Shimla

  Shimla ,India

   Shimla, formerly Simla, city, capital of Himachal Pradesh state, northwestern India. The city lies northeast of Chandigarh on a ridge of the Himalayan foothills, at an elevation of about 7,100 feet (2,200 metres). Shimla was built by the British on land they had retained after the Gurkha War of 1814–16 and was used for resting troops. It gained popularity as a summer resort because of its cool climate and scenic setting, and from 1865 to 1939 it served as India’s summer capital. From 1947 to 1953 it was headquarters of Punjab state, until the new capital city of Chandigarh was completed.
Shimla, the most sought after hill station, needs no introduction. Its lush greenery, pleasant climate, and snow-clad hills have attracted tourists for years. With a plethora of activities and places to visit in Shimla, the Queen of Hills offers more than you can hold onto. But before we take you through the best things to do in Shimla, let us quickly scan through some essential information that will help you plan your trip to this beautiful hill station.

  Shimla is home to a number of buildings that are styled in the Tudorbethan and neo-Gothic architectures dating from the colonial era, as well as multiple temples and churches. The colonial architecture and churches, the temples and the natural environment of the city attracts tourists. Attractions include the Viceregal Lodge, the Christ Church, the Jakhoo Temple, the Mall Road, the Ridge and Annadale which together form the city centre. The Kalka–Shimla Railway line built by the British, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is also a major tourist attraction. Owing to its steep terrain, Shimla hosts the mountain biking race MTB Himalaya, which started in 2005 and is regarded as the biggest event of its kind in South Asia. Shimla also has the largest natural ice skating rink in South Asia. Apart from being a tourism centre, the city is also an educational hub with a number of colleges and research institutions.
 
   The weather is pleasant for most of the months with tourists flocking especially during the summer months. The winters are cold with some days of snow from mid-December till February end. Tourists flock to the centrally located Mall Road and the Ridge, a walking only area which is lined up with multiple shops, cafes and restaurants.

   Shimla is well connected with many cities and is just 4 hours from the nearby city of Chandigarh. The city has an airport as well however there aren't many daily flights from here. The railway station connects Shimla with the plans and is famous for the Kalka-Shimla train route, a UNESCO listed World Heritage site.

Jakhoo Hill
Annandale
The Scandal Point, Ridge
Naldehra And Shaily Peak
Chadwick Falls
Mall Road
Christ Church
Himalayan Bird Park
 Kalka-Shimla Railwa
Tara Devi Temple

Jakhoo Hill


  The highest point of the city is Jakhoo Hill Shimla that is covered with Alpine trees. At the top of the flat hill is the colourful Jakhoo Temple and the newly constructed Hanuman statue. Jakhoo Hill Shimla is a favourite escape for visitors wanting peace and calm from the city far below. The walk up to the hill takes approximately 30 minutes and follows a pleasant route, just beware of the criminal minded monkeys that are waiting to rob tourist of food and shiny objects!

Annandale


   Annandale (Gaelic: Srath Anann) is a strath in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland, named after the dale of the River Annan. It runs north–south through the Southern Uplands from Annanhead (north of Moffat) to Annan on the Solway Firth, and in its higher reaches it separates the Moffat hills on the east from the Lowther hills to the west. A 53-mile (85 km) long-distance walking route called Annandale Way running through Annandale (from the source of the River Annan to the sea) was opened in September 2009.

The Scandal Point, Ridge


  Scandal Point is located along the western end of Shimla where the Mall road joins the Ridge road. A meeting place for locals, tourists and lovers, Scandal Point is a name wrapped in mystery. One legend suggests that the controversial name comes from the scandal caused by the elopement of the Maharaja of Patiala, Bhupinder Singh with the daughter of the British Viceroy. It is also famous for the statue of the Indian freedom fighter Lala Lajpat Rai. One can relax here as there are many benches to sit and enjoy the beautiful view of the city. Right next to the Scandal Point is the fabulous stone colonial structure of the General Post Office.

Naldehra And Shaily Peak


   Shaily peak is one of the topmost touring place in Naldehra, Himachal Pradesh.  The peak is acquainted with trees and hills around drawing a significant sketch in the place. people from all over the world come to these place and explore such charming scenario. the place is composed with much calm and serenity with beauty admixture the essence of the place. The place is lay with many trek route which make the place one of the favorite spot for all trekker and adventure seeker. The lush green field, the vastness of the land and snow-capped mountain in its backdrop with stream flowing sideways make a perfect destination spot for all nature lovers. One should traverse the place if visiting Naldehra. 

Chadwick Falls


  Chadwick Falls is located in the Glen Forests of the beautiful city of Shimla. This stream of water trickles from a height of about 100 metres. Some explorers recall a walk through the forest as an adventurous experience because of the damp and dark environment created by the thick canopying forest. The best time to visit Chadwick Falls is during the monsoon time, i.e. from June to September as the region receives a good amount of rainfall and the level of water rises considerably.

Mall Road


  The Mall Road is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Shimla that enfolds many hotels, restaurants, clubs, bars, banks, shops, offices, post offices, and tourist offices. People can walk up and down the Mall road slowly and enjoy the scenic views of the nature while sipping their favorite coffee. A lot of people gather at the Ridge and Scandal point on Mall road to meet and talk with friends, see the views of the Himalayan range and to do some shopping. The Mall road is connected to the Ridge at the Scandal point, where a statue of the nationalist leader Lala Lajpat Rai has been erected.

Christ Church (Shimla)

  Christ Church School is a private coeducational prep school located in Mumbai, India. It is a Christian school, founded in 1815, under the auspices of the Bombay Education Society. It has close to 3800 students, all of whom are day scholars. The school is twinned with Barnes School, in Deolali, Nashik. Both schools follow the ICSE curriculum. It is located in Byculla, just ahead of the JJ flyover. The school is located on Clare Road, or as it is locally called, Mirza Ghalib Marg.

Himalayan Bird Park


  A little aviary, Himalayan Bird Park in Shimla is home to rare and exotic birdlife as well as iridescent monal pheasant which is Himachal's former state bird. This nature park, located in the heart of the city, opposite to Vice Regal Lodge is visited by thousands of locals and tourists throughout the year. One can take a walk around the park and explore the rich collection of plants and trees.

Kalka-Shimla Railwa


  The Kalka–Shimla railway is a 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) narrow-gauge railway in North India which traverses a mostly-mountainous route from Kalka to Shimla. It is known for dramatic views of the hills and surrounding villages. The railway was built under the direction of Herbert Septimus Harington between 1898 and 1903 to connect Shimla, the summer capital of India during the British Raj, with the rest of the Indian rail system.Its early locomotives were manufactured by Sharp, Stewart and Company. Larger locomotives were introduced, which were manufactured by the Hunslet Engine Company. Diesel and diesel-hydraulic locomotives began operation in 1955 and 1970, respectively.

Tara Devi Temple


  The Tara Devi Temple is a holy place, located 11 km away from the Shimla Bus Stand. It is positioned amid a thick forest of oak and rhododendron and offers scenic views of the lofty Himalayas surrounding the town. The temple is very famous among tourists as the clean and fresh atmosphere here helps them relax from the day to day worries of life. It is believed that the goddess Tara Devi came all the way from Bengal to Himachal Pradesh and so this temple is dedicated to the goddess of stars. Tara Devi Temple is an ideal place for a person seeking peace and tranquility.

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