Experience the Enchanting Beauty Of Shimla

Shimla is a beautiful hill town in the beautiful state of Himachal Pradesh. It is also known as the “Queen of Hills.” The city is at an altitude of 2205 meters. It has always been on the list of travellers from all walks of life because of the beautiful Himalayan hills and oak and pine woods that surround it. Shimla is a great place to visit for a wedding, a cultural trip, or a relaxed vacation. It will give you experiences that you will remember forever. Shimla has always been a draw for nature lovers because of its beautiful scenery, pleasant weather, snow-covered hills, and old-world style. The thick oak and pine forests that cover the city are great places to find peace.

So, if you plan to visit Shimla, here’s our guide about the best places to visit in Shimla, activities to do, and many more.

Best Time To Visit Shimla

Shimla in Summer (March – June)
The spring season starts in March and goes through April. The summer season is from May to June. The area gets slightly warmer after the very cold winters, with temperatures ranging from 16°C to 30°C. This keeps the weather nice all day long, which makes it easy for people to get around the town.

As the snow melts, it leaves behind a beautiful green landscape, and the area is filled with flowers as the season goes on. During this time, people from nearby towns and states often visit Shimla to escape the hot weather. It is also a good time for adventurous activities like flying, hiking, camping, treks, etc. So, Shimla is very busy in the spring and summer, but it’s just as enjoyable as it is in the winter and fall.

Shimla in Monsoon ( July – September)
Between July and September, the monsoons hit Shimla. It is sometimes held until the middle of October. The area gets a lot of rain, and the rainy season is not the best time to visit because of the risk of flooding. On average, it rains about 1400 mm annually, and the temperature stays between 14°C and 20°C.

So, it’s called the off-season, but it’s a great time for tourists who don’t mind taking risks and want to see Shimla on a tight budget. One can also participate in the Rhyali Festival, a big party held during the rainy season to thank the Rain Gods and keep them happy by giving them gifts in exchange for good crops.

Shimla in Winter (October – January)
Winter is the best time to visit Shimla, especially if you want to see snowfall and walk around a snow-covered town. In October, the weather in Shimla is cool and pleasant. Winter starts in November, but December and January are the coldest months. The temperature can be as high as 8°C or as low as -6°C.

At the start of the season, it’s a great time to look around the city, hike in the area, or go shopping. As the winter goes on, people can go skiing or climbing through the snow-covered slopes. It is the best time to play in the snow with friends and family, have a snowball fight, and make snow angels remember the good times.

How To Reach Shimla

By Air:
The Shimla Airport, also called the Jubbarhatti Airport, is about 25 km from the main city. It is one of the few airports in any of the hill towns. The ride is bumpy when the plane arrives on one of the most minor airstrips. But since this airport isn’t open all year, choosing Chandigarh or Delhi as a linking airport is best. Most people who fly to Chandigarh and then want to go to Shimla prefer to take a taxi, which will take 3–4 hours. Some cars run often. It takes about 7-8 hours to get to Shimla from the airport in Delhi.

By Road:
Shimla is a popular place for tourists, and cars come from as far away as Delhi, Jaipur, Punjab, Haryana, and parts of Uttar Pradesh to take people there. You can quickly get a taxi to Shimla from Chandigarh, Delhi, and other nearby cities. Shimla is also easy to get to by bus from almost anywhere in Himachal Pradesh using the HRTC.

By Train:
The Kalka Railway Station is only 90 km from Shimla and is the closest wide gauge railway station. Trains take about 5–6 hours to get here from Kalka, but the trip is lovely, with many hills and beautiful views that make up for the extra time. About three or four trains go from Kalka to Shimla every day. You can also go by Rail car, which is unique in India.

The train station in Chandigarh is also only 113 km from Shimla. Cars and taxis make it easy to get around Shimla from both trains stops. Shimla has its own train stop, but the only trains here are narrow gauge trains from Kalka.

Best Places To Visit in Shimla

Shimla is one of the best places to visit in Himachal Pradesh for a vacation you’ll never forget. It has beautiful snow-covered Himalayan mountains, lush grass, grand royal architecture, paradisiacal natural beauty, sparkling lakes, and many other beautiful sights. So, here are some of the best places to visit in Shimla.

1. Mall Road
Most North Indian Hill Stations are known for their mall roads. You’ll always find one, no matter where you go, and you’ll probably spend all your free time walking, looking in cute little shops, and stuffing yourselves with delicious food. This is also true for Shimla’s Mall Road. In fact, Mall Road in Shimla is famous for selling woollen clothes, beautiful local art, and many other local treats at reasonable prices.

2. Jakhoo Hill
Shimla’s highest point is Jakhoo Hills. The hill is 8000 feet tall and is one of the most-visited places in Shimla. Without a visit to the mountain, a trip to Shimla isn’t complete, so don’t forget to put it on your list of Places to See in Shimla. You can’t go all the way to the top of the hill in your car. But the short hike to the top is fun and hard at the same time. The path winds through a thick forest with tall, beautiful pine trees on either side.

At the top, you can see the Himalayas in their most natural state. You can take in the unreal beauty of this Himalayan hill town from panoramic views that never end. You can go to the well-known Jakhoo Temple once you get there.

3. The Ridge
The Ridge is a big open place in the middle of Mall Road with a great view of the mountain ranges surrounded by nature’s beauty. It is one of the most well-known places to visit in Shimla with family and friends. The Ridge links the Mall road to Scandal Point on the west side, and from there, you can see all of Shimla’s snow-covered mountains.

4. Christ Church
Christ Church is one of the oldest churches in North India. It was built by the British in 1857 to serve many Anglican British people who lived in the area. The church is one of the most popular places in Shimla because it looks grand and beautiful. The etched glass walls in the church show faith, hope, kindness, courage, patience, and humanity. It is the most famous feature in Shimla and a permanent reminder of when the British ruled India. The church is built in the Neo-Gothic style, and anyone who goes to Shimla should spend some time in this beautiful building.

5. Annandale
Annandale in Shimla is a flat area that has been turned into the city’s playground. It is about 3 kilometres from the Ridge, and people use it to play cricket, picnics, golf, and polo. It is a pretty place because it has a nice view of Shimla and is surrounded by deodar trees, oak trees, and other types of trees. Annandale is well-known because the British used to come here to race horses, play polo, play cricket, and do other fun things.

6. The Glen
Glen is a U-shaped valley near Andale and Summer Hill forests. A thick forest of deodar and pine trees surrounds it. This well-known place has a hiking trail that leads to Summer Hill and Chora Maidan. Here, tourists can enjoy the quiet and greenery while exploring Shimla’s crowded surroundings. At the Glen, there is a small stream of water that sometimes flows wide and sometimes flows narrowly.

When the stream falls from a height, it looks very pretty, which is why many people come here on the weekends to have picnics in the woods. Glen is easy to get to by car, but some people like to walk there because it’s only 4 km from the main road to the mall.

7. Kamna Devi Temple
The Kamna Devi Temple is a beautiful holy site that is about 6 km from the Shimla hill station. It is on Prospect Hill and is surrounded by beautiful mountains. The temple is easy to get to from Boileauganj on the Shimla-Bilaspur road. Beautiful hills and fields surround it, making it an excellent place to go hiking or picnic. People think that if you go to Shimla, you must visit this beautiful temple. They say Goddess Kali grants the wishes of all her followers who climb the hill and pray in the temple.

8. Chadwick falls
The beautiful Chadwick Falls must be on your list of things to do in Shimla. The falls are a very famous place for tourists to visit in Shimla. They are 1586 meters above sea level. Beautiful Pine and Deodar trees and extraordinary views are all around the falls. The best time to go to the falls is during the monsoons when the water flow is stronger, and the area around the falls is greener than ever. The beauty of the falls is stunning, and the atmosphere around it is out of this world.

9. Tara Devi Temple
This temple is on top of a hill and has been there for 250 years. With the beautiful Himalayas in the background, it is one of the most popular tourist destinations. The temple is a shrine to the Goddess Tara Devi. Many people who visit the temple often consider their trips sacred. The temple is about 10 kilometres from Shimla and can be reached there.

10. Kalka Shimla Railway
A narrow gauge train runs from Kalka to Shimla on this line. The railroad is an old building that was built in the 1890s. This railroad line has been named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Tourists love taking the train, which is also called the “Toy Train” because of its old-fashioned design. On the train, people can enjoy the beautiful scenery and scenic views. The train still has ways to book tickets and times that anyone can check to plan a trip to remember.

Conclusion

Shimla is a beautiful and peaceful hill station that is known as the “Queen of Hill Stations.” It is known for its beautiful scenery, nice weather, and rich cultural history. When someone plans a trip to Shimla, they should put on their list the famous places mentioned above. This classic hill town has everything you need, whether you want to spend a quiet and lovely weekend in nature or do something more exciting like skiing or climbing. So, what are you waiting for? Just pack your bags and explore the pristine beauty of Shima.