Shimla is blessed with all the natural bounties one can think of. When it come to holidays in the hills, it is this name that strikes our delicate senses.......While the British have left the echoes linger on. today, its well developed facilities, easy accessibility and many attractions make it one of India's most popular resorts. One can count on the Himalayan views, still make excursions to the untouched countryside around, and there is no escaping the fact that Shimla is perhaps the best equipped Himalayan hill station. For Shimla , My Heart Will Go On........................

Shimla, Through The Traveller's Eyes

Taradevi Temple: This temple is dedicated to Tara Devi, a Tibetan Goddess Drolma. It lies at about 11 km from Shimla on the Shimla - Kalka road.

The Mall - This is the main shopping centre of Shimla. It is the home to many restaurants, clubs , banks, post offices and bars. The city's main shopping centre houses shops filled with the latest in fashion. After the shopping on mall, the road leads down to lower and middle bazaars below the mall where the hill men display their crafts etc.

Glen - The Glen forests are located at a distance of 4 km from the Ridge at an altitude of 1830 mts. An ice cold stream flows through this forest which makes it a fascinating picnic spot.

Chadwick Falls - This 67 metre high fall is surrounded by thick forests and is situated at about 7 km from the city at a height of 1586 metres.

Prospect Hill - This popular picnic spot offers excellent views of the surrounding country. The hill is a 15 minute climb from Boileauganj and is located at about 5 km west of Shimla.

Sankat Mochan - This place is located at about 7 km from Shimla. Here lies a temple that is dedicated to Lord Hanuman.

Viceregal Lodge - Housed in the Gothic splendor of the Viceregal Lodge is the Indian Institute of Advanced studies, India's premier academy for higher research.

Himachal State Museum - Very close to the Institute, in a colonial building set in spacious lawns, is the museum. It has collections of Pahari miniatures, stone sculpture, local handicrafts, textiles and embroidery.

Charlatans On Cloud Nine

Shimla has got everything to please the heart of any traveller throughout the year. And when it comes to adventure seekers, well they somehow wish to make Shimla their permanent settlement. The hill station offers a bunch of exciting activities:

Trekking :
The Shimla - Kinnaur region offers some exciting trekking opportunities. Narknda to Banjar ( kullu ) over the Jalori and Bashleo Passes and Sarahan to Sangla are some of the popular treks, both for the domestic and foreign tourists. Shimla to Kullu via Jalori Pass ( 3,300 m). Shimla to Kullu via Bashleo Pass ( 3,250 m) Sarhan to Sangla.

Skiing:
The skiing season generally commences in the first fortnight of January and continue till mid- March depending upon snow conditions. HPTDS organises ski courses of 7 days and 15 days duration at Narkanda, every year. The facilities for the participants include boarding, lodging and equipment.

Golfing:
Nine-hole Golf course at Naldehra, 23-km from Shimla, is one of the oldest Golf courses in India.

Fishing:
Trout finish is available at Rohru, 110-km from Shimla, at Seem, 9-km from Rohru in river Pabar, and in river Baspa in the Sangla Valley. Mahseer fishing is available at Tattapani, 46-km from Shimla.

Shopper's Eden

Shopping is a pleasant experience in Shimla. Being a state capital, Shimla has handicrafts to sale coming from all over the state. The State emporium on the Mall offers many handicrafts and handloom items, which are made by the artisans of Himachal. The famous Himachali hat comes in different rates and vivid colours. The tourists coming here can also pick up Kinnauri mufflers, scarves, embroidered handkerchiefs, hand-knitted socks and gloves while shopping in Shimla. You can also find lots of Tibetan handicrafts, Buddhist style curios, antiques, Feng-Shui , leather craft, carpets, rugs and silver jewellery while shopping in Shimla.

Major Shopping Centres

• The Mall
• Lower Bazar
• Lakkad Bazar
• Himachal Emporium

Eating Out

The restaurants in Shimla offers lip smacking and mouth watering cuisine ranging from Chinese to Mughlai from Continental to South Indian and North Indian. Some of the famous restaurants are:

Restaurants:

Ashiana Goofa Restaurant The Ridge Fascination Restaurant Alfa Restaurant Himani Restaurant Nalini Restaurant Baljees Restaurant Embassy Restaurant

Seventh Heaven Silver Oak Bhasoli Restaurant The Devicos Restaurant The Lutyans Room Solitaire Restaurant India Coffee House

Accommodation

A wide range of accommodation is found here in Shimla. From dormitories to luxury suites, everything as per your need and pocket. Many of the hotels of Shimla are housed in heritage buildings. Some of them are:

The Cecil Oberoi Resort The Peterhoff Hotel Holiday Home Shilon Resort Hotel Chapslee Palace Hotel Combermere Hotel Asia The Dawn Springfields Hotel Mayur Hotel Crystal Palace Honeymoon Inn Start Resort

Moon International Hotel Hotel Wildflower Hall Ashiana Regency Woodville Palace Hotel Himland East Toshali Royal View Resort Clark's Hotel East Bourne Resort Hotel Gables Koti Resort Galleu Hill Resort Hotel Himland Resort

Climate's Hide & Seek

The climate of Shimla varies from a maximum of 10-11 degrees in winter to a maximum of 25-26 degrees in summers. Shimla never allows the gods to raise the temperature above that limit and the gods always oblige. Winters are cold due to the chilly winds from the upper Himalayas. Around Christmas, Shimla experiences snowfall.