Shimla travel is one amongst the foremost happening things of the country. It's a favorite destination of tourists everywhere the country. A vacation in Shimla, within the extremely pleasant climate, can provide you with recollections to care for all of your life.
This hill station is encircled by monumental pine and true deodar trees from all around. It is also termed as the 'Queen of hills'.
Shimla hill station is still the colonial summer capital (resort) to which British used to retreat in when heat of Indio-Gangetic plains used to become unbearable. Be it grey-stone work of Vice Regal Lodge, or Gaiety Theatre putting neo-gothic architectural excellence, the beauty of building seem to come alive and not only staying in eyes of beholder. The Elizabethan style mixed and merged with different other forms in buildings like Ellerslie, Christ Church, Gorton Castle, Wood Ville, etc are a must-see
By Train The nearest railway station to Shimla is at Kalka, after which one can take the Kalka-Shimla train, which operates on a narrow gauge and offers breathtaking views of the mountains. Here are a few trains to Kalka:
By Road The Himachal Pradesh Road Transport Corporation offers regular bus services to Shimla from various cities like Delhi, Chandigarh and Kalka.
By Air The Shimla airport is about 22 km away from the city centre and is served by regular flights from Delhi. One can hire a taxi from the airport to reach Shimla.
Getting around Shimla
The best way to get around Shimla would be by buses which play regularly. Since it is a small town, another good way is to explore.
Jakhoo Temple
Category : Religious
The Jakhoo Temple is an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman. Located on Jakhoo Hill, 2.5 km from the Ridge, the Jakhoo Temple offers beautiful views of the Shivalik Mountains and the nearby town of Sanjauli. Read More >>
The Ridge of Shimla
The snow capped mountain ranges engulfed in the beauty of the nature is a phenomenal view that the Ridge of Shimla offers to the crowd.
More known for the open space and picturesque view of surrounding hills, it is a path one ought to come to is has decided to see scandal point and intended to go to Lakkad Bazaar. Read More >>
Shimla State Museum
Category : History & Culture
The Shimla State Museum houses a huge collection of magnificent paintings, sculptures, coins, handicrafts, photos, etc of not only the state of Himachal Pradesh but outside too.
The state museum is a major attraction of the Mall area of Shimla built in the style of colonial edifice with sprawling lawns all around. This museum was inaugurated in 1974.Read More >>
George Castle
Category : History & Culture
Also known as the Shimla of Madhya Pradesh, Shivpuri is an ancient town in Gwalior, whose dense forests were used as the hunting grounds for the Mughal Emperors.
The royalty of this small place lies in the exquisite hunting lodges and palaces that were built by the Scindia Rulers. Madhav National Park, the hunting preserve of the rulers of Gwalior, houses the most beautiful creation by them-The George Castle.Read More >>
Himachal State Museum
Category : History & Culture
Himachal State Museum: A colonial building laid out in a spacious lawn, this museum is located on the Mall Road and is home to an excellent collection of coins, photographs and local handicrafts.
Tara Devi Temple
Category : Religious
Tara Devi Temple is situated at a height of 1851 meters above sea level. Tara Devi Temple is situated at a distance of 11 kilometers from Shimla.
Tara Devi Temple is accessible by rail, bus and car. The road is the National Highway 22 (NH 22). Read More >>
Summer Hill
Category : Nature
Summer Hill: Located 5 km from the Ridge is the beautiful little township of Summer Hill.
Sitting at an altitude of 5600 feet on the Shimla- Kalkarailway line, this is where Mahatma Gandhi used to stay when he used to visit Shimla. This is also where the Himachal Pradesh University is situated.
Gaiety Heritage Cultural Complex
Category : History & Culture
Gaiety Heritage Cultural Complex: One of the most historic places in Shimla, the Gaiety Heritage Cultural Complex is 122 years old and has been recently been reopened to the public.
The theatre is built in a Gothic Victorial style and is an important centre for various cultural and literary events.
Seven Hills
With a major tourist attraction on every hill, Shimla is surrounded by these beauties augmented by the sensible designing of the city by British.
Prospect, Summer, Observatory, Invererarm, Bantony, Jakhu and Elysium are the names of the hill that hold at least one significant tourist attraction.
The Glen
A picnic spot of sorts, this place is charmingly scenic with deodar and pine forests along with Chadwick falls.
Some sources claim the place to be oldest picnic spot of Shimla, reached easily from Scandal Point, another attraction of Shimla travel.
Himalayan Bird Park
For avid bird watchers, the place is good to spot some of the rare Himalayan species of these winged creatures.
Himalayan Aviary or the Himalayan Bird Park is nearby the Vice regal lodge situated in Shimla at a height of over 2000 meters and a wonderful place for nature lovers.
It has natural green pastures filled with rare plants and trees.
Besides, it also has a huge collection of bird species like the Peafowl, Pheasants, Himalayan Monal (Himachal Pradesh State bird), Peacock, etc. It is best to visit the park in summer as it is gets snowed during the winter.
Sankat Mochan
This temple is located 7 kilometers from Shimla.
Sankat Mochan Temple is situated at an altitude of 1851 meters from sea level.
Sankat Mochan Temple is dedicated to Lord Hanuman- a God of the Hindu Pantheon. Read More >>
Naldehra
Naldehra: Naldehra is 23 kilometers from Shimla.
It has India's oldest nine hole golf course laid out by Lord Curzon during the era of the British Raj.
Chail
Chail is situated at a distance of 45 kilometers from Shimla city. Chail has the unique distinction of having the highest cricket pitch in the world.
The twinkling lights of Shimla from Chail is a memorable sight. Read More >>
Kufri
Kufri is a winter sports capital. Kufri is situated at an altitude of 2622 meters above sea level Skiing can be pursued in Kufri.
It takes approximately one hour to drive to Kufri from Shimla city
Shopping in Shimla
Shimla is famous for its handicrafts and other handmade artifacts. The best place to go shopping in Shimla is the Mall Road from where you can buy many interesting souvenirs and gift items.
Another popular buy there are the colourful Himachali caps. When in Shimla, don't forget to check out their beautiful shawls which come in intricate designs, threadwork and mirror work.
Lower Bazaar, also known as Sabzi Mandi, is another popular place to go for shopping in Shimla. One can buy carved wooden walking sticks here.
The gravies prepared are thick and aromatic. Though primarily vegetarian, red meat also forms an important part of the Himachali food.
Tourist Map of Shimla
This hill station is encircled by monumental pine and true deodar trees from all around. It is also termed as the 'Queen of hills'.
Shimla hill station is still the colonial summer capital (resort) to which British used to retreat in when heat of Indio-Gangetic plains used to become unbearable. Be it grey-stone work of Vice Regal Lodge, or Gaiety Theatre putting neo-gothic architectural excellence, the beauty of building seem to come alive and not only staying in eyes of beholder. The Elizabethan style mixed and merged with different other forms in buildings like Ellerslie, Christ Church, Gorton Castle, Wood Ville, etc are a must-see
How to Reach Shimla
Being a popular tourist destination, Shimla is very well connected to
the rest of the country. Here is how you can reach Shimla: By Train The nearest railway station to Shimla is at Kalka, after which one can take the Kalka-Shimla train, which operates on a narrow gauge and offers breathtaking views of the mountains. Here are a few trains to Kalka:
- Jhelum Express: From Pune
- Himalayan Queen: From Delhi
- Paschim Express: From Mumbai
By Road The Himachal Pradesh Road Transport Corporation offers regular bus services to Shimla from various cities like Delhi, Chandigarh and Kalka.
By Air The Shimla airport is about 22 km away from the city centre and is served by regular flights from Delhi. One can hire a taxi from the airport to reach Shimla.
Getting around Shimla
The best way to get around Shimla would be by buses which play regularly. Since it is a small town, another good way is to explore.
Best time to visit
The ideal time for visiting Shimla is in the months of April to May or
December to January. Shimla is well connected by air with Delhi and
Kullu. The Chandigarh airport being nearby, one can also avail a flight
from any major city in India to reach Shimla via Chandigarh. Even there
are bus services available.
Shimla Travel Tips
Shimla travel tips are very important before you plan for a visit to
this hill resort. Travelling in Shimla becomes more enjoyable, if you go
by the below mentioned travel tips. Some travel tips of Shimla are: - Cotton clothes are recommended during summer season, though you may need to wear some light winter garments in summer too. In the winter season, the climate is very chilling, so heavy woollen garments are a must.
- Shops are open from Monday to Saturday.
- For dining, restaurants are open till eleven at night.
- Though credit cards are accepted, it is advisable to carry cash in pocket.
Some Do’s of Shimla travel tips
- Drink boiled or mineral water
- Carry lotions
- Carry medicines
- If you want to drive to Shimla, then carry additional fuel with you.
- Ask for fare chart if the taxis or auto-rickshaws do not have a meter.
- Negotiate with porters while trekking on animal’s back.
- Dispose off waste materials carefully.
Some Don’ts of Shimla travel tips
- Try to avoid strangers.
- Don’t buy antiques and products made out of endangered animals.
- Don’t leave non-biodegradable items here and there.
Places to Visit in Shimla
Attraction literally means something that draws attention due to a
significant appeal. When discussing Shimla, the whole city becomes the
embodiment of this single word, as portrayed by different integrals that
combined to make it. Here are some of them-
Christ Church
Category : Religious
Christ Church One of the oldest churches in North India, Christ Church
was built by the British in 1857 to serve the large Anglican British
community in the area.
Built in the Neo-Gothic style of architecture,
Christ Church is one of the long lasting legacies of British rule in
India and is one of Shimla's most recognized landmarks. Read More >>
Jakhoo Temple
Category : Religious
The Jakhoo Temple is an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman. Located on Jakhoo Hill, 2.5 km from the Ridge, the Jakhoo Temple offers beautiful views of the Shivalik Mountains and the nearby town of Sanjauli. Read More >>
The Ridge of Shimla
Category : History & Culture
The Ridge of Shimla is a large open spacious platform from where you can
have a panoramic view of the mountain peaks of Shimla. The snow capped mountain ranges engulfed in the beauty of the nature is a phenomenal view that the Ridge of Shimla offers to the crowd.
More known for the open space and picturesque view of surrounding hills, it is a path one ought to come to is has decided to see scandal point and intended to go to Lakkad Bazaar. Read More >>
Shimla State Museum
Category : History & Culture
The Shimla State Museum houses a huge collection of magnificent paintings, sculptures, coins, handicrafts, photos, etc of not only the state of Himachal Pradesh but outside too.
The state museum is a major attraction of the Mall area of Shimla built in the style of colonial edifice with sprawling lawns all around. This museum was inaugurated in 1974.Read More >>
George Castle
Category : History & Culture
Also known as the Shimla of Madhya Pradesh, Shivpuri is an ancient town in Gwalior, whose dense forests were used as the hunting grounds for the Mughal Emperors.
The royalty of this small place lies in the exquisite hunting lodges and palaces that were built by the Scindia Rulers. Madhav National Park, the hunting preserve of the rulers of Gwalior, houses the most beautiful creation by them-The George Castle.Read More >>
Himachal State Museum
Category : History & Culture
Himachal State Museum: A colonial building laid out in a spacious lawn, this museum is located on the Mall Road and is home to an excellent collection of coins, photographs and local handicrafts.
Tara Devi Temple
Category : Religious
Tara Devi Temple is situated at a height of 1851 meters above sea level. Tara Devi Temple is situated at a distance of 11 kilometers from Shimla.
Tara Devi Temple is accessible by rail, bus and car. The road is the National Highway 22 (NH 22). Read More >>
Summer Hill
Category : Nature
Summer Hill: Located 5 km from the Ridge is the beautiful little township of Summer Hill.
Sitting at an altitude of 5600 feet on the Shimla- Kalkarailway line, this is where Mahatma Gandhi used to stay when he used to visit Shimla. This is also where the Himachal Pradesh University is situated.
Gaiety Heritage Cultural Complex
Category : History & Culture
Gaiety Heritage Cultural Complex: One of the most historic places in Shimla, the Gaiety Heritage Cultural Complex is 122 years old and has been recently been reopened to the public.
The theatre is built in a Gothic Victorial style and is an important centre for various cultural and literary events.
Seven Hills
With a major tourist attraction on every hill, Shimla is surrounded by these beauties augmented by the sensible designing of the city by British.
Prospect, Summer, Observatory, Invererarm, Bantony, Jakhu and Elysium are the names of the hill that hold at least one significant tourist attraction.
The Glen
A picnic spot of sorts, this place is charmingly scenic with deodar and pine forests along with Chadwick falls.
Some sources claim the place to be oldest picnic spot of Shimla, reached easily from Scandal Point, another attraction of Shimla travel.
Himalayan Bird Park
For avid bird watchers, the place is good to spot some of the rare Himalayan species of these winged creatures.
Himalayan Aviary or the Himalayan Bird Park is nearby the Vice regal lodge situated in Shimla at a height of over 2000 meters and a wonderful place for nature lovers.
It has natural green pastures filled with rare plants and trees.
Besides, it also has a huge collection of bird species like the Peafowl, Pheasants, Himalayan Monal (Himachal Pradesh State bird), Peacock, etc. It is best to visit the park in summer as it is gets snowed during the winter.
Sankat Mochan
This temple is located 7 kilometers from Shimla.
Sankat Mochan Temple is situated at an altitude of 1851 meters from sea level.
Sankat Mochan Temple is dedicated to Lord Hanuman- a God of the Hindu Pantheon. Read More >>
Naldehra
Naldehra: Naldehra is 23 kilometers from Shimla.
It has India's oldest nine hole golf course laid out by Lord Curzon during the era of the British Raj.
Chail
Chail is situated at a distance of 45 kilometers from Shimla city. Chail has the unique distinction of having the highest cricket pitch in the world.
The twinkling lights of Shimla from Chail is a memorable sight. Read More >>
Kufri
Kufri is a winter sports capital. Kufri is situated at an altitude of 2622 meters above sea level Skiing can be pursued in Kufri.
It takes approximately one hour to drive to Kufri from Shimla city
Shopping in Shimla
Shimla is famous for its handicrafts and other handmade artifacts. The best place to go shopping in Shimla is the Mall Road from where you can buy many interesting souvenirs and gift items.
Another popular buy there are the colourful Himachali caps. When in Shimla, don't forget to check out their beautiful shawls which come in intricate designs, threadwork and mirror work.
Lower Bazaar, also known as Sabzi Mandi, is another popular place to go for shopping in Shimla. One can buy carved wooden walking sticks here.
Shimla Cuisine
The Himachali cuisine is very similar to that of the rest of the
Northern India. The staple items of Himachali food are roti, rice, daal
and sabzi (curried vegetables).The gravies prepared are thick and aromatic. Though primarily vegetarian, red meat also forms an important part of the Himachali food.
Hotels in Shimla
Just as with every popular place, Shimla has numerous options that could
be picked for accommodation during stay. Hotels in Shimla are found in
range befitting to the budget tourist have kept aside; the only trick is
to really be able to locate them at the right time. Peak season of
summer and winters are a challenge to get the most suitable of them, not
because of availability issues but mostly because of issues of finding
the one.
Budget Hotels
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5 Star Hotels
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Tourist Map of Shimla
