Shimla City Travel Guide - Himanchal Pradesh

General Information Of Shimla

• Area 31.60 sq. km
• Population 1,02,186
• Altitude 2,213 metres above sea level
• Languages Hindi, Himachali, Garhwali, English
• STD Code 0177
• Best time to visit May–July and September–November

Introduction to city Shimla - In Himanchal Pradesh

Shimla, the capital city of Himachal Pradesh, lies about 343 km from Delhi at an altitude of 2,213 metres above sea level. Before the British discovered it in 1819, Shimla was a small village that was part of the Nepalese kingdom. In 1830, the local Raja was persuaded to part with the land by the British and the settlement became the subcontinent’s most fashionable summer resort. Shimla was declared the summer capital of India in 1864. After India’s independence, Shimla became the capital of Punjab till 1966, when it came under Himachal Pradesh.
The summers in Shimla are quit pleasant as the maximum temperature rarely crosses 25°C. Winters are cold and Shimla experiences quite a heavy snowfall. If you are among those who want to escape from the scorching heat of the plains, Shimla would be the ideal getaway. But for those who love snow, a visit in winters can be an exciting experience.

Sightseeing - Shimla

This pleasant sprawling town set among the pine-clad hills presents the visitor with glimpses of fading colonial charm. The buildings, The Mall, the picnic spots tell you the story of the era when it was the summer capital of the British India. A visit to the Mall brings you to the centre of activity in the city. Move around the city and you get to see some of the fascinating sights of the landscape around. Some of the major attractions around are Jakhoo Hill, Glen, Summer Hill, Chadwick Falls, Prospect Hill, Institute of Advance Studies, Sankat Mochan, Taradevi Temple and Himachal State Museum.

Places to visit in the city Shimla

MALL - Shimla

The Mall, which runs along the Ridge, is the main shopping centre of the Shimla. Filled with shops and restaurants, you will find the Mall always crowded with tourists. The Gaiety Theatre, which is a reproduction of an old British theatre, is a centre of cultural activities. The Ridge, an open space in the heart of the town, presents excellent view of the mountain ranges. The Mall further joins the Ridge at the \\’Scandal Point\\’ where a statue of the nationalist leader Lala Lajpat Rai has been erected.

JAKHOO HILL - Shimla

About 2.5 km from the city lies the Jahkoo hill at a height of about 2455 metres. The peak, highest in Shimla, offers a panoramic view of the town. The Jakhoo temple, dedicated to Lord Hanuman, is also located here.

GLEN - Shimla

The Glen forests lie at a distance of about 4 km from the Ridge at an altitude of 1830 metres. An ice-cold stream flows through the forest making it one of the fascinating picnic spots in the city.

SUMMER HILL - Shimla

About 7 km from the city, at a height of 1983 metres, is the Summer Hill. This picturesque spot lies on the Shimla-Kalka railway line and has pleasant shady walks in quiet surroundings. The place is also associated with Mahatma Gandhi as he had stayed in the Georgian House of Raj Kumari Amrit Kaur during his visit to Shimla. The Himachal Pradesh University is situated here.

CHADWICK FALLS - Shimla

You can reach these 67-metre-high falls from Summer Hill from where it is about 45 minutes walk. The falls, surrounded by thick forests, are situated at about 7 km from the city at a height of 1586 metres.

PROSPECT HILL - Shimla

A popular picnic spot, the Prospect Hill offers excellent views of the surrounding country. The Hill is a 15-minute climb from Boileauganj and is located at about 5 km west of Shimla.

INSTITUTE OF ADVANCE STUDIES - Shimla

About 4 kilometres from the city lies the Indian Institute of Advance Studies. The institute was formerly the Vice-regal Lodge. Besides the magnificent English renaissance structure, the lawns and woodland of the institute are the other sources of attractions. You will have to buy a ticket to enter the place.

SANKAT MOCHAN - Shimla

Sankat Mochan is located on the road to Chandigarh at about 7 km from Shimla. Here a temple dedicated Lord Hanuman can be found. You can also get a fine view of Shimla from here.

TARADEVI TEMPLE - Shimla

Dedicated to Tara Devi, a Hindu version of the Tibetan Goddess Drolma, the temple lies at about 11 km from Shimla on the Shimla-Kalka road. This holy place is also accessible by rail.

HIMACHAL STATE MUSEUM - Shimla

The state museum lies at about 3 km from the city centre. It has some good collection of statues, miniatures, coins, photos and other items from around Himachal Pradesh.

Excursions : Places nearby city - Shimla

The excursions around Shimla are equally interesting experience as they unveil to you the glory of the Raj era. You can take a trip to the oldest and highest golf course in India and to the world’s highest cricket ground. For the religious minded, the ancient temples around the Shimla are worth a visit. Some of the interesting spots around Shimla are Naldhera, Tattapani, Wildflower Hall, Mashobra, Craignano, Kufri and Chail.