece of architecture. The only drawback is that photography inside is not allowed.

How to reach Jal Mahal

By rail: The closest railway station to Jal Mahal is Jaipur Railway Station, which is 6.9 kilometres away.

By air: Jaipur is connected to Delhi (300 km) via Sanganer Airport, 15 km south of the city.

By road: At a distance of 5.3 km, Sindhi Camp Bus Stand is the closest bus stop to Jal Mahal.

See also: Top 10 places to visit in Jaipur and things to do

4. Ziro, Arunachal Pradesh

 

Known for being home to the unique tribal group in northeast India, this place is scenic and laid back. If you are looking for an escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, Ziro Valley is an ideal place to visit. When the valley is covered with snow in October and November, Ziro is the perfect and unique place to stay in India.

How to reach Ziro

By rail: Naharlagun is the closest railway station to Ziro. The distance between Guwahati and Naharlagun, takes eight hours to cover by train. Afterwards, it takes about four hours to drive to Ziro.

By air: Tezpur Airport is the nearest airport to Ziro, which is 272 km away.

By road: North Lakhimpur and Itanagar have direct buses that transport passengers to Ziro.

See also: Best places to visit in Arunachal Pradesh

 

5. Magnetic Hill, Ladakh

 

A fascinating place to visit is Magnetic Hill, Ladakh. The Magnetic Hill lies on the Leh-Kargil highway and offers an insight into our planet’s magnetic fields. This is a popular stop for visitors, because of its geomagnetic anomaly, which attracts vehicles to their side despite steep inclines.

This can be seen for oneself by parking your car on one side of the road and finding it tilted towards the other, depending on whether you drive uphill or downhill. Magnetic Hill is best visited between May and October in Ladakh (Leh). This is the time for tourists to enjoy the place at its peak.

How to reach Magnetic Hill

By rail: Jammu Tawi is the nearest railhead to Leh Ladakh, located 700 km away. The remaining distance can be covered by taxi from Jammu Tawi to Delhi and other major Indian cities.

By air: The nearest airport to Magnetic Hill is Leh International Airport, which is 32 km away and connects to major airports throughout India. Ladakh Magnetic Hill can be accessed via the Leh-Kargil-Baltic National Highway by taxi from the airport.

By road: There are frequent buses from Himachal Pradesh to Leh Ladakh operated by state transport and private travel agencies.

 

6. Sulabh International Museum of Toilets, New Delhi

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Prashant Mhatre (@prashantmhatre1)

Sulabh International Museum of Toilets is a must-visit if you want to see a toilet from the 19th century. It has various artefacts from different countries and interesting facts about toilets. Entry is free, but there is an audio guide service for a donation. The museum also offers guided tours for an additional fee. Sulabh International Museum of Toilets is open seven days a week.

How to reach Sulabh International Museum of Toilets

By rail: Depending on the train services, you may choose New Delhi Railway Station, Old Delhi Railway Station, Anand Vihar Terminal, or Nizamuddin Railway Station. To reach Sulabh Bhawan, you can take a taxi, an auto, a metro, or a bus after deboarding.

By air: In addition to being the busiest airport in the country, Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) serves Delhi. The Sulabh Bhawan is located at Palam Dabri Road, Mahavir Enclave, New Delhi and is easily accessible from IGI Airport.

By road: With well-maintained road networks, Delhi is well-connected to other Indian cities. It is also possible for you to travel here by either your car or bus or by taking a cab or metro, depending on where you are.

See also: Places to visit near Delhi

 

7. Peacock Island, Guwahati

Source: Pinterest

 

It is named so, because of the statue of a peacock that stands atop the island. Peacock Island is situated near Umananda Devaloi and it is a popular tourist destination for its beautiful sunset and beach. Tourists visiting this place will find it scenic, serene and quiet – but what makes this place special is that you can sleep over as well. Boating activities are available only between 7 am and 10 am and the grounds are open from 9 am to 4 pm.

How to reach Peacock Island

By rail: A railway station is also in Guwahati, from where you can travel to Umananda island. Almost all major cities in India connected to this railway station,

By air: The airport closest to Umananda Island is the one at Guwahati. There are plenty of flights to Guwahati from almost all Indian domestic airports. Ferries run until sunset from the airport to the island.

By road: You can travel to Kachari Ghat using any of the regular buses or by hiring a taxi. From there, multiple ferries are available, to transport you directly to the island of Umananda. There is a ferry service available every day of the week until sunset.

See also: Places to visit in Guwahati for an extraordinary trip

8. Kutch Desert Wildlife Sanctuary, Gujarat

Source: Pinterest

 

The stunningly beautiful sanctuary is home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, wolves, jackals and different types of snakes. If you are looking for an adventurous time full of nature trails, natural beauty and fascinating wildlife, then, this is the perfect place to go.

The sanctuary is open from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm. There is a Rs 250 entry fee for Indian visitors and a Rs 1,200 entry fee for foreign visitors on weekdays. Visitors from India pay Rs 280 on weekends, while foreigners pay Rs 1,500.

How to reach Kutch Desert Wildlife Sanctuary

By rail: There is about 260 km between Kutch and Bhuj and about 110 km between Kutch and Kutch Desert Wildlife Sanctuary. Bhuj railhead is approximately a 4-hour drive from the railway station.

By air: Bhuj Airport, located on the IAF campus, is the closest airport to Kutch Desert Wildlife Sanctuary, about 190 to 220 kilometres away.

By road: The nearest bus station is Rapar Bus Station, located 65 km from the sanctuary.

See also: Places to visit in Gujarat for an indelible experience

9. Khajuraho Temples, Madhya Pradesh

 

The Khajuraho Temples are a group of temples located in Madhya Pradesh. These temples are famous for their erotic sculptures that depict various mythological scenes. Activities to do here are exploring the different paths of the premises, as well as attending puppet shows and puja rituals. Entry fees and timings can be found on their website.

How to reach Khajuraho Temples

By rail: Five kilometres away from the main town of Khajuraho is the Khajuraho railway station, which connects to a few Madhya Pradesh cities. Around 78 kilometres from Khajuraho is the nearest major railhead, Mahoba.

By air: At a distance of two km from the temple sites, Khajuraho has its domestic airport. There are flights to Delhi, Mumbai, Bhopal, Varanasi, etc. The nearest hotel or temple can be reached by hiring a cab.

By road: In addition to being well connected to all the major highways in the country, Khajuraho also has a decent transport network. Many buses operate between Khajuraho and nearby cities such as Jhansi. A variety of buses are available, including standard buses, non-AC buses, and AC buses.

See also: Places to visit when in Gwalior

 

10. Betla National Park, Jharkhand

Source: Pinterest

 

Betla National Park is one of the best national parks to visit in Jharkhand. The park is divided into two parts – one part has plains while the other half has forested hills. Activities like walking, camping, bird watching and more are available. The entry fee for Indian nationals is Rs 20 per person for a day pass, Rs 200 per person for a week pass, and Rs 250 per person for a month pass. The entry fee for foreigners is Rs 2,500 per person (excluding state tax).

How to reach Betla National Park

By rail: Betla is 15 km from Barwadih Junction, the nearest railway station. In addition to Daltonganj, the station is well connected to Kolkata, Bhopal, Delhi, and Amritsar.

By air: In addition to Ranchi, there are flights to all major Indian cities from this airport every day. Betla is approximately 250 kilometres away from Patna airport. A pick-up can also be arranged by Jharkhand Tourism in advance.

By road: The town is well connected to nearby highways. It is located 10 kilometres southeast of Daltonganj. You will need to take a secondary road of 15 km to get to Betla.

 

11. The Taj Mahal, Agra

 

This iconic monument is one of the most famous landmarks in all of India. It was built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan as a tomb for his beloved wife, Mumtaz. The building itself is an architectural marvel and has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983. The Taj Mahal is worth a visit if you’re travelling to India.

In addition to Friday, the Taj Mahal is open every day, except Friday. Domestic/Indian/OCI cardholders are charged Rs 50, foreign tourists are charged Rs 1,100 and SAARC and BIMSTEC citizens are charged Rs 540. Entry is free for children under 12 years of age.

How to reach Agra

By rail: Railway stations in Agra are the Agra Cantonment, the Raja-ki-Mandi, the Agra Fort, and the Idgah Agra Junction. Train services connect the city with all the major Indian cities. Agra is connected to Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata by several superfast express trains.

By air: Taxis are readily available from Agra’s Kheria Airport to reach the centre of the city, which is about 12.5 km away. Varanasi, Delhi and Khajuraho are all accessible by air from Agra.

By road: Some buses connect Delhi, Jaipur, Lucknow, and Gwalior with Agra. Agra has several major bus station terminals which connect several other major cities of the country, including the Idgah Bus Stand, Taj Depot, Ford Depot, and the Inter-State Bus Terminal (ISBT).

See also: 15 places to visit during your Agra trip

12. The Golden Temple, Amritsar

Source: Pinterest

 

This beautiful temple has been visited by many travellers over the years for its impressive architecture, as well as for its spiritual significance. It is located in Amritsar, which is also known as the ‘Guru Ka Bagh’ or ‘The Guru’s Garden’.

Here at the Golden Temple, you can find many statues that depict Guru Nanak Dev Ji (the founder of Sikhism). He was born here in 1469 AD before moving away from Amritsar, where he spent most of his life preaching about peace and equality.

How to reach Amritsar

By rail: There are train connections to almost all major Indian cities, including Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Agra, and Chandigarh, from Amritsar Railway Station. It takes about 6 hours to travel from Delhi to Amritsar by train.

By air: Amritsar’s nearest airport is Raja Sansi International Airport, located about 11 kilometres from the city centre, which has reliable connections to other cities in India and some international destinations. Delhi, Chandigarh, and other cities are served by daily flights.

By road: There are convenient road connections between Amritsar and most major cities in the country. Amritsar is connected to Delhi by the Grand Trunk Road. Regular buses run between ISBT, Delhi and Amritsar. Dharamsala, Chamba and Dalhousie are connected by regular bus service.

See also: Places to visit and things to do in Amritsar

 

13. Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur

 

Also known as the Jodhpur Fort, this fort was built by Raja Man Singh II in 1526 after he defeated his rival Rao Bika at the nearby Chittor Fort. Its architecture reflects the Rajput style with its red sandstone walls and towers topped with copper domes. It is a major tourist attraction and one of the most popular forts in India.

For Indians, the entrance fee to Mehrangarh Fort is Rs 220, while for foreigners, it is Rs 250, which includes admission, a camera and an audio guide. Mehrangarh Fort is open from 9 am to 5 pm. Winter is an ideal time to visit Mehrangarh Fort. It is ideal for exploring the entire Fort between October and March because the weather is cool and pleasant.

How to reach Mehrangarh Fort

By rail: There is a railway station in Jodhpur that is the closest to the fort. There are several railway lines connecting Jodhpur to other cities. It is easy to travel to Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata by train.

By air: Jodhpur airport is located approximately 5 kilometres from the city centre. It is connected with Jaipur, Udaipur, Delhi and Mumbai via regular flights. The Delhi International Airport is the closest airport for international tourists.

By road: Jodhpur has excellent state and national highway connections with major domestic states. Visitors to the state are provided with decent service by the state buses. Taxi or deluxe buses can also be used to reach the destination.

See also: Top 14 places to visit in Jodhpur and things to do

14. Agra Fort, Agra

 

Built by Akbar in 1565, this Fort houses many palaces, mosques and tombs within its walls, as well as gardens that have been converted into museums today, with artefacts from all over India displayed there for visitors to explore at their leisure.

The Agra Fort is open from sunrise to sunset every day of the week. Entry tickets cost Rs 40 for Indians and Rs 550 for foreigners. The entry fee for citizens of SAARC and BIMSTEC countries is Rs 60. Children under 15 years of age can enter, free of charge.

How to reach Agra Fort

By rail: All major cities in India are connected to Agra Cantt, Agra Fort and Raja Ki Mandi railway stations.

By air: Delhi, Varanasi and Khajuraho are all directly connected to Agra’s airport. Delhi, Jaipur, and Agra are nearby places with national and international airports.

By road: Roads connect Agra with Delhi, Jaipur, Lucknow and other nearby cities. Taxis and buses are both available for tourists to reach Agra.

 

15. Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh

 

Vrindavan is a town in Uttar Pradesh state that has been a popular pilgrimage site for Hindus since ancient times. Many people come here to visit the temples of Krishna and Radha. Vrindavan is best visited during the winter season. The maximum temperature is 32°C, and the minimum temperature is 14°C.

How to reach Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh

By rail: The nearest major railway station is Mathura, around 14 km away. Vrindavan has a railway station. Mathura and Vrindavan are connected by local suburban trains.

Mathura to Vrindavan can be reached by taxis, buses, and hired auto-rickshaws.

By air: It is 150 km from the nearest airport, Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi. If you were to take a taxi to Vrindavan, it would take you close to three-and-a-half hours.

By road: Apart from Mathura, which is 10 km away, Vrindavan does not have direct non-stop bus routes from many Indian cities. The other is Bharatpur, which is 45 kilometres away in Rajasthan. Vrindavan is also served by two other direct buses every day from Delhi and Agra.

See also: 16 best places to visit in Uttar Pradesh

 

FAQs

What is the most popular tourist destination in India?

One of the world's most famous symbols of love, the Taj Mahal is perhaps India's most popular tourist destination.

What is the most unique place in India?

The Loktak Lake in Manipur, the world's largest floating lake, is considered the most unique place in India.

What is the most beautiful place in India?

Garhwal's Valley of Flowers in the foothills of the Himalayas is one of the most scenic places in India.

Which place in India attracts the most tourists?

Some of the most spectacular scenes in India can be found in Delhi, one of the oldest cities in the country. As the first destination visited by tourists, this city is the capital of India and the most visited by tourists.