Shimla is a beautiful hill station known for British architecture and panoramic natural beauty. This hill station is the most visited destination in north India, Other than being an iconic hill station Shimla is also capital of Himachal Pradesh. Shimla located on lower Himalayan ranges and has maximum altitude of 2200 meters.
Shimla was the summer capital of British India; it has also preserved the colonial charm by heritage buildings, churches and streets. In present days, Shimla has become a popular tourist destination of Himachal Pradesh.
In Shimla you can see glimpses of colonial history. Mall Road, Christ Church, Town Hall, Vice Regal Lodge, and Railway Board Building are beautiful works of architecture. Other than this, tourist spots like Mall Road, Kufri, Fagu, Mashobra, Naldehra, Tattapani, Chail and Narkanda are worth visiting in Shimla.
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| Total Visitor in Years | 30 to 40 Lakh in Years |
| Domestic Tourist | 90 to 95% |
| Foreigners | 5 to 10% |
| Tourist Type Breakdown Family Travelers | 50% |
| Adventures and Solo Travelers | 15% |
| Foreigners Tourists | 5 to 10% |
| Couple/Honeymooners | 25% |
Shimla history starts from a small Himalayan village to become the summer capital of British India and now one of the renowned hill stations of India. Shimla has been influenced by colonial architecture, political ideology and transformation of culture.
Shimla was a small cluster of 7 hills and dense forest of pine, oak and deodar trees. Jakhu hill was one of the seven hills where Shimla was developed by the British. This hill has the oldest temple of region dedicated to Lord Hanuman. Shimla was untouched by large population and was a small village.
Shimla was a important place when Anglo –Gorkha war has been done in 1814 to 1816. After that, British started gain control over India and Shimla came into prominence. A British officer has made his house in Shimla in 1819. After this British official started visiting Shimla frequently. Temperature of Shimla made it ideal escape from the heat of plains.
In 1864, Shimla officially declared the Summer Capital of British India. All British administration was shifted here in summers. Many important political decisions were taken in Shimla only. Many iconic constructions like Viceroy Lodge and Christ Church was constructed in Shimla. Shimla became the center of power in summers.
Construction of Kalka Shimla Toy Train
In the year 1903, for easy commute to Shimla British made Kalka Shimla toy train. It is a sample of remarkable engineering, 103 tunnels and panoramic bridges. It is UNESCO world heritage site now.
After Independence Shimla was the part of Punjab and also capital of Punjab for a short period of time. On 26 January 1971, Himachal Pradesh was formed and Shimla became the capital of Himachal Pradesh. Shimla also the famous tourist destination of north India. It is the perfect blend of heritage and modern tourism. Millions of people from India and around world visits Shimla for their holidays.
Shimla has the pleasant weather throughout the year. That is why it is the famous destination of north India. Every season in Shimla is beautiful, winters are snowy, summers are pleasant, monsoon is misty and autumn has clear sky.
In summers temperature ranges between 15 to 30 degree. In this season weather is pleasant and comfortable. It is best for sightseeing and travelling. This is also the peak season time when people comes here to escape from scorching heat.
In monsoon Shimla weather remain misty and green. Temperature ranges between 15 to 25 degree. All the mountains are green and views are foggy.
Best time to see clear views of mountains. Temperature is between 10 to 20 degree. Best time for photography.
Winter is the best time to experience snow in Shimla. Temperature remains between 5 to 15 degree. You can enjoy activities like skiing, sledging, snow tubing at Kufri and Narkanda.
Shimla is accessible in any month of Year. Every season in Shimla has its own beauty. Summer are pleasant and enjoy full, winters are snowy and in Autumn, you can enjoy clear view of mountains. However monsoon hinders sightseeing a bit due to rains. But you can see greenery of Shimla mountains in monsoon. So every season has its own importance and feature you can visit Shimla any time in a year.
Shimla is not just a places to have sightseeing and rest it is an experience. There are many activities to do in Shimla, we have listed below
Top things to do in Shimla | Adventure activties in Shimla | Things to do in Kufri
Shimla is not just a journey it is a experience of transformations from plains to panoramic Himalayan views. Shimla can be reached by all mean of transpirations. It can be reached by heritage toy train, by road and also by air, making it early accessible from Chandigarh and Delhi.
Delhi to Shimla has four lane well developed road. It is 360 km away and takes 7 to 8 hours to reach Shimla. Chandigarh to Shimla is 125 km away and it takes 3 to 4 hours to reach Shimla.
Delhi → Murthal → Sonipat → Panipat → Karnal → Ambala → Chandigarh → Dharampur → Solan → Kandaghat → Shoghi → Shimla
Shimla can be reached by heritage toy train runs between Kalka to Shimla. You would need to reach Kalka by broad gauge train after that narrow gauge Kalka Shimla Toy Train runs. It takes 5 to 6 hours to reach Shimla by Kalka Shimla toy train. It passes through forest, bridges and tunnels. It is a life time slow journey to plains to heritage Himalayan town Shimla.
Shimla can also be reached by air. Shimla has airport at Jubarahatti 22 km away from town. Flights to Delhi to Shimla air route is limited. Flights used to get cancelled due to bad weather. Best route to reach Shimla is book a flight to Chandigarh and reach Shimla by road.
Shimla can be travelled with all means of transports. Taxi is the most popular way to travel within Shimla city. You can book taxi for local sightseeing, Kufri, Fagu, Mashobra, Naldehra, Tattapani and Narkanda. HPTDC also local sightseeing tours for tourists. Other than this you can also use local public transport like buses to every tourist spot. Hiring a self drive two wheeling can also be one way to travel in Shimla city. In our Shimla tour packages we includes taxi in our tour package for sightseeing of all the tourist spots of Shimla.
Shimla local sightseeing taxi fare | Shimla local sightseeing cab
Mall road is main activity area of Shimla. This is the best places to enjoy food in restaurant or you can also have shopping from mall road. Lakkar Bazzar, Christ Church, Kalibari temple and Scandal point are located on Mall road only. Evening time is the best time to visit Mall road. On Saturday, Mall road remains full of tourist and locals due to weekend.
Vice Regal Lodge, Rasthrpati Bhawan, Viceroy Lodge, Indian Institute of advanced studies are the names of one building only. This building is the sample of great British architecture. Viceroy Lodge was the home of viceroy of India. It has also featured in many Indian films.
State museum is the place where you can see cultural prominence of Himachal Pradesh. You can see Pahari Miniature, Ancient sculptures, traditional Himachali costumes, coin and manuscript. This place is located 1 km away from Viceroy lodge. It is must see place of Shimla
Army uniforms, medals and army story books can be seen at army museum. This is located at peaceful environment of Annadale. Best place to learn about Indian army.
Kufri is the destination located 15 km away from Shimla. This location is famous to see snowfall in Shimla. You can do snow activities and other adventure activities like horse riding and Yak riding in Shimla. It is the place where Asia’s highest adventure park called Kufri fun world is located in Shimla.
Mashobra located 10 km away from Shimla. It is peaceful location to enjoy quite surroundings away from crowd. You can experience visit to apple orchards, Pine forest and nature walks in Mashobra.
Naldehra is a famous tourist spots 22 km away from Shimla. Here you can see golf course and green meadows. It is scenic tourist spot for familes and couples
Tattapani located 50 km away from Shimla. This is the place where you can experience natural hot water springs. It is best place to enjoy legendary view of river Staluj. You can enjoy white river rafting in river Satluj.
Narkanda is 50 km away from Shimla. This place is also famous where you can see snowfall in winters. It is the best places to do snow activities likes skiing and snowboarding. Hatu peak is the highest point of Narkanda. Skiing and Snowboarding can also be done in Narkanda.
Shimla is famous or traditional Himachali dishes, Chinese food and bakers located on Mall road and at quite corners on the walking distance of Shimla. If you are visiting Shimla, local food is as important as sightseeing in Shimla
Siddu is the soft wheat bread with stuffing it is usually served with ghee and chutney. Filling of Siddu is very soft and this dish is usually served with Ghee and Chutney.
Madra is the part of Himachali Dham. It is made by kidney beans and chickpeas. This dish is cooked with yougurt and Indian spices makes it tasty. It is one the best Item of Himachali Dham.
Dham is the famous traditional food of Himachal Pradesh. There are may category of Dhams ctageorised by local tastes. Bilaspuri Dham, Madyali Dham and Kangri Dham. This is full tradition meal with Items like Madra, Kaddi, Dal, Rice and Sweet. It is maily served in festivals and weddings.
Cha Gost is traditional local non veg dish. This dish is made of mutton cooked in yogurt and spices. It is rich flavoured dish famous in non vegetarian locals.
Tudkiya Bhath is rice cooked with vegetables like cauliflower, carrot or potato. This is different with regular pulav and cooked with Lenthil and spices.
Aktori is Panckaes made of wheat and rice flour. These pancakes are stuffed with Patatos and vegetables. This are light and tradition snacks good for health.
Sepu Vadi is lentil dumping curry famous adopted from Mandi district. This has been cooked in tangy gravy. It is popular vegetarian dish.
Guchi Pulau is a special and expensive Shimla dish made of Guchi. Guchi is a rare type of Mashroom used to found in Jungles of Shimla. Its rich and aromatic taste good for health.
Momo is the famous Tibetan food available in every third food stall of Shimla. This is steamed or fried dumping served with red chilly chutney. These are many shops in Sabji Mandi and lower Bazar have their specilaity in Non Veg/ Veg Momo.
Thukpa is also a traditional Tibetian Dish made of soup, meat or vegitables. This dish is good for winters.
This is black lentil with ghee
Kurkej are like Pakoda available at every Chinese restaurants.
It is a tangy Chicken dish cooked with Pomegranate.
Sour and Spicy Chickpea curry.
