Chhattisgarh, a newly formed state in India is a melting pot of different cultures and a lot of wildlife diversity. This state is also known for the oldest tribe living in India that dates back to almost 10,000 years ago. Chhattisgarh is home to wonderful waterfalls, wildlife sanctuaries, lush green forests and a variety of flora and fauna. Along with this there are various historical monuments and ancient temples that will appeal to pilgrims and art enthusiasts. The state of Chhattisgarh has something for everyone and is an ideal spot to go on a trip. Below is a list of tourist places to visit in Chhattisgarh, so that you can plan your trip better.

Raipur tops our list of most popular destinations in Chhattisgarh; it is the capital of the state and is the largest in terms of area in the state. Before the 1^st of November 2000, Raipur used to be a part of Madhya Pradesh, but it is now a part of Chhattisgarh. It is one of the largest industrial cities in India that is known for the production of steel. Besides that Raipur is popular for beautiful lakes and serene temples, several education centers along with factories for aluminum and coal. The state’s only international airport is located in Raipur known as Swami Vivekananda International Airport. The city is known to be multi cultural with different people coming in from other cities in India and residing here. Along with the city life, there are sanctuaries like Barnawapara Wildlife Sanctuary and many other places of natural beauty in this city.

Bilaspur is an important district in the state of Chhattisgarh as well as India; it is the commercial hub and business center of the North East Chhattisgarh region. The railheads in Bilaspur are quite important to the Indian Railway as well due to it being South East Central Railway Zone’s headquarter; this being said, it is a city that brings in most revenue through the railways. Bilaspur is also a manufacturer of steel, but apart from this, the didtrict is famous fror various other things like Kosa silk sarees, mangoes, samosa and the famous aromatic Doobraj rice. The Kosa silk sarees and other clothing manufactured here are famous and reflect on the culture of the district. From ancient times, a lot of tribes have been living in the region with Rawat Tribes being one of them in Bilaspur. The Rawat Nach Mahotsav is celebrated by the tribes in Bilaspur, which if you plan to visit, gives you an insight into their live and traditions.

Located in the Durg district of Chhattisgarh is the city of Bhilai, very close to the capital city of Raipur. Bhilai is famous for Bhilai Steel Plant, the largest steel plant in India and it is also a fact that this city is the only manufacturer of rails in India. Most festivals like Holi, Diwali, Durga Puja and Eid are celebrated with great enthusiasm, but due to the Sikh population being more in number in the region, Sikh festivals like Baisakhi, Guru Gobind Jayanti, Lori and many more are celebrated much more than the others. The city has a population of people who are multi religious and is nicknamed as ‘Mini India’ by many. The best time to visit this city in Chhattisgarh is during the winters when the weather is cool and alright for sightseeing. Once in Bhilai you can do various things like experience the raw essence of nature at Maitri Bagh, offer your prayers at Kalibadi or visit the many small temples within the vicinity.

If you are a wildlife enthusiast, Kanger Ghati National Park is a must visit. Also known as Kangar Valley National Park, this park is a protected area In India comprising of some of the most diverse fauna and flora. In 1982, the government of India declared it a national park and is known to be one of the densest patches of forest land in the country. There are a variety of animals, reptiles, birds, insects as well as limestone caves, heighted waterfalls, some of the most magnificent landscapes and also the home of the state bird of Chhattisgarh, the Bastar Hill Myna. The Kanger Ghati National Park spreads across 200 sq km of land, most of which consists of hilly terrain, few wetlands and the Kanger River flowing throughout. This is a good place to visit to go on a jungle safari to see animals in their natural habitat, to go camping under the stars or even enjoy wildlife photography.

Formed around the 5th century AD, Sirpur is an ancient city which is now a part of Chhattisgarh. In the 6th and the 7th century, Sirpur used to be a place of utter religious importance for Buddhists; it was a pilgrimage spot for several Buddhists who came to see the monasteries and temples in the region. Later on in the 12th century after an earthquake struck the region, the entire city was buried underground, but once you visit, you are still able to see and study the ruins of this once glorious town. Visit religious places like Ram Temple, Buddha Vihar, Vihar Turturiya, Anand Prabhu Kudi Vihar and many more to complete your pilgrimage in this area. The city is well connected to other cities in the state by means of road transportation like bus and taxis. You can easily get here by taking a flight to Raipur and then taking a cab from the airport to your destination in Sirpur.

Dantewada is another ancient town in Chhattisgarh that once derived its name from ‘Ma Danteshwari’, one of the most revered goddesses in Bastar region and also the main deity of town. Dantewada is said to have some of the oldest inhabitants and tribes in the country and due to this, the region has seen the establishment of various cultures, religions and traditions. Dantewada is one of the most preferred locations in Chhattisgarh due to the popularity of the temple, but other than the town has natural beauty and is picturesque to the people who visit as well as the ones who stay there. The town is dotted with beautiful temples, hilly pathways, several calm valleys and lush green beautiful forests; it also has many structures that are historically important. This is a great place to visit for nature and history buffs.

Located in the state of Chhattisgarh, Dhamtari is a district as well as a municipal corporation that is established as an independent district after it was divided from Raipur, the capital of the state. The district of Dhatari stretches over an area of 4084 sq km, out of which 213123 hectares of land is dedicated to natural forests growing in that area. Birguri range, Dhamtari range and Nagri range are the three main forest ranges in the district and also has trees like Sal and Teak. This district also has a lot of indigenous tribes that still live here and continue their lifestyle which is very different from the city life in Chhattisgarh. The district is well known for the trade of agricultural products and equipments as well as forest products. The district has several industrial colleges and schools as well that you can check out if interested.

Chhattisgarh truly has it all; from industrialized districts to lush green forests to hilly regions like Mainpat. It is a small village in Chhattisgarh in Surguja District, located in the northern part of Chhattisgarh. It is a paradise for anyone who is adventurous and loves to explore the place they visit; clear valleys, green forests, mesmerizing waterfalls and heighted hills is what Mainpat is all about. This beautiful hill station has not been completely commercialized yet and hence you will not see too many people as tourists; lesser crowd makes it an even more interesting place to go to. Mainpat has a lot of Tibetans living in the region due to which it is now known as Mini Tibet. Once in Mainpat, make sure you visit the lovely Dhakpo Shedupling Monastery, different points like fish point and sunset point to get clear views of the mountains and go trekking on some of the most beautiful trails.

Located east to Shivnath River is the district of Durg in Chhattisgarh, which is also a vital part of the Durg-Bhilai agglomeration. This is one of the most populated districts in the state, with an area of 2238 sq km and sees the influx of many throughout people the year. Located in the southern part of Chhattisgarh, Durg is the second largest district in the state. If you happen to visit the district, make sure you see temples like the famous Shiv Mandir, Chandi Mandir and Siyadevi Temple. You can also go to Tandula Dam to enjoy a nice day with friends and family or Karkabhat, a megalithic site that defines the history of the place.

Malhar, one of the most ancient towns in Chhattisgarh has huge archeological significance in the state as well as the country. The old town of Malhar is taken care of by the Archeological Survey of India and its name comes in the list of “Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains of National Importance.” Dating back from the Kalchuri regime from 1000 BC, many remains and ruins have been found in Malhar that have now become a subject of study in the region. Amongst attractions in this town, there are numerous temples that were dug out, with Pataleshwar Temple, Dindeshwari Temple and Devri Temple being a few of them. Traces of Jain dominance like manuscripts and religion memorials have also been found here.