Near & Around
Places to Visit in Shimla
The Ridge:
The large open space in the heart of town presents an excellent view of the mountain ranges. Shimla's landmarks on the Ridge are the Neo-Gothic structure of Christ Church and the Neo-Tudor library building besides it. Lakkar Bazaar, adjacent to the Ridge, is popular for its wood craft and souvenirs all of which are worth seeing. The Ridge is built on a water reservoir which supplies water to Shimla. Around the reservoir are the offices of the Water Supply Board. The Ridge is also popular for horse rides for kids. After it receives its snow fall, the Ridge continues to be a popular meeting point.
The Mall:
The main shopping centre of Shimla with restaurants, shops, banks and of course the Gaiety Theatre, which is a reproduction of an old British theatre, are the center of cultural activities. Very few of the old shops remain being replaced by newer and modern shops. A passenger lift of HPTDC is popular among visitors who take the same from the Cart Road to the Mall. On arrival on the Mall visitors are met by fruit vendors selling the seasonal fruit. The walk from Marley Villa to the Mall past the Chief Ministers Residence and Cedar Lodge, is through a shaded pine covered stretch with the whistle of the breeze through the tall pine trees.
( A leisurely 25 minutes walk from Marley Villa to the Mall is a good exercise. A taxi can also be arranged from Marley Villa to the Shimla lift for Rs 100/- )
Kali Bari Temple:
A little distance away from Scandal Point past the General Post Office and Grand Hotel is a very popular temple at Shimla. It is believed that the idol of Goddess Shayamla is enshrined there.
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Shimla State Museum: (3 km)
The Museum, which was opened in 1974, has tried to project the cultural wealth of the state. Art objects in the Museum collection are mostly related to art, archaeology and cultural anthropology of Himachal and other states of India. At the present Museum, has about 9000 objects in its collection. At the outset, the museum started with four galleries. Since then more galleries have been added. These galleries pertain to Pre- historic, Indian Archaeology, Woodcarvings, Himachal Archaeology, Pahari and Kangra Miniature Paintings, Monuments, Photographs, Rajasthan paintings, Bronzes, Numismatic, Arms Gallery, Gandhi Gallery, Philatelic, Anthropological, Contemporary Art & Wall Paintings gallery. In addition to these galleries the museum has one exhibition hall for arranging the exhibition and other museum activities. Visiting hours 10 AM to 5 PM. Closed on Monday and gazetted holidays.
Indian Institute of Advanced Studies: ( 4 km)
This institute is housed in the Viceregal Lodge, which was built in 1884-88 during British times. It has spacious gardens and is ringed by beautiful pine trees. All is calm and serene, just the right atmosphere for a student of literature or politics. Entry is restricted by tickets.
Summer Hill. (7 Km)
Situated at a distance of about 5 kms. from the Ridge is the lovely township of Summer Hill at a height of 6,500 ft. on the Shimla-Kalka railway line. Mahatma Gandhi lived in these quiet surroundings during his visits to Shimla. Himachal Pradesh University is situated here.
Annandale:
Developed as the playground of Shimla, Annandale is 2-4 kms. from the Ridge at a height of 6,117 ft. It was favorite spot for football where the Durand Matches were played. It was also used for cultural occasions, Archery, cricket, picnics and the princely game of polo besides Horse Racing. It is now in the possession of the Army and houses the Army Museum. Annandale is also used as a helipad for Helicopters.
Glen
4 Kms from the Mall a stream flows through the densely forested glen at an altitude of 1,830 meters. Besides the bubbling stream of ice cold water, fresh from the melting snow, it is a delightful secluded picnic spot. Can be approached from Cecil Hotel or Kennedy House, the first house erected in Shimla. In the vicinity of Annandale, the path to Glen veers to the left from the road near the “Hut” built for tourists by Sir Jai Lal.
Prospect Hill (5 Km) :
Crowned by a temple dedicated to Kamna Devi 15 minutes walk from Boileauganj on the Shimla Bilaspur road, Prospect Hill offers a spectacular views of the surrounding area.
Railway Board Building
On the Mall towards Viceregal Lodge, this building was built in 1896-97 in the colonial style cast iron structure fabricated by the Bombay based Richardson Cruddas. Built at a cost of Rs. 7.31 lacs, the building was fire resistant and was not effected by the fire of 2001.
Gorton Castle
Just beyond the Railway Board Building, Gorton Castle houses some of the offices of the Government of Himachal Pradesh. It is an imposing building situated at the top of the hill.
On the way from the Mall to Viceregal Lodge, one passes besides the Railway Board Building and Gorton Castle, Kennedy House, the first structure built in Shimla and Cecil Hotel at Chaura Maidan.
Around Shimla
Kufri:
16 kms. Well known for its ski slopes, Kufri, commands a good view. It also has a Potato Research Station. Kufri and an added attraction of a Mini zoo amidst dense forest where tourists where can see rare breeds of wild animals and pheasant species commonly found in the Himalayan forest region which have been kept in their natural habitat. Spread over an area of twenty hectares of land with rich flora and fauna, about 140 wild animals including pheasants of different varieties 'Monal' the State bird of Himachal Pradesh and one of the endangered species of the Himalayan region are the other attractions of this zoo and have been placed safely in this mini zoo. The other attraction of this zoo are Tibetan wolf, Brown Bear and Barking Deer. There are other popular wild animals such as leapord, Ghoral, Samber, Himalayan Thar, Yak, Black Bear and a number of pheasant varieties. Himalayan Nature Park has been set up at Kufri in 1992 which is spread over 90 hectares and mini zoo has been set up in this Park.
Jakhoo Temple (2.5 Km) 2455 m:
Shimla's highest peak offers a panoramic view of the town and its surroundings. Jakhoo is an ancient "Lord Hanuman" temple. The temple can be approached from the Ridge behind the Public Library and Christ Church (on foot). One can also hire a pony or go by taxi to visit the temple from the “ Ladies Mile”.
Sankat Mochan (7 Km) 1975 m:
Situated on the Kalka-Shimla road (NH-22) is the famous "Lord Hanuman" temple. It commands an excellent view of Shimla town. The place can be visited by Bus/Taxi.
Tara Devi (11 Km) 1851 m:
Situated on the Kalka - Shimla road (NH-22) is the Tara Devi Temple. This holy place is accessible by Rail, bus and car. From the station / road, one can visit the temple either on foot or by taxi / jeep.
Fagu (22 Km) 2450 m:
On Hindustan-Tibet Road, Fagu has an enchanting views. Himachal Tourism runs the Hotel peach Blossom.
Narkanda (65 Km) 2708 m:
On the Hindustan Tibet road, Narkanda offers spectacular views of snow ranges. An uphill trek through Deodar woods leads to Hatu Peak (8 Km) from where on a clear night one is reported to be able to see the lights of the plains. The ancient temple of Hatu Mata is alive with skiers. HPTDC runs Hotel Hatu and in winters short skiing courses are organised. Narkanda has one of the most picturesque views .
Mashobra (12 Km) 2148 m:
Motorable on Shimla-Naldehra road, Mashobra is surrounded by thick forests and offers ideal walks. The Goddess Durga temple is worth seeing. Mashobra has of late seen a lot of growth and has converted itself from a quiet village to nearly a city.
Craignano (18 Km) 2149 m:
Motorable on Shimla-Naldhera road, Craignano is an ideal picnic spot with lawns and garden. The water supply to Shimla was pumped from Guma up to Carignano by four pumps and claimed to be the highest water throws in the world. The water was then pumped to the Ridge in Shimla for supply to the city. Carignano is also a dak bunglow.
Naldehra (23 Km) 2044 m:
Motorable On the Shimla - Tattapani road, Naldehra boasts of a nine hole golf course. It was designed by the British viceroy, Lord Curzon who was so enchanted by this place that he gave his daughter Alexandra, Naldehra as her second name. An ancient Nag temple is also situated here. Himachal Tourism runs Hotel Golf Glade here.
Tattapani (53 Km) 680 m:
Motorable on Shimla-Mandi Highway via Naldehra, Tattapani has hot water springs having sulpher contents, and is popular with tourists who enjoy food cooked on the sulpher springs. Tattapani also has Hindu temples and Shiv Goofa at Saraur (4 Km) which places are worth visiting.
Kalka Shimla Railway.
The Kalka Shimla railway is a narrow gauge line and now a heritage train. The train passes through 99 tunnels through beautiful hills and scenic views. The stations are quaint, neat and clean. The Railways also run the railmotor on the track which resembles a bus on the tracks. The Railmotor service is not regular and mainly during the season.
