Shimla is the capital city of Himachal Pradesh, located in northern India at an altitude of 2,202 meters. It has a scenic location surrounded by green hills and snow-capped peaks. Shimla has a cool climate in the summers and mild winters. It can be reached by road, train, or air and has many sites of natural beauty, colonial architecture, and Hindu temples that make it a popular tourist destination.

1. Shimla- A Paradise on Earth

2. Location of Shimla

3. is ideally located in the arms of Himalayas
at an altitude of 2202.00 Meters. It has got a scenic
location, it is surrounded by green hills with snow
capped peaks. The spectacular cool hills
accompanied by the structures made during the
colonial era creates an aura which is very different
from other hill.

4. Shimla, formerly known as Shimla, is the capital city of the Indian state of
Himachal Pradesh, located in northern India. In 1864, Shimla was declared
as the summer capital of British India. After independence, the city became
the capital of Punjab and was later named the capital of Himachal Pradesh.
 Geographic and Topographic Aspects: The mean elevation of the town is
2202.00 Meters. Most of the town lies between 2,100 m and 2,300 m
 Climate : Summers: Minimum: 15 C , Maximum : 27o C
Winters: Minimum: 0o C., Maximum: 17 o C. Area: 5,131 km²
 Population: Approx.1.25 million
 Languages Spoken: Himachali (Pahari), Hindi, Punjabi and English.
 Religion: Mostly Hindu. Also Sikh, Muslim and Christian.

5. Reach Shimla By Road:
Shimla is well connected with the cities like Chandigarh, Delhi, Dehradun and
Kalka though roadways. You can hire taxis as well as state buses to reach the
hill station from these cities. There are even
regular bus services from the nearby places to
Shimla such as Kullu (235 km), Manali (280 km),
Delhi (370 km) and Ambala (154 km). From the
capital of India, one can even take luxury buses
and cabs which will provide a comfortable journey.
Access to Shimla by road is made possible by the well-maintained and efficient
network of roadways and National Highway 22 that links the town with
Chandigarh.

6. Reach Shimla By Train:
The nearest station is Kalka which connects the city
with different parts of the country by rail
line. There are quite a good number of
trains from the cities like Delhi and
Calcutta. From Kalka station, one can
take the pleasure of toy train as well as
can hire private cabs to explore the beauty of this
city. The city boasts of three railway
Stations with Shimla, being the main
station with other two located at Summer
Hill and Totu (Jutogh) respectively.

7. Reach Shimla By Air:
Located at a distance of 22 km away from the Shimla,
the Jubbarhatti airport is well connected to various other cities by air.
The other nearby airports such as Chandigarh
Airport and Delhi airport can be accessed
easily. Shimla has its own airport that offer
s connections for Delhi and Kullu. The
Jubbarhatti airport is 23-km from Shimla and
major domestic airlines cater their services
from here to Shimla. One can catch direct
flights from Delhi. Chandigarh also well
connected with Delhi by many domestic flights,
and is the gateway to Shimla.

8.  Nature: Shimla has been blessed with all the natural bounties which one can
think of. It has got a scenic location, it is surrounded by green hills with snow
capped peaks. The spectacular cool hills accompanied by the structures made
during the colonial era creates an aura which is very different from other hill.
Some routes offer a greater variety of Shimla trees, shrubs, wildflowers and
ferns. If you are lucky some bird species can also be sighted. Some suggested
places are: The Glen, The Bharari spur.
 Colonial Architecture: Most of Shimla has diverse colonial forms culled from
all over Europe. English Renaissance, English Home Counties Marketplace:
The Mall, Norman- Baronial: District Courts, Tudor: The Library on the Ridge
and Barnes Court, Churches .
 Shopping: Handicrafts. Shawls and tweeds. Fruit juice and jams. Honey.
Quality woollens. Silver jewellery. Rare books and etchings. Contemporary
pahari miniature paintings. Metalware. Rugs and carpets. Handmade
footwear. Wooden items like walking sticks.

9.  Adventure:
Tattapani
Nardera
Narkanda
Kufri
 Spirituality:
Jakhu temple
Sankat Mochan temple
St Christ n Michael’s Cathedral
Tara Devi
Kali Bari
 Heritage:
Himachal State
Museum & Library
Viceregal Lodge
The ridge
 Wildlife:
Daranghati Sanctuary
Kurfi Wildlife Park
Chail Wildlife Sanctuary

10.  Himachal State Museum & Library : The museum is located 2.5-km
west of the scandal point and opens daily
except on Mondays & public holidays.
It has got a good collection of ancient
historical sculptures, paintings, coins,
photos and other items from all over the
state as well as outside it. It has also got a
library, which houses many historical books
and manuscripts. Visiting hours are from
10 AM to 5 PM and it is closed on Monday and gazetted holidays.

11.  Viceregal Lodge : It also known as "Rashtrapati Niwas". This
magnificent building was the residence of the British Viceroy Lord
Dufferin. This lodge was completed in 1888 and
it is said that every brick for the building was
carried by mules. This is a six-story building and
is surrounded by well-maintained gardens and
lawns. The lodge has now been converted into
Institute of Advanced Study and is further 2-km
from State Museum.

12.  The Ridge:
The large open space in the heart of town
presents excellent view of the mountain
ranges. Shimla's landmarks - the Neo-Gothic
structure of Christ Church and the new
- Tudor Library building is worth seeing.

13.  Christ Church & St. Michael's Cathedral : Built
in 1846-1857, Christ Church is the second oldest
church of Northern India. The Church overlooks
the ridge and is one of the landmarks of Shimla.
The Church's exquisite beauty comes with the
stained glasses that are fitted on its windows.
The town's other important churches are St.
Michael's Cathedral and Roman Catholic
Cathedral, which is just off the Mall

14.  Jakhu Temple : Dedicated to Lord Hanuman, this temple is at an
altitude of 8048 feet above sea level near the highest point of
Shimla ridge. It offers a panoramic view over the surrounding
valleys , out to the snowcapped peaks, and over the town itself.
The temple is a 45-minute walk from the Ridge, one can also hire
pony or taxi to visit temple.
 Sankat Mochan : On Shimla-Kalka road at a distance of around
5 KMs is the famous "Lord Hanuman" temple. Situated at an
altitude of 1,975m, it commands an excellent view of Shimla
town. Temple has beautiful campus and Langar is held every
Sunday.

15.  Tara Devi :On Shimla-Kalka road, this holy place is
accessible by rail, bus and car (11-km). It’s around 20 KMs
journey from the town. Situated on top of a hill that faces
Shimla, the temple offers panoramic views of Shimla town
and surrounding hills. It is famous picnic spot.
 Kali Bari : The temple is situated near to The Mall and its 5
minutes walk from The Mall. The temple is dedicated to
Shyamala Devi (Shimla is named after this goddess), an
incarnation of Goddess Kali. Temple faces heavy rush
during Diwali and Durga Puja as many Bengalis visit this
temple

16.  Trekking : Equipment, training and instructors are available. And
then, all this comes at a fraction of what it would cost elsewhere
in the world.
 Fishing : Fishing is available at Tattapani 46 km from Shimla. No
fishing is allowed during the following seasons: 1st June to 31st
July (General water) 1st November to 31 January.
 Skiing : Skiing is possible at Narkanda and Kufri (January–mid-
March).
 Golf : At Naldera, 23 km from beyond Shimla is one of the oldest
golf courses in India.
 Ice Skating : The Shimla ice-skating rink has the largest open-air
area with naturally frozen ice in this part of the world. Ice-skating
normally begins in early December and carries on to February

18.  Daranghati Sanctuary: This wildlife park of Shimla is the
abode to the species like Monal, Tragopan, Koklas and
Kalij. The park also has a number of Musk deer, Goral and
Thar.
 Kurfi Wildlife Park: This consists of Himalayan Brown
Bear, Sloth Bear, Panther, Snow Leopard, Tibetian Wolf,
Barking deer, Ghoral, Sambar, Himalayan Thar, Yak and
Black Bear.
 Chail Wildlife Sanctuary: This includes animals like
Sambar, Goral, Himalayan Black Bear, Red Deer, Silver-
White Oak, Barking Deer, Leopard, Rhesus Macaque,
Himalayan Yellow Throated Marten, Porcupine, Common
Giant and Kashmiri flying Squirrel and Chir.

19.  Churdhar Sanctuary: This sanctuary is situated at
Solan in Shimla. Major attractions of this place are
Monals, Black Bear, Barking Deer, Musk Deer, Common
Langur and Leopards.
 Pin Valley National Park: With its snow laden
unexplored higher reaches and slopes, the Park forms
a natural habitat for a number of endangered
animals including the Snow Leopard and Siberian
Ibex.
 Majathal Sanctuary: Located in the Spiti valley, this
park is the habitat of Ibex and Bharal. which shelters
rare breeds like Gorals and Cheer Pheasants.

20.  Wild Flower Hall (13KM) : 13 km from Shimla, is the
Wild Flower Hall situated at an altitude of 2,498 m. It
commands a breathtaking view of the snows.
 Mashobra (10KM) : Situated at a height of 2149 mt. . A
place of unique beauty, Mashobra is an ideal interlude
beneath the oaks and the pines. Dotted with delightful
villas and innumerable picnic spots. Goddess Durga
temple is worth seeing. A fair is held here every
April/May.

21.  Kufri (16KM) : Kufri, at distance of 16 km from Shimla and at an
altitude of 2510 m above sea level, is a site offering some famous
hikes and wonderful snow for skiing in winters. The Himalayan
Nature Park here has a good collection of animals and birds
found in the region.
 Chail (43KM) : It was the former capital of the Patiala State. It
has the world’s highest cricket ground at a height of 2250 m, built
in 1893. There is a wildlife sanctuary at a distance of 3 km from
here. Himachal Tourism runs the Palace Hotel.
 Fagu (22KM) : Fagu Situated on Hindustan-Tibet Road (22-
km), at a height of 2,450m Fagu is gifted with some enchanting
views. Himachal Tourism runs the Hotel peach Blossom.

22.  There is an enormous range of goods that Shimla has to
offer like handicrafts, wood, and metalwork, shawls,
pullovers, local tweeds, Wooden articles and Toys, caps.
 There are many Emporium's and Showrooms on the
Mall from where one can buy Himachali Shawls, Pahari
Cap, Pullovers etc. The Tibetan Market is famous for
imported goods mainly electronics goods and fancy
items.

23. Shimla is a place that has been untouched by
commercialization and globalization. It is very different
from rest of the Indian states and has retained its old
world charm. The culture of Shimla is such that it portrays
a sound balance between traditional values and modern
thoughts. The cultural heritage of Shimla is very
traditional and rural.
Dance is basically religion oriented. The major dance
forms of Shimla are: Kayang Dance, Bakayang dance,
Jataru Kayang dance, Chohara dance, and Rasa dance

24. Mall has many good restaurants serving Punjabi, South
Indian, Chinese and Continental Foods. One can find good
Punjabi Dhabas and Vaishnav Dhabas near the mall and
lower bazaar having reasonable rates. There are many Fast
Food Centers on the Mall, where Burgers, Pizzas, Patties etc
are available.