Shimla, the capital of Himachal Pradesh also known as "Queen of Hills' is a captivating hill station nestled in the Himalayas. Shimla has a really pleasant weather, colonial era architecture, lush mountains adding to its scenic landscapes allures tourists not only from India but abroad as well. Shimla has a perfect blend of lush green mountains covered in beautiful white snow blanket and a rich cultural history making a perfect blend of natural beauty which offers an ideal retreat for people seeking a peaceful and relaxing getaway from a monotonous daily routine. Shimla provides a refreshing escape from hustle and bustle of regular city life and a clean air to breathe. Whether you are want to hike, do trekking, do adventure sports or want to explore the rich cultural heritage, or want to enjoy a cool mountain breeze, Shimla has something to offer to everyone! These are some of the few reasons why Shimla has always been a popular destination for tourism. Here are some fascinating facts about Shimla that makes it a must visit hill station.
1. The Summer capital of British India
Shimla served as a summer capital of British India from 1864 to 1947. The scorching summer heat of plains were unbearable for Britishers as they weren't used to such high temperature , therefore they made Shimla as their summer capital for administrative work which provided them a pleasant cool climate to function efficiently, especially for the British elite. The annual migration of British administration to Shimla had a profound impact on the city planning and development of infrastructure which is evident in colonial architecture.
2. The Ridge, heart of Shimla
The Ridge is located in the heart of Shimla which makes it a popular gathering spot for people where various shops, cafes can be found and also offers a stunning view of beautiful mountains and trees. The Ridge hosts lot of festivals like summer festival that happens in May and continues till June, New Year celebration, Christmas celebration, political meet and greet events held by authoritative figures. Popular landmarks like the Christ Church, a Tudorbethan styled library are found there and Famous Gaiety theatre where lot of exhibitions, plays, magic shows are organised that people can enjoy.
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| The Church, Shimla |
3. The Mall Road, Shimla
The Mall Road runs through The Ridge, has almost every type of shops, stalls lined together. Cafes, restaurants, bakery shops, dessert shops can be found there. Whether you want to purchase toys, gifts, electronics, want to do shopping, take a stroll while having an ice cream or refreshing slushy, enjoy the you can do anything you want and enjoy cool climate.
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| The Mall Road Shimla |
4. Home to India's Oldest Ice Skating Rink
The Ice Skating Rink in Shimla is one of the oldest and historic landmark of Shimla which attracts lot of skating, figure skating, ice hockey enthusiasts. The Skating season usually begins from December and goes on till February, depending on the weather. It is one of the major tourist attractions for people in India and abroad making it an integral part of Shimla's winter tourism.
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| The famous Ice Skating rink in Shimla |
5. Shimla's unique Postal history
Shimla's GPO (General Postal Office) established in 1883, is one of the oldest in India. Here is a fun fact for you - Shimla was the first place in India to receive a postage stamp in 1854. It played an important role in connecting Shimla with other parts of India, serving as a hub for communication between British administrators and local population. It is a popular tourist destination as people can admire the architecture of General Postal Office which reflects the colonial history. People can admire and learn at the same time.
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| Shimla's General Postal Office. 1883 |
6. The Kalka - Shimla Railway: A UNESCO World Heritage Site
The Kalka - Shimla is a narrow gauge railway line that connects Kalka (located in plains of Haryana) to Shimla is 96.6 km long route is prominent for it's breathtaking views, engineering marvels and a rich history making it a UNESCO World heritage site since 2008. The route includes 103 tunnels, with the longest being 1,160 metres. People can enjoy scenic beauty of Shimla's charming lush mountains and valleys with delight as train travels at leisurely pace. The Kalka-Shimla train is a favourite amongst the tourists as they enjoy the alluring landscape of Shimla while travelling.
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| A UNESCO World heritage, Shimla-Kalka train |
7. Jakhoo Hills
Jakhoo hills are the highest point in Shimla, standing at 2,455 metres. Jakhoo hills are a must visit tourist destination as people can enjoy stunning views and get a unique cultural experience. Jakhoo hills are home to the Lord Hanuman temple where 108 metre tall lord Hanuman statue towers, it is a really tall statue and is visible from distance as well. As a matter of caution, there are lot of monkeys in this place, so people are advised to come to the temple empty handed as monkeys are notorious for stealing things from people like money, glasses, hats, wraps, shoes, food they and even start to search in your pockets! It sounds funny but local people have a lot to tell about these furry thieves and their defiant behaviours.
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| Stunning views of Jakhoo Hills |
8. The Scandal Point
The Scandal Point in Shimla is a famous landmark located where The Ridge and The Mall intersect. There is a story that people believe that explains why the name Scandal Point was kept. So what happened was that The Maharaja of Patiala eloped with the daughter of British Viceroy during the British Raj causing a scandal. Some historians refute this story and rather give some other explanations. Nevertheless, people do choose this place for meet ups.
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| The Scandal Point, Shimla |
9. Mountains covered with white fluffy snow
Winters is usually the busiest period of tourism in Shimla with a big influx of tourists flocking to witness snowfall. Shimla experiences snowfall during December to February time period where Queen of hills Shimla gets engulfed with pristine white blanket attracting lot of tourists. People enjoy the freezing temperature, freshly fallen snow especially for tourists who have never experienced snowfall in their life making it a special experience they'd remember forever. People can go to Kufri to enjoy snow adventure activities like skiing, skating, snowboarding etc or build snowman or enjoy snow ball throwing games.
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| Shimla during Winter Season |
10. Shimla and literature
Shimla has been a source of inspiration for lot of artists and writers including famous writer Rudyard Kipling. The atmosphere in Shimla is calm, serene and has a cool climate that makes it a popular setting for novels and stories. The city also hosts a variety of literary contests, festivals and events to encourage emerging talents and inspire others for the same. There are numerous cafes, libraries, cultural centres that provides a safe heaven to readers and writers.
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| The British era architecture of State Library, Shimla |
11. International Summer festival of India
Shimla hosts summer festival in month of May to June every year, where famous artists sing, dance and perform to entertain audience. Local singers enchant people with cultural songs and dances like Nati creating enthusiasm among the crowd. There are various food stalls, flower show, handicraft exhibitions that celebrate the culture of the region.
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| Enthusiasm among the crowd during Summer festival |
Conclusion
Shimla's rich and vibrant culture, its beautiful landscape, pleasant climate, historical significance adds a unique charm to the hill station that keeps on enchanting people over and over again. Be it a brief retreat, a long trip this charming hill station continues to be a popular tourist attraction where people keep on visiting again and again. Shimla has something to offer to everyone be it history, art, culture, food, adventure, peace and quiet, all in all it gives a unique experience to tourists. Don't forget to comment and share with your friends if you like the post!!
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