Chamba is Ancient Capital of Pahari Kings situated on the bank of river Ravi at an altitude of 996 meters. Chamba was founded in 920 AD but King Sahil Verma who named it after his favourite daughter Champavati. Surrounded by higher ranges Chamba has preserved the ancient culture and heritage and Chamba is known for the elegence of its temples and handicrafts . Perched like some medieval italian village fortress, on a flat mountain shelf, overhanging the rushing torrent of the Ravi, it is the centre of a valley rich in ancient remains. In the centre of the town there is a spacious playgroung called the Chowgan, a grassy maidan, about 805 metres in length and 73 metres wide, where people gather for a social, political or religous meetings or a sports event. Chamba became the capital only in the 8th century and at the instance of Chamba, daughter of Rajesh Sahil Verma, who selected the present site and had it removed from Bharmour, 70 km away, also giving the new capital her name. Regular buses link Chamba with Dalhousie and Pathankot. Chamba is 56 km (via Banikhet), on the right bank of the Ravi at an altitude of 915 metres (3,000 ft) from Dalhousie and 122 km from Pathankot. There is also a 30 km long-foot path from Dalhousie to Chamba via Khajjiar which passes through thick deodar forests. Chamba lies in the bosom of the Himalayas. The mountains nature of Chamba made it difficult for the occasional conquerors to establish their supremacy over the local rulers and people. There was, therefore, no interference in the social and religous structure of the people. Chamba has preserved the anchent cultural heritage and civilization. The conservative character of the people haas tended to perpetuate the existing social customs and conditions. Still, there are old tribes i.e. Caddies and Pangwalas. For geographical reasons their customs, culture and habits differ from the people of the rest of the district. Chamba's hills and mountains, rivers, lakes, springs and streams, green meadows and forests are of matchless charm. Among the most interesting objects in Chamba are a number of richly carv ed ancient temples which closely resemble those in Rajasthan. The most striking of these are the six temples lying in a row near the palace. Three of these are dedicated to Vishnu and the remaining to Siva. All the shrines have shikharas or spires which distinguish them from other hill teemples that are usually pent-roofed. Some of the temples date back to the tenth century. The richly carved Laxmi Narayan temple is the oldest one. Chamba is the starting point for many of the treks into the 73 interior of the hills. A road branches off from here to Kashmir via Bhaderwah, and another to Pangi valley over the Sach Pass. The jungles around Dalhousie and Chamba abound in wild life. In the higher regions near the snow line are to be found, snow leopard, ibex and marmot. At th lower elevations brown bear; musk deer, leopards and wild pigs are seen. Pheasants, partridges and wild fowl are found in all parts of the valley.

Chaughan 
A public promenade - a grassy maidan less than one kilometer in length and about seventy five meters wide is a busy locak trading centre for villagers from the surrounding hills. Each year Chaughan is the site for the Minjar Procession. The fair lasts for a week and people attend the fair in the local costumes and colourful dresses in a gay mood walking in the Chaughan where a large number of sports and culture activities take place to commemorate this occasion. On the conclusion of fair the 'minjars' are immersed into the Ravi. It is also an established base for various exciting treks into the valley around. 

Bhuri Singh Museum 
Another attraction in Chamba is the Bhuri Singh Museum, which is a rich store house of Chamba's cultural heritage and an excellent and interesting collection of this region particularly the miniature painitngs of Kangra and Basholi schools of art. Besides, a vast epigraphical material relating to the history of the regions and some of the murals of the Rang mahal Palace, Which was damaged in a fire, are also housed in the museum.

Salooni
Chamba is surrounded by places of interest to the enterprising tourist and special look out points, commanding panoramic views abound on all sides. The river Ravi rises in the snow-peaks of Bara Banghal in Chamba, and the rive Beas from a glacial lake near Rohtang. The last snow range is Dhaula Dhar running parallel to the Pir Panjal, south of it. Both these ranges enclose the attractive Kullu Valley. The Beas cuts a fantastic gorge through Dhaula Dhar at Larji. A smaller and more or less continous range about 2,000 meters high runs south of the snowy ranges, Salooni, at a height of 1829 meters and 56 Km from Chamba, offers a breath - taking panoramic view of the snow covered hills and peaks. Situated at the top of a ridge and opening into the Bhandal Valley, this scenic spot of great beauty leads also to Bhaderwah.

Bhandal Valley 
For lovers of wild life, this beautiful spot at a height of 1,831 meters (6,006ft) offers a wonderful pleasant week-end and links Chamba with Jammu & Kashmir.

Bharmaur (Ancient Capital) 
The ancient capital of Chamba is wel known as a Brahampura in ancient time this is the summer home of the nomadic Gaddis is about 65Km from Chamba at the altitute of 2195 Meters surrounded by thick forest cover. According to the legend in the 10th century 84 holy men came to Bharmour and bless the king with ten sons and a daughter Champawati.The temple now called "Chaurasi" These include the Lakshami Devi Temple,the Ganesh and Narsingh temple. From bharmour excelent trekking route lead 
towards Kugti pass and Kalicho pass.

Sarol 
Just 11 Km from Chamba is a remarkable picnic spot where, along with beautiful Agricultural gardens and a Sheep Breeding Farm, there is a Bee-keeping Centre. The honey from the apiary is delicious. To reach this charming sopt onehas to travel 8 Km by bus and ther rest on foot. 

Pangi 
Cold and desolate, the chenab valley called Pangi, is sublime in its beauty and grandeur. At an altitude mostly above 2438 metres, in the midst of its wild rugged hills flows the great river Chandrabhaga in a deep and narrow gorge, lashing itself into the fury against the towering cliffs that imprison it. Called Pangiyals, robust, gay and hard working, the people, have a reputation for pretty faces, beautiful dances and scenic splendor. The two ranges north and south of Pangi are the Great Himalayas and the Pir Panjal, many small glaciers descend from their enclosing heights into the valley. There are stunted forests in the valley bottoms, while populated. The rugged nature of the country, however, makes travel in this region fairly difficult, thus saving its beauty from the evil of commercialization.Pangi Valley is at a distance of 137 Km from Chamba and one of its sub-Divisions with headquarters at Killar, is the scenic valey of Pangi at the foot of the Himalayas, between two parallel ranges, the highest of which vary from 4447 meters to 6402 meters. It is a valley of grandeur and majesty, both in appearance and in effect. Its rugged charm and austere beauty is spectacular. It is highly populated between the Pnagi and Zanskar ranges. The most convenient route for treking into the valley is through the Sach Pass, 4428 meters high. the valley remains dry during the rainy season and attracts adcenturous tourists for mountaineering and treeking. There are still a fre virgin peaks, 6402 meters to 6705 meters high, challenging the mountaineers. mainly two communities namely Pangwala and Bhots inhabit this valley. In Pangi valley there is hardly any village or even hamlet where one or more temple is not there, but the most important out of them are Mindhal Vasni Temple, about 15 Km and Temple of Purthi about 30 Km from Killar.

Killar 
Killar, 137 km north east of Chamba is situated in the deep and narrow gorge of Chenab river. It is the desire of many a hardy trekker to visit these lands of pretty faces, beautiful dances and scenic splendor. Trekking from Killar to Lahaul one will come across a very beautiful place, PURTHI, known for one of the best forest nurseries and historical Rest Houses on the right bank of Chandra Bhaga.

Saho 
Situated at the bank of river Sal, Saho is famous for Chandrashekhar - The Lord Shiva Temple is just 20 Km from Chamba.

By Air: The nearest Air Ports are Amritsar & Jammu are 190Km approx. from Chamba. 
By Road: Chamba is well connected by road. Regular buses, taxis and coaches from Delhi & Chandigarh. Delhi is 627 km & Chandigarh is 357 km from Chamba.. 
By Train: The nearest Railway Station is Pathankot is about 119 Km. 

STD Code: 01899
 
Police Station: 22226
 
Medical Facilities: District Hospital (22223)
 
Emergency: (22392)