AnnandaleAnnandale, just 2-km below the Ridge in Shimla, offers a picturesque piece of ground, charmingly adapted for recreation in the days of the Raj. Today it affords a pleasant change from the perpetual slopes above and is hence amongst very popular places to visit in Shimla.
Chadwick Falls
Beyond the Summer Hill and 7-km west of the ridge from Shimla are the Chadwick Falls, which was once the site of a 67-m aquatic spectacle.
Chapslee
Containing the comfortable elegance of an English country manor, Chapslee was originally built in 1835.
The most prominent building on the Mall is the yellow Christ Church, reputed to be the second oldest church in northern India. The silhouette of this can be seen on the skyline for miles around. It was designed by Colonel JT Boileau in 1844, but consecrated only after 1857. The clock was donated by Colonel Dumbleton in 1860, and the porch added in 1873.
Churdhar Sanctuary
The sanctuary got its name from the Chur Peak, on the top of which sits a majestic status of Lord Shiva. One is sure to come across a large number of multi-coloured and agile Monals in the adjoining forests.
Gurkha Castles
The Gurkha castles in Solan, Sirmour, Bilaspur and Shimla districts remind us of the life and time under the Gurkha regime. While most of the structures built by the Gurkhas have crumbled, the remaining few beckon tourists.
Hatkoti
Some 105-km east of Shimla, in Jubbal Tehsil on the banks of the river Pabbar, lays the mysterious valley of stone temples Hatkoti. Close by stands a small village by the name of Parhaat.
Jakhu temple is an integral part of the list of places to visit in Shimla. No visit to the state capital Shimla is complete without visiting Jakhu Hill. This hill looms over Shimla town and is the geographical nucleus. The Hanuman temple at the top of Jakhu hill is the highest point in town.
Jeep Safari In Himachal Pradesh
By jeep, car or on motorcycle, one can explore the variety Himachal has to offer. By jeep, the Trans Himalayan tracts can steadily unfold their natural and man-made wonders.
Karyali Lake
In district Shimla,Karyali Lake lies on the northern face of the peak of Chhoti Shali.
Kotesvara Temple
The Kotesvara (also spelt as Kotesvar) temple is a magnificient structure dedicated to Shiva who is represented there in the form of 'Shivalinga'.
A magnificent mansion, majestically standing close to the 'Administrative Block' of Himachal Pradesh University at Summer hill, a suburb of Shimla, was the house of Late Raj Kumari Amrit Kaur, a veteran freedom fighter and close associate of Gandhiji and the first Union Health Minister of India.
Padam Palace
Resting in a nest-shaped valley on the left bank of the Satluj River is Rampur's Padam Palace, 125-km from Shimla. The township came up because of its strategic location on the old Hindustan-Tibet trade route, which was accessible and not snowbound.
Shirigul Temple
One of the oldest and the most important temples of Shirigul are situated on the Chur Dhar Peak.
Tattapani
On the right banks of the river Satluj, is Tattapani famous for its hot sulphur springs. The place also has religious importance. These natural sulphur springs are invigorating and have curative values. All these have together made Tattapani one of the topmost places to visit in Shimla.
The Cecil
In the last quarter of the 19th century, at the site of the Cecil - towards the western stretch of Shimla's elegant Mall - stood the small 'Tendril Cottage'.
The Holme
Perhaps a place with greater 'heritage' than many, and a recent addition to the heritage hotel list, is The Holme, at Summerhill in Shimla.
The Oberoi Clarkes
Towards the eastern end of Shimla's Mall, where the row of shops end, is the Clarkes.
The Ridge
The large open space in the heart of town presents excellent view of the mountain ranges. Shimla's landmarks - the Neo-Gothic structure of Christ Church and the new - Tudor Library building is worth seeing
Viceregal Lodge
On the Observatory Hills is located Viceregal Lodge, which is also known as Rashtrapati Niwas. This magnificent building was the residence of the British Viceroy Lord Dufferin.
War Memorial
Just over 2-kms from Gandhi Chowk is Martyr's Memorial at Panjpulla (five bridges), which commemorates Ajit Singh, a supporter of Subhash Bose and the Indian national Army during World War II.
Woodville Palace Hotel
Backed by a hillside covered with trees of tall Himalayan cedar - the fabled 'deodar' - Woodville is a stately art-deco mansion.
Bharari Spur
It is a less explored area within the town. From here, one can take a long haul by foot through the thick cedar forest to the Hot-springs of Tattapani, or to the ruins of Kiar Koti.
Chander Naun
Accessible to experienced trekkers and fed by a series of springs, this lake lies in the Chanshal (Chansil) range at a height of 4,420m.
Daranghati Sanctuary
Daranghati sanctuary located in the upper area of Shimla District, has undisturbed forest area with plenty of wildlife and was notified on 27th March 1974. The total covered area of this sanctuary is 16740 hectares. It is one of the most loved places to visit in Shimla.
Himalayan Aviary
Close to the Viceregal lodge is the Himalayan Aviary or the Himalayan Bird Park. This park is a natural habitat of numerous species of birds found in Himachal such as Himalayan Monal, Pheasants, Peafowls and National Bird of India, the Peacock.
Kuthar FortKuthar fort's oldest sections are 800 years old while the most recent structures are barely eight decades old. This is spread over a large area and fresh-water springs flow within its confines.
These are small nature parks getting very popular among the tourists who whish to admire the expance of nature.The Himalayan Nature Park is located amidst ninety acres of temperate vegetation. It is home to a number of rare species like Barking Deer, Brown Bear, Musk Deer, etc. The park functions like a natural habitat for the animals and birds of the Western Himalayas.
Indira Tourist Park
Located near the Himalayan Nature Park, this place offers great view of the surrounding Himalayan Range. After you have explored the nature park, this is a good place to relax for a while.There is a nice coffee shop here called Cafe Lalit and it is run by the Himachal Tourism Board.
Indira Tourist Park. Kufri is also home to the Himalayan Wildlife Zoo. The zoo is home to rare antelopes and other animal and bird species. One can also go for excursions to places like Shimla and Fagu.
Crowned by a temple dedicated to Kamna Devi 15-minutes walk from Boileauganj on Shimla-Bilaspur road. The hill at an altitude of 2,155m offers a spectacular view of the area.
SabathuA little cantonment town has a Gurkha fort built in the early years of the 19th century, situated at an altitude of 1,437m. This cantonment town quartered the British soldiers at the time of British Empire. A diversion road from Dharampur 15-km away leads to the Sabathu town.
Sankat Mochan
On Shimla-Kalka road is the famous "Lord Hanuman" temple. Situated at an altitude of 1,975m, it commands an excellent view of Shimla town
Shimla State MuseumHoused in a charming colonial building, Inverarm, the State museum is located atop a hill that rises above the Chaura Maidan. A selection of Himachal's rich heritage is displayed over here.
Further down the Mall Road is the Lakkar Bazaar, which has quite a few shops selling wooden handicrafts. The Mall is full of shops selling woolens (most of which find their way to Shimla from Ludhiana, Punjab) and Kullu shawls. Other favorites have included wooden toys, walking sticks and Tibetian carpets made in nearby Kinnaur. As the center of the food-processing industry in Himachal, jams and squashes made from local produce are indeed worth purchasing. The stretch between Combermere Bridge and the Telegraph Office is full of small stores which stock handcrafted Chinese shoes.
Mall Road
Mall Road One place that you cannot ignore is definitely the Mall Road in Shimla. Located at the heart of the town, the Mall Road in Simla is one of the busiest commercial areas of this place. Built by the British during the colonial rule in India, the Mall Road was constructed keeping in mind the traffic on this route. Entry of vehicles was banned though cycle rickshaws were allowed. It has been built in a very strategic and planned way.The Mall is situated in the main street of Shimla. All colonial structures are located on the Mall Road. The Mall Road also has all major hotels, restaurants and recreation centers of Shimla. The Mall road is full of shops that sell woolen clothes, branded clothes, handicraft items, pottery items, jewellery, books, etc. The Mall Road is also famous for its wooden furniture shops that sell exquisite wooden articles, which look like antiques.
Summer Fairs
A wide spectrum of national talent, a variety of programmes and a splendid setting make Shimla's Summer Festival a memorable event. Shimla also hosts the Red Cross Fair, sport tournaments, flower shows, a photographs and posters exhibition and a fashion show based on folk costumes.
