10 Things To Do in Shimla - Hills, Snow and Heritage

Shimla Travel Guide

Summer Capital of British India

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Top Things To Do in Shimla

Shimla is a place which on one hand let you feel the heritage and culture of the British colonial period and on the other hand offers you an array of activities including –

Walking on the Ridge.
Strolling and shopping at Mall Road
View Sunset from Scandal Point
Visit to the Christ Church
Trekking to Jakhoo Hills
Skiing at Kufri
Toy train ride
Playing Golf at Naldehra

Walking on the Ridge

The Ridge Road is the tourist hot spot of Shimla and possibly the most photographed area. This road runs in parallel to Mall road and connect Scandal Point in the West to Lakkar Bazar on the East side.
Tourist spots like the Mall, Kali Bari, Christ Church, Jakhoo Hill and Annadale are located around the Ridge Road. This area remains filled with tourists all through the day. On one side of the Ridge, you can enjoy a pony ride. Food stalls and Coffee shops are there to provide refreshments. There are chairs and benches installed along the way. Sittin on one of those and looking at the whole of Shimla town from the top will be an unforgettable experience for you.

Strolling and Shopping on Mall Road

Photo by Biswarup Ganguly, CC BY 3.0

The Mall Road is one of the most prominent location for the tourists as well as locals. Mall road houses many renowned restaurants, hotels, bakery shops, coffee shops and souvenir shops which remains full with tourists all through the day. In addition to those, there are ATMs, banks and other offices located here. Many of the buildings on this road are heritage ones and made up of British colonial architecture. They will remind you of the historical importance of Shimla as it was the summer capital of British India.

View Sunset From Scandal Point

Photo by Biswarup Ganguly, CC BY 3.0

Scandal Point is the wide open place where Ridge Road and Mall Road meets. This is one of the most happening areas of shimla with many shops, restaurants, clubs and hotels located here. People gather here in the evenings to watch the spectacular sunset on the hills.

Visit to the Christ Church

Christ Church, built in 1857 is one of the oldest churches of the region. Built by the British rulers, Christ Church is a beautiful architecture of the Neo-Gothic style. This is located at one end of the Ridge road easily identifiable by its tall dome.
During night, the church it decorated with beautiful lights and tourists must not miss this photo opportunity.

Trekking to Jakhoo Hills

Photo by Aleksandr Zykov, CC BY-SA 2.0

Jakhoo Hills is located at a distance pf 2.5 km from Shimla Mall. For people who like to hike on mountain roads, this is a nice small hiking that can be covered in approximately 45 to 60 mins one way from the mall and reach the hill top. For those who are unable to walk this distance, there are horses and a rope-way which can take you to the hill top in a very small time.

Main attractions of Jakhoo hill are –
1. Jakhoo Temple – Temple of Lord Hanuman and famous for the festival during dussehra.
2. 108 ft high statue of Lord Hanuman
3. Panoramic view of Shimla town and surrounding mountains.

Skiing at Kufri

Photo by timuzapata, CC BY-SA 2.0

Kufri is a small hill station at a distance of 13 km from Shimla. Due to its higher elevation, Kufri remains snow covered for most of the winter. Natural slopes and the snow has made Kufri one of the most popular skiing destinations in Himachal Pradesh. Main attractions of Kufri are –
1. Skiing in Winter – Very popular among Indian and foreign tourists during winter
2. Horse Ride to Mahasu Peak – Amazing panoramic view of the Himalayan peaks
3. Kufri Fun World – Enjoy Go Karting in one of the world’s highest karting tracks

Toy Train Ride

Photo by Philippe Raffard, CC BY-SA 3.0

Kalka to Shimla narrow gauge railway is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most picturesque railway journey in India. The route goes via 103 tunnels and 969 bridges.
If you have not covered the entire route while coming to Shimla or going back, make sure to have a small ride through a couple of stations to get the feel.

Playing Golf at Naldehra

Photo by Adam Jones, CC BY-SA 2.0

If you are a golf enthusiast, you will surely like to pay a visit to see one of the highest and most beautiful 18 hole golf course in the world at Naldehra. Naldehra golf club is located 23 km from Shimla town. It is the oldest golf club of India.
As a tourist, you are allowed to pay a small fee and try your hand for a round of golf among the most amazing natural settings. There are couple of hotels and restaurants around the place to serve the tourists.