Shimla
If you wish to witness heaven on earth then 'Shimla' is the place that can safely be called as heaven. Shimla is the state capital of Himachal Pradesh in India. It's on the southwestern ranges of Himalaya with an altitude of 2206 meters above the sea level. Shimla is nearly 9.5 km away from east-west.
Shimla was built on top of seven different hills, its highest top being Jakhoo hills. Shimla is situated 88 km from northeast of Kalka and 116 km northeast of Chandigarh. Delhi is just 7 hours drive away from Shimla and that makes this city popular for tourists. The tranquil beauty of Shimla and splendid views will surely captivate your senses. It is the best place to enjoy the holidays with your family and friends.
Earlier the British people designated Shimla as the summer capital of India. The higher connection was linked with British influence back then. Most buildings in Shimla had Victorian style influence and it is still the same.
Places of Attraction
Scandal point in Shimla: If you love sunsets and sunrises, then you must visit the very famous Scandal Point in Shimla. As its ideal place for valley viewing, it gives you a breathtaking view of Shimla. It’s a treat for you if you love the mesmerizing view of the snow capped mountains.
Mall Road: Mall Road is another place that you should visit when in Shimla. It's actually a shopping paradise for tourists and local residents. You can buy everything from warm woolens to amazing handicrafts. The prices are reasonable and you can bargain too.
Shimla State Museum: If you love to explore art and culture, then you should visit Shimla State Museum. It gives you a peek into British architecture and the colonial era.
Johnnie’s Wax Museum in Shimla: For a fun-filled day, you can visit Johnnie’s Wax Museum in Shimla. It's amongst the best tourist attractions that display lifestyle wax figures of the famous international and Indian icons.
Jakhoo Hills: Jakhoo hills are the place you should visit if you love mountains and trekking. You can get an enchanting view of the mountains from this place. Jakhoo hills are 8000 feet high making it the highest peak in Shimla. It's a paradise for nature lovers. You can take a short trek on the hill with friends and family.
Places that can attract you
Many lower slopes are still occupied with markets and restaurants. Traffic is totally banned from the Historic central areas of Shimla. Pre-independent influence still reflects in Shimla. Many buildings such as Auckland House, Gorton Castle, Shimla Town Hall remind of British rule in India. Annandale is a great golfing destination and the biggest club in Shimla. You can visit the place for captivating scenic views and meadows.
If you want to seek some divine intervention, then you can visit Tara Devi temple. Its the most popular temple of the region and many tourist visit this divine spot. Kufri is a place where you can enjoy some fun adventure sports and snow activities. Its famous for skiing and ice skating.
Weather
Shimla's cool climate is what attracts so many tourists at this place. It is also a popular summer retreat among people. As its altitude is at a higher level, it has a very hilly terrain. Shimla is covered by dense forests and that affects the climate of the place. The best time to visit Shimla is during Winters or Autumn. The temperatures drop to ten degrees in October or November.
Winter season of Shimla is extremely cold and the temperatures drop at a minus level. You can certainly witness heavy snowfall during the Winter season. The only season that gives some respite is Spring when the sky is clear.
Winter season of Shimla is extremely cold and the temperatures drop at a minus level. You can certainly witness heavy snowfall during the Winter season. The only season that gives some respite is Spring when the sky is clear.
Best Time to Visit
Spring is the best time to holiday with your family. You can also plan a trip around monsoon to have a great time. Again, monsoons give you a breathtaking view of the mountains and valley.
How to Reach
You can reach Shimla by road, rail and air travel. By road, its well connected to Chandigarh, Delhi, and Manali. You can also take private buses to reach Shimla from Delhi. Delhi is 343 km away from Shimla. You can also take the rail route to reach Shimla. The nearest connecting station is Kalka.
You can take a train to Kalka, as the distance from Shimla is just 88 km away. You can take a train from Delhi to Shimla too. If you are an air travel person, you can take a direct flight to Jubbarhatti. There are many connecting flights from Chandigarh to this airport. You can take a private cab from this airport to reach Shimla.
Do visit Shimla to experience its sheer magic! It is the most majestic hill stations in India.