Location from major metros
Delhi (343 kms), Mumbai (1742 kms)

Known for
Apart from being the capital of Himachal Pradesh, Shimla comes under the category of best hill stations in India

Climate & the best time to visit
Shimla offers a delighting experience to the tourists amidst its pleasant climate. Summers in such hill stations are not very hot whereas winters are freezing chilly. Occasional snowfall is quite common. The period of June to September experiences monsoon season.
The time duration between April and October is the best for visiting Shimla.

The city
Shimla is a hill station with a rich history and heritage. It derives its name from Goddess 'Shayamla Devi', a form of Goddess Kali. However, the major attraction remains its landscape and climate. The diversity of landscape is evident in the presence of lush greenery and snow-clad mountains simultaneously. Similarly, there are a few old buildings and structures together with a number of modern structures. This proves that Shimla of colonial times has successfully maintained pace with changing times. Hence, Shimla has a unique ambience, different from all other hill stations.

Attractions in the city

Jakhoo Hills : It is famous for viewing panoramic sight of Shimla town as it is the highest point of Shimla. The famous Jakhoo Temple is also situated on the hill, which is devoted to Lord Hanuman.

Chadwick Falls : Chadwick Falls gushing from a height of 67 meters and flowing into a deep gorge form an outstanding and dazzling spot for tourists. It is best enjoyed after September (monsoons) because after that it is full of water. The overall beauty of the place is enhanced with the presence of dense forests and greenery adjoining the falls.

Taradevi Temple : This is an ancient temple devoted to Goddess Tara Devi, a Hindu version of the Tibetan Goddess Drolma. The temple also offers a stunning view of natural beauty of Shimla. This temple is one of the most sacred temples of Shimla.

Himachal State Museum : A great example of colonial architecture, this museum building is situated 3 Kms away from the main town. The museum houses a number of informative miniatures, statues, photos, coins and other items belonging to various places of Himachal. This remarkable collection offers good information on the history and culture of Himachal Pradesh.

The Mall : It is the center for holding commercial activities such as sale and purchase between the various shops situated their and the various local and tourist buyers. Mall area also has a number of restaurants and places for entertainment. For holding any kind of cultural activities, Gaiety Theatre is the place, which is a replica of an old British theatre. In evenings, when shopkeepers put on their shop lights to attract customers towards their eye catching merchandise, the mall road comes alive. There is a point in the mall area known as the 'Scandal Point' in which a statue of nationalist leader Lala Lajpat Rai has also been constructed.

Sankat Mochan : On the outer edge of Shimla on the Chandigarh-Shimla highway, a sacred and well known temple of Lord Hanuman is situated. Those crossing by this highway do not forget to take the blessing here.

Other Places to Visit

Naldhera City : It is a small city 23 Kms away from Shimla, situated at a height of 2050 m and known for its oldest and highest golf course in India. Golf enthusiasts come here frequently for trying their luck in this course. A sacred and ancient Nag Temple (Snake Temple) is also situated in Naldhera city.

Chail : Located 43 Kms away from Shimla, Chail used to be the summer capital of the Maharaja of Patiala. God has bestowed a bounty of natural beauty and serene environment upon Chail. This place also has one cricket stadium (highest in the world at a height of 2250 m) and a wildlife sanctuary, which is home to a number of animal species that are frequently found in the higher reaches of the Himalayas. Chail is also gaining popularity as a destination for mountaineering..

Kufri : The name is famous for winter trips, snow sports, and beauty. Its situation at a height of 2510 m gives it a unique position to hold winter sports festival. Large number of tourists came here for leisurely activities as well as for participating in the winter sports festival.

How To Reach

By Air : Way to Shimla airport is 12 km, which operates a number of commercial flights connecting with other parts of India.

By Rail : The Kalka railway station is the nearest to Shimla connecting it with the rest of India. Especially Delhi has a direct railway service to Kalka station.

By Road : Delhi-Shimla buses run frequently apart from which there is a good road network connecting Shimla to the other destinations of India.