Shimla
Shimla, also known as Simla, is the capital and the largest city of the northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh.
In 1864, Shimla was declared the summer capital of British India. After independence, the city became the capital of East Punjab and was later made the capital city of Himachal Pradesh. It is the largest and most developed city of Himachal Pradesh, as well as the state's principal commercial, cultural and educational centre.
Getting to Shimla
- 01(New) ISBT
This is a large new building quite far outside of the city, but it has all major connections to Mandi, Manali, Chandigarh and Delhi.
- 02Old ISBT
This terminal is for most regional, local and city buses, which run regularly 7AM-9PM.
- 03IGMC Bus Station
This unremarkable bus station is for close destinations (+/-50 km) south (like Chail and Giripur), and east (like Kufri).
- 04Kalka–Shimla Railway
Part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Mountain Railways of India.
Worth seeing
- 01Chadwick Falls
The waterfall is at its most beautiful just after the monsoon.
- 02Christ Church
Constructed in 1846, this is the second oldest church in North India.
- 03Hip Hip Hurray Amusement Park
An amusement offering adventure activities like Burma bridge crossing, Flying Fox, rock climbing, boating, various rides, indoor golf & video games.
- 04Lower Bazaar
The Lower Bazaar is home to the city's less expensive hotels, cheaper restaurants and shops, and a congested wholesale vegetable market.
- 05The Mall
The Mall is the main shopping centre of Shimla.
- 06The Ridge
The Ridge is the center of Shimla's cultural and social life - an excellent place to view the surrounding mountains.
Things to do
Take a leisurely walk at the Mall — this 7-km thoroughfare is famous for its Victorian Architecture, and retains much of its Raj-era charm. To get there, take the lifts from Cart Road, an ingenious system designed to save pedestrians from walking. ₹10 per trip. The central area of The Mall is composed of half-timbered buildings and is the place to rub shoulders and clash knives and forks with Shimla's elite.
Where to eat
Most of the restaurants in Shimla are cheap, comfortable, atmospheric and offer good multi-cuisine food. However, if you are looking for local cuisine, the options are surprisingly limited. Along the highway there are more than thirty restaurants, dhabas and fast food places.
- 01Ashiana & Goofa
The Band Stand, The Ridge, Lower Bazaar,.
- 02The Devicos
5 The Mall (one storey beneath street level, directly below the Café Coffee Day outlet in the vicinity of the BSNL Building),.
- 03Indian Coffee House
The Mall (On Mall Rd, just down from the post office on the left).
- 04The Oberoi Cecil Restaurant
Chaura Maidan (in The Oberoi Cecil Hotel),.
- 05Sher E Punjab
Text adapted from Wikipedia and Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photograph: Biswarup Ganguly (CC BY 3.0), Wikimedia Commons.
