What Are the Best Tourist Places in Shimla?

Shimla — the Queen of Hill Stations — sits at 2,206m in the Shivalik ranges of Himachal Pradesh. Once the summer capital of British India, Shimla carries its colonial heritage gracefully alongside vibrant Himachali culture, dramatic mountain scenery, and a distinctive way of life that slows you down in the best possible way. Whether you're visiting in summer, monsoon, or winter, Shimla rewards exploration.

Getting to Shimla from Delhi: Shimla is 370 km from Delhi via NH44 through Chandigarh and Kalka, then the winding mountain road to Shimla. The drive takes 7–9 hours. EZPZ Taxi offers Delhi to Shimla outstation cabs starting at ₹3,800 for a sedan — call +91-9871121217 or book at ezpztaxi.com. Alternatively, the Kalka-Shimla Toy Train (UNESCO World Heritage) is a unique 5-hour rail experience — book at www.irctc.co.in.

---

1. The Mall Road & The Ridge

Walking distance from any central hotel | Open: Always

The Mall Road is the heart and soul of Shimla — a 1.5 km pedestrian promenade stretching from Scandal Point to the Lakkar Bazaar. No motorised vehicles are allowed. Lined with colonial-era buildings, shops, restaurants, and cafes, The Mall is where Shimla's social life happens morning to night.

The Ridge is the wide open plaza at the top of Mall Road — a large flat open ground with stunning 270-degree views of the surrounding Himalayan ranges. On a clear day (best in October–November) you can see peaks 100 km away.

What to see on The Ridge:
- Christ Church — Built in 1857, this neo-Gothic church is Shimla's most recognisable landmark. The stained glass windows are beautiful. Open daily except Tuesday.
- Gaiety Theatre — A 130-year-old Victorian theatre that still hosts performances. Heritage enthusiasts will love the interior.
- Scandal Point — The western end of Mall Road where the Maharaja of Patiala reportedly eloped with a British viceroy's daughter. Now a popular meeting spot.

Shopping on Mall Road:
- Himachali handicrafts — woollen shawls, caps, walking sticks
- Himachali jewellery — silver filigree work
- Tibetan thangka paintings and prayer wheels
- Local produce — dried apricots, walnuts, apple jam, Himachali wine



---

2. Jakhu Temple & Jakhu Hill

2 km from The Ridge | Open: 5 AM – 12 PM, 3 PM – 9 PM | Entry: Free

Jakhu Hill (2,455m) is the highest point in Shimla proper and one of its most rewarding destinations. The hill is dominated by a massive 33-metre statue of Lord Hanuman — visible from almost everywhere in Shimla.

Jakhu Temple at the summit is one of Himachal Pradesh's oldest temples, dedicated to Lord Hanuman. According to mythology, Hanuman rested here while searching for the Sanjeevani herb to save Lakshmana.

Getting to Jakhu:
- Walk: 2 km trek from The Ridge through beautiful oak and rhododendron forest — 45–60 minutes uphill. Carry a stick if you have one.
- Ropeway: A new gondola connects Shimla city to Jakhu (₹250 return) — highly recommended for elderly visitors.
- Pony ride: Available from The Ridge area, ₹300–500

WARNING: Jakhu has a large population of monkeys (langurs and rhesus macaques) — do NOT carry food, bags should be tightly closed, remove sunglasses (they grab them). The monkeys are cheeky but generally harmless.

Views from Jakhu: On clear days, the entire Shimla city spread below you, green valleys in every direction, and if you're lucky — snow peaks of Kinnaur visible 150 km away.



---

3. Kufri — Snow & Wildlife

16 km from Shimla | 45 minutes by road | Best for snow: November–March

Kufri at 2,622m is Shimla's most popular day excursion — a small resort town known for winter sports and stunning mountain views.

What to do in Kufri:
- Skiing and snowboarding: November to March when snow is present. Skiing lessons available (₹500–1,000/hour with equipment)
- Horse riding: Trek to Mahasu Peak (3 km uphill from Kufri) on horseback for unparalleled views — ₹300–500
- Himalayan Nature Park Kufri: A small zoo/wildlife park with Himalayan animals — snow leopard, deer, pheasants. Entry ₹50.
- Snow activities: Snowball fights, building snowmen — free and fun!

Mahasu Peak view: On a clear day, you can see peaks of 16 mountain ranges including Badrinath and Kedarnath — extraordinary on winter mornings.

Green Season (April–October): Kufri is carpeted in wildflowers and offers spectacular meadow walks and picnics.

---

4. Chail — Forest, Cricket & Serenity

45 km from Shimla | 1.5 hours | Altitude: 2,250m

Chail is one of Himachal Pradesh's best-kept secrets. Built by Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala (who was famously banned from Shimla by the British Viceroy), Chail was his personal retreat in the forests above.

What Chail is famous for:
- World's highest cricket ground (2,444m altitude) — built in 1893 and still in use. A perfect, level ground in the middle of the deodar forest. You can stand on the pitch and play catch.
- Chail Wildlife Sanctuary — deodar and oak forests with deer, pheasants, leopards
- Chail Palace — now a heritage hotel run by HPTDC. Even if not staying, the grounds are open. The architecture is stunning Edwardian.
- Chail Military School grounds — a beautiful colonial school

Combined Shimla-Kufri-Chail circuit makes an excellent 2-day excursion from Shimla.

Chail Palace booking: www.hptdc.nic.in



---

5. Naldehra — India's Oldest Golf Course

23 km from Shimla | 45 minutes | Altitude: 2,044m

Naldehra is a quiet destination with a spectacular 9-hole golf course — one of India's oldest, established in 1905 by Lord Curzon. Surrounded by dense deodar forest at 2,044m, the golf course is a lovely green escape even for non-golfers.

Activities at Naldehra:
- Golf: Equipment rental and caddies available (₹800–1,500 for 9 holes with equipment)
- Horse riding through forest trails
- Tattapani Hot Springs (49 km from Shimla) — natural hot sulphur springs on the Sutlej River, very popular

Naldehra to Shoghi is a scenic drive back to Shimla through thick forests.

---

6. Shimla State Museum

Near Chaura Maidan, Shimla | Open: 10 AM – 5 PM, closed Monday | Entry: ₹30

One of the best museums in Himachal Pradesh, housed in a colonial mansion. The collection includes:
- Pahari miniature paintings (extraordinary quality)
- Sculpted bronzes from ancient temples
- Himachali costumes and jewellery
- Colonial-era photographs of Shimla
- Numismatic collection (coins from ancient India)

Worth 1–1.5 hours for history enthusiasts.

---

7. Viceregal Lodge (Rashtrapati Niwas)

2 km from The Ridge | Open: 10 AM – 5 PM, closed Monday | Entry: ₹75 Indians, ₹200 foreigners

This magnificent building was the summer residence of the British Viceroys of India — the most powerful building in British India during summers. Three of India's most historic conferences were held here, including the 1945 Shimla Conference. Now it houses the Indian Institute of Advanced Study (IIAS).

Tours of the ground floor are available — the teak-panelled rooms, billiard room, and the Viceroy's private study are remarkable. The gardens have superb views.



---

8. Sankat Mochan Temple

6 km from Shimla on old Hindustan-Tibet Road | Open: 6 AM – 8 PM | Entry: Free

A peaceful Hanuman temple in a natural forest setting — far less crowded than Jakhu yet equally beautiful. The forest walk to this temple is lovely. Views of the Shimla Valley from here are excellent. Popular for early morning visits by locals.

---

Practical Information for Shimla

Best Time to Visit:
- October–November: Post-monsoon clarity, best mountain views, pleasant temperatures (8–20°C)
- December–January: Snow in Shimla town, magical but cold (-2 to 8°C)
- March–June: Spring warmth, apple blossom season (March-April is stunning)
- July–September: Monsoon — lush and green, occasional road closures

Getting Around Shimla:
- Mall Road is pedestrian only
- Taxis available from Lift (the public elevator) at ₹100–300 for city locations
- The Shimla Lift (public elevator from Cart Road to Mall Road) — ₹10

Local Food:
- Baljees Restaurant (Mall Road) — legendary since 1952, best dosas and thalis in Shimla
- Wake & Bake Café — coffee and continental breakfast
- Café Sol — Mall Road, good Indian and Chinese
- Himachali Dham — traditional Himachali meal (rice, dal, madra, chana, khatta) served on leaf plates — try at local events or ask your hotel

Where to Stay:
- Budget: YMCA Shimla, Hotel White (₹1,200–2,500)
- Mid-range: Woodville Palace, Hotel Combermere (₹3,000–7,000)
- Luxury: Wildflower Hall (Oberoi), Cecil Hotel (₹15,000–40,000)

HPTDC hotels Shimla: www.hptdc.nic.in
Himachal Tourism: www.himachaltourism.gov.in

---

Getting to Shimla from Delhi — EZPZ Taxi

EZPZ Taxi offers Delhi to Shimla outstation cabs with hill-experienced drivers. SUV recommended for the Kalka-Shimla mountain section.

Call: +91-9871121217
Book online: ezpztaxi.com

Which part of Shimla did you love most? Any hidden cafes or viewpoints our readers should know about? Share below!