1. THE STATE MUSEUM SHIMLA
Shimla museum has endeavoured to project hill art and the cultural wealth of the state showing their link with the national scene. There is a collection of miniature paintings, Pahari as well as from other schools, sculptures, woodcarvings and also costumes, textiles and jewellery of the region.
2. NARKANDA
Narkanda is a town in Shimla district Himachal Pradesh. It is about 65 km away from Shimla situated altitude 2,708 meters and surrounded by the Himalayan Range. It commands a unique view of the eternal snow line and the dense forest. A quaint sleepy hamlet. From here, you get breathtaking view of the snow clad Himalayas. ‘HATU PEAK’, at an altitude of 3,143 meters (10,000 feet) above sea level is 8 km., from Narkanda. In winter, there are exciting ski slopes to Ski on.
3. Jakhu Hill
2 km., height 2,455 meters. This is the highest peak of Shimla and offers panoramic view of the town and the mountains. ‘HANUMAN TEMPLE OF JAKJU’ is very famous. According to legend, Hanumanji took rest here when he was carrying a hill of ‘sanjiwani booti’ (a herb to save the life of Lakshmana, the younger brother of Lord Rama). during the formal battle between lord Rama and Ravana the king of Lanka. Replete with history and architectural charm there are several houses along the steep 1.5 km climb from the Ridge. This includes ‘Rhothney Castle’ the residence of the celebrated ornithologist and founder of the Indian National Congress, A.O. Hume.
On 4th November 2011, the famous Jakhu temple became the site for the tallest idol of Lord Hanuman in the world at a height of 8,500 feet. The Jakhu temple is a famous shrine where devotees make a beeline but now there another is a famous shrine were devotees make a beeline but now there another is attraction in the form of tallest hanuman idol in the world. Mr. H.C Nanda Chairman Nanda trust had undertook the task of raising 108 foot tall Hanuman Idol in the temple.
The 108 foot tall idol was set up at a cost of Rs. 1.50 crore. The work started on Hanuman Jayanti an October 2008. The idol has been made by Naresh Kumar, hailing from a family of sculptors from Pilani in Rajasthan with the help of 40 workers. The unveiling ceremony was attended by Abhishek Bachchan and his sister Sweta Bachchan Nanda.
4. Viceregal Lodge (Indian Institute of Advance Studies)
The institute is housed in the erstwhile Vive regal Lodge which was built in 1884-88 during the period of Lord Dufferin. It is a commanding building in Summer Hill. The gardens of the Institute are really beautiful and fascinating. It was designed by Henry Twain.
The main architect of this stately structure built in the n1eo-Gothic style, with elements of Scottish Baronial architecture, was Henry Irwin. Spread over 123 acres, it is built in blue-grey stone masonry with tiled-pitch roofing. The main block has three stores and the kitchen wing five. It is a witness to many events that shaped the history and the kitchen wing five. It is a witness to many events that shaped the history of India. It was the venue for the Shimla Conference in 1945. In 1947, thee decision on the Partition of India and carving out West and East Pakistan was taken here. After Independence, it became the property of the President of India and was renamed Rashtrapati Niwas. Now, it houses the Indian Institute of Advanced Study (IIAS) where research scholars and fellows from all over the world come in pursuit of academic quest. It has an excellent library and is under the Union Ministry of Human Resource Development.
5. TOWN HALL
Is occupies a commanding location and is architecturally magnificent. It was built in 1860 using stone and timber with slanting state roof and big glass windows. It has a fair amount of European character and most of its rooms have a fireplace. It houses the offices of the Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Commissioner of the Municipal Corporation. Most branches dealing with various public services are also houses here.
6. COFFEE HOUSE SHIMLA :- This coffee house of Shimla is working under a cooperative society. With the head office in Delhi, the society called, the Indian Coffee Workers Cooperative Society, is one of the few, very successful cooperative societies in India. There are 12 coffee houses in North India under this society. There are a number of such societies in India with numerous coffee houses under them having a large country wide network. But all these coffee house societies are again under one organization called. The All-India Coffee Workers-Co-operative Societies-Feberation: Every society is having an elected management; whosoever has worked for five years, becomes member of the society and can vote.
There is a two year probation for every worker and to become a counter-clerk or manager, one has to go through a written test. Any worker, may be a waiter or a dish washer can become the secretary of the society, if elected. Before the making of these cooperative societies in 1956-57, all coffee houses in India were under the Central Coffee Board of Government. It was Jawaharlal Nehru who was mainly instrumental in encouraging workers to make these cooperatives. That may be the reason, why only the photographs of Nehru and Gandhi are seen in these coffee houses all over. The interior décor of the coffee house is always kept simple with a few framed pictures, but only those portraying coffee. Having two floors, the Shimla Coffee House is spacious but it is always packed.
7. CHAIL :- Situated 45 km. from Shimla at an altitude of 2,250 meters. This was the ‘Summer Capital’ of the erstwhile Patiala State. The small town is located amid thick woods and has fine walks. It has the highest cricket ground in the world. The dance forests around are alive with many species of birds and animals but it is best known for its ‘Scottish red Deer’ which were introduced by the Maharaja.
8. KUFRI :- 16 km. from Shimla at an altitude of 2,633 meters. Kufri has won a name on the sports and tourist map of India due to its ‘Ski-runs’, ‘Seed Potato Farm’ of the Central Potato Research Institute and ‘Food Craft Institute’.
9. FAGU :- 22 km. Altitude 2,510 meters. Fagu’s idyllic surroundings area is for those looking for tranquility and solitude. A small hamlet overlooking prosperous apple orchards and with a fine view of the Himalayan Panorma. Fagu is also a popular trekking stage.
10. WILD FLOWER HALL :- 13 km. It was once the residence of Lord Kitchner, the Commander-in-Chief of India in the beginning of the twentieth century. This is surrounded by dense and beautiful pine forests. About 1km from Wild Flower Hall is the ‘Retreat’, the weekend resort of Lord Curzon. Between Wild Flower Hall and Retreat, ‘Hem Kunj’ (formerly Dane’s Folly) the summer holiday resort of the Punjab Governor is situated. On January 4-5, 1993. Wild Flower Hall was reduced to ashes in a major fire.