Shimla

Shimla

Shimla also known as ‘Simla’ is the capital of the north Indian State, Himachal Pradesh. It is also a district which is bounded by Mandi and Kullu. Shimla was declared as the summer capital of the British India in 1864. Once was the capital of Punjab after independence, is presently the capital of Himachal Pradesh. It is the educational centre of the hilly regions of the State. Shimla has been blessed with all the natural bounties. Shimla is built over many hills and ridges. The main hills are Jakhu, Observatory Hill, Elysium Hill, and Summer Hill, and Prospect hill. The architecture, Churches, the temples and the natural environment of the city attracts tourists. Some of the main attractions also include the Viceroy Lodge, the Christ Church, the Jakhoo Temple, the Mall Road and the Ridge, which together form the city centre. The Kalka–Shimla Railway line built by the British. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and also a major tourist attraction in Shimla. Shimla also hosts the mountain biking race, it started in 2005 and is also regarded as the biggest event of its kind in South Asia. The Asia’s  largest natural ice skating rink is in Shimla. The city is also an educational hub with a number of colleges and research institutions.This city is covered with a lot of greenery all over and snow covered mountains which is the main attraction for tourists th The state Himachal Pradesh. It is one of the most prominent tourist destination in the country. Also the toy train from Kalka to Shimla passes through beautiful valleys and is also one of the beautiful train routes in the world. Tourists who come to Shimla also visit  Chail, Kufri, Naldehra, Mashobra, Tattapani and Narkanda.

List of main attractions in Shimla are as follows :

1. The Ridge :

The Ridge is located at the heart of the British Capital Shimla is an open street located on the side of mall road. The Ridge has a fabulous view of the snow-capped mountain ranges and also many shops. It is famous for many things, but best known for shopping. This place is a satisfaction for all kinds of tourists, and the old British establishments beckon visitors from all over to this centre of the beautiful hill station. The Ridge is also the social hub of the city. This wide open space is thronged by locals and nature enthusiasts as well as travellers bored of the sightseeing. The road is lined with cafes, bars, boutiques, shops and restaurants attracting the huge crowd that visit the famous Mall Road. It runs from east to west on the side of the Mall Road and connects it to the famous Scandal Point on the west end. On the east end, it is connected to the Lakkar Bazaar, which is the most famous wooden crafts market in Shimla.

  2. The Mall Road :

The mall Road is the main street that is lined up with restaurants, clubs, banks, shops, post offices and tourist offices. At the same time, the place boasts of the other exciting attractions that it houses, such as the Scandal Point and Kali Bari Temple. Mall Road celebrates the spirit of Shimla, its tourist rush and valleys and hills covered with houses and hotels. The stores located on the Mall Road are mainly famous for their woollen clothes and mainly handcrafted works, apart from the usual books and jewellery. The wooden furniture shops are particularly well-known; so do not forget to buy some exquisite wooden articles, which look like antiques, when you shop from here. Vehicles are not allowed on this street, which makes the Mall Road an ideal place to stroll around in the evenings, without concerning about the traffic. The overall environment of the site remains unpolluted.

3. Kufri :

Kufri is also one of the most visited place in Shimla, just 13 km away from the main town. The views and sceneries here are better, and the landscapes are a bit untouched with the tourist rush. However, now Kufri is also becoming popular with the visitor, mainly due to presence of zoo here. The zoological park in Kufri is famous for having rare species of Bears and birds including Himalayan Monal, which is also the state bird of Himachal Pradesh. In Kufri, Mashru peak is the highest point and one can reach there by trekking. Kufri is very cold and is mostly  used as a ski ground during winter season.

4 . Kalka Shimla Toy Train :

Kalka Shimla toy train is an enjoyable train ride from Kalka to Shimla. This is a must try experience while present here. This route is one of the most beautiful train routes in the world and it passes through hundreds of tunnels in its way. It is a narrow gauge train route and it connects Kalka to Shimla. This route has also been declared as a World Heritage Site.