In addition to major tourist attractions such as the Taj Mahal and great food, India offers a wealth of natural beauty. With all of the rich cultural history and a lot less of the heat, the mountainous town of Shimla allows for easy exploration of a lesser-known part of India. But be warned: the Himalayan monkeys will steal your sunglasses.
Shimla, the capital of Himachal Pradesh, sits in the middle of the Himalayas. Surrounded by green pastures and snow-capped peaks, and boasting grand colonial architecture, this "city on a hill"' offers a unique panoramic view of India.
There are three ways of getting to the historical Summer Capital of British India. Travelling by air is quick and easy; the Jubbarhatti Airport is 23 kilometres from Shimla, and major domestic airlines offer services from the airport to the city. Roads connect Shimla to other major cities and towns, and there are regular bus services from the Punjabi city of Chandighar to Shimla as well as a variety of coach services. Travelling by bus allows for a scenic, though very bumpy, experience. Train travel is equally scenic and far more comfortable. There are regular trains from the town of Kalka to Shimla, and you can travel on a multi-coach train or try the singlecar train with the glass roof.
Remember to check out the seven hill attractions of Shimla. In Western Shimla, Prospect Hill houses the temple of Kamna Devi, the goddess Kali; Summer Hill has the picturesque campus of Himachel University; Observatory Hill holds the estate of the Indian Institute of Advanced Study; and Inveraram has the State Museum at its peak. In Central Shimla, Bantony has the Grand Hotel whereas Jackhoo houses the temple of Lord Hanuman, the Monkey-God. Finally, in North-Western Shimla, Elysium is home to the Aukland House, the oldest convent school, and Longwood, a hill accomodation.
Other must-see attractions include the Mall, the five kilometre-long hub of the town's social life. The Mall includes the shopping and cuisine of central Shimla, and from the south you can view the valley below the town. The street holds the famous Gaiety Theatre, modelled after the world famous Bijou theatre, and remarkable for its famous acoustics. At the crossroads you end up at The Ridge, a large open space that gives you a fabulous view of the mountain ranges. Here, you can see the Christ Church, the oldest church in Northern India.
If you're loaded: If you want to experience luxury at its finest, try staying at one of the Oberoi Hotels and Resorts, such as The Oberoi Cecil. For about $400 a night for a luxury single room, this place has got it all: the comfort, the view, and the bustling town feel.
If you're frugal: Check out places like the Honeymoon Inn, Clark's Hotel, Moon International Hotel, and Marina Hotel. Located in the Mall of Shimla, these hotels charge $30 to $75 a night. You can also try the Galleu Hill hotel; and Star Resort, atop the Fagu hill, at $30 to $60 a night. These locations offer easy access to the central shopping district of Shimla, Jakhoo temple, and Kufri. They also provide a great view of the Himalayas and the Viceregal Lodge, a prime example of colonial architecture.
2008 Woodie Awards
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