About Chonor House
Chonor House, a branch of Norbulingka, was designed and built by British architect David Porter in a style intended to blend with the natural environment of the hills overlooking the Kangra valley. The stone and slates were obtained from the surrounding hills and carried by mule to the site which was at that time inaccessible to motor vehicles. The shape and location of the building preserved the large pine & cedar trees which dominate the garden and dining area.
It is conveniently located near the Thekchen Chöling Temple adjacent to HH the Dalai Lama’s residence. Each of our well-appointed rooms are beautifully decorated according to a unique Tibetan theme, with murals featuring regions such as Kham, Amdo and Central Tibet and the flora and fauna of the Land of Snow. These striking wall paintings are complemented by appliquéd fabrics, hand-knotted carpets and carved and decorated wooden furniture, all created by Norbulingka craftsmen.
Set amidst tall cedars, Chonor is peacefully removed from the hustle and bustle of the town, and yet within easy walking distance of everything Mcleod Ganj has to offer.
Chonor House was our first hotel built under the hospitality department of Norbulingka Institute, when we needed a well-appointed guest house both to serve important guests and earn income for the institute. In the drive to make Chonor House a place for visitors to remember we decided to custom build all the furniture and give each room a unique theme. This allowed for creativity and also five Norbulingka artisans plenty of work. It was deeply satisfying to be able to simultaneously create beautiful things and give work to people who needed it.
Consequently, Chonor House became not only the most colorful and comfortable guesthouse, but also contributing towards the sustainability of Norbulingka’s mission for preservation of Tibetan art and culture.
Getting Here
Chonor House is located in Mcleod Ganj, located near the main temple – Thekchen Choling Temple. You can reach here either via plane, train or by bus.
Please let us know if you require our support arranging your transportation, our staff will be happy to offer our services for your smooth travels.
- The nearest airport is located at Gaggal, about 25 minutes from us. Daily flights service from Delhi to Dharamsala and return operate from this airport. Alternatively, you can fly to Jammu or Amritsar, both located around 4 hours from Dharamsala.
- The nearest train station is in Pathankot, located about 2 hours from Dharamsala. Be forewarned however, that booking trains in India can be very complicated as it must be done well in advance and in person.
- The most affordable way to reach us would be by bus. Several overnight buses run to and from Delhi daily. The journey lasts about 12 hours.
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