A sightseeing trip at
the Ridge would give you the answers on why Shimla is a famous tourist destination. The erstwhile British
summer capital still continues to welcome travelers in her amazing cool refuge.
The capital city of Himachal Pradesh is a pleasant place, letting visitors into
a time capsule where the heritage of ages remains frozen. Exploring the hills,
churches, the mall, and the winding streets, you may feel all of a sudden that
everything here has been frozen in an eerie crossroad of timelessness.
Natural Mystique
The timeless mystery of
the Himalayas eventually begins to be felt amidst the hustle and bustle of
seasonal crowds at the mall. Sitting at a corner of the mall, as you languidly
watch the crowds with the background of eternal mountains, a sense of spiritual
transiency may strike even the most casual traveler. One can find several
attractions in and around, and the best time to visit Shimla as a
tourist destination is anytime of the year!
Each season has its own
special charm. It is a cool refuge in summer, a blossoming paradise of
wildflowers in the spring, a drizzling romantic getaway in rains, and a
snow-covered surreal painting in the winter. Accommodation is available always,
but in summer and spring, you may need to book advance to avoid hassles. Rainy
and winter times are considered off seasons and are great times for an
affordable experience. During the snowy season, a trip on the historic toy
train would transport you to a strange magical land, as the tiny train
traverses the bends in a snow covered mountain. Visit
Shimla in December for this special experience.
By-lanes of History
The best way to explore
here is to trek a lot. In fact, any kind of vehicle traffic is forbidden in the
central part of the town. Most of the guides here are Pahari natives, and they
are very trustworthy. However, travelers should be careful about never hurting
local customs and sentiments by unjustified actions. Your walking trips would
take you to a lot of amazing points like the mythical Jakhoo Temple, on the
top of Jakhoo hill.
Inside the town,
several British era architectural wonders are open to the tourists. These
include the majestic Gothic structure of Indian Institute of Advanced Studies
and the quaint building of Shimla State Museum. Imbibe the ancient heritage of
this region at the museum and go through the scientific advancements of modern
India at the IIAS. The Ridge or the Scandal Point is located at the North End of
the mall, and is a ideal place to feel your presence in the midst of the Seven
Hills surrounding this magical destination among places to
visit in India.
Tourist attractions on
the Ridge include the Christ Church, the famous Tudor Library, and the Lakkar
Bazaar to buy local handicrafts. It also offers spectacular views of both
sunrise and sunset, and you can totally plan an entire day at the Ridge,
walking around, shopping souvenirs, and enjoying delicious local cuisine at one
of the restaurants.
Around Shimla
There are several
attractions around the town as well. Take a trip to the beautiful Chadwick
Falls. Within the dense forests surrounding Shimla, water cascades from a
height of 1586 meters creating a lush, enchanting aura of serenity. If you are
here in winter, take a trip to Kufri for enjoying winter sports like ice
skating and skiing. If you are a unique traveler, you may want to visit
Dagshai, which is approximately 27 Km from Shimla. This old cantonment town was
the place for the Irish Mutiny in India, which can be an interesting reason for
some travelers. India as a
tourist destination welcomes travelers with such amazing wonders at every
corner all the time!
