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About Shimla Tourism

                     
Shimla, also known as Simla, is a tourism paradise located in the midst of Himalayan cedars and pines at an altitude of 2,205 m above sea level. Known as the 'Queen of Hill Stations', the destination is spread over an area of 18 sq km. The capital city of Himachal Pradesh is located in the north-west Himalayas, in the northern part of India.

The erstwhile summer capital of the British features dense woodlands, apple orchards and beautiful landscapes. Capitalising on grand old testimonies, colonial characteristics, peace-loving environment and adventure opportunities, Shimla welcomes tourists from around the world. It offers beautiful façades from the crescent shaped ridge to the descending valleys of evergreens.

The word 'Shimla' originated from 'Shyamali Devi', a re-incarnation or descendant of the fearsome Goddess Kali. The altar at Jakhoo Hill was initially shifted by the British to the place known as Kali Bari Temple at present. The hill station is enveloped by seven hills that include Jakhoo Hill, Bantony Hill, Prospect Hill, Summer Hill, Observatory Hill, Invererarm Hill and Elysium Hill.

The historic Hindustan Tibet Road was commissioned in 1850 commencing from Kalka to Shimla and thereafter to the Chinese ruled territory, Tibet. In 1864, the town of Shimla was declared as the summer capital of the British Empire in India. Another red-lettered event in the history of the town was when the foundation stone for the Kalka-Shimla railway line was laid here in 1903.

The route from Kalka to Shimla on the narrow gauge is a major tourist attraction. The route, along with trees of fir, pine, walnut, apricot and terraced paddy fields of corn and the famous capsicum, locally known as 'Shimla Mirch', runs through 102 tunnels. The district of Shimla has numerous rivulets, small streams and springs and provides opportunities for trekking, rock-climbing and ice-skating.

The hill station is dotted with structures from the colonial era such as the Auckland House, Gaiety Theatre, Gorton Castle, Peterhoff House and Viceregal Lodge. Famed for its Victorian architecture, most of the houses in the hill station are built with timber (oak) wood in Gothic style.

Since ancient times, Shimla has maintained its retreating charm and became one of the major tourist spots in north India. Tourists can participate in many activities in and around Shimla. Trekking in Shimla is a must. The ideal time for trekking is between the months of March and August when Shimla is a little warm. The Manali Mountaineering Institute conducts trekking tours in and around Shimla.
 
For tourists not seeking any form of adventure, taking a leisurely walk on Mall Road to shop for local souvenirs, enjoying some street food or watching a film at the Gaiety Theatre is recommended. Visit Indian Coffee House for some hot coffee and snacks. Ashiana and Goofa, two restaurants run the State Tourism Department, serve authentic Himachali cuisine, which is worth a try. Shimla is also known as a haven for fresh fruits. Tourists can try some local fresh produce like guava, strawberry and litchis.
 
Places like the Mall Road are great for shopping. State run shops like the Himachal Emporium on Mall Road offer local handicrafts, Himachali shawls and woollens. Located near Mall Road is the Lakkar Bazaar, famous for selling locally-made wooden handicrafts and furniture.
 
The city is a popular holiday retreat during the summer season from April to August. However, it is also frequented in the winter months of December and January, when the hill station is covered with snow. Shimla can be visited throughout the year, as various activities can be enjoyed in different months.

Shimla can be reached by air, rail and by road. The Jubbarhatti Airport is 25 km away. Daily flights ply between Delhi and Shimla. Kalka is 96 km from Shimla and is the nearest railhead connected to the hill station. It takes close to six hours by train to reach Shimla from Kalka. Tourists can also travel to Shimla by road. The drive is scenic and the National Highway from Delhi to Shimla is well-maintained. Taxis and buses also ply on the route and it takes an eight-hour drive to reach Shimla from Delhi.


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Reviews on Shimla
Top of India kufri
MANISH ,Delhi     Review date: 30th April 2012 0

Overview of the destination

This is the best sunset point any one can see in the world, the best image of the setting sun and even the planets can be seen with the naked eye, abo..

Food, sight-seeing and shopping

The mall road...

Activities & things to do

There is lot of activites there , monkey point , etc where when can see the himlayas etc...

Travel tips, How to reach, travel warnings etc

It is very near to Delhi and the best trip for the people with less time to take the enjoyment of the hills...
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Shimla....a construction site!
dhanashri,Mumbai     Review date: 18th April 2012 1
Shimla is now everything a hill station should not be........all of Shimla is a construction site.......with traffic jams.........horrible and dirty ..
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Real nature
chaitali,Pune     Review date: 9th April 2012 2
This is our first family trip. First time we went out of Maharashta and it was amazing trip everybody enjoy the trip. We always remember memroies of t..
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Tourist places in Shimla

Shimla, a beautiful hill station of Himachal Pradesh, is referred to as ‘Queen of the Hills’ due to its pleasant weather and beautiful surroundings. The colonial town, once a summer capital of British India, features Tudorbethan and neo-Gothic architectural testimonies.

One of the most popular places in Shimla is the Mall, which is located in the heart of the city. Along with the Mall, tourists can visit heritage buildings that include Town Hall, The Christ Church, Gaiety Heritage Cultural Complex and General Post Office. Stretching from The Railway Board Building in the west to heritage hotel Woodville in the east, the Mall is the city centre of colonial Shimla.

Illustrations of the finest European artwork and Tudorbethan architecture can be witnessed at The Viceregal Lodge, also known as the Indian Institute of Advanced Study. To explore Himalayan culture and tradition, tourists can visit the State Museum or The Art Gallery, exhibiting a wide collection of paintings, jewellery, textiles, photographs and artefacts.

Golf enthusiasts can play at the historic Naldehra Golf Club, which is believed to be the most challenging golf course across India. Tourists keen to witness flora and fauna can visit Himalayan Nature Park in Kufri, The Nature Park, Summer Hill or Chail Wildlife Sanctuary. Chadwick Falls, a 67 metre waterfall at Summer Hill, located amidst thick forest, is a major sightseeing spot. Glenn, 4 km from The Ridge also grabs attention.

Dorje Drag Monastery, a beautiful Tibetan monastery, depicts fine artwork and sculptures of Tibetan Almighty. Oakover, the official residence of the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh built by the Maharaja of Patiala, is another tourist attraction. This building put forth a fine example of the Swiss Bavarian artwork.

Tourists can also visit the Bhimakali Temple, Tara Devi Temple, Sankat Mochan Temple, Kali Bari Temple and the Christ Church, which reflect the religious significance of the destination. To see European architecture and style, travellers can also visit Indian Institute of Advanced Study and Woodville.

Shimla Photos
Golf course , Naldhera 0 Gallery arch bridge - Hill train 1
Sutlej river rafting 2 Hill train 3
Bull fight arena 4 Apple Research stn 5
Kufri - hail stones 6 Kufri 7
                All Photos





This page was last modified on 30 Apr 2012