Shimla,the capital of Himachal Pradesh, is one of the most popular hill stations in northern India. This hill station is active throughout the yearbecause of its healthy climate, easy accessibility and numerous attractions.
The place is ideal for honeymooners with its breathtaking scenic beauty, excellent hotels and facilities and great places of interest. One can derive pleasure by simply taking serene walks on terraced hillsides or through valley of flowers, cultivations. Magnificently dense forests of oak,pine, fur and rhododendron, provides splendid views of show-clad ranges of the Himalayas. In addition golfing and skiing or simply staying indoorsenjoying the beautiful climate offered by the place gives a pleasant freshness energetic to the body.
Major attractions :
Enriched with various places of interest, one can never forget the experience being here. Must visits include malls having excellent shopping avenues,bars, restaurants, and clubs. The place is abuzz with activity and fervor through out the day. Ridge, which is a large open space in the heart of town,presents excellent views of the mountain ranges. Lakkar Bazaar is highly popular for its wood crafts and souvenirs, Jakhoo Hill is the city's highest peak and a vantage point giving breathtaking view of entire Shimla and of Himalayas. St. Michael's Cathedral is dressed-stone church with fine stained glassand a cruciform design. It is located just off the Mall, below the District Courts. State Museum, houses the representative collection of Himachal Pradesh'srich heritage. Exhibits include archaeological artifacts, carvings, paintings and sculptures. The Glen is a thickly wooded ravine through which a stream flows.It is a popular picnic spot. For devotes ones, Sankat Mochan temple is the ideal place worth visiting.
Nearby attractions :
While visiting Shimla, the places worth visiting around Shimla include Bihargaon (4 km) which is approached either past the cemetery, below St. Edward's School or through Tutikandi. This village has splendid example of traditional Himachali architecture. Prospect Hill (6km) is at 2125 m and crowned by a temple dedicated to Kamna Devi. The hill offers spectacular views of the area. Kufri, which is around 16 Kms. away from Shimla provides excellent opportunities for skiing. Naldhera, around 23 kms. from Shimla is an excellent tourist spot, having a golf course and beautiful vegetation.
How to reach :Shimla is well connected by road, air as well as by train network from major centres. The airport is situated at Jubbar-hatti, 23 km away.Shimla is connected to Kalka by an enchanting narrow gauge railway line (90kms) which in turn is connected to the major cities in India. Regular bus servicesconnect Shimla with Chandigarh 117 kms, Kullu 220 kms, Manali 260 kms, Delhi 343 kms, Mandi 150 kms, Pathankot 380 kms, Ambala 151 kms, Dehradun 240 kms.From Delhi, the driving time is about eight hours. From Delhi, Manali and Chandigarh, luxury coaches and taxis fly to Shimla through the picturesque route.
Specialties of Shimla :The major specialties of this place include sporting activities and tourism attraction. The Golfing at the nine hole Golf Course at Naldhera,23 km from Shimla is key attraction. The fish lovers can derive pleasure by fishing which is available at Rohru 110 km from Shimla and at Seema 1 km from Rohru.You can also enjoy the adventure of skiing and trekking. The skiing normally starts from the first fortnight of January and continues till Mid-March depending uponsnow conditions. For trekking, the Shimla-Kinnaur region is preferred. Being a cosmopolitan place, it is ideal for people from all regions and places. Hindi and English are the languages spoken and understood by the majority. The place is also having ATMs of all the major banks as well money changers