 The town stands on a plateau on the right bank of the Ravi river valley between Dhauladhar and Zanskar ranges south of the inner Himalayas. This town was founded by Raja Sahil Varman when he conquered the lower Rani valley from the petty chiefs called Ranas and Thakurs in the beginning of 10th Century. It seems the original name of the town was Champa as mentioned in Kalhan's Rajtarangani. In the bansauli or genealogical rolls of the Chamba Rajas a reference occurs of place which was adorned with highly fragrant Champaka trees and guarded by Goddess Champavati or more popularly known as Chameshni. The temple was built by Sahil Varman in the honour of his daughter Champavati who is worshipped as a goddess in Chamba. Champavati temple became the family temple of the ruling family.
The various tourist attractions in Chamba are Bhuri Singh Museum, Maharaja's Palace, Chamera Lake, Lakshmi Narayan Temple, Rang Mahal, Pangi Valley, Parbati Valley, Chaugan, Champavati Temple, Vajreshwari Temple, Sui Mata Temple, Chamunda Devi Temple, Hari Rai Temple, Akhand Chandi Palace and Saho. |
The Chamera dam has been built over the Ravi river. This lake offers numerous water sports facilities to the visitors. 
Bhuri Singh Museum was opened on 14th September 1908 and is named after Raja Bhuri Singh who ruled Chamba from 1904 to 1919. This museum is located very near to Chamba's Chaugan. Besides these major items of collections, there are coins, hill jewelry and costumes- both traditional and royal, arms and armour, musical instruments and various decorative objects. The old museum building which merged well with the landscape of Chamba was pulled down and the present concrete monolith was inaugurated in 1975. The museum remains open from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM throughout the year except on Monday and other gazetted holidays.
Chaugan is the heart and hub centre of all activities in Chamba. It is used as a polo ground and the name is etymologically distinct from Chaugan, the Persian name of Polo, being of Sanskrit origin and meaning 'four-sided'. Initially the five Chaugan were a single patch of meadow. In 1890s the leveling of the Chaugan was done. It became a public promenade and Cricket ground for the British. This grassy maidan is about less than one kilometers in length and about seventy-five meters wide. This maidan also becomes a busy local trading centre for villagers coming from the surrounding hills. Every year in Chaugan the 'Minjar' fair is held. This fair lasts for about a week and comprises of large number of sports and cultural activities. Local people can be seen promenading in the Chaugan till late night . 
Champavati Temple is located behind the City Police Post and Treasury building. As mentioned earlier the temple was built by Raja Sahil Varman in memory of his daughter Champavati who is believed to have influenced her father to set-up Chamba at its present location. The temple is in the Shikhara style with elaborate stone carving and the wheel roof. The size of this temple is equivalent to the largest of the Laxmi Narayana Temple.
Saho is situated about 20 kms. from Chamba on the right bank of Sal river. The village is situated on a high plateau of great beauty. Saho is famous for its temple dedicated to Lord Chandra Shekhara i.e. the moon-crowned God, Shiva. The temple is hidden behind the locality in a tree grove. Two magnificent images of Shiva can be seen at the entrance and a huge Shivalinga is enshrined in the sanctum. Facing the temple is a life size Nandi bull carved with fine details. According to Sarahan Prasasti, "the temple was constructed by Stayaki, a local Rana in order to establish friendship between his wife Somprabha and the daughter Parvati". It is believed that the temple belongs to a period earlier than transfer of seat of power from Bharmour to Chamba in 10th century. In the month of August/September a mela is held in the compound of the temple. This mela coincides with Manimahesh Yatra. During summer, Saho wears a golden mantle of wheat crop and in August/September the fields are lush green with paddy crop. The spring water of Saho is supposed to have medicinal value.
