Sambalpur serves as the gateway to the bewitching western zone of Orissa, abounding in lush green forests, colourful wildlife, exquisite array of hills, waterfalls of streaming pearls, rich tribal life and culture, folk songs and dances and a variety of monuments. Sambalpur finds mention in the book of Ptolemy (2nd century A.D) as "Sambalaka" on the bank of the river "Manada" (presently known as the river Mahanadi). 

The records of the Chinese traveller Hiuen T’ Sang speaks about the flourishing Buddhist University of Parimalgiri which had its campus on the present Gandhamardhan hills of the district. Being the cradle of an ancient civilisation and cultural formentation of our country. Associated with the celebrated name of its ruler Indrabhuti, the teacher profounder of the Vajrayana Buddhism, Sambalpur has earned a place in the cultural history of India. As yet undeciphered pictographic writings on the walls of Vikramkhol point to the hoary antiquity of the cultural heritage of the district.

The town Sambalpur, the district headquarters, can be conveniently made the base for visiting the various places of interest in the district as well as the other districts of Western Orissa. To suggest a few, a travellers’ itinerary for the district of Sambalpur may include Hirakud Dam, Nrisinghnath Hills, Ushakothi(Badrama)Sanctuary, Pradhanpat waterfall and Humma temple in addition to other places of individual choice.

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