SHIMLA
Shimla, has the majestic snow clad mountains, stunningly rich greenery and the beautiful lakes which greet you to enjoy their timeless beauty,no wonder it is called the Queen of Hill Stations.
The land so captivated the minds of the British when they ruled India that it was made their summer capital. The influence of British presence is glaringly evident in its buildings. One of the best features of Shimla is that you could visit it any season during a year.
Best season: May-July and September-November. In Oct-November weather is cool and enjoyable. The weather is generally cool at day and night. Enjoy the snowfall during winter season that starts from December and may extend till March. It is generally not preferable to visit Shimla during rainy season that may span to March to July for most of the time you will be confined to your rooms.
Tourist Attractions : The Mall, Viceregal lodge, Himachal State Museum, Jakhoo Hill, Annandale, Glen, Summer Hill, Chadwick Falls, Prospect Hill, Sanjauli, Temples, Daranghati Sanctuary.
Nearby Tourist Destinations : Chail, Kasauli, Kufri, Solan, Nahan, Narkanda, Renuka Lake, Sarahan, Sirmour, Mashobra & Craignano, Naldehra, Rampur, Sarol, Dharamshala.
MAJOT TOURIST ATTRACTION IN SHIMLA :
THE RIDGE :
The large open space in the heart of town presents excellent view of the mountain ranges. Shimla's landmarks-the Neo-Gothic structure of Christ Church and the new-Tudor library building are worth seeing. The Ridge is not just a market place but also the social hub of the city. This wide open space is thronged by locals and nature enthusiasts as well as travellers bored of the sightseeing. The road is lined with cafes, bars, boutiques, shops and restaurants attracting the huge crowd that visit the famous Mall Road. It runs from east to west on the side of the Mall Road and connects it to the famous Scandal Point on the west end. On the east end, it is connected to the Lakkar Bazaar, which is the most famous wooden crafts market in Shimla.
MALL ROAD :
Located below The Ridge, Mall Road offers a glimpse of Shimla in a nutshell. It is filled with many shops, cafes, restaurants, book shops and many tourist attractions.
CHRIST CHURCH :-
A exquisite example of neo-gothic architecture, Christ Church has been an irreplaceable part of Shimla's scenery. Located on The Ridge, it was built in the year 1857 and it took almost 3 years to complete this architectural marvel. The stained glass windows, the clock tower and the frescos are some of the attractions of this church. It also houses the largest pipe organ in India.
JAKHOO HILL :
Situated 2 km from Shimla, Jakhoo Hill is the highest peak in the entire hill station offers scenic view of the city and snow capped Himalayan Mountains. The 8000 feet Jakhoo Hill is a famous tourist attraction that is visited by nature lovers and pilgrims as well. It is home to the ancient Jakhoo Temple, which has a large statue of Hanuman, its chief deity.
KUFRI :
Kufri is located 19 kms away from Shimla,at an altitude of 2580 meters and in the Himalayan foothills, the hill station delights nature lovers and adventurers alike. It is also known for nature parks and picnic spots. Kufri along with some places around Shimla once belonged to the Nepal kingdom. It is famous for winter sports. An annual winter sports festival is organized every year in the month of February in Kufri, when skiing enthusiasts and adventure seekers participate in this festival. It is famous for its ski slopes, and panoramic views where deep valleys and forests rise towards the lofty Himalayas
THE HIMALAYAN NATURE PARK (ZOO)
It is also called as Kufri National Park. Sprawled over 90 hectares, this park has a wide range of Himalayan flora and fauna. It has over 180 species of birds and a large variety of animals living here.. Animals like leopards, hangals, barking deers, musk deers and brown bears are spotted commonly in this park. The place where this park is situated also gives one a spectacular view of the entire snow – capped Himalayan range.
THE SHIMLA STATE MUSEUM :
The Shimla State Museum is situated at the top of Mount Pleasant. Also known as Himachal State Museum and Library, it was built in the year 1974. It was constructed to preserve the cultural richness of the state and to record its rich past. The colonial style building amidst marvelous lawns in itself is an inspiring sight. It gives you an in depth view of the city’s glorious past. It has a stunning collection of various objects relating to art, cultural anthropology and archaeology. The sculptures, paintings, handicrafts and coins are some of the classic collections found here.
KALKA SHIMLA RAILWAY :
The route, which measures 96 km in length, was laid by the British in the year 1903 to gain access to Shimla, the erstwhile summer capital. Kalka Shimla Railway's inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage Site's list on July 8, 2008 is one of the main events in its history.It passes through 20 stations, 102 tunnels and 864 bridges, and between every two stations, two tunnels and two bridges, there is boundless natural beauty to behold! The three-stage Arch Gallery (Bridge No. 493), Bridge No. 226 (5 tier galleries of multiple spans) and the longest tunnel in Barog are some of the stupendous architectural feats that add uniqueness to the route.
SUMMER HILL :
Summer Hill is also called as Potter’s Hill. In the past, this was where potters used to gather clay to make pots. At a height of 1283 meter above sea level, Summer Hill offers spectacular views of the valley and the greenery around. It is 5 km from the famous Ridge, which is frequented by tourists in great numbers.
INDIAN INSTITUTE OF ADVANCED STUDY :
The Indian Institute of Advanced Study is housed in the famous Viceregal Lodge situated on top of the Observatory Hill. Viceregal Lodge is also called Rashtrapati Niwas. The building was constructed between 1880 and 1888 during British reign. The year 1965 saw the establishment of Indian Institute of Advanced Study here by Dr. Radhakrishnan.
NALDEHRA AND SHAILY PEAK :
Naldehra is a picturesque hill station at 2044 m altitude above sea level. The irresistible natural richness made Lord Curzon establish a Golf Course here. Dense deodar trees and stunning greenery create magic in the atmosphere. The snow-clad Himalayan Mountains are a delight to watch from here.
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SOME OTHER ATTRACTION
1.ANNANDALE :
A serene location of Shimla replete with mesmerizing vistas, a sporty golf club, an Indian Army Museum, a Cactus museum and a tranquil aura to spell bound you with. This flat terrain was once the playground for the British, who played cricket and polo here.
Attractions Near Shimla (Day Trips)
Mashobra (13 km)
Peaceful town with apple orchards and forest walks.Great for picnics and bird-watching..
Chail (45 km)
Known for the world’s highest cricket ground and Chail Palace.
Tattapani (50 km)
Hot sulfur springs on the banks of the Sutlej River.Offers rafting, boating, and spiritual experiences.
Fagu (20 km)
A small village with terraced fields and apple orchards.Ideal for nature lovers and offbeat travel.