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Shimla is a small city despite being the capital of Himachal Pradesh. With its pleasant weather during the summer, it draws numerous tourists who can’t wait to leave their own hot and sweltering cities so they can enjoy the fresh mountain air. Shimla is known as the ‘Queen of the Hills’ and during the British era, it was the summer capital. British influence can be seen in several iconic buildings here such as Gaiety Theatre, Christ Church and Tudor Library. The buildings are an important part of Shimla’s architectural heritage and are some of the must visit places in Shimla.
With brilliant views of the valleys and the mountains, Shimla tourism offers a much-needed respite to the eyes that have got accustomed to seeing only skyscrapers and flyovers. The winding roads that lead up and down the hills are charming as are the people here who are friendly and welcoming. Here’s a list of some of the places to visit in Shimla.
If you can’t wait to see some of the below mentioned Shimla tourist places, then do remember to visit the SOTC website. There are excellent packages and deals available on Shimla tour packages and Himachal tour packages and if you can save money while planning your vacation, that is certainly the icing on the cake.
It’s impossible to visit Shimla and not go to Mall Road as all the action is centred around here. It’s the main shopping street here in Shimla that caters to tourists. There are restaurants and cafés here as well as the iconic Gaiety Theatre which is a colonial building. Mall Road is certainly one of the top Shimla tourist places.
This is an open space right near the Mall Road and is the hub of all cultural activities such as New Year celebrations and various other such activities. The Ridge is pedestrian only which adds to its allure as there is no honking of cars and other vehicles. During winter, it is completely covered in snow and makes for a stunning sight.
Said to be the second oldest church in North India, Christ Church is certainly one of the places to go in Shimla. Walk inside the hallowed atmosphere and take a look at the beautiful stained-glass windows. Do try and make it for the early morning prayers to experience a sense of serenity.
One of the famed Shimla tourist places is Jakhoo Hill, the highest peak in the city. It has some excellent views of the city and a temple which has a statue of Hanuman that is 108 feet tall. You will see devotees all around the temple, waiting eagerly for sermons and for the distribution of the prasad.
Among the places to visit in Shimla is Tara Devi Temple, which is on top of a hill. The views from here are magnificent while the temple itself is peaceful and beautiful.
After Breakfast enjoy the breathtaking beauty of Kufri region. Visit Fagu, a picturesque small village, Indira Gandhi Holiday Home and enjoy horse riding in the splendid apple orchids. Return to your hotel.overnight stay at the hotel.
Not too far from Kufri is yet another place to visit in Shimla – Green Valley. With several Bollywood movies featuring it in their song-dance sequences, Green Valley is quite famous and sees a good number of tourists who want to capture the beauty of the surrounding verdant hills in their photographs.
One of the best places to visit in Shimla is Chail, a resort of sorts where you can visit the highest cricket ground in the world. Chail is best visited from March to June but if you want to experience snow, then do head there during December to enjoy the snow.
One of the most popular tourist spots in Shimla is the Himalayan Bird Park, a place which is often frequented by photographers and bird watchers. There are good chances that you might come across a variety of birds you wouldn’t see anywhere else. While there are exotic and endangered species also, there are peacocks, pheasants and Himalayan monals here as well.
This is a flat terrain which the British developed into a playground and even today, it’s a great spot for sports such as golf and polo. People often plan picnics here and this beautiful spot offers great views of the surrounding deodar and oak trees.
Just around 7km away from Shimla is Chadwick Waterfall where you can see a torrent of water cascade down from a height of 86 metres. This scenic spot may roar with the sound of water but it’s a balm for the soul as you watch the water hit the pools below.
One of the popular places to visit in Shimla is the Kali Bari Temple. This temple was built in 1845 and was dedicated to the Goddess Kali whose another name is Shyamala. The name Shimla has been derived from Shyamala, the city’s patron deity.
Near the Ridge, is Lakkar Bazaar and as the name suggests, this is a place that is famous for wooden toys and other souvenirs you might want to pick up. It’s also a good place to feast on delicious chaats like aloo tikki and chole bhature.