If one wants to see the majestic snow clad mountains, rich and stunning greenery and some beautiful lakes, then the perfect holiday destination for them is Shimla. Also, when it comes to Himachal Pradesh, Shimla is one of the most popular tourist spots throughout the year.
In fact, this land is so beautiful that during the time of British rule, it was made the summer capital of India. As a result, the influence of British architecture is very much evident on the buildings. Also, the best thing about Shimla is that one can visit them throughout the year. Since, it is a popular place to visit one needs to be prepared from ahead when booking hotels in Shimla mall road because they are always on demand.
Here are some places that should be included in the Shimla holiday itinerary:
The Ridge
The centre of the town is the Shimla Ridge which offer some spectacular view of the mountain peaks of the land. This ridge is a very open and spacious space which runs from east to west along the mall and is one of the popular tourist destinations. This connects to the Scandal Point in the west and if one loves viewing mountains then this is the right spot. From here, one can get a clear and spectacular view of the mountains and ranges. When visiting this place one can also pay a visit to the Christ Church, visit the Tudor Library, do some shopping from the Mall road and eat some delicious food from the restaurants.
Jakhoo Hill
This is located just 2 kilometres away from Shimla and Jakoo Hill is the highest peak in the entire hill station. It offers a scenic view of the city and the snow capped Himalayan Mountains as well. This 8000 ft Jakhoo Hill is a very famous tourist attraction which is visited by people who love mountains and natures. Other than them, pilgrims also visit this place because it is the home to the ancient Jakhoo Temple which has a large statue of Lord Hanuman. In fact, located at the altitude of 8500 feet above sea level, this statue which is 108 feet tall has some sensors to drive away the birds.
Mall Road
The mall road is located just below the Ridge and while in this road one can get a glimpse of entire Shimla in a nutshell. This place is filled with many cafes, shops, restaurants, book shops and other things. Though this place can be a bit crowded all the time one can still take a stroll along the road and get the vibe of Shimla. Here, one can try some mouth watering local cuisines from local food joints, shop for souvenirs and visit the Town Hall and Gaiety Theatre.
Kalka–Shimla Railway
The Kalka—Shimla Railway is a UNESCO World Heritage Site along with the Mountain Railways of India. This was built in the year 1988 so that the line could connect Shimla with other railway lines in India. This runs from a town in Haryana called Kalka to Shimla. This train along its journey take various halts at tourist places like Solan, Summer Hill and more. Having a rail trip through this line means one can get some breathtaking views around and the journey through many bridges and tunnels can make one to have an experience of a lifetime.
Christ Church
This church is an exquisite example of a neo Gothic architecture and one cannot even think Shimla without it. It is located on the Ridge and was built in the year 1857. This architectural marvel took almost 3 years to get completed. It has a clock tower, stained glass windows and frescos which are its main attractions. This place also houses the largest pipe organ in India.
Indian Institute of Advanced Study
Also known as the Rashtrapati Niwas, this place is housed in the famous Vice Regal Lodge and is situated on the top of the Observatory Hill. This building was constructed in between 1880 and 1888 during the British reign. This institute was established in the year 1965 and was inaugurated by Dr. Radhakrishnan. When one is here, they can visit the gardens, the Summer Hills and also pay a visit to the Manorville Mansion which is a historic building.
Summer Hill
This is a very quiet town which is located at the outskirts of Shimla. The Summer Hill is also known as the Potter’s Hill. In the past, the potters used to stay here and gather clay to make pots. Located at a height of 1284 metres above sea level this hill offers some spectacular view of the greenery around along with the valley. This is also a part of the cluster of seven hills which form Shimla. When here, one can also enjoy the beauty of Chadwick Falls.
Kufri
Kufri is located around 17 kilometres away from Shimla and it is at an altitude of 2510 metres. This is at the Himalayan foothills and is a very popular tourist destination. Kufri and some other places around Shimla once belonged to the kingdom of Nepal and this place offers a stunning view around. Apart from enjoying scenic views one can also do some adventure sports like hiking and pay a visit to the Himalayan wild life zoo.
Annandale
This is one of the star attractions of Shimla which is located around 4 kilometres from the Ridge. It is a flat terrain which was once the playground of the British because they loved playing polo and cricket there. Racing was another popular sport which was once conducted there. Now, this place has been turned into a small golf course which is also used as a helipad. One can take hike at the Glen, pay a visit to the Army Museum and the Cactus Museum nearby.
One can check some great hotels in Shimla mall road and get a clear idea about them by reading some online reviews. Booking rooms online is also an easy thing these days.