Tourist information on Shimla
Shimla is known to be the capital city of Himachal Pradesh. The surrounding beautiful hills and woods have made this famous among the hill stations for the last 50 years.
With a rich colonial history, it is worthy of visiting Shimla during the winter months to witness the actual beauty of the place in its true sense.
Location
Shimla is located in middle ranges of Himalayas, and its capital city is Himachal Pradesh. It is among the top-rated hill stations where tourists visit throughout the year.
Best time to visit Shimla
Travel experts are of the opinion that the time from October to November and from March to June is suitable to visit Shimla.
Tourists in travel forums recommend visiting during all seasons even when planning for a short trip to witness snow.
How to reach Shimla?
- By Air – Shimla airport is just 20 kilometers from the main city. One can avail big cities like Chandigarh, New Delhi and the like from Shimla airport.
- By rail – The Kalka railway station is the nearby one that connects Shimla to other Indian big cities. Even one can get frequent trains from Chandigarh and New Delhi to reach Kalka railway station.
- By roadways – The hill station offers excellent connectivity to other cities such as New Delhi is just 350 kilometers from Shimla; Dehradun is 230 kilometers and the like. One can easily travel from Delhi and other cities to Shimla by car. The national highways are easy to get connected from Shimla to different other cities.
Things to do in Shimla
- Take toy train ride
Taking a ride in the Kalka Shimla toy train should top your bucket list as it gives an excellent joy. It is a long journey of 4 hours and 40 minutes that you are surely going to remember for your life.
- Skiing in Kufri
You should not miss visiting Kurfi when traveling to Shimla. The extensive slopes and beautiful views make it suitable for ski runs. The winter time from September to December and from January to June is the suitable option for skiing in Kufri. Even the beautiful view is worthy to visit the place. This place is suitable for adventure sports lovers.
- Watching sunset at scandal point
The street in front of scandal point is a place for a host of activities during the evening. To witness the magnificent sunrise and sunset, do not miss this when traveling to Shimla. The best time is to visit the place from March to June.
- Rafting in Tattapani
For rafting, January to December is a suitable time. This is the perfect option for the water sports lover. Tattapani offers a range of 14 kilometers to 36 kilometers and this place is just at a distance of 50 kilometers from Shimla. This place is also famous for hot water springs.
- Going through Pine forest
The best time to visit is from January to June. It is excellent to visit the Summerhill area of Shimla. It is just at a distance of 4.5 kilometers from the bus stand. Looking at the tall pine trees and walking through them is a nice experience when visiting Shimla. For nature lovers and trekking lovers, this is a good option.
Places to visit in Shimla
- Kufri – When traveling to Shimla, you should not miss out visiting Kufri which is known as the less crowded cousin of Shimla. This is just 15 kilometers away from the main city. The views and sceneries are worth of visiting the place.
- Tattapani – It means hot water in Hindi, but it is a famous small village in Shimla. The hot water springs and the Shiva caves are famous in this place.
- Ice Skating in Shimla – Ice Skating is a famous sport in Shimla. This is a naturally formed place in South Asia. Therefore, it is the famous sport of every person and it is perfect for visiting the place during winters.
- Green Valley – The green valley on the way to Kufri from the city bus stand. This beautiful valley should not be missed out when traveling to Shimla. The beauty of the place is mesmerizing to visit.
Food culture of Shimla
The dishes belong to North Indian cuisine in Shimla. Among the staple food of Shimla, one can taste bread, lentils, rice, vegetables and others. Some of the commonly used spices in the dishes are pepper, red chilies, cinnamon and cardamom.
Famous festival of Shimla
- Shimla Summer festival – This famous festival is held every year during May. During this time, the city experiences a lot of festivity and colors as it is celebrated in a grand manner.
- Ice Skating Carnival Shimla – Shimla’s snowfall is famous and it is suitable to visit the place during winters. Among the ice sports, ice skating is a famous one in Shimla.
- Lavi fair – This is among the important fairs of Shimla which is celebrated as tribute to signing of mutual treaty between former Bushahr state and Tibet. Even some interesting cultural shows are also conducted in Shimla during this time.
- Bhoj fair – The Bhoj fair is held in Shimla at November for three consecutive days. In this fair, the presiding deity of Devta Bansor is paid respect in Shimla.
Things not to do in Shimla
- Never make the mistake of visiting the place during heavy rainfall as you may get stuck in the middle. So, it is better to check weather conditions before planning the trip.
- Do not forget to make bookings prior to the trip as it can help you avoid unwanted hassles during the trip
- Never forget to carry your ID proofs. It is important also to carry your driving license when traveling.
- Take permission and follow the instructions before entering temples in Shimla. There are some temples that do not allow shoes and leathers inside the temple’s premises.