Shimla is the capital and the largest city of the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. It gets the name from Shyamala Mata, an incarnation of the goddess Kali. Pleasant summers and snow-covered winters make Shimla a favorite weekend getaway for tourists all year-round. From honeymooners to adventure seekers, the city serves as a charming retreat to a large number of people.
Fabulously lush forests, vast valleys and colonial ambiance, all come together to lend this hill station a charm of its own. Read on to find out the best of places to visit in Shimla.
Famous places to visit in Shimla:
Shimla has a long list of tourist attractions. In winter the ground is covered with natural snow and this is the time when skating is really fun. Trekking is popular too. Tourists can explore Naldehra and Salogra by ATV. Rivers such as Vyas, Ravi, Chenab and Jhelum offer tourists the opportunity to go rafting. Driving a little further, places like Kufri, Fagu and Narkanda may also be explored. They are equally beautiful and quieter than the main town. Here is a list of places in Shimla that must not be missed.
1. Kalka Shimla Toy Train:
The Kalka-Shimla train ride is a highlight of Shimla tourism. Built in 1898, this narrow-gauge railway has recently been added to the mountain railways of India World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Winding through the extremely scenic and mountainous route from the Shivalik Range foothills at Kalka (Haryana) to Shimla, the train ride offers spectacular views of the surrounding hills and villages. This journey will amaze you to no end as the train will pass through over 100 tunnels and around 800 bridges.
2. Jakhoo Temple:
Covered in a blanket of alpine trees, Jakhoo Hill is the highest point of Shimla and offers scenic views of the snow-covered Shivalik Ranges. The hill is also home to the tallest statue of Lord Hanuman. A temple stands at the very spot where Lord Hanuman is believed to have rested for a while during his journey to bring the Sanjeevani Booti for Lakshman’s revival during the war of Ramayan.
3. Mall Road:
Like all hill stations, Shimla too has its own Mall Road. It extends from the Clarke Hotel to Scandal Point. With a plethora of cafes, restaurants, showrooms and shops selling trinkets and exclusive handicraft works, this is one place where you can soak in the spirit of Shimla in all its touristy delights.
4. The Viceregal Lodge:
The former Viceregal lodge of Shimla is a majestic colonial mansion, located on the Observatory Hills of Shimla and makes for an amazing afternoon excursion. The structure draws inspiration from the architectural style of the English Renaissance, and also reflects elements of the castles of the Scottish Highlands. The Viceregal Lodge is closed for public on Mondays.
5. Kali Bari:
Dedicated to the presiding deity, Goddess Shyamala, the temple boasts of architectural beauty as well as religious significance. Located very close to the Mall Road, it is an ideal spot to spend some serene moments. Another 250 year old temple is the Tara Devi Temple, atop Tara Parvat. Goddess Tara, a goddess of the Tibetan Buddhists and one of Goddess Durga’s nine sisters, is the presiding deity here.
6. Christ Church:
The Christ Church is the second oldest church in Northern India, dating back to 1857. Situated on The Ridge, it is one of the prominent landmarks of Shimla and a fine display of neo-Gothic architecture. With stained glass windows, a pipe organ, a clock tower and a rich collection of old scriptures, Christ Church stands out for its grandeur.
7. Scandal Point:
This where the Maharaja of Patiala had abducted the daughter of the British Viceroy. It is a photographers’ paradise for capturing amazing views of sunset. The General Post Office stands near Scandal Point where the Mall road joins Ridge road on the west side.
8. Chadwick Falls:
Located in Glen forests, Chadwick Falls is a 1586 mt tall water fall. Located only 7km from the main city, it offers the perfect trek to start your day with. Begin the trek early morning and try to catch the sunrise from the waterfall. The rising sun makes everything poetic and the waterfall gets soaked in magic.
9. Gaiety Cultural Heritage Complex:
The Gaiety Cultural Heritage Complex or Gaiety Theatre is a Victorian-style monument designed by Architect Henry Irwin. The Victorian façade has been restored several times over the years and the grandiose of the interiors have often been compared to great theatres like London’s Albert Hall. The art gallery in this complex exhibits traditional and modern art.
10. Dorje Drak Monastery:
This is a monastery built in the Nyingma tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, also known as Thubten Evam Dorje Drag. The Monastery is just 100 mt from Panthaghat Bus stand. The scenic views and the serene ambiance of the place attracts tourists.
Places to explore around Shimla:
This is one of the most picturesque places, located around 20km from Shimla. Located at an altitude of 2622 meters, Kufri is also called the winter sports capital. When it snows in the hills, people throng Kufri to indulge in adventure sports like skiing and ice-skating. This hill station is also known for Himalayan wildlife. One can easily spot rare antelopes, felines, and the famous Himalayan Monal. Apart from this, exciting trekking can also be enjoyed through the hill trails here.
Chail is another quaint village, situated 45km from Shimla. The 360 degree panoramic view from Kali Ka Tibba is breathtaking and ideal for photography enthusiasts. At an altitude of around 2,144m, the Chail Cricket Ground is the highest cricket ground in the world. A short 2km walk away from the Chail market, the stadium is encircled by the tall deodars on all sides and the location of the stadium also offers stunning views of the Sutlej Valley and the hill stations of Shimla and Kasauli.
This is a tiny hamlet, famous for its ski slopes. Hatu Peak in Narkanda is the highest peak in the entire Shimla district and offers stunning views of the valley around.
Best things to do in Shimla:
1 Take a Walk on The Ridge: The ridge is the area between Jakhoo Hill and the Observatory. This is the place where Shimla’s Summer Festival is held. Walk back in time through the fascinating lanes around colonial-style buildings, the church and library.
2 Trek to Jakhoo Hill: At a height of 2,455 meters, the top of Jhaku hill offers a mesmerizing view of Shimla and the entire Shivalik range around. It is a light trek of about 30 minutes to the top through lush forest terrain.
3 Go Shopping: While you are in Shimla, do not forget to do some shopping at the famous Mall Road and buy yourself some souvenirs. The Lakka Bazaar is the another place to go if you want to experience shopping from quaint stores and meet the amiable locals. Lower Bazaar and Tibetan Market have the cheaper versions of the same stuff available in other areas.
4. River Rafting: If the thrill of paddling through violent waters is what you seek then Shimla can be your next destination. The 12 Km long rafting stretch from Chabba to Tattapani takes about 2 hours to finish and will give you the fun you seek.
5. Ice Skating: Water begins to freeze at the ice skating ground located on the northern slope of the Ridge. This excites ice skating enthusiasts from India and abroad. The ice skating season lasts from November to around February every year. A Carnival is held at the open air rink around the festive week between Christmas and New Year's Day.
How to reach Shimla?
Now that you know about all the places to see in Shimla, lets find out how to reach Shimla.
Air: You can fly to the Jubbarhati Airport, which is about 23km from the town of Shimla. There is one flight connecting New Delhi with Shimla every day. It takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes to reach.
Road: Getting to Shimla from New Delhi by road is very convenient. It takes only about 7-8 hrs to complete the journey. The route you would be following is Delhi-Sonipat-Panipat-Ambala-Kalka-Shimla. Shimla is very well connected by a regular bus service. HRTC and HPTDC operate daily buses from Shimla to places like Delhi, Chandigarh, Jaipur, etc.
Rail: You can reach Kalka by either a train from Delhi or Chandigarh, after which you can board the toy train to Shimla. The toy train is one that everyone must experience at least once in their lifetime. The toy train runs slow and gives you breathtaking views of the mountains.
Where to Stay in Shimla?
Shimla has a wide choice of hotels for every category of traveller.
The Oberoi Cecil is top choice in the luxury category of hotels in Shimla. This has been an exclusive 5-star property since the times of the British. A Heritage Grand Hotel with rich wooden floors, glowing fireplaces, a grand atrium lobby, temperature-controlled swimming pool and panoramic mountain views, The Oberoi Cecil’s warm ambiance is a trademark in the hospitality segment. Other hotels offering opulent vacation options are The Radisson Hotel and Welcomhotel by ITC Hotels. Tariff for a couple for a night in these hotels start at around INR 18000 in these hotels.
In mid-range category, The Clarkes Hotel is very popular. Clarkes Hotel resembles a grand colonial bungalow, with all the elegance and grace of the British Imperial era. The 32 rooms and suites are tastefully appointed and some of them offer spectacular views of the mountains or Shimla. Snow Valley Resorts and Marigold Sarovar Portico are popular. Tariff for a double occupancy room ranges between INR 6000 and 9000 in these properties.
For the budget travellers, hotels and hostels are also available. Zostel has its properties in Theog / Mashobra / Fagu. Abuzz Oxfordcaps Simla features rooms with mountain views and free WiFi. The property offers a shared kitchen, a shared lounge and organizing tours for guests.
Here's a list of amazing properties where you can stay under Rs 1500 per night, in and around Shimla.
Best time to Visit Shimla:
Don't waste time overthinking. Be it your summer trip or winter adventure, visit Shimla for a wholesome experience. The summers can be moderately warm but winters will be extremely cold.
Between late December and early February, Shimla receives plenty of snow each year and turns into a winter wonderland. The months of July and August are of monsoon when incessant rains and landslides could ruin your holidays.
The apple harvesting season begins in mid-July and ends in August.
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