Shimla

Shimla at a glance

The Town Of Shimla Rose In The Nineteenth Century When The Gurkha Wars Came To An End In 1815-16 And The Victorious British Decided To Retain Certain Pockets As Military Outposts And Sanitaria. In 1822 The Most Rigorous Of Dandies And The Greatest Of Sticklers For Form Captain Charles Pratt Kennedy, Political Agent To The Hill States Directed That A House Be Built For Him At The Village Whose Name Is Variously Reported As Sheyamalaya Shumlah, Shimlu And Shemlah. Kennedy House Led The Vanguard Of The Hundred-odd Houses That Were To Scatter Themselves By 1841 Over Every Level Or Gently Inclining Space. Lured By The Climate And Terrain Scores Of European Invalids Began Moving To The Station And The Only Stipulation Of The Local Chief Who Owned The Land Was That No Tree Be Cut Or Cattle Slaughtered.

Area 6,800 ft
Population 1.7 lakhs (2011)
Winter Temperature 1°C to 12°C
Summer Temperature 14°C to 30°C
Best Time To Visit

October - December & March - Mid of June is the best time to visit.

  • Air

    shimla Can Be Easily Reached By Air. The Place Has Its Own Airport At A Place Called Jubbarhatti, Which Is Located At A Distance Of 23 Kilometers From The Main City Center. Flights From New Delhi, Chandigarh And Kullu (another Hill Station) Operate On A Daily Basis. Jagson Airlines Is The Flight That Operates From These Places On A Regular Basis.

  • Rail

    the Nearest Railway Station That Connects Shimla To Neighboring States Is At Kalka. This Place Is Located At A Distance Of 96 Kilometers From Shimla. From Kalka, It Takes Around 6 Hours To Reach Shimla. The Frequency Of Trains That Ply From Kalka To Shimla Is Pretty Good, With Atleast 4 Trains Plying To And Fro From Shimla. The Journey From Delhi To Kalka Is An Overnight Journey And Reaches Kalka Early Morning. There Are Many Tunnels En Route With The Longest Being 1.2 Kilometers Long!

  • Road

    shimla Is Well Connected To Neighboring Places Like New Delhi And Chandigarh Through National Highways. The Journey From Delhi To Shimla By Road Takes Approximately 8 Hours. The Highways Are Well Maintained By The Authorities And Are A Pleasure To Drive On. There Are Many Tourist Buses That Ply From Neighboring Places To Take Tourists To This Beautiful Hill Station.

  • The Ridge

    This Large Open Space In The Heart Of Town Presents Excellent Views Of The Mountain Ranges. Shimla's Landmarks - The Neo- Gothic Structure Of Christ Church And The Neo - Tudor Library Building - Are Worth Seeing.

  • Jakhoo Hill

    At 2455m, This Is The Town's Highest Peak And A Famous Point For Shimla's Famous Views. The Summit Is Crowned With A Temple Dedicated To Lord Hanuman. The Hill Is Full Of Paths And Narrow Roads Which Are Enjoyable Walks.

  • St. Michael's Cathedral

    This Dressed-stone Church With Fine Stained Glass Has A Cruciform Design. It Is Located Just Off The Mall, Below The District Courts.

  • State Museum

    This Houses A Representative Collection Of Himachal's Rich Heritage. Exhibits Include Archaeological Artifacts, Carvings, Paintings And Sculptures. Closed On Monday And Holidays.

  • Indian Institute Of Advanced Study

    At 1983m, This Magnificent English Renaissance Structure Was The Former Viceregal Lodge. Its Lawns And Woodland Are Added Attractions. Entry By Ticket ( Nominal Charge ). A Portion Of The Interior Is Also Open To The Public, Except On Sundays And Holidays.

  • Mashobra

    At 2149m, This Beautiful Suburb Is Surrounded By Thick Forests. From Here, A Track Leads Down To Sipur Which Is An Exquisite Glade Shaded By Ancient Deodar Trees. There Are Old Temples A Fair Is Held Every April.

  • kufri

    At 2501m, This Is Famous For Its Wide Views And Ski Slopes. An Enjoyable Walk Leads Up To The Mahasu Peak. At Kufri, Himachal Tourism Runs Cafe Lalit.

  • Fagu

    At 2510m, Fagu Has Some Enchanting Views. Himachal Tourism Run Hotel Peach Blossom Offers Spectacular Views.

  • Shopping

    Whenever We Are Planning Our Trips Ahead, We Make It A Point To Keep Some Money Aside Just For Shopping. Shopping Consists Of An Integral Part Of Our Travelogue. A Vacation Is Never Complete Without A Shopping Spree. May It Be Buying Knick Knacks Or Souvenirs For Your Near And Dear Ones At Home Or Perchance Buying Handicrafts Products That Reflects The Culture And Aura Of The Place That Your Visiting, All Calls For A Hard Bargain. If You Are Visiting Shimla, You Will Be Spoilt For Choice Of What To Buy And What To Discard. Shopping In Shimla Is A Traveler's Delight. Stroll Along Leisurely In The The Mall Road Where A Row Of Shops Tempts You To Splurge Money Without Any Rhyme Or Reason. Reminiscent Of The Colonial Past Of India, The Mall Road In Shimla Is A Study In Varied Rooflines, Colonial Buildings With French Windows, Meandering Roads, Clock Tower, Assorted Columns. All These Factors Culminates To Give Mall Road A Considerable Character Of Its Own Somewhat In The Same Vein As That Of Colaba In Mumbai Or New Market In Kolkata. If You Are Shopping In Shimla, Be Sure To Visit The Cottage Industries Emporium. It Has A Variety Of Hand Woven Carpets, Shawls, Blankets In Traditional Weaves, As Well As Other Items Like Handmade Paper And Exquisitely Carved Wooden Table. These Portray The Art Of The Himachal Artisans At Their Best. The Scene In These Woven Carpets And Shawls Are Typical Of The Place, Some Bordered With Intricate Design And Others Depicting Himachali Life And Mountains. Also Try Out The Himachali Hat Which Comes In Vivid Colors And Designs. Lakkar Bazaar Is Another Place Where You Should Visit While Shopping In Shimla. This Is A Treasure Trove For Those Wanting To Drool At Antiques And Wooden Works From This Region. The Wooden Artifacts Made Of Softwood, Which Is Available Only In The Mountains Calls For Supreme Artwork And Miniature Portraits. Though The Prices May Seem High, Some Good Bargaining Will See You Through. ] Shopping In Shimla Is All About Buying The Local Handicrafts. The Mall Road Is The Place Shoppers Love To Explore, As There Are Several Shops Here That Offer Plethora Of Choices Including Woollen Products, Handicrafts, And Handmade Artefacts. The Kullu And Kinnauri Shawls, Mufflers And Scarves, Pashmina Shawls And The Tibetan Carpets Are Some Of The Must-buys From Shimla.

  • The Mall

    In Shimla, The Mall Road Lies At The Heart Of All The Action And Activity. Buzzing With Shops, Cafes, Theatres, Restaurants And A Whole Bunch Of Merriment, It Is Close To All Places Of Interest.

  • Himachal Emporium

    If You're In The Mood To Shop For Locally Made Handicrafts At Pocket Friendly Prices, Himachal Emporium Is Just The Place For You.

  • Tibetian Market

    This Makeshift Market Is Perched On Shimla's Slopes And Is The Perfect Destination For Those Who Love A Good Bargain.

  • Lower Bazar

    Hidden Amongst Crowded Lanes And Old Buildings, Lower Bazar, Also Known As Subzi Mandi, Is Extremely Chaotic Yet Full Of Life.

  • Minchy�s

    For A Taste Of Delicious And Authentic Jams And Preserves, Head To Minocha Industries' Manufacturing Outlet Located In The Town Of Shoghi. Minchy's, Their Brand Of Fruit-based Jams And Preserves, Are A Popular Souvenir To Take Back Home From Shimla. This Region Is Blessed With An Abundant Variety Of Fruits And Minchy's Processes These Into Delicious And High Quality Gourmet Products. Their Range Covers Everything From Jams And Preserves To Squashes And Even Fruit Wines. You Can Find Multiple Stalls Selling These Products Everywhere On The Delhi-shimla Highway And Even In The City.

  • Lakkar Bazaar

    A Trip To Shimla Is Incomplete Without A Stroll In The Maze-like Alleys Of Lakkar Bazaar. Located On A Narrow Road Adjoining The Ridge, The Bazaar Is Popular For Wooden Decorative Items And Souvenirs.

  • Ashiana & Goofa

    The Ridge, Lower Bazaar, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh 171001, India.

  • Seventh Heaven

    Hotel Combermere, Tourism Lift Street, Mall Road, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh.

  • Embassy Restaurant

    Situated On The Mall Road, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh.

  • Sher E Punjab

    1, Mall Road, Near Woodland Showroom, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh.

  • Honey Hut

    70, The Mall Road, Shimla 171001, India.

  • Cecil Restaurant

    Chaura Maidan, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh 171001, India.

  • Topaz Restaurant and Bar

    The Ridge, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, India

  • China Town Restaurant

    The Mall Road Shimla, Near Hotel Willow Banks.