Dehradun City
Headquarters to a large number of Institutes of national importance, home to schools of worldwide recognition and the seat of power of Uttarakhand, Dehradun surely is a place of prime importance. 
The city, supposed to be founded by Dronacharya, the legendary teacher in the epic Mahabharata, is considered as one of the oldest in the country and has seen times as varying as being the settlement of the Sikh population, being an independent state of Nepal and then being seized by the English.
The last occupation is probably the reason why Dehradun became an elite town and obtained a favourite spot in the hearts of the rich and powerful English class.
Today, Dehradun is considered as the starting point of many things: treks to the world famous mountains, way to the famous hill station of Mussoorie, as well as to the famous pilgrimages Haridwar and Rishikesh.
Comfortably situated between the two most important rivers of India, Ganga and Yamuna, Doon Valley couldn’t have been in a more ideal place.
Dehradun City also boasts of the world famous long fragrant Basmati rice and the delicious sweet fruit litchis.
How to reach to Dehradun City:
By Air: Jolly Grant airport is the nearest airfield to Dehradun at a distance of 24 kilometres from the city.
By Rail: The nearest Railway station is the Dehradun Railway station, well connected with the main cities of the country. Buses to Mussoorie, taxis as well as auto rickshaws are available from the station.
Places to see around Dehradun City
Asan barrage Dehradun:
Asan barrage is a water sport complex developed by the Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam (GMVN). It is also known as ‘Dhalipur Lake’ and was built in 1967. The place is 43 kilometres from Dehradun on the Dehradun-Chandigarh highway.
Lacchiwala Dehradun
One of the favourite picnic spot of the Doonites, Lacchiwala is situated at a distance of 22 kilometres from Dehradun City on the Haridwar/Rishikesh Road. Accommodation is also available here in the beautiful Forest guest houses.
Rajaji National Park
Three sanctuaries, shivalik, motichur and chila were amalgated in 1983 into a National Park named after the great freedom fighter P Rajgopalchari, popularly called as ‘Rajaji”, thus Rajaji National Park came into existene.
Today the national park is home to 23 species of mammals including Elephants, Tigers, Leopards, Deer and Ghorals and 315 bird species. The park is spread over a distance of 820.20 square kilometres of beautiful forest.
The Park is open from September to mid June and is at a distance of 23 kilometres from Dehradun.
Dakpathar
At a distance of 45 kilometres from Dehradun City, Dakpathar is situated on the western Doon Valley in the Shivalik Range. The place is famous for its scenic beauty, and is considered by some, as the most beautiful place in the Doon Valley.