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Towards the north lie the snow
covered high-ranges, while the valleys broad whispering streams
and swaying fields. Within the town are a host of splendid colonial
edifices,quaint cottages and charming walks. Shimla holds a variety
of shopping,sport and entertainment.
High
season : is mid - April to mid - July, mid - September to
late October and mid - December to mid - January. The best time
to visit is mid - September to late November.
Places
to Visit
The
Ridge
This large open space in the heart of town presents excellent
views of the mountain ranges. Shimla's landmarks the neo Gothic
structure of Christ Church and the Neo Tudor Library library
building are here.
Chadwick
Falls, 67 m high : are only really worth visiting during
or just after the monsoons (July to October). The falls are
7 km from Shimla and can be reached via Summer Hill.
Lekkar
Bazaar
Popular for its wood crates and souvenirs, this is
just off the Ridge.
Jakhoo
Hill/Temple - dedicated to the monkey god, Lord Hanuman
At 2455 m,this is the town's highest peak and a vantage
point for Shimla's famous views. The summit is crowned with
a temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman. The hill is full of paths
and narrow roads which are enjoyable walks.
Christ
Church & St. Michael's Cathedral
This dressed - stone church with fine stained glass
has a cruciform design. It is located just off the Mall, below
the District Courts. This is the second oldest church
in northern India (the oldest is in Ambala), Christ Church
was build between 1846 and 1857. The church is one of the
Shimla's major landmarks and is renowned for its stained glass
windows. You can have a look inside the church or attend English-language
services every Sunday morning during the tourist season.
Indian
Institute of Advanced Study
At 1983 m,this magnificent English renaissance strudure
was the former Viceregal Lodge. Its lawns and woodland are
added attractions. Entry by ticket (nominal charge).A portion
of the interior is also open to the public, except on Sundays
and holidays.
The
Glen
At 1830 m,this is a thickly wooded ravine through
which a stream flows. It is a popular picnic spot.
Annandale
Surrounded by a thick deodar forest, this large glade
has an ancient temple on an edge.
Excursions
Bihargaon
(4km)
Approached either past the cemetery below St.Edward's Schoot,or
through Tutikandi, this village has splendid examples of traditional
Himachal architecture.
Prospect
Hill and Kamna Devi(6km)
At 2125 m and crowned by a temple dedicated to Kamna
Devi, the Hill offers spectacular views of the area.
Sankat
Mochan (7 km)
This is a temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman.
Chandwick
Falls (8 km)
At 1586 m,these rained falls are approached through Summer hill.
Tara
Devi (11 km)
A thickly wooded hill whose peak has a temple dedicated
to Tara Devi.
Mashobra
(12 km)
At 2149m, this beautiful suburb is surrounded by a
thick forest. From here, a track leads down to Sipur which is
an exquisite glade shaded by ancient deodar trees. There are
old temples on a side and a fair is held every April.
Kufri
(16km)
At 2501m, this is famous for its wide views and skislopes.
An enjoyable walk leads up to the Mahasu Peak.
Fagu(22
km): At 2510 m, Fagu has some enchanting views.
Naldehra
(22 km)
At 2044 m, this is a nine hole, golf course. It was
designed by the British Viceroy, Lord Curson who was so enchanted
by the place that he gave his daughter Alexandra, 'Naldehra'
as per second name.
Chail(45km)
This was the former summer capital' of the Patiala
State. The palace is now run as a Luxury hotel by Himachal Tourism.
Tattapani
(51 km)
At 656 m, there are hot sulphur springs here. Himachal
Tourism has a restaurant and a Tourist Bungalow at Tattapani.
Adventure
and fishing
There are numerous walks within and close to Shimla
And there are many soft to medium treks that can use Shimla
as the base. Some treks are to the Shalipeak, to the Kullu valley
over the Jalori pass or the Bashleo pass, Shimla to Chail, Shimla
to Junga and Shimla to Tattapani. Angling for trout can be done
on the river Pabbar, near Rohru.
Shopping
Like any other destination, Shimla has its own specialty to
offer, representative of Himachal's unique culture, craft and
tradition. You can buy
handicrafts, wood and metalwork shawls, pullovers, local tweeds,
caps, Tibetan carpets and pickle, jams and squashes.
The Himachal
Emporium : People interested in genuine local handicrafts must
visit this place located on the (western) Mall.
The Tibetan Refugee
Handloom Shop : Located on the (Eastern) Mall, it showcases
local development projects apart from selling carpets, clothes
and other Tibetan crafts.
Besides, there
are a number of private shops and showrooms selling object art
and crafts.
Food
Indian
Food
Alfa :
A delicious range of Indian ( and Western food too) is served
at this restaurant, located near the Scandal Point. A non vegetarian
dish can cost Rs 100-125 (approx)
Baljee's :
Located at the (Eastern) Mall. Both Indian and Western food
are served. Services good. Prince same as at the Alfa.
Himani's :
Also on the (Eastern) Mall. Favourite lovers of South Indian
dishes.
Rendezvous
: At Scandal Point. Famous for Indian and Thai foods moderately
prices.
Sher-e-Punjab
: Another joint on the (Eastern) Mall. A very good cheap
options. Famous for Channa, Chhola, Bhature and other spicy
dishes.
Western
& Chinese Food
Chug Fa :
Near the Mall. Famed for its noodles, dumplings and main
dishes at very cheap prices RS 50 (approx)
Devicos :
Near Scandal Point. Noted for its fast food. A bit costlier.
Embassy :
A self service restaurant, near the (Eastern) Mall. Favourite
with pizzas and hamburgers lovers. Also serve Indian and Chinese
dishes.
HPTDC's Joints
: (a) Ashiana
: Best of three HPTDC's three places to eat but costly.
(b) Goofa :
Good breakfast at reasonable prices.
(c) Quick Bite
: For Indian food and cheap pizzas.
Oberoi Clarke's
Hotel : For those who want to eat in luxurious surroundings.
RS 300 (approx) plus 8% tax is what you pay for a set menu.
Park Cafe
: Another place to eat near the (Eastern) Mall. Pay just
RS 50 (approx) for a good pizza. Milkshakes, breakfast and late
evening musical shows are other attractions.
Access
Shimla is well
connected with New Delhi, the national capital and other centres
in UP, Haryana and Punjab by rail, road and air.
Road Connectivity with important destinations
Lying on NH 22,
Shimla is well connected with a number of parts in the area,
both within and outside the state. Overall, roads are good and
enjoyable drive.
Road
distances to some important centres (Km about)
- Delhi (via
Chandigarh) : 370 km
- Chandigarh
: 117 km
- Kalka : 87
km
- Dehradun :
250 km
- Pathankot
: 300 km
- Palampur :
240 km
- Dharamsala
(via Hamirpur) : 140 km
- Dalhousie
: 340 km
- Kaza : 420
km
- Kalpa : 245
km
- Chirgaon :
140 km
- Renuka : 165
km
Roadway
Options
Taxi
: Kalka-Shimla Taxi Union (Tel : 258225) and Cast
Road and the Vishal Himachal Taxi Operators Union (Tel : 205164)
also around the Cast Road, provides Gypsy jeep or multivansor
Ambassador cars. The last one cost about 10% more than what
is being listed here:
One way
taxi fares from some important destinations are (Rs approx):
Bus
Options
Inter State Bus
Terminals (ISBT), both at Delhi and Shimla, caters to visitors
looking for bus services. ISBT on Cast Road has a counter (No9),
where the employee speaks English and is of great help to foreigners
as well as non Hindi speaking nationals of India. At scandal
point in Shimla is another booking office.
For destinations
east of Shimla, buses start from the Rivoli Bus Station on the
northern side of the main ridge, below the HPTDC Office. One
can board a bus along Cast Road for Tattapani, Kasauli and other
destinations enroute to Kalka or Narkanda, i.e. Kufri and Theog.
It takes almost
10 hours to reach Manali from Shimla. Fares are quite economical,
ranging from around RS 110 to RS 175 depending upon the type
of bus (ordinary or deluxe) and time (day time or overnight)
you choose. One overnight semideluxe bus to Dharamsala will cost
you around RS 160, taking a travel time of around 10 hours.
If you are visiting Mandi, catch any Manali bound bus. It costs
less than a 100 rupees.
Delhi is also
around a 10 hour drive from Shimla and costs just RS 270 (approx)
for deluxe and RS 120 (approx) for an ordinary buses. For Chandigarh
buses are available almost every half-an-hour.
Dehradun via
Nahan Costs RS 70 and Paonta Sahib RS 90 (approx). Haridwar
is a 9-10 hours drive and costs RS 115-RS 120.
From
Rivoli Bus Stand following bus services are available (Rs
approx):
- Rekong Peo
via Narkanda and Rampur : RS 120- 10 hrs
- Narkanda :
RS 35 - 3 hrs
- Rampur : RS
60
- Sarahan :
RS 90
Hourly buses
to Naldehra is also there for the comforts of visitors.
A certain travel
agency, the Mall. offer private deluxe buses for Manali and Delhi
and charges RS 225 (approx) and RS 275 (approx) respectively.
HPTDC provides
daily day time buses in the high season only for Manali [RS
275 (approx)- 10 hrs] and overnight buses to Delhi [RS 290 (approx)
- 10 hrs]
Railway
Options
If you want to
enjoy the green mountain slopes, covered with fir, rhododendron,
pine and the Himalayan Oak and traditional homesteads nestling
amount the foliage, do try the train option for travelmasti.
Himalayan Queen
is the best option for those travelling from Delhi. At Kalka
you change from broad to narrow gange and board the"
Toy Train" to cover next 25 km to Shimla. Tickets
are affordable and costs is RS 400 (approx) for a/c chair car.
For the reverse trip (Shimla-Delhi) the best and overnight connection
is Shivalik Express and connect with Kalka Hawra Mail via Delhi.
Fares range from RS 140 to RS 600 depending upon the class you
travel in.
In Shimla, apart
from the main station on the western edge of tours, there is
the central branch station. The reservation office (Tel 252915)
is at the main station
Airways
Daily flights
are available to/from New Delhi, for which bookings may be made
at New Delhi or Shimla's Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development
Corporation office. A number of Tour and Travel agencies can
make the arrangement for your. Jubbarhati, the Shimla's airport
is about 25 km from the town.
Climate
Conditions
In winter, the
temperature can drop below freezing point when heavy woollens
are required. Summer temperatures are mild and light woollens/cottons
are recommended.
Best time to visit
The best time to visit is from October to November. Between December and February, winter sets in with temperatures around zero degree Celsius, and heavy snowfall in the area. April, May, and June are peak seasons for local tourists, when other parts of the country are very hot.
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