Best Places to Visit in Shimla

When you think of Shimla, your mind imagines a place filled with fun and snow. A mall road market lined with beautiful colonial architecture. Even in summer, when there is no snow, we still picture Shimla covered in it. Shimla is an attractive destination for travelers visiting Himachal Pradesh. The Ridge beckons, inviting you to sit and soak in the beauty of nature. Shimla also boasts the largest natural ice skating rink in South Asia. Additionally, the city is an educational hub. The Kalka-Shimla railway line, a UNESCO World Heritage site, offers a unique toy train experience. Shimla’s forests are rich with Pine, Deodar, Oak, and Rhododendron trees. Don’t miss the famous Kali Bari Temple and Tara Devi Temple during your visit.

1. Mall Road

If you arrive in Shimla by car, you can park near the main highway and take a lift up to Mall Road. Alternatively, you can walk. The lift is chargeable, and no vehicles are allowed on Mall Road except for ambulances. Town Hall, located on Mall Road, looks spectacular at night when illuminated. At the end of Mall Road is Scandal Point. Why the name Scandal Point? Because Maharaja Bhupendra Singh eloped with a British girl there! From here, The Ridge begins, and you can admire a beautiful church. Watch out for the monkeys—they are often searching for food in visitors' hands. If you haven’t yet, don’t miss the toy train experience. It’s a special journey, and you can book it like a regular train. The ride from Kalka to Shimla takes around 6 hours. You should also visit Lower Bazaar and the nearby Kali Bari Temple, just 1 km from Mall Road.

2. Jakhoo Temple

Located atop Jakhoo Hill, this temple is accessible by ropeway, taxi, or a trek. From The Ridge, you can hike to the temple. You can also reach here from Sanjauli or Navbahar, where the route is beautiful, winding through dense forests. The temple is famous for its 108-ft statue of Lord Pawan dev Hanuman ji, which overlooks Shimla. An interesting thing about Jakhoo Temple is its large population of monkeys. Monkeys snatch items from visitors, but they return them when you offer Prasad or any edible item.

3. Mashobra

For those seeking a peaceful retreat, Mashobra is the perfect offbeat spot, about 11 km from Shimla. Local buses and taxis are available for the journey. You can visit the Talai Temple here, and the route is scenic and serene. From Talai Temple, you can travel to Tara Devi Temple, which is approximately 25 km away. Nearby, you’ll find Craignano Nature Park.

4. Craignano Nature Park

A paid park where you can enjoy a treehouse and a play zone for kids. Man made statues, ponds, flowers, greenery, and wooden bridges enhance the beauty of the park. It could be a good spot for taking selfies.

5. Kufri

Located about 14 to 15 km from Shimla, Kufri is best visited between mid-December and February if you want to see snow. If you're lucky, you might even witness snowfall. Kufri is home to the Himalayan Nature Park, a zoo where you can see wild animals. The main attraction, however, is the Adventure Resorts, which offer many thrilling activities, including skiing. Don’t worry experts are available to guide and assist beginners in skiing, making it a wonderful experience for first-timers.

6. Chadwick Falls

This beautiful waterfall is located in the middle of a forest, about 10 to 11 km from Shimla. A 10-minute walk from the main road takes you to the falls, where you can enjoy the sound of cascading water. Visitors have littered the area with plastic, bottles and with other garbage but it remains a beautiful spot to visit. Since it is in a forest, it’s recommended to go in a group and return before evening.

7. Green Valley

Situated on the road between Shimla and Kufri, Green Valley is an expansive stretch of lush greenery. Visitors can take photos in traditional clothing and use telescopes to enjoy the sweeping views of the valley, although the beauty is breathtaking even without one.

How to Reach Shimla

You can drive here or take a direct bus from Delhi, Chandigarh or Haryana. Volvo buses are also available from Delhi to Shimla and the journey usually takes 8 to 10 hours. Shimla Bus Station is located in Tutikandi and connects to other parts of Shimla.
To reach Shimla by train. You can get a direct train to Kalka, from Delhi and Chandigarh. From Kalka, you can take a toy train, which is unique and memorable experience. The toy train is a UNESCO World Heritage-listed experience. It will take about 6 hours to reach Shimla via the toy train. In this journey, the train will pass through forests and mountains where the scenic view will take you to a different world.
Jubbarhatti Airport is 22 km away from Shimla. It is the nearest airport. Taxi or cab is the option to reach the Shimla. One important thing, the availability of the service is depends on the season and weather conditions. 120 Km away from Shimla, you can get the 2nd nearest airport of Shimla which is Chandigarh airport.
Altitude: 2,276 meters
Distance from Delhi: 342 km
Nearest airport: Jubbarhatti Airport
Nearest railway station: Kalka Railway Station