Shimla is the capital of Himachal Pradesh and is a very charming hill resort. It was the favourite summer resort of the British when their troops set up camp here in 1819. At an altitude of 2,130 mtrs, the town is a beautiful place with the Mall and Ridge being main attractions. There are also good walking options in Shimla. You can, for example, start your walk from Scandal Point and Ridge, and a 2 kms walk takes you to the Jakhoo Hill which offers an excellent panoramic view of Shimla and the Hanuman Temple.

Shimla the summer capital of the erstwhile British Raj in India, is a city and a municipal corporation in Shimla district in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. It is nestled in the middle Himalayas in northern India. Riding on the memories of its glorious past under the British, who built the town and named it Simla, it is now the capital of Himachal Pradesh. It is also a popular hill station of India, where tourists flock during summers to enjoy the temperate climate and during winters to enjoy the snow.

Scottish civil servant Charles Kennedy built Simla's first British summer home in 1822, and by the latter half of the 19th century the town had become the summer capital of the British Raj. Many British soldiers, merchants, and civil servants moved there for roughly half of each year due to heat and disease at India's lower altitudes.

Shimla is dotted with monuments; imposing buildings with a Victorian aura and often referred to as the hallmark of British rule in India. The Kalka-Shimla rail link, one of the few narrow gauge tracks still operational in India, bears testimony to the engineering excellence of the British.

Shimla is named after Shyamla Devi, an incarnation of the fierce goddess Kali.

Shimla district is located in the middle western ranges of the Himalayas. This region has a hilly terrain and has an uneven cover of evergreen pine forests. The Shimla city spreads over the hill at an average altitude of 2000 meters (roughly 6500 feet) above mean sea level.

State Museum

This houses a representative collection of Himachal Pradesh's rich heritage exhibits inculde archeological artifacts, carvings, paintings and sculptures.

Bhargaon

It is about 4 km from Shimla. Approached either past the cemetery below St. Edward's School, or through Tutikandi, this village ha splendid examples of traditional Himachal architecture.

Prospect Hill and Kamna Devi

About 6 km from Shimla, it is situated at 2125 and crowned by a temple dedicated to Kamna Devi, the Hill offers spectacular views of the area.

Sankat Mochan

Sankat Mochal is about 7 km from Shimla. This is a temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman.

Chadwick Falls

At 1586 m and about 8 km from Shimla these rain-fed falls are approached through Summerhill. These falls are worth seeing.

Tara Devi

A thickly wooded hill whose peak has a temple dedicated to Tara Devi.

Mashobra

Mashobra is about 12 km from Shimla. At 2149 m, this beautiful subrub 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.

Other attractions at Shimla

Jakhu Temple, dedicated to Lord Hanuman. Summer Hill, and Windflower Hall. Kufri, a well - known ski resort in Himachal Pradesh is 16 kms from Shimla.

By Air

Indian Airlines, Archan and Jagsons have their regular flights from Chandigarh, Delhi, Dharamshala and Kullu. You will be arriving at "Jubber Bhatti" which is recently constructed airport which is at a distance of 28 Km from the town area.

By Rail

You will get the trains from almost all the Main Stations like from Mumbai and Delhi to Kalka. Kalka is the railway Station where you have to get down and change the train from Broad Gauge to Narrow Gauge line.

By Road

You will get Deluxe and Luxury Buses from Delhi, from Kalka during whole day enrouting from National Highway 22. If you are a member of WIAA, You will also get a road map at a nominal fees for Kalka to Shimla or from Delhi to Shimla route.

The hub of Shimla is the Mall, which runs along the Ridge and is crowded with tourists. It is the city’s most famous shopping center, with shops selling all items, from clothes to junk food. The Ridge is a large open space in the heart of the town and presents excellent views of the mountain ranges. Most of Shimla's landmarks are located here.