Top 10 Places to Visit in Shimla

Introduction:

Evergreen forests, rolling valleys, breathtaking lakes and the pleasant Shimla weather are only a few reasons that lend this hill station a unique charm. No doubt, there are Top 10 Places to Visit in Shimla will leave you with memories of a lifetime.

Due to its strategic location in the beautiful landscapes of Himachal Pradesh, it often makes for a great weekend getaway for the residents of North India. With the abundance of tourist places in Shimla for exploration, you will be surprised by the many wonders that the hill station offers.

List Of Top 10 Places to Visit in Shimla:

Mall Road:

The Shimla Mall Road is one of the top 10 places to visit in Shimla. It truly celebrates the spirit of the hill town. Mall Road in Shimla is one of the vibrant lanes for enjoying a range of shopping options, eateries, food stalls, cafes, and bank ATMs, and money exchange portals to meet certain necessities. Apart from houses and hotels, the hills are mostly covered by tourist rush. 

The charm and beauty of the Mall Road can be enjoyed by groups of friends, families, and honeymooners alike.  The nearest attractions are Scandal Point, the Kali Bari Temple, and Gaiety Theatre.

The main street is lined up with restaurants, clubs, banks, shops, post offices, and tourist offices. The stores on Mall Road are famous for their woolen clothes and exclusively handcrafted works, apart from the usual books and jewelry.

The wooden furniture shops are particularly well-known; so do not forget to shop for some exquisite wooden articles and antiques.  Vehicles, except emergency ones, are not allowed on this street, which makes the Mall Road in Shimla an ideal place to stroll around in the evenings, without being concerned about the traffic. 

Other than shopping, Shimla Mall Road is also famous for its variety of cafes and the delicious delicacies that they serve. In fact, people here are spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing a place to have a meal at. No wonder it is one of the top places to visit in Shimla.

Green Valley:

The Green Valley is truly one of the top most places to visit in Shimla. It is a famous Shimla tourist place to visit and photography points in Shimla. Seen as the popular shooting spot in different Bollywood movies, the Green Valley brings forth endless beauty. 

Noted for its elite beauty, Green Valley has been mentioned in a number of articles and travel books. a beautiful and breathtaking mountain range that falls on the way to Kufri from Shimla. The Green Valley is surrounded by verdant hills on all sides covered with thick pine and deodar forests. It is not uncommon to sight some Yaks wandering and grazing around in the valley. 

The place is undeveloped for tourism, nevertheless, it continues to be a crowd puller and capture the attention of tourists with its dense deodar and pine trees that line the majestic hills. Rare animals are also sighted here at times. Overall it is one of the top places to visit in Shimla.

Kufri:

Kufri is one of the top 10 places to visit in Shimla. It is a quaint little hill town 20km away from Shimla, Himachal Pradesh. Earlier known to be the summer retreat for the British in 1819, Kufri still harbors its past through the colonial buildings and architecture around. 

With its pleasant summer weather and winter snowfall, Kufri is flocked by tourists almost at all times. However, snowfall is at its peak from November to March, which is also the best time to visit Kufri. Located at an altitude of 2720 meters above sea level, Kufri is the starting point for some of the famous treks in Himachal. 

The Mahasu peak trek and the Fagu valley are two of the most sought-after places in Kufri, except you could hike or go on a pony ride from the parking lot to reach the top. When planning a visit to Kufri, include Chail in your itinerary as it’s close by and has plenty of sightseeing options, such as temples, a wildlife sanctuary, and a nature park. Overall it is one of the top places to visit in Shimla.

Himalayan Bird Park:

Himalayan Bird Park is one of the top 10 places to visit in Shimla. This nature park, located in the heart of the city, opposite to Vice Regal Lodge is visited by thousands of locals and tourists throughout the year. One can take a walk around the park and explore the rich collection of plants and trees.

The atmosphere of the Himalayan Bird Park is calming to the soul and apart from looking at birds, one can also go there to get some fresh air. 

The collection of pheasants, peacocks and peafowl are bliss to bird watchers as well as wildlife photographers. It is also a must-visit for the nature lovers owing to the lush green pastures that the park boats of.

Summers are the best time to visit Himalayan Bird Park, because, during winters, the place gets covered in snow. The park is about 4.5 kilometers from the famous Scandal point and tourists even walk their way down to this spot. Local conveyance includes buses as well as taxis. Both services are very frequent and it is quite easy to get them. Moreover, it is one of the top places to visit in Shimla.

Kali Bari Temple:

Kali Bari Temple of Shimla is one of the top 10 places to visit in Shimla. It is an ancient place of worship dedicated to Goddess Kali. It was built in 1845 and is considered of immense religious importance for the devotees. The shrine houses a captivating idol of Goddess Kali beautifully adorned with jewellery and colourful flowers.

 Located in Shimla, very close to the Shimla City Mall, it is often visited by devotees in large number. The temple premise is kept clean and is well-maintained, and devotees can sit for hours here absorbing the heavenly vibe. Many prefer chanting or meditating here to contemplate issues they are facing as they seek power and energy from Goddess Kali to face and fight them. 

Locals believe that Goddess Kali lived on Jakhoo Hill which was the location of an ancient temple that was later relocated to Kali Bari by the British. Locals also know Goddess Kali as Goddess Shyamala. The name of the city, Shimla, was derived from the Goddesses’ name. 

A large number of devotees visit the Kali Bari Temple seeking Goddess Kali’s blessings and to offer her prayers during the festival of Navratri.

The evening aarti at the divine temple should be witnessed. The site of devotees getting immersed in the holy verses chanted by the Kali Bari temple priests is another sight to witness. Moreover it is one of the top places to visit in Shimla.

Chadwick Falls:

Chadwick Falls is one of the top 10 places to visit in Shimla. It is located in the Glen Forests of the beautiful city of Shimla. Though the height of the falls is only 100 meters, but the trek through the lush forests surrounding the area makes up for what it lacks in terms of grandeur.  

Some explorers recall a walk through the forest as an adventurous experience because of the damp and dark environment created by the thick canopying forest. The Britishers found it difficult to pronounce this name and hence started calling the waterfall Chadwick. 

No matter what the origin of the name is, this beautiful location is a stone’s throw away from the city and must be visited by everyone exploring Shimla. To see the waterfalls at its fullest, it is best to visit here in monsoons. 

But, either way, the looming pine trees, the fragrance of wild, exotic flowers, and the breezy climate is a certain way to uplift your senses and rejuvenate yourselves. That’s why it is one of the top places to visit in Shimla.

Himachal State Museum:

The Himachal State Museum is one of the top 10 places to visit in Shimla. It is located on the Shimla Mall Road and has unique collectables like ancient coins, paintings and other handicraft items collected from all over the state and country, the aesthetics of which are influenced by the Pahari form of art. One of the major highlights is the library housing around 10,000 books, magazines and journals. 

The Himachal State Museum is often visited by art and history lovers. The museum also has a doll gallery which has several bride and groom dolls among many others which are admired by all visitors. Some archeological artefacts are also found at the Himachal State Museum which includes stone images from the 8th century. Overall it is one of the top places to visit in Shimla.

Christ Church:

Known as the second oldest church in North India, the Christ Church is one of the top 10 places to visit in Shimla. The Christ Church is an excellent architectural monument built in the British era so that the then followers of Christianity could serve almighty Jesus.

Inspired by the neo-gothic style of architecture and is complete with a front porch, church bells and five stained glass windows that represent different virtues of Christianity. The church, which took 11 long years to complete, stands as a reminder of the British colonization in India. 

The yellow building and its silhouette is visible from far across in the town of Shimla and is always full of architecture lovers, and devotees. This is now the only place of religion that the Christians have and is open for service every day. The church was built in such a way that it would portray faith, hope, humanity, patience, fortitude, and charity to make people aware of the rich Christian culture.

Even with the hullaballoo outside at the Ridge, the Christ Church is peaceful and indeed removed from reality. Located amidst majestic locations and spectacular landscapes, this place is worth giving a try. Moreover it is one of the top places to visit in Shimla.

Kalka Shimla Toy Train:

The Kalka to Shimla route is one of the top 10 places to visit in Shimla. The historic Kalka Shimla Toy train is part of the UNESCO World Heritage List and takes individuals on a ride amongst vast green hills and deodar and pine.  

The journey was carved through the abundance of nature in Himachal Pradesh during the British rule due to which the Kalka Shimla Toy train is bound to take you back to a completely different era in history and through one of the most scenic railway journeys in India. 

The distance between Barog and Shimla is the most amazing part of this journey when the train slows down due to a steep climb, giving you the opportunity to witness some mesmerizing scenes. 

The 5 and a half-hour toy train journey provides special services and is a must-do when visiting the mountainside of the North. That’s why it is one of the top places to visit in Shimla.

Kiala Forest:

Situated in the Kotkhai valley on the outskirts of Shimla, Kiala Forest is one of the top places to visit in Shimla. It is a dense forest that boasts of diverse flora and fauna, including several indigenous animals. The lush green grass, tall pine, and deodar trees make for a peaceful environment, while the occasional leopard spotting makes the visit more exciting. 

Kiala Forest, with its rich wildlife and beautiful views of the city, is an excellent place for nature photography. There are trails within which are suitable for hiking, and restroom facilities are available as well.

The best way to explore this reserve forest is on foot so if you have luggage with you, feel free to use the locker facility available. A little away from the main city, this is the perfect getaway from the busy crowds, right into nature’s lap. Overall it is one of the top places to visit in Shimla.

Conclusion:

 As for the conclusion, these are the Top 10 Places to Visit in Shimla. These places are amazing to visit as they have the best views and so many delicious foods to eat.