Shimla Travel
Shimla Travel Information
Shimla or Simla is the capital of the state of Himachal Pradesh in India. It is a very popular holiday-retreat during the summer months and is well-known for its Victorian architecture, which is reflected in certain areas of the Mall and The Ridge. It is also a famous holiday spot for honeymoon. There are quite a few theories regarding the origin of the word Shimla. Locals insist that the name originates from Shyamali Devi, a re-incarnation of the fearsome Goddess Kali.
British coined the term “Queen of the hills” for Shimla. It has been blessed with all the natural bounties, one can think of. The biggest industry in Shimla is hotel, travel and tourism. Bulging at its seams with unprecedented expansion, the town retains a colonial aura, with its grand old buildings. If you happen to visit Shimla without hotel reservations, you can take the services of one of the numerous porters who double up as travel guides and touts for hotels in Shimla.
Shimla abounds in natural bounty and looks picture perfect. The small hill station amidst the lofty snow-clad Himalayan ranges, surrounded by lakes and lush green pastures look as though an artist has painted them. The unique thing about Shimla is that it still retains its colonial charm and this creates an ambience that is not found anywhere else in India. Shimla is one tourist destination that can be visited any time during the year. Summers are warm with cool and pleasant evenings while winters are bone chilling and the temperatures can fall below zero. But this difference is what makes Shimla all the more special!
How to Reach
By train
The nearest broad gauge head is at Kalka - a four-hour journey from Delhi. After that, take the mountain train from Kalka to Shimla. This railway track has recently been granted the status of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The view is stunning, with the line passing through an amazing 103 tunnels. The fastest way to get to Kalka is to catch the Shatabdi Express, which departs early morning from the New Delhi Railway Station, arriving at Kalka four hours later. A detailed list of trains between Delhi, Kalka and Shimla is available at [2] and [3]. You can also choose to get off at Chandigarh (en-route to Kalka), and catch a taxi from there.
By plane
Shimla has its own airport at Jubbalhatti (IATA code:SLV) that accommodates turbo-props Dorniers, while Jet, Airbus A310, 320s and Boeing 737s can all land at the larger Chandigarh (IATA code:IXC) airport. Commercial service at the Jubbalhatti Airport is daily operating to and from Delhi, by Kingfisher. Chandigarh offers far better options. Major airlines including Indian, Jet Airways and Air Deccan operate flights to Delhi, Jammu, and Mumbai. Most of the flights to Mumbai require a stop-over in Delhi.
By road
HRTC buses offer bus connectivity from all cities in Himachal Pradesh to Shimla. Frequent ordinary and deluxe bus services are available from Delhi to Shimla. Deluxe buses charge about Rs 1300 from Delhi to Shimla.
Places to See
Himachal State Museum & Library: Around two and a half kilometers from Scandal Point is Himachal State Museum and Library. The museum displays a collection of historical sculptors, paintings, coins and photos relating to the history of entire state. The museum itself is housed in a colonial building perched over hill top. The gallery also has an exquisite collection of paintings which are the last pieces of the Indian art form, the Pahari miniature art form before the Western form took over. There are dozens of Mughal and Rajasthani miniature paintings. The museum opens daily except on Mondays and public holidays.
Viceregal Lodge & Botanical Gardens: On the Observatory Hills is located Viceregal Lodge. This magnificent building was the residence of the British Viceroy Lord Dufferin. The lodge has now been converted into Indian Institute of Advanced Studies and is further 2-km from State Museum.
The Ridge: The large open space in the heart of town presents excellent view of the mountain ranges.
The Mall: The hub of Simla is the Mall, which runs along the Ridge and is crowded with tourists. It is the city’s most famous shopping center, with shops selling all items, from clothes to junk food. Most of Shimla's landmarks are located here. The Mall further joins the Ridge at the ‘Scandal Point' , where a statue of Lala Lajpat Rai has been erected. This is the main shopping center of Simla with restaurants
Prospect Hill: Crowned by Kamna Devi temple, it is 15-min walk from Boileauganj on Shimla-Bilaspur road.
Glenn: Its about 4 km walk from the Ridge through dense Forests, a sprightly stream flows through the Glen forests a It is a famous picnic spot.
Annandale: Beyond the Glen is Annandale, another picnic spot. The big open ground rarely found in the hills is covered with deodar forests
Elysium Hill: On the road leading through Lakkar Bazaar, houses the famous Auckland House, the former residence of Viceroy Lord Auckland. It is a well-known girls’ school now.
Chadwick Falls: These are the 67 meters high water falls which come streaming down from the Summer Hill. The falls are set amidst thick forest at a height of 1586 meters. The falls are at their best after monsoons. You can go and explore the tracks in the forest on your own, deodar trees line the forest. There are also some old temples close by and a fair is held here in April every year.
British coined the term “Queen of the hills” for Shimla. It has been blessed with all the natural bounties, one can think of. The biggest industry in Shimla is hotel, travel and tourism. Bulging at its seams with unprecedented expansion, the town retains a colonial aura, with its grand old buildings. If you happen to visit Shimla without hotel reservations, you can take the services of one of the numerous porters who double up as travel guides and touts for hotels in Shimla.
Shimla abounds in natural bounty and looks picture perfect. The small hill station amidst the lofty snow-clad Himalayan ranges, surrounded by lakes and lush green pastures look as though an artist has painted them. The unique thing about Shimla is that it still retains its colonial charm and this creates an ambience that is not found anywhere else in India. Shimla is one tourist destination that can be visited any time during the year. Summers are warm with cool and pleasant evenings while winters are bone chilling and the temperatures can fall below zero. But this difference is what makes Shimla all the more special!
How to Reach
By train
The nearest broad gauge head is at Kalka - a four-hour journey from Delhi. After that, take the mountain train from Kalka to Shimla. This railway track has recently been granted the status of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The view is stunning, with the line passing through an amazing 103 tunnels. The fastest way to get to Kalka is to catch the Shatabdi Express, which departs early morning from the New Delhi Railway Station, arriving at Kalka four hours later. A detailed list of trains between Delhi, Kalka and Shimla is available at [2] and [3]. You can also choose to get off at Chandigarh (en-route to Kalka), and catch a taxi from there.
By plane
Shimla has its own airport at Jubbalhatti (IATA code:SLV) that accommodates turbo-props Dorniers, while Jet, Airbus A310, 320s and Boeing 737s can all land at the larger Chandigarh (IATA code:IXC) airport. Commercial service at the Jubbalhatti Airport is daily operating to and from Delhi, by Kingfisher. Chandigarh offers far better options. Major airlines including Indian, Jet Airways and Air Deccan operate flights to Delhi, Jammu, and Mumbai. Most of the flights to Mumbai require a stop-over in Delhi.
By road
HRTC buses offer bus connectivity from all cities in Himachal Pradesh to Shimla. Frequent ordinary and deluxe bus services are available from Delhi to Shimla. Deluxe buses charge about Rs 1300 from Delhi to Shimla.
Places to See
Himachal State Museum & Library: Around two and a half kilometers from Scandal Point is Himachal State Museum and Library. The museum displays a collection of historical sculptors, paintings, coins and photos relating to the history of entire state. The museum itself is housed in a colonial building perched over hill top. The gallery also has an exquisite collection of paintings which are the last pieces of the Indian art form, the Pahari miniature art form before the Western form took over. There are dozens of Mughal and Rajasthani miniature paintings. The museum opens daily except on Mondays and public holidays.
Viceregal Lodge & Botanical Gardens: On the Observatory Hills is located Viceregal Lodge. This magnificent building was the residence of the British Viceroy Lord Dufferin. The lodge has now been converted into Indian Institute of Advanced Studies and is further 2-km from State Museum.
The Ridge: The large open space in the heart of town presents excellent view of the mountain ranges.
The Mall: The hub of Simla is the Mall, which runs along the Ridge and is crowded with tourists. It is the city’s most famous shopping center, with shops selling all items, from clothes to junk food. Most of Shimla's landmarks are located here. The Mall further joins the Ridge at the ‘Scandal Point' , where a statue of Lala Lajpat Rai has been erected. This is the main shopping center of Simla with restaurants
Prospect Hill: Crowned by Kamna Devi temple, it is 15-min walk from Boileauganj on Shimla-Bilaspur road.
Glenn: Its about 4 km walk from the Ridge through dense Forests, a sprightly stream flows through the Glen forests a It is a famous picnic spot.
Annandale: Beyond the Glen is Annandale, another picnic spot. The big open ground rarely found in the hills is covered with deodar forests
Elysium Hill: On the road leading through Lakkar Bazaar, houses the famous Auckland House, the former residence of Viceroy Lord Auckland. It is a well-known girls’ school now.
Chadwick Falls: These are the 67 meters high water falls which come streaming down from the Summer Hill. The falls are set amidst thick forest at a height of 1586 meters. The falls are at their best after monsoons. You can go and explore the tracks in the forest on your own, deodar trees line the forest. There are also some old temples close by and a fair is held here in April every year.
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