  
Shimla is the capital of Himachal Pradesh and a major travel hill station in India. Situated in the northwest Himalayas, Shimla is one of the most popular hill stations in India. It is also know as "Queen of Hills" . Shimla is also an important administrative centre. It has been variously described as the Indian Capua, Mount Olympus and the Abode of the Little Tin Gods. At the other end is Sir Edward Lutyen’s (the architect of New Delhi) snooty remark – "If I had been told it had all been built by monkeys, I would have said, what wonderful monkeys, they must be shot in case they do it again."!! Shimla and attention have always courted each other.
The city spreads over a 12km ridge with just two main roads – The Mall which runs from the far west to the lower eastern side, and the Cart Road which circles the southern part of Shimla. This is where the railway station and the bus and taxi stands are located. The crescent of the wooded Ridge stretches from the lofty 2476 m high Jakhu Hill and Chhota Shimla in the east, to the Observatory (2,148 m) and Prospect hills (2,176 m) in the west. The best time to travel to Shimla is in autumn, when the days are warm and bright and the nights crisp and cool. Summer sees a burgeoning tourist population and this is precisely why you should avoid going there at this time. The people of HP are simple and warm. They feel strongly about their natural and cultural heritage so do not in any way belittle their customs or rituals. Norms of dress and behaviour are pretty relaxed in Shimla, as the tourist traffic every year has made the place almost cosmopolitan. A word of caution, however, don’t travel to the interiors of the state without a reliable and authorized tourist guide and also beware of touts. Shimla the Summer Capital of British India, is well Known for its Mall Road & Trekking routes. One can indulge in adventure sports and activities like river rafting, angling for trout trekking and rock climbing. Those seeking a quieter holiday can do some camping and golfing.. 
The Vice Regal Lodge
On the Observatory Hills is located the Viceregal Lodge. Also known as Rashtrapati Niwas, it was formerly the residence of the British Viceroy Lord Dufferin, was the venue for many important decisions, which changed the fate of the sub-continent. It is quite befittingly the only building in Shimla that occupies a hill by itself.This is also called Indian Institute of Advance Studies. The institute is housed in the erstwhile Viceregal Lodge which was built in 1884-88 during the period of Lord Dufferin. It isa commanding building in Summer Hill. The gardens of the Institute are really beautiful and fascinating. It was designed by Henry Twain.  Christ Church
The most prominent building on the Mall is the yellow Christ Church, reputed to be the second oldest church in northern India. The Christ Church is the most important landmark here and is photographed by tourists. The silhouette of this can be seen on the skyline for miles around. It was designed by Colonel JT Boileau in 1844, but consecrated only after 1857. The clock was donated by Colonel Dumbleton in 1860, and the porch added in 1873.The imposing Church stand majestically on the ridge, is the second oldest Church in North India. It has a very a very majestic appearance and inside there are stained glass windows which represent faith, hope, charity, patience and humanity.  Chail
This was the former 'summer capital' of the Patiala State. The palace in now run as a luxury hotel by Himachal Tourism. Chail is ( 2,250 meters ) Situated 45 km. from Shimla.. This was the ‘Summer Capital’ of the erstwhile Patiala State. The small town is located amid thick woods and has fine walks. It has the highest cricket ground in the world. The dense forests around are alive with many species of birds and animals but it is best known for its ‘Scottish red Deer' which were introduced by the Maharaja.
Naldehra
The rolling greens of Naldehra in Himachal Pradesh are par for the oldest golf course in India. Tall deodars flank the links making Naldehra a wonderful sports venue in the midst of natural beauty. At the turn of the century, Naldehra was "discovered" by the British Viceroy, Lord Curzon who was fascinated by the deodar forests and green-carpeted slopes. Curzon spent many a happy hour romancing Naldehra’s cedar woods, communicating all the while with the British summer capital at Shimla, 23 km away. The idea of laying a golf course on the slopes of an enormous glade took root. The natural topography of the area was just right for a nine-hole golf course, surrounded by deodar woods and a view of the mountains. 
Kufri
Kufri is one of the oldest ski resorts in Himachal Pradesh. Its attraction lies in the breathtaking vistas and ski slopes. Covered with soft snow during the winter months, Kufri, 22 Km away from Shimla is a skier's paradise. Summer months offer ample opportunities for hiking, trekking, horse-riding and tobogganing. Located at an altitude of 2,510 m, the winter resort doubles up as a summer getaway with excellent scenic views of the Himalayan range, green valleys and pine trees. Once under the Kingdom of Nepal, Kufri emerged as a tourist destination only when the British developed Shimla as the summer capital.  Temperature : (deg C): Summer- Max.27, Min.14.5; Winter- Max.16.5, Min.5.2.
Getting there By Rail : Nearest railway station Shimla 1km from Mall Road Shimla. By Air : The airport is at Jubbarhatti, 23 km away. 14 Kms from Bus Stand Shimla. By Road : Regular bus services connect Shimla with Chandigarh 117 kms. Kullu 220 kms, Manali 260 kms, Delhi 343 kms. Best Time To Visit : May to July and September to November.  |
