Shimla

After the British laid down the Kalka-Shimla railway track in 1903, Shimla, the capital of Himachal Pradesh, burgeoned into a fine hill retreat for those who wished to escape the Indian summer. Before the discovery of the hill town back in 1819, it formed a part of the Nepali kingdom. Surrounded by spectacular hills, the hill town of Shimla (2,100 m) still today exudes the colonial charm of the past.


Climate & Best Time to Visit
Summers are mild in Shimla with temperatures ranging between 28 degrees and 15 degrees centigrade. Tourists are advised to carry light woollens and cotton clothings during the period. Winters are chilly and temperature can drop down to 8 degrees or even below. April to mid July or mid September to October is the ideal time to make a trip to Shimla.

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Sightseeing in Shimla
» The Mall : The chief promenade and shopping market in the town, the Mall is lined with numerous restaurants, pubs, bars, clubs etc. The shops here sell interesting curios and souvenirs to take back home.

» Christ Church : The church has the distinction of being the second oldest in the northern India. The church displays a majestic facade and its stained glass windows are also worth watching for visitors.

» Jakhu Hill : The Jakhu Hill (8,000 ft) is the most elevated point in the hill town of Shimla. The hill is at 2 km from the town and bears an ancient temple dedicated to Sree Hanuman. Besides, the place gives heart-stirring views of the snow-capped Himalayas.

» Summer Hill : It is a picturesque township which is located at an elevation of 6,500 ft. Mahatama Gandhi, the Father of Nation, also spent time here during his sojourn to Shimla. The spot is only 5 km from the town.


Activities to Do in Shimla
There are abundant options of climbing and hiking in Shimla. You can choose to start on trekking trips to Shali Peak, Kullu Valley, Jalori Pass, Bashleo Pass, Chail, Tattapani etc. Within Shimla, you can indulge in some scenic and worthy climbing at the Jakhoo Hill. Leisure walks are also a good option to soak up the charms of Shimla. The natural ice skating rink in Shimla is also a big attraction for adventurers. Kufri (16 km) offer nice options of skiing.

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Stay Options
Shimla offers numerous star category and economy hotels to suit both a discerning business or a leisure traveller. The hotels and resorts in Shimla showcase a wonderful mix of the classic and the contemporary. Some of the popular options of stay are Shilon Resort (5 star), Hotel Chapslee Palace (5 star equivalent), Hotel Asia The Dawn (4 star), Sprinfields (4 star) etc.


Getting There
The Closest airport from Shimla is Jubberhati (26 km). The airport operates regular flights to Delhi and Kullu. Another convenient option is the Chandigarh Airport which has links with all the major airports of the country. A broad gauge rail track connects Shimla with Kalka that has connecting trains to the Delhi, Kolkata and Amritsar. Road routes link Shimla with places like Kalka, Ambala, Chandigarh, Delhi, Dehradun, Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Punjab, Haryana, Amritsar, Jammu etc.