"The Hill-Station with Rich Colonial History"
Shimla Tourism At A Glance
Probably the most popular hill station in northern India, Shimla is the capital city of Himachal Pradesh famous for its Mall road, the Ridge, toy train etc. among honeymooners and families alike.
Situated at a height of 2200 m, Shimla is one of the most eminent tourist destination in the country. Set amidst beautiful hills and mystical woods, Shimla is one of most aesthetically planned cities in India. An erstwhile summer capital of British India, this town's captivating natural beauty, and the atmosphere are bound to leave any tourist overwhelmed. The well-knit roads, impeccable cleanliness, and an efficient administration make for a perfect combination for any tourist destination in the world. This town has colonial-style buildings alongside the historic temples and the amalgamation of the worlds leaves everyone visiting this region spellbound. Within this city one must visit the Mall Road, The Ridge, Institute of Advanced Studies and Jakhu Temple. Shimla is also used as a base to cover other nearby places likeChail, Kufri, Naldehra, Mashobra, Tattapani and Narkanda. The toy train to Shimla from Kalka passes through beautiful hills and valleys and is one of the most beautiful train routes in the world.
Hotels in Shimla
Shimla has myriad options when it comes to accomodation facilities which range from budget to luxury. There are various guest houses and home-stays available here for tourists looking for more home-like environment to stay in.
What's Great?
The weather. It snows in winters and the landscape becomes all beautiful. One of the few hill stations to have an airport. One of the most developed hill stations.
What's not so Great?
The climate has started to become warmer with extreme colonization. The greenery has started to go away a little bit. One of the most congested hill stations.
For Whom
Perfect for people who want to have a short holiday and enjoy the weather as the winters approach. Extremely popular among students, couples, and adrenaline junkies. A stopping point to nearby hill stations.
With tourism at the heart of this hill-station, Shimla is no less than brimming with option for food. There are a number of eateries here from Dhabas, Bakeries, Local eating joints, Restaurants as well as fine dining restaurants. Shimla has a range of restaurants which serve different cuisines like North Indian, South Indian, Chinese, Continental etc. Surprisingly one may not find a lot of places in Shimla which serve the local Pahari food, since the cuisine has somewhat shifted to meet he needs of the town's countless visitors.
Commuting Within Shimla
Taxis and City buses are frequently available. A lot of part is only accessible on foot though. There are a few escalators near Mall road to take you to the top.
Itinerary
Day1- Reach Shimla by noon and unwind a little in the hotel room. Head out to the Mall Road by walking to enjoy the crisp air in the evening. Soak in the aura of the place and dine at local restaurants on the Mall Road. Day 2- You should consider visiting the Jaakhu temple, without which your trip to Shimla is not justified. If it's the winters, you could take a cab for half an hour to Kufri and enjoy the snow there with your loved ones. A perfect activity for the whole day. Or you could visit the Viceregal Lodge and lose yourself in the way the British indulged. Call it a day at the Church on the Ridge. Day 3- Wake up early, take a hike to the nearest hilltop and watch the sunrise. Walk into any bakery at the Mall Road for a continental breakfast; the British way. Head on for some local shopping at the Mall Road and the Lakkar Bazaar (also visit the Chota Bazaar for cheap overcoats, jackets, and blazers), to get little trinkets and curios. Head to the hotel by evening and call it a day, early.
The Religious Trail at Shimla
As it comes out, Shimla is the IT spot for all religious seekers; thanks to a number of temples and religious shrines here. The most famous of these happen to be the Jaakh temple, located on a hill dedicated to it, called the Jaakhu Hill. The temple is dedicated to Lord Hanuman and is characterized by a strong presence of monkeys in the vicinity of the temple. A little farther from the city of Shimla, right on the outskirts is the Tara Devi temple. Legend has it, that Goddess Tara Devi watches over the whole town and has a protective gaze, with the statement location of the temple on top of a hill. The location also gives out a feeling of serenity and peace. Shimla also happens to have its own Kali Bari! With the Kali Bari being older than 150 years, this abode of Goddess Kali is a popular tourist attraction and a spiritual hub both for locals and travelers. Talking about Goddess Kali, there is another temple dedicated to the Goddess Kali in Shimla, called the Shoolini Temple, that is dedicated to Maa Shoolini, who is considered an incarnation of Goddess Kali. The last week of June of every year witnesses the Shoolini Utsav that lasts for a good 3 days and is the highlight of people's visit during this time of the year. However, the oldest temple in the city remains the Laxminarayan Temple. As the name suggests, the temple is dedicated to Maa Laxmi, the Goddess of wealth and is flocked by lakhs of people every year.
Heritage Walk in Shimla
Shimla is a vintage city and had been the British's favourite destination to spend the summer, all thanks to the chilled weather of this place back then, that attracted the British from the hot and humid places. And so, you can find a lot of British touch to everything here; from the buildings, to the overall construction of the city, to even the food. There is an old world charm attached to this place. The most popular heritage building here being the Viceregal Lodge, also known as the Rashtrapati Niwas was the residence of the Viceory of India, during the British rule; the last person to live here being the Mountbattens and huses the infamous Partition Table. The Shimla Heritage Museum is also an attraction for tourists looking for all historical insight into the city and the state of Himachal in general. The Heritage Walk will make you see the British architecture that had a strong Scottish influence, definitely visible at the Church on the Mall Road. Also, a walk through the ridge will make you see the beauty of the hills!
Reviews about Shimla
- Beware of the monkeys on the streets. Don't tease them or offer them anything. They might try to grab more things from you.
Shimla the Queen of hill stations nice place to visit. Its open through out the year one can find snow in the month of Dec to Feb. Places to visit Kufri Kasuli Chamba and a hot water spring If you have spare time go to naldehra For bikers try the route shimla to keylong one can have bikes on rent from shimla. It takes 9days to complete round trip
Shimla is very beautiful place . I really enjoyed. http://www.agrawaltaxiwale.com/
shimla is best destination for honeymoond. :) http://newsbaki.com/top-8-famous-places-to-visit-near-delhi-most-romantic-beautiful-place-for-couples-historical-couple-ke-ghumne-ke-liye-jagha-best-famous-tourist-places-in-delhi-metro-station-hindi-language/
You can get followed by agents running behind your cars, to avoid any hassle, contact locals in Shimla who organize experiences on www.localguy.in
Questions about Shimla
By Rohit Shroff
When does it snow in Shimla?
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