Location: North India in the state of Himachal Pradesh
Famous As: The Capital of Himachal Pradesh famous as a Hill station.
Places of Interest: AnnandaleAnnandale, Kufri, Chail.
Area: 18 km
Altitude: 2,213 meters.
Temperature: summer: Max.27, Min.14.5, winter: Max.16.5, Min.5.2
Ideal Time to Visit: April to Mid-July, Mid-September to Mid-November
Language: Pahari (Local Dialect), Hindi, English and Punjabi

An Over All View Of Shimla
Shimla is the capital of Himachal Pradesh perched on the northwest of Himalayas. The city is embellished with lush green towered trees of oak and pine, fur and rhododendron extending over an area of 12km.
Shimla's healthy atmosphere, its comfortable approachability and unlimited charms had converted Shimla into most demanding and popular hill resorts of northern India. The sumptuous panorama of the snow clad mountains of the Himalayas, a long stroll through oak and flowering rows, golf at Naldehra and skiing at Kufri brands shimla an engaging destination all the year round. Shimla also offers diversity of adventure sports such as Skiing, Trekking, Fishing and golfing.

Historic Perspective
Shimla derives its name from goddess 'Shayamla Devi', which is another manifestation of Goddess Kali whose temple sited amidst the dense forests of Jakhu Hills in the early 19th century. Later on the British's change its name to Shimla as it was the summer capital of British Regime in 1864.

Shimla preserved its imperial heritage rich in architectural splendor with royal ancient structure like- the palatial Viceregal Lodge, captivating iron lampposts and Anglo-Saxon names. The Mall Road thronged with cluster of shops and restaurants are the main charms of the city and a great center of attraction among the visitors.

The excellent way to visit Shimla is through narrow gauge train from Kalka that passes through mountains and offers enchanting scenery on the way. The train passes through magnificent 105 tunnels ply between 2 stations forming an important link between plains and the hills. This toy train was introduced in 1924.

Charms of the City
Mall Road
Shimla is a glowing town since 19th and maintain her splendor since the British Regime. Its Mall has invariably advanced as the town's commercial lane and the meeting joint for its visitors. The road extends over a stretch of 5-km in length begins from the west at the gates of Indian Institute of Advanced Study and ends at Chhota Shimla or 'Small' Shimla, in the east.

The Ridge
It is the extended wide area in the center of Shimla most favorite place for time pass. The place also provides some of the captivating panoramic picturesque of the snow capped mountain ranges. Shimla's landmarks - the Neo-Gothic structure of Christ Church and the new - Tudor Library building are worth sights.

Annandale
2-km below the Ridge in Shimla, offers striking landscape of perpetual slopes above that are also very popular among climbers.

Chadwick Fall
7-km west of the ridge from Shimla are the Chadwick Falls that was once the site of a 67-m aquatic phenomenon. It is the most attractive tourist spot.

Christ Church and St Michael'S Cathedral
Erected in the center of the Mall Road the church is the second oldest church in northern India and was designed by Colonel JT Boileau in 1844. Colonel Dumbleton donated the clock in 1860 to the church. Shimla's other important churches are St. Michael's Cathedral and Roman Catholic Cathedral, which is just off the Mall.

Summer Hill
It is a picnic spot crowned at an altitude of 1,283m known as the Summer Hill. This enchanting sight lies on the Shimla-Kalka Railway line offering cool pleasant strolls in calm and peaceful surroundings. Himachal Pradesh University is also situated over here.

Churdhar Sanctuary
The sanctuary got its name from the magnificent sculpture of Lord Shiva perched on the Chur Peak. The peak gave a panoramic view to the sanctuary down. The sanctuary is abode to the large number of mammals and kaleidoscopic species that leaves the tourist spellbound.

Jakhu Temple
The temple is dedicated to Lord Hanuman and is located at an altitude of 2,455m near the highest point of Shimla ridge. It provides with a spectacular vista over the girdling valley, over the snow-capped peaks, and on the glowing town itself. It just take 45-minutes walk from the Mall to reach the temple that also is a privilege point to view the sun rises or sets.

Glen- 4 kms , Sanket Mochen- 5 kms, Tara Devi Temple- 8 kms and Tibetan Monastery- 8 kms are some of the other tourist attractions in the regions.

Excursion
Chail
(43Km) Chail was the summer capital of Maharaja of Patiala, located on the altitude of 2,250m. The place has the world's top-notch cricket pitch and a polo ground. It also abode the palace now converted into a hotel Chail

White Flower Hall
(13Km) Located in Chharabra the Hall was the erstwhile residence of English Commander in Chief later on the hall transmuted into a hotel by the Himachal Tourism.

Kasauli
(12Km) The town lies on the way to Kalka and is now becoming as an excellent excursion from Shimla. Kasauli located at an altitude of 1927m is an amazing small township that reminds us about the bygone era of 19th century.It is also famous for its splendor beauty, a walk to Sanawar is very amusing and full of natural charms.

Kufri
(19Km) Kufri is signified for it's trekking and hiking track. Adventure-seeking travelers thronged Kufri in winters to indulge in skiing and gliding activities along its snow-covered slopes. Kufri also offers panoramic views of green valleys, towering tree forests and lofty Himalayas covert by enduring snow. One can also enjoy the charismatic view of a zoo by penetrating the dense woods up to the Mahasu Peak.

Sport Adventures in Shimla
Hiking and Climbing
Shimla offer excellent opportunities of hiking and climbing on the Jakhoo Hill at a height of 2455m. The climb is of 1.5-km stretch starting from the Ridge to the temple dedicated to Lord Hanauman, crowning the forested hill. One can also relish the most amazing sunrises and sunset sights from this spot.

Skiing
16-kms rom Shimla Kufri is very popular ski resort surrounded by thick forests. Kufri offers a picturesque view of 2,000 miles of the great Himalayan ranges.
HPTDC organizes ski courses of 7 days and 15 day's duration at Narkhanda (65 km) every year during the month of January to March. The facilities include boarding, lodging and equipment.

Trekking
The Shimla- Kinnaur region treasures some exhilarating trekking opportunities both to the domestic and foreign tourists.
Some of the trekking routes are:
a)Narknda to Banjar (Kullu) over the Jalori, b) Shimla to Kulu via Jaloni Pass (66 kms), c) Shimla to Kulu via Bashleo Pass (56 kms).

Festivities
The summer festival in Shimla offers the best entertainment of the year. Skilled artistes throng the city from all over the country to participate in the cultural programs of song, dance and music.
Other important festivals and shows organized are- Folk Dance festival, the "Mushaira" - recitation of Urdu poetry by poets, the Red Cross Fair, Golf and the Flower Show. During month of December, ice-skating Carnival festival is organized in Shimla, which is quite popular among the visitors.

Shopping
Shimla is celestial home for the magnificent handicrafts of Himachal Pradesh. The city offers a wide variety of pashmina shawls, decorative artifacts, embroidered handmade shoes, woolen caps, carved wooden sticks, and other items made form wood. The famous market in Shimla is Lakkar Bazar quite renowned for its woodcraft, Tibetan Market along the Ridge is also famous for jewelry and trinkets.

Getting Around
Air: Vayudoot services and Jagson Airlines connect Shimla with Kullu and Delhi. The nearest airport is Jubbor Hatti airport that is around 23km from Shimla City.

Rail: Shimla is connected by a narrow gauge railway line on which runs the Toy Train from Kalka (90 kms). The train passes through valleys and ravishing panorama at a very slow speed making it a real fairy tale journey. From Kalka one can take trains to other parts of India too.

Road: Shimla is connected by regular bus services with Chandigarh 117 km, Kullu 220 km, Manali 260 km, Delhi 343 km, Chail 43 km, Dehradun 240 km. Local Transport: Taxis are available here as the main local transport to travel in and out side of the city.