Friday, June 5, 2026

What are some Indian destinations that look like international destinations?

The above place is Khajjiar in Himachal Pradesh, often called the Switzerland of India, it has the same atmosphere, the coniferous trees, snow capped mountains, rolling green meadows.

While Khajjiar is the more famous tourist attraction in India, there are a whole lot, that have not yet still got as much attention, here are some more.

Pondicherry's French Quarter, has a complete Meditteranean look about it, with it's stately bungalows, wide avenues, painted walls.

Coorg has often been called the Scotland of India for it's hills, green rolling valleys.

And there has been another Scotland in India too, Meghalaya, whose name literally means Abode of the Clouds, and whose terrain is similiar with green valleys, towering peaks.

India has some awesome mountain railway tracks, pretty much like what you find in Switzerland, Austria.

The Nilgiri Mountain Railway to Ooty, uses the same Abt rack and pinion system used in Europe.

The Darjeeling Toy train, again passing through some wonderful landscape.

The Kalka-Shimla toy train, the aqueduct cum bridges, are pretty similiar to what you find in Europe.

If Skiing is what you love, look no further than Gulmarg, Pahalgam in Kashmir or Solang Valley in Himachal or Auli in Uttarakhand, as good as what you get in Switzerland or Austria.

Gulmarg

Pahalgam

Solang Valley in Himachal Pradesh.

Auli in Uttarakhand.

Alleppey in Kerala is often called the Venice of the East, due to the canals crisscrossing the town.

Heard of England's famous Lake District, we have the equivalent here in Nainital, the name of the town itself means Lake of Goddess Naini, and it has a whole lot of other lakes nearby.

Nainital

Bhimtal

Naukuchiatal

Sattal.

And I would say this, India in fact has a lot more diversity to offer than Europe, which I feel is more or less standardized. The beaches in India are far more diverse than in Europe, and the same goes with the forts and palaces in India, which have a far more diverse range of architectural styles than what you see in Europe. So while there are many places in India, that do have a European feel, it would be hard to find a place in Europe that has an Indian feel. I mean no way could I imagine finding something like the Rann of Kutch or the rain forests of the Western Ghats in Europe.