The age old tourist destination, Shimla, the capital city of Himachal has turned out to be quite a relief for people who love going to higher altitudes and calm places. Also known as the queen of hill stations, Shimla has the best view of the snow clad mountain, greenery and beautiful lakes. One of the most frequently visited tourist destinations, Shimla is proud of its feel as the British influence can also be seen in a few buildings. So, here are a few places that one must visit if they are off to Shimla this year-
1. The ridge – A flat surface on the top of the mountain which offers the best view of the mountain and fresh air for the tourists to breathe, the ridge is situated in the middle of the town and runs along the Mall from east to west. One could also visit the church and take a walk at the Mall while at it and make the most of their time spent in Shimla.
2. Jakhoo Hill – The highest peak in the hill station and home to the famous Jakhoo temple, this hill provides a breathtaking view of the mountains and the nature. Situated around 2 kilometers from Shilma, the Jakhoo hill has been a favorite amongst the tourists and is also famous because of the huge statue of Lord Hanuman.
3. Annandale – A place between the hills which has a story of its own. Known to be the playground of the British, this place is around 4 kilometers away from the ridge. Once used as the cricket ground and racing ground by the British, Annandale has now been converted into a golf course and also a helipad.
4. Kufri – Situated around 19 kilometers away from Shimla, Kufri is a beautiful place which is visited by the tourists who come to visit Shimla. Located at the foothills of the mountain this place is usually covered in snow during winters and is a great place to visit while you try to escape the city life in the lap of the nature and greenery.
5. The Mall – Constructed during the British rule in India, The Mall is the main street in the hill station and is located just below the ridge. The Mall is also the most commercial place in Shimla as all the shops and brands have their stores here. The Mall gives the tourists a lot of options as they can go to the Scandal point, the Gaiety theatre, town hall or the Kali Bari temple. Extremely popular amongst the tourists the Mall is the one place where one could get whatever they want from handicrafts, handlooms to books, old cafes etc.
6. Viceregal Lodge – Also known as the Rashtrapati Niwas, Viceregal Lodge is situated on the observatory hills in Shimla. Constructed between 1880 and 1888, the colonial building and the lush green lawns were transferred to the Ministry of education to be transformed into the Indian Institute of Advanced study in the 1960s. The IIAS is a research institute in Shimla which was constructed in 1964.
Thus, Shimla makes a perfect tourist destination for the people who want to escape the morbid daily routine and refresh their minds in the middle of the hills this year. With so many places to visit one can easily plan a week long visit to the hill station to unwind. With ample architectural and heritage sites, Shimla will not give you even a moment of disappointment and the nature will compel you to stay outdoors almost all day long. Have a happy and a safe trip.
Shimla is the capital of the hill state of Himachal Pradesh. A perfect destination for your next holiday, Shimla is having a lot in its pack to offer to you. All you are required is to have a fair budget and a desire to explore the most, the place will be in the back end of your memories forever. A perfect combination of the British India’s memories and ancient significant places in Indian history, it is a must visit destination.