Shimla India Travel Guide

Located in the middle-western ranges of the Himalayas is Shimla, the capital city of the state of Himachal Pradesh. It is situated at an altitude above 2000 meters, and the Dhauladhar and Pir Panjal mountain ranges bisect it through its center.

Shimla History

Shimla came into existence in the year 1819, after the gory Gurkha War. Until then, it was part of the Kingdom of Nepal. Its name is derived from the Goddess Shyamala who is an incarnation of the Goddess Kali. The British were in complete awe of the beauty and climate of the place, and they started to stay in tents during the summer. It was as late as 1822 that the first double storied building was constructed by Captain Kennedy. By the later half of the 19th century, it had officially become the summer capital of the British Empire in India. History, of sorts, was created in the year 1903 when Shimla was connected by roadways. It was the capital of Punjab till 1966 but, after Chandigarh, it became the capital of the state of Himachal Pradesh.

Shimla Today

Shimla is one of the most popular hill stations of in northern India, and is renowned for the beautiful flowers and plant life that grow there. This tourist’s paradise is also famous for its fir and pine forests. Shimla is a major exporter of a type of capsicum known as Shimla Mirch. This is the only city in India that has a natural ice skating rink, and skaters from all over the world test their skills during the skating carnival, which is held every January. It was also famous for its golden eagle, but that beautiful bird now seems extinct.

Shimla Things To Do and Attractions

Shimla has a lot of tourist attractions and scenic beauty to offer travellers. One popular thing to do in Shimla is to visit the Christ Church, which is the second oldest church in India. This majestic church has stained glass windows inside that have words of wisdom inscribed on them. Another Shimla thing to do is to visit the Jakhu Hanuman temple. Situated at an altitude of nearly 2000 meters, this temple for Hanuman has a great view of the town. To get to the temple, Shimla travellers either climb the mountain or ride the ponies that are available for hire. One of the more popular picnic spots in the area, known as The Glen, is located in Shimla. This thickly wooded narrow valley is located at an high altitude, and is a highly popular Shimla attraction for tourists and locals alike. Another popular picnic spot is the Annandale, which is a region with thick deodar forests and an extremely ancient temple. Prospect Hill, which offers panoramic views of the city, is another popular Shimla thing to do.

Shimla Excursions

Ski lovers can travel 16 kilometers from Shimla to the Kufri Ski Resort. With striking views of the Himalayan mountain range, this ski resort is a popular Shimla attraction. It also has a small zoo spread over 20 acres. It boasts over 140 species, including the endangered Tibetan wolf.About 23 kilometers from Shimla is Naldhera. With a popular golf course surrounded by cedar forests, it is a very relaxing place. Another picnic spot is Tattapani, which is famous for its ambience and hot springs. It is situated on the banks of the Sutlej River and is about 43 kilometers from Shimla. About 70 kilometers from Shimla is another magnificent town in India, Kausali.

Shimla Shopping

The whole of Himachal is famous for its handicrafts and woollen shawls. Shimla, being the capital, has major markets for these items. Shimla has a lot to offer – from woollen specialities to Tibetan carpets.The city’s wood works have also carved a niche in the markets. Another Shimla speciality is jewellery at some of the Tibetan shops in the Ridge, which is a large open space in the center of the city. You will be able to get these items at extremely reasonable prices. The Mall is the favourite shopping hangout of the locals as well as the tourists. Lakkar bazaar is a market famous for its handicraft and souvenir shops.

Shimla Restaurants

Shimla restaurants serve typical Himachali food. One of the most loved food item is the ‘Luchi-Poti’, meaning lamb intestines. Though it sounds gross, it is a delicious dish and is very well cooked. It is a must to try the Momos to tantalize the taste buds. Since Shimla is a city that has lots of international tourists, you will be able to find restaurants that serve a variety of cuisines. In fact, don’t be surprised to see pasta being served with a variety of sauces, as it is very common in Himachal Pradesh.

Shimla Nightlife

Shimla has many lounge bars in the city. Like a lot of the other cities in India, you'll find some of the best bars in the 5-star Shimla hotels.

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