Nestled in the mighty Himalayas, Shimla offers a verdant escape from the fast-paced life and chaos of big cities. It is famous for its Neo-Gothic architecture, which is visible in many buildings here. You will be spellbound after seeing the snow-capped mountains and lush greenery here. Shimla is one hill station that everyone wants to visit once. Right from The Mall, The Ridge, and the Jakhu temple, there is something for everyone to explore here. This place can not only satisfy the wanderlust of an avid traveler but also increase the adrenaline of adventure junkies. With a perfect amalgamation of great historical significance, natural splendor, and modern tourism amenities, this hill station is the best place for solo tours, romantic getaways, and family vacations.
Best Places to Visit in Shimla
Whether you are a history buff, a nature lover, or an adventure junkie, Shimla will never disappoint you. The city has a plethora of places to explore, which include the following:
Jakhu Temple
Dedicated to Lord Hanuman, Jakhu Temple is one of the most visited sites in Shimla. It attracts a large number of tourists who come here from different parts of the country. Located at the highest point in Shimla, the temple has the world’s largest Hanuman statue. According to a legend, Lord Hanuman rested at this spot for a while and resumed his journey to search for Sanjeevni Booti. The temple is easily accessible on foot, by taxi, horse, or the Jakhu Ropeway, and it offers breathtaking views of the city and its surrounding places. The temple is known as Jakhu, as it is located on the Jakhu hill. This hill has a flattened shape. People believe that Hanuman put his weight on the hill, thereby flattening it. The temple has great religious significance among the Hindu devotees who throng here to seek the blessings of Lord Hanuman. You will find a variety of eateries here, so you need not carry your food during your Jakhu temple tour.
The Ridge
It is known to be the most photographed street in Shimla. You will find everything here, right from the beautiful artifacts to wooden crafts. Enjoy the snow-capped mountains when you are here. It is also the best place for shopping enthusiasts, as they can buy any type of item here. The road is flooded with different kinds of shops, such as boutiques, bars, and cafes. Due to the variety of shops here, a large number of tourists visit this area. This is a large place and a central gathering point for the people. The Ridge witnesses several festivities and cultural events throughout the year. It is the central point for a variety of celebrations such as the Ice-Skating Carnival, Summer Festival, dance, and music performances.
The Christ Church
This church is one of the oldest churches in India, which reflects the Neo-Gothic architecture. With church bells, stained glass windows, and a front porch, it represents the values of Christianity. The church took a long time to complete and is perfectly reminiscent of British colonization in the country. It offers a tranquil environment for the people who come to meditate here. This church has appeared in many Bollywood movies, such as 3 Idiots, Black, etc. This is another reason why people in large numbers come to visit this church.
Designed by the renowned architect Col. J.T. Boileau, the Christ Church is the perfect example of the Neo-Gothic architectural style. One of the striking features of the church is its five windows that represent the different virtues of the Christians, such as hope, charity, fortitude, patience, humility, faith, etc. You will find many beautiful paintings that depict the scenes from the life of Jesus Christ. The church looks stunning at night when the lights illuminate its corners. It is easily accessible to the visitors, as they simply need to walk to reach here.
Kalibari Temple
Constructed in the year 1845, Kali Bari Temple has great religious significance in the hearts of Hindu devotees. You will find the statue of Goddess Kali here, which is decorated with beautiful jewelry. Located near the Shimla City Mall, this temple is one of the major tourist attractions in Shimla. The temple offers much-needed tranquility for the devotees to pray here. It is perfectly maintained and visited by a large number of tourists. They come here to seek the blessings of Goddess Kali and get rid of the problems they are facing in their lives. According to the legend, Goddess Kali used to reside on Jakhu Hill and was also known as Goddess Shyamala. Enjoy the evening aarti once you are here. Most people visit the temple in Navratri, as this is the best time to visit this place.
Kufri
Located at a height of 2720 meters, Kufri is one of the most enchanted places in Shimla. Once used by the British as a summer retreat, Kufri is visited by a large number of tourists from different parts of the country. You can visit Kufri from November to March, as you might find snowfall during this time. Fagu Valley and the Mahasu Peak trek are the two famous places in Kufri to explore. You can go there either by hiking or getting a pony ride. However, hiking involves many challenges, as the path to Kufri is slippery and muddy. The best way, however, to get there is by cabs or buses. Some of the interesting things to do in Kufri include Kufri Fun World, go-karting, yak rides, Kufri Zoo, etc. You will enjoy the best time here if you visit it with your family.
Scandal Point
This is one of the most famous spots in Shimla, where you will get to see the breathtaking views of the mountains. Located at the intersection of Mall Road and Ridge Road, Scandal Point is visited by a large number of people who visit Shimla. People from different regions of the country come here to relax. This place is also close to other popular tourist attractions of the city, such as Jakhu Temple, Christ Church, and The Ridge. Many activities and cultural festivals are organized here, which makes it much more interesting. It is also a great place to take beautiful photos of its surroundings. If you have a camera with you, you can capture some of the most beautiful pictures here of your family. You will find many places here that are full of natural beauty. The photos you will take here will be a great memory for you to cherish for your lifetime.
Best Things to Do in Shimla
Shimla offers you a much-needed respite from the hustle and bustle of busy city life. There is no dearth of wonderful activities to enjoy while you are here. Some of the best things to enjoy in this beautiful hill station are:
River Rafting
River rafting in Shimla will satisfy the quench of adventure junkies. This water sport is highly popular in Shimla, as most people come here to enjoy river rafting. Tourists choose the river rafting activity on the Sutlej River during their Shimla tour. The popular river rafting route in Shimla is from Chabba to Tattapani. This route is 12 km long, and you will take at least two hours to finish it.
Paragliding
Another adventurous activity that you can try in Shimla is paragliding. Shimla has the perfect spots to go for paragliding. Kangra Valley is one of the best places for paragliding. However, you will take at least 6 hours to reach this place. Paragliding in Shimla will be a fantastic experience for the visitors, which they won’t forget in their lifetime. Thus, if you are going to Shimla for an adventure, don’t forget to try paragliding during your stay here.
Toy Train
A toy train ride will be one of the most interesting activities that you can do during your Shimla tour. This ride lasts up to 5 hours and offers stunning views of Shimla. In the 5-hour duration, the train will cover a 96-kilometer route that has 104 tunnels and approximately 900 turns. If you visit Shimla with your family, your children will like the toy train ride the most.
Army Museum
Don’t miss the Army Museum in Shimla. Located in Annandale, this museum showcases a variety of uniforms, documents, and guns used in the 1971 India-Pakistan War. The museum is a great place for the history buffs. Once you are here, you will get to see a great collection of artifacts here. Tourists from all over the country visit this place to learn about the rich history of Shimla, its military legacy, and the valor of the warriors of the country.
Visit Johnnie’s Wax Museum
Located near Mall Road in Shimla, Johnie’s Wax Museum is one of the best places to explore during your Shimla trip. This is one of the unique attractions that you and your family will love to visit. The museum has life-size wax statues of famous Bollywood actors, Hollywood personalities, sports players, and political figures. Some of the wax statues of the celebrities installed in this museum include Daniel Craig, Paul Walker, and Mahatma Gandhi.
Ice Skating in Shimla
If you are an adventure junkie, ice skating in Shimla will be the best activity to enjoy here. The ice-skating rink in Shimla is highly popular due to its being a naturally formed rink. It not only attracts the local people but also the travelers who visit Shimla from different parts of the country. The rink has been in use for recreational and sports activities since 1920. Shimla’s Ice-Skating Club organizes national-level competitions in ice skating every year. Ice skating in Shimla starts in December and lasts till February. The weather is quite favorable for ice skating during this time. Garhwali highlanders form ice by a unique technique given to them by the British.
Best Time to Visit Shimla
Shimla is one of the most visited hill stations in the country. Every year, thousands of people throng to this place to experience its natural splendor. However, not all are aware of the right time to visit it. If you, too, are confused about choosing the right time to explore this place, the following information will be immensely useful for you:
Summer Season (March to June)
Visiting Shimla in the summer season will be truly rewarding, as you will get respite from the scorching heat of the plains. The temperature in Shimla during the summer season is between 15°C and 25 25°C. During this time, the snow begins to melt, leaving behind the lush greenery. The whole region looks beautiful at this time. This is the reason why people choose to visit Shimla at this time. In the summer season, the Summer Festival takes place here. This festival showcases the rich culture as well as the traditions of Shimla. It also features various dance performances, flower shows, etc.
Monsoon Season (July to September)
In the monsoon season, Shimla receives heavy rainfall. Visiting this region during this time can be quite dangerous, as there is a higher risk of landslides. Thus, it is not a good time to visit this region. However, if you have already planned a visit this season, you must keep in mind the potential risks that may arise during your Shimla trip. The monsoon season is the best time for nature lovers. They can explore the lush greenery of this hill station if they visit Shimla during this time.
Winter Season (October to January)
Winter is undoubtedly the best time of the year to visit Shimla. This is an ideal time to explore its snow-covered surroundings. During this season, the weather is quite pleasant and cool. This makes it easier for you to visit the famous attractions of this place.
How to Reach Shimla?
There are different transport options that you can choose from to reach Shimla. You can choose the right transport mode according to your requirements. These transportation options are as follows:
By Air
You can take a flight from your city to Shimla Airport, which is also called Jubbarhatti Airport. It is approximately 25 km away from Shimla. However, landing here can be quite challenging due to its small airstrip. Thus, you must choose to land at Chandigarh or Delhi airport. If you reach Chandigarh airport, you can take a cab to reach Shimla. However, people coming from Delhi can also reach Shimla by road easily.
By Train
Traveling by train is much safer than catching a flight to Shimla. If you book a train to Shimla, you will need to step down at Kalka train station, which is the nearest railway station to Shimla. Once you reach Kalka, you can take a bus or a toy train from there. However, you can also reach Chandigarh by train. From Chandigarh, you can take a bus or a cab to reach Shimla.
By Bus
Tourists from nearby places can reach Shimla easily by bus. Shimla is one of the famous tourist destinations of the country. Thus, you will find a lot of buses that can take you to Shimla from nearby locations such as Delhi, Haryana, Jaipur, Punjab, etc.
Shopping in Shimla
Shimla offers the best shopping experience to the shopaholics. Right from beautiful woolens to traditional Himachali hats and handicrafts, you will get everything here. Some of the famous markets that you can explore in Shimla include the following:
The Mall Road
This is one of the top shopping destinations in Shimla for tourists. This place is flooded with tourists who buy a variety of items from here. You will find many shops, bookstores, emporiums, and restaurants at this place. Besides, you will find the best cafes here where you can enjoy delectable food with your friends and family.
Tibetan Market
Another market that you can explore in Shimla is the Tibetan Market. Here, you will find a great variety of woolen clothes, rugs, and local handicrafts. This market is known for its diverse range of products. You can also buy unique souvenirs in this market at the best prices. However, it is advisable to bargain while buying any item here. This will help you get it at the best prices. Some of the items that you can buy from here include silk scarves and unique jewelry. Apart from the jewelry, you can also buy a wide range of handicraft items here, such as attractive threaded rugs, beautiful wood and stone carvings, etc.
Lower Bazaar
You can also choose Lower Bazaar for your shopping purposes. Purchase anything in this market, right from household items to winter clothing such as Kinnauri shawls, Kullu caps, and other items. Apart from them, you can also buy local spices and dry fruits at Lower Bazaar. Some of these items include walnuts, apricots, almonds, etc. Besides, you can buy a wide variety of pickles here.
Ram Bazaar
Another shopping zone called Ram Bazaar offers a unique shopping experience to visitors. You will find local delicacies and handicraft items in this market. This place is famous for a large variety of handmade shawls, woolen clothing, and blankets. You will find woolen clothing in a wide range of beautiful designs and rich fabrics here. They are also available in vibrant colors in this market. Apart from them, you can also find locally made pickles here. Shopping at Ram Bazaar will be a memorable moment for shopping enthusiasts.
Lakkar Bazaar
Don’t miss the vibrant Lakkar Bazaar when you are in Shimla. This market is widely known for its unique souvenirs and decorative items. These items are made by local artisans with the help of cedar wood. This market is the perfect destination to find the best quality wooden items, such as walking sticks and other items. All the items that are sold here are of high quality. Some of the items that you will find here include toys, stools, wooden tables, kitchenware, etc. Lakkar Bazaar is also famous for its stunning Tibetan carpets, which are made by Tibetan refugees. You will find these carpets in beautiful designs and stunning tapestries. Apart from the woven carpets, you can also buy hand-knotted woolen carpets here. These carpets are available in different ethnic designs.
Middle Bazaar
This is one of the topmost shopping destinations in Shimla, which is located between Lower Bazaar and Mall Road. This is a must-visit shopping destination for shopping lovers. You can buy a large number of items here, such as homeware, cosmetics, clothing, etc. It is the right place to purchase trinkets and trendy clothes. This is also a great place for fashion enthusiasts to buy a plethora of items such as trendy outfits, traditional Himachali wear, and stunning ethnic accessories. Apart from the clothes, you can also buy carved wooden items, traditional clay pottery, and stone sculptures here.
Getting Around in Shimla
You will find many local transport options in Shimla to travel from one place to another. These transport options perfectly suit your budget. Some of the public transport options in Shimla include the following:
Buses
You will find many buses in Shimla that can take you to the nearby attractions. This is an affordable way to move around Shimla. You can either choose an ordinary bus or a luxury one to move around this hill station.
Taxis
Tourists can also opt for taxis to travel comfortably. They are available around the clock in Shimla. You don’t need to shell out an extra amount from your pocket to book them, as the taxi fares are within your budget.
