Shimla, once upon a time the most important British hill resort, is now a lovely sprawling town. Nestled in spectacular, cool hills it has a quaint old word charm about it that is particularly endearing. Named after it's patron goddess, Shamla Devi, it is located at an altitude of 7267, feet around a crescent-shaped ridge.

Visitors here can enjoy superb sights of the valleys and lofty peaks of the great Himalayan range while being caressed by the cool air. One can also enjoy the colourful local bazaars of Shimla, spread over the ridge.

Shimla also is a convenient base for variety of adventure sports such as Skiing, Trekking, Fishing and Golfing etc. Shimla becomes a frost glistening silent city. A gathering of dark clouds tells us of the approach of snow generally a slight fall first, followed by a heavier one when the snowflakes sweep down through the fine-needles bending long branches to the ground. The following morning sees the town as a fantastic fairyland of white beauty.

Prime Attractions of Shimla

» The Mall
The Mall is the main shopping centre of Shimla. It also has many restaurants, clubs, banks, bars, Post Offices and tourist offices. The Gaiety Theatre is also situated there. People walk up and down the Mall slowly, stopping to gossip, as it is the main meeting place for everyone. The Ridge and Scandal point are the two main meeting points at the Mall.

» Chadwick Falls
Two km beyond the Summer Hill and seven km from Shimla are the Chadwick Falls which was once the site of a 67 metre aquatic spectacle. Today there is a silent gorge which is flocked by many picnickers. It is really worth visiting during or just after the monsoons - from July to October.

» Christ Church
Situated on the Ridge is Christ Church, which is the second oldest church in Northern India. It has a very majestic appearance and inside there are stained glass windows which represent faith, hope, charity, fortitude, patience and humility. Christ Church is a place all visitors should spend some time in.

» The Glen
About four km west of Scandal Corner, a sprightly stream flows through the Glen forests at an altitude of 1830 metres. The Glen is a delightful secluded spot for picnics over the weekend.

» Annadale
Beyond the Glen is a small patch of table land about a quarter of a mile in circumfrence known as the Annadale. Once the playgrounds of Shimla, where racing, polo and cricket entertained the 'sahibs and memsahibs' of the Empire, Annadale still attracts picinickers and occasional visitors. This was the site of a famous racecourse, where cricket and polo are still played.

» Prospect Hill
About five km west of Shimla and a 15 minute climb from Boileauganj is Prospect Hill, a popular picnic spot with fine views over the surrounding country.

» 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 is worth seeing.

» Kamna Devi, Tara Devi & Shyamla Devi Temples
Among the three principal temples of Goddess Kali in Shimla, one is the temple of Kamna Devi. The other one is the Devi temple, 3 km from Shimla. While the third one is situated just below the Grand Hotel, a popular place of worship. The temple is adorned by seven metal bells which are rung at irregular intervals. It's about three km up a path from the Tara Devi station on the Shimla to Kalka railway.

» Sankatmochan
About 7 km. from Shimla on the road to Chadigarh is the famous Hanuman Temple, Sankatmochan which is a very popular picnic spot over the weekend. The place commands a lovely view of Shimla.

» Sanjauli
A serene location with delightful walks, Sanjauli located 3 km away from the city is ideal for a tranquil weekend. There are fine vistas and the lights of Shimla and Chail can be seen twinkling at night. On the other side, Mashobra and Naldehra are visible.

Places to Stay in Shimla

Accommodation in Shimla is expensive, during the period April to September. Off season discounts are available. The Mall offers the best view, and is placed right at the heart of the city. The range of accommodation available is wide, from lower budget YMCA rooms, to the more expensive Woodville Palace Resort, Oberoi Clarkes Hotel, East Bourne and Himland Hotel

Shopping in Shimla

The famous Himachali hat comes in different rates and vivid colors. Lakkar Bazaar is famous for items made from wood. These decorative wooden items are made from the softwood found in the hilly region. Further, dry fruits and natural herbs, which have many medicinal properties, are also easily available in the shops.

Best time to Visit Shimla

The best time to visit is from October to November. Between December and February, winter sets in with temperatures around zero degree Celsius, and heavy snowfall in the area. April, May, and June are peak seasons for local tourists, when other parts of the country are very hot.

How to get there

» Air
Shimla has an airport, 22 km away, from the main city with regular flights to Delhi. Chandigarh airport, 120 km away on the plains, has flights at more regular intervals. The flights to Shimla may be called off, during the winter months of December, January and February, so you will need to check them up in advance.

» Rail
Broad-gauge trains run till Kalka, from all the parts of the country. From Kalka onwards, a rail car on narrow gauge takes you to Shimla which offers some fantastic sights. You can also take a bus from Kalka to Shimla.

» Road
Shimla is connected by road to Chandigarh, Delhi, Dehradun, Kalka, and to many other places as well.