10 Places To Visit In Shimla

About Shimla

Shimla, the queen of all hill stations is rightly called so. The weather in Shimla is characterized by mild summers, freezing winters, and a distinct monsoon. Despite monsoons being the off-season for tourism here, due to the pleasant weather, tourists flock to Shimla all year round.

Shimla was the summer capital of the British in India, and it is now the capital of Himachal Pradesh, Shimla has been blessed with all the natural bounties which one can think of. It has got a scenic location, it is surrounded by green hills with snow-capped peaks. The spectacular cool hills accompanied by the structures made during the colonial era create an aura that is very different from another hill.

10 Places To Visit In Shimla

Indian Institute Of Advanced Study

Indian Institute Of Advanced Study is well-known as an Indian research center and is a marvelous work of Scottish Architecture. The inside of this monument is teak-paneled and there is an entrance doorway, a huge staircase, and a fireplace which is the best part of sightseeing here. it is also referred to as Viceregal Lodge and has been the host for many events and conferences including the Shimla agreement in 1947.

The Indian Institute of Advanced Study was set up by the Ministry of Education, Government of India as a Society under the Societies Registration Act XXI of 1860, with effect from 6th October 1964. The Institute started functioning at Shimla on 20th October 1965 when it was formally inaugurated by the then President of India, Professor S.Radhakrishnan.

Kufri

Kufri is situated near the Himalayan range, it is a picturesque hill station situated 20 km from Shimla in Himachal Pradesh. Founded in 1819 by the British, the popularity of the hill station as a tourist spot grew only in the last few decades. Kufri derives its name from ‘Kufr’ which means lake. Especially popular among trekkers, Kufri is the starting point of treks to Manali.

Unlike most towns in higher mountains, Kufri is fairly developed and offers a number of sports and adventure opportunities for travelers. Boasting a considerable rich endemic wildlife, the Himalayan National Park in Kufri is a delight to wildlife enthusiasts as well as trekking lovers.

Kalka–Shimla Railway

The Kalka Shimla Toy Train ride is one of the most scenic train journeys in India. The train slowly winds its way through the upward track from Kalka to Shimla, through rugged mountains, waterfalls, tunnels, and pine forests, crossing on its way jungles of wildflowers and beautiful bridges. The scenery is simply breathtaking.

There were no good routes to reach Shimla when Shimla was the summer capital of British India. Whatever mountain route was available, it was very rickety and dangerous. It also used to take a lot of time to travel because of the bad condition of the route. In November 1903, the Kalka Shimla narrow gauge train was started to provide easy access from the plains to Shimla. Driven by a steam engine, the train passed through 109 tunnels and took 7 hrs to reach Shimla. The then viceroy Lord Curzon boarded the train on the first ride from Kalka to Shimla.

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Christ Church

Christ Church in Shimla is the second oldest church in all of India and is constructed in the Neo-Gothic style. It is located in the area known as The Ridge in Shimla and is a popular tourist spot apart from being a revered place of worship. Towards the night the church is lit up in a beautiful way, but during Christmas and Easter celebrations, it is decorated like a bride about to walk down the aisle.

During British rule in India, the area around this church was inhabited by British and Anglo- Indian communities. They demanded a place of worship for them. Since they were Christian, a church, called Christ Church, was built here in Neo-Gothic architectural style.

Jakhoo Hill

Legends say that the hills were massive and huge until Lord Hanuman stepped foot on it made it shrink. Today, the Jakhoo hill stands at an altitude of 2,500 meters from sea level and is the highest point in Shimla. The place hosts a 108-foot Hanuman statue, standing tall amidst the deodar trees.

If you peep above the treeline near the Christ Church, you will notice the top of the 33-m-high statue of the god staring back at you. Legend has it that Lord Hanuman stopped here to rest on his way to find the Sanjeevani root for Lord Lakshmana. The temple retains its old-world charm as it is situated at a considerable distance from the town and its hustle and bustle. To reach the temple one can take a short cable car ride that goes to the very top of the mountain.

Mall Road

The Mall road has located a level below The Ridge. The offices of the municipal corporation, fire service, and police headquarters are located here. Automobiles, except emergency vehicles, are not allowed on this road. For this reason, the locals — and tourists — are often found strolling on this road in the evenings.
Mall road has a number of showrooms, department stores, shops, restaurants, and cafes. A Himachal emporium that offers handicraft products of Himachal Pradesh like locally designed woolen cloths, branded cloths, pottery items, and jewelry is also located here.

Perfect for both couples and families alike, the Shimla Mall Road is home to several fine-dining restaurants, bars, clubs, and shops. Enjoy shopping at the local market, which specializes in offering handicraft products with Pashmina shawls and Tibetan carpets, or stop at your favorite eatery to satisfy your appetite with lip-smacking delicacies. You can also choose to unwind and pamper yourself at one of the recreation centers in Shimla – this place has got something for everyone.

Annandale

Annandale, one of the most popular and strategic locations of Shimla, prides itself not only for being a wonderful place with amazing surroundings but is also famous for housing an astonishing heritage museum, the Army Heritage Museum. It is located in close proximity to the Ridge. It serves as a popular picnic spot for the Shimlaites as well as for the people from the surrounding areas.

Situated amidst dense deodar forests, drive to Annandale itself is a treat to your senses. If you love walking, you would find your way up the hill to be a challenging experience but an experience worth it. The view from the highest point of Annandale is breathtaking. Splendid gardens well maintained by the army mesmerize you.

The Shimla State Museum

If you are traveling to Shimla then don’t miss the Himachal State Museum, Shimla located on the Mall Road. It consists of an exclusive collection of paintings, coins belonging to ancient times, carvings of wood, sculptures collected over the periods from the state and the country. The aesthetics of the items influence the Pahari art form. The Himachal State Museum has located about 3 km from the Scandal point close to the Ridge. The Himachal State Museum is also known as the Shimla State Museum.

Step back in time and get to know more about the city’s glorious past at the Himachal State Museum. One of the popular tourist places to visit in Shimla, Himachal State Museum protects the history of the northern state and gives you a chance to understand the cultural heritage of a particular period. It is an ideal base for art lovers and a must-visit spot for experience seekers and connoisseurs

Chail

Hardly two hours from Shimla, Chail is a quiet and serene hill station enveloped with dense forests and scenic surroundings. It is especially famous for housing the world’s highest cricket ground, and the heritage hotel the Chail Palace. There are many places to visit in Chail for people who are looking to escape the mind-numbing restlessness of city life.

Chail is situated at the distance of 45 km from Clarkes Hotel, Shimla, and is an attractive tourist spot, ideal for picnics. In 1891, the Maharaja was exiled from Shimla by Lord Kitchener. To avenge this dishonor he decided to make Chail a better summer capital than Shimla. The cricket pitch here is the highest in the world. The old palace and the polo grounds are also worth a visit. This is one of the must place to visit in Shimla.

Solan

Solan, a beautiful district located in the state of Himachal Pradesh, is also known as the Mushroom City of India because of the extensive mushroom farming in the region. Nestled at an elevation of 1467 m above sea level, Solan is known for its scenic beauty. The place received its name from the Hindu Goddess Sholoni Devi, who is also the main deity of the region.

Encompassing lush green, soothing weather and ambiance makes the journey more lively and is also suitable to carry out trekking. A visit to this hidden paradise with unfolding countryside murals will definitely unwind the visitors from the day-to-day tensions of city life and promises the visitors to carry fresh memories in their mind which is hard to forget in his/her lifetime.

Best time to visit Shimla

After the list of places to visit in Shimla, now let’s talk about the best time to visit Shimla. Most people prefer to visit Shimla during the summers to beat the city heat and enjoy the scenic views and cool winds the city has to offer. The temperatures range from 10-20o Celsius in the months of March and April and between 16-28o Celsius in May and June.

Shimla in Summer:

The summer season in Shimla starts in March and ends in April post which the summer season starts and lasts till June. After the extreme winters that the city goes through, Shimla embraces the sun’s warmth along with the mesmerizingly beautiful views that it offers – this makes the summers the best months to visit Shimla.

Summers are warm with cool and pleasant evenings where the temperature in Shimla is usually around 25°C. Being the ultimate summer retreat, summer is also one of the best times to visit Shimla and it remains an ideal spot for adventure sports.

Shimla in Monsoon:

Shimla in monsoon is a different story. It is during monsoon (between July and August) when it is the greenest, quietest, and cheapest (to stay). Popular tourist hotels are either shut down or impatiently waiting to welcome any tourist that comes knocking on their door.

Shimla receives heavy rainfall and usually, there are chances that landslides may occur during the season. So, it is advised to avoid this season to visit the destination. The most intense rains are at the start of the season (July and August) and gradually fade off through September.

Shimla in Winter:

Evenings tend to get cooler as winter approaches in the month of October. The skies are generally clear with temperatures falling down to 10-12o Celsius in the evenings. The highest temperature during winter is close to 20o Celsius. Winters turn the city to a pristine white with frequent snowfalls. Winters are generally characterized by dull weather which is enlivened by the snowfalls. During winters the temperatures range between -7 to 10o Celsius. Due to extreme cold, the number of tourists in winters decreases, though many still come to enjoy the snow.

Food in Shimla

Mash daal: It is made with split black lentils. This special heart-warming daal is made after soaking the legumes overnight, pressure-cooking it, and then simmering it in a heavy-bottomed pan along with a saute of fine onions, ginger, garlic shallow fried in warm mustard oil.

Madra: It is a traditional delicacy from the Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh. This dish is rich in nutritional and cultural values and is a part of every festive event in Shimla. Madras is made of soaked chickpeas or veggies, prepared in warm oil and different seasonings such as cloves, cinnamon, cumin, and coriander powder.

Dhaam: It is a complete meal that comes with a wholesome promise of taste and nutrition. In Shimla, this traditional spread consists of dal, rajma, rice, curd, boor kiKadiand is complemented with home-Madegur (jaggery). With every plate, Dhaampromises a variety of tastes and is a must-serve for celebrations and festivals in Shimla.

Thukpa: A noodle soup of Tibetan origin, Thukpa can be prepared in both vegetarian and non-vegetarian methods. A variety of fresh vegetables such as tomato, onions, spring onions, string beans, carrot, and chopped cabbage can be added to the noodles, with or without meat or chicken. This is a hot meal prepared with ginger garlic paste, chili, and also sauces included according to choice.

Chha Gosht: Another Himachali delicacy, Chha Gosht is a dish that is made with seasoned lamb meat prepared in a sauce of gram flour, yogurt, as well as spices such as cardamom, red chili powder, coriander powder, bay, fell leaves, asafoetida, and ginger-garlic paste.

Sidu: Sidu is popular bread made out of wheat kneaded with yeast 2 hrs before preparation, mashed boiled green peas, roasted peanuts, walnuts, paneer (cottage cheese), and is usually paired with dal (lentils), ghee, and green chutney.

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Interesting facts about Shimla

• The second President of India handed this mansion over to the Ministry of education
• Mahatma Gandhi visited the Viceregal Lodge 4 times in 25 years for negotiating Indian Independence
• Before the British, Shimla Region Was Ruled by the Nepalese
• Shimla is Located On 7 Hills
• Gandhi first came to Shimla on 11th May 1921
• The first shop opened in Shimla was a butchery run by Messers Barret & Co
• You Can Still Order Handmade Chinese Shoes Here
• The Durand Football Tournament Was Held at Annandale Ground In 1888
• Lord Combermere Was The First Commander-In-Chief Of The Indian Army To Visit Shimla In 1828
• BCS Shimla Is One Of The Oldest Boarding Schools In Asia.