Shimla, also known as The Queen of Hills was the summer capital of India before independence, now capital of Himachal Pradesh. Shimla is also popular for its toy train which goes through sixty mile long Kalka Shimla narrow gauge 2' 6" opened in Nov 1903. This train passes through more than 800 bridges and over 100 tunnels. Shimla is also popular for its historic India Pakistan agreement. Shimla has Asia's thickest Pine forest.

General Information

SHIMLA :CAPITAL OF HIMACHAL PRADESH
ALTITUDE: 2,205 mtrs, 7,238 ft., ABOVE SEA LEVEL
PINCODE: 171 001 (GENERAL POST OFFICE (G.P.O.)
S.T.D. CODE: 0177
POST OFFICE: G.P.O., Near Scandal Point

How to reach Shimla is well connected via train, road and air. The best way to reach Shimla is via train. There are lot of stories and sites you will find about toy train from Kalka - to Shimla. I always thought there is only one toy train. But when I reached Kalka railway station early in the morning @ 5:00 AM and inquired, I realized there are two trains and a rail car.

Shatabdi Express or Shivalik Express also known as Rail car one of the luxuries has only one coach. (I took this train). . Ticket will cost little more than Rs. 200/- per passenger. They server tea and light breakfast in the train.
One general train which starts at 6am. Has only 5-6 small coaches. There are couple of reserve coaches as well. General Ticket will cost as low as Rs.17/-
Rail Car/bus has single coach and it think is the best way. But when I reached all the tickets were already sold. Ticket will cost little more than Rs. 200/- per passenger.

It takes around 6 hours to cover 60 miles or 96 Kms. The experience of engineering and the scenic beauty on the way is unforgettable.

Stay There are plenty of hotels to stay. Most of these hotels are outside Shimla bus stand. Bus stand is less than one km from railway station. If you are a back packer or have less luggage, I will suggest to walk to the hotels instead of taking taxi or cab. Taxi will charge you minimum Rs.120/- for taking you to the hotel even if it is just 1 or 2 kms from railway station. You will get hotels from basic to 5 star. There is only one 5 star hotel. Himachal tourism also has one hotel Holiday Home, which is just 2 km from Railway station and 1 km from Bus stand. Reservation can be done on internet.

Weather in Shimla is pleasant in summer and chilly in winter. In summer people go there to escape from the heat and in winter people go there for skiing and other winter games.

Places to eat: There are number of decent restaurants, Punjabi dhabas (vegetarian and non vegetarian) on the Mall road or lower bazaar. You will also get South Indian but I will not suggest to try South Indian in Shimla. I also found popular Kerala based joint 'The Coffee House' and tried some onion dosa but it was not even close to real South Indian taste. Prices are normal. Near to the Coffee house, there was one cake shop (forgot the name) but it has some very good egg less cakes, which you might want to try.

Places to see Once you are on the road, you will be approached by Taxi drivers frequently for taking you on tours. Each hotel also has arrangement or tie-ups with travel agents for sight seeing. Hotel travel agent might charge you little more than road side taxi drivers. Generally they will make tour for the day and charge any where based between Rs. 500/- to Rs. 1200/- based on the selected tour. Most of the hotels will have printed pamphlet guides for the different tours.

There are few points where you can do horse riding or you will have to take pony / horse for the sight seeing. One of such places is Kufri. Taxi drivers get commission from the ponywallas. The trial is not so good and if you want to walk to the sight seeing points they will discourage you. And for some reason if you refuse to take the pony and come back, taxi driver will get angry (though he will never express his anger) because he will not get the commission.

Photo Album

Walkways in Shimla

The Mall: The Mall is the main shopping center of Shimla and has theaters, restaurants and bars. From the Mall, one can also explore the Tibetan Market, the Lower Bazaar, Lakkar Bazaar and Ram Bazaar.

The Ridge This large open space is in the heart of Shimla presents excellent view of the mountains.

Christ Church Situated on the ridge built in 1857, second oldest church of North India. It has a very majestic appearance and inside there are original chancel windows, designed by Lockwood Kipling, Rudyyard Kiplings' Father.

Lakkar Bazaar Adjacent to the Ridge, famous for wooden handicrafts and souvenirs.

Kali Bari – Built in 1845. Dedicated to Kali Mata (Goddess Kali). Believed that ancient temple of Shamla (blue female) .i.e. Kali Devi existed near Rothney Castle on Jakhu. Wooden image worshipped locally. During early British days, it was removed to a wooden structure, presently Kali Bari.

Himachal State Museum Set amidst spacious lawns, housed in inveram an old colonial building. Ancient historical sculptures, Pahari miniature paintings, philately, coins, landscapes. Gandhi Gallery, etc reflecting cultural heritage of Shimla. Has a historical letter box which the British got from Dharamshala. Breathtaking view of Shimla's sun set.

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