Shimla is a holiday destination that sets in a spree of excitement and delight in everybody’s heart. Be it a summer holiday, a honeymoon trip, an adventurous excursion or a break from monotonous and hectic daily routine, Shimla is a perfect destination to visit. Whosoever visits Shimla returns home with numerous unforgettable memories to treasure for life.
Shimla is the capital city of north Indian state of Himachal Pradesh and also the most visited and favorite hill station of north India. Being the most cherished hill station of the country, Shimla is also known as ‘Queen of Hill Stations’. Surrounding the city are the snow clad Himalayan Mountains and lush green pastures that are the most significant feature of the city’s natural beauty. Owing to the magnificence of its scenic beauty, Shimla has also been the summer capital of British during their rule on India. The city offers a complete delight to its visitors with the charm of colonial architectures, temple-topped peaks and buzzing markets.
Major attractions in Shimla
- Mall Road – Located at the heart of the city, Mall is a must-visit place for all those who visit Shimla. It was built by British during their rule on India and is the busiest commercial area of Shimla. This bustling market has a plethora of restaurants, cafes and shops where you can enjoy evening tea/coffee and shopping. The Gaiety Theatre and Scandal point are popular spots on Mall Road.
- The Shimla Ridge – Located along the Mall Road, Ridge Road is a large open space in the center of Shimla and is also the hub of all the cultural activities of Shimla.
- Jakhu – Dedicated to Lord Hanuman, Jakhu temple is an ancient Hindu temple situated on the top of Jakhu Hill in Shimla. The hill offers an amazing view of the Shimla city. It is located at a distance of 2 kms from the center of the city.
- Annandale – Located at a distance of 2 km from the heart of the city, Annandale is a famous picnic spot. It has developed as a playground where people can enjoy playing several games such as cricket and royal sport Polo.
- Shimla State Museum and Library – This is another renowned tourist spot of Shimla which lies at a distance of about 2.5 kilometers from the center of the city. The exhibits of ancient coins, sculptures, paintings and photographs are the prime feature of the museum. The miniature Pahari paintings that ceased to exist with the onset of modern forms of art are another prized possession of this museum.
Other important places to visit in Shimla are –
- Summer Hill
- Tara Devi
- Mashobra
- Kufri
- Naldehra
- Chail
- Glenn
- Viceregal Lodge
- Christ Church
- Kinnaur Kailash
- Rashtrapati Niwas
- Baijnath Temple
Best time to visit
Shimla is undoubtedly an all-year-round holiday destination with every season having its own charisma. Summers here are mild and pleasant when you can save yourself from the scorching heat while enjoying a walk in nature’s lap and trekking amidst the beautiful flowers and pines. Monsoons here are a bit messy with a little risk of landslides. In winters you can relish the winter-sports, ice-skating carnival and snow-fall. While the place is flocked with tourists all through the year, it is advisable to pre-book your hotels and travel tickets when you plan a visit to the ‘Queen of hill stations’.
How to Reach
Air – The nearest airport is Jubarhati which is at a distance of 23 km from the Shimla city. There are regular flights from Delhi and Chandigarh airport to Jubarhati airport from where you can easily hire a taxi to reach the city.
Rail – Shimla has a railway station which is very near to the center of the town. The famous toy train plying between Kalka and Shimla covers a distance of 96 kilometers taking about 7 hours.
Road – Shimla is well connected by way of roads with Delhi and Chandigarh. The roads are quite well- maintained. There are also many state and private transport buses available to Shimla from all the major towns and cities of North India.
