Shimla Travel Guide

Hotels Kalka Shimla Railway Shimla
In the days of British rule in India, Shimla was the official Summer Capital of the administration. For more than a century the Kalka Shimla Railway has been a popular method for visitors to reach the city. The Kalka Shimla Railway is known as a 'Toy Train' - a narrow gauge mountain-climber. The railway stretches for almost 100 km and climbs to an altitude of almost 7000 feet, passing through 102 tunnels and over 864 bridges. A one-way fare in first class costs approximately €7 and includes tea and a snack. The journey from Kalka to Shimla takes around 5 hours and offers extensive views of the mountains and villages along the route. Seats can be booked on-line at the Indian Railways website - www.irctc.co.in The train arrives at Shimla station which is approximately 6 km from the city centre. Taxis are available at the station. The Kalka Shimla Railway is one of three narrow gauge railways included in the UNESCO World Heritage Inscription for 'Mountain Railways of India' along with the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway and the Nilgiri Mountain Railway

Hotels Scandal Point Shimla
Scandal Point is a key meeting point in the centre of Shimla and was a place where young lovers congregated in the days of the British rule when Shimla was considered the most risque city in India. Scandal Point is located on the Mall - the city's main pedestrian street - at the point where it intersects with The Ridge. The place takes its name from a scandal in which the Maharaja of Patiala ran off with the daughter of the Commander in Chief of the Imperial Army. The key things to see at Scandal Point are the covered police stand and the statue of Lala Lajpat Rai but mostly it's a place to watch the crowds promenading around the streets.

Hotels Christ Church Shimla Shimla
Christ Church is the yellow church which stands on The Mall, next door to the library. It is one of the most prominent buildings in the city and can be seen for miles around due to its striking colour and its night-time floodlighting. The Church was designed by Colonel JT Boileau in 1844 and was used regularly after its consecration in 1857. Today with the departure of the British who made Shimla their summer capital, there are few remaining worshippers using the church although a service still takes place on Sundays. The church is famed for its stained glass windows. The church is not generally open except during services but the tourist office on The Mall may be able to advise visitors how to gain entry.

Hotels The Mall Shimla
The Mall is the pedestrian street that stretches from one end of Shimla to the other along the upper reaches of the city. Historically only the Viceroy, the Commander in Chief of the Imperial Army and the Governor of Punjab were allowed to drive along the Mall - for everyone else it was strictly feet only and it remains so today. The Mall is the main shopping street and also contains an abundance of restaurants and historical buildings. These include the Post Office, the Police Station, the Gaiety Theatre, Christ Church and the Kali Bari temple as well as the main tourist office.

Hotels Shree Bhima Kali Ji Temple Shimla
The Shree Bhima Kali Temple in Saharan Bushahr is dedicated to Bhimakali, the main deity of the rulers of the former state Bashar, which was one of the oldest hill states in the country. The temple complex is situated at 2150m above sea level and is believed to be on of the Sakthi Peeths. The temple combines a mixture of Buddhist and Hindu architecture and is home to numerous legends, including one in which the Goddess Sati lost an ear here which is the reason why it became a Sakthi Peeth. Within the complex you can also find 3 other temples which are dedicated to Patal Bhairva Ji , Narsingh and Lord Raghunath ji and there is a museum with a collection of ritual instruments and weapons.

Hotels Viceregal Lodge Shimla
In pre-independce days, the Viceregal Lodge in Shimla was the official summer residence of the Viceroy of India. The Viceroy was the Queen or King of Great Britain's representative in the sub-continent. After independence the lodge fell into disuse until it was taken over as the home of the Indian Institute of Advanced Study in 1964. The Lodge is now a residential study centre for post-doctorate students but more importantly for tourists, it's a key tourist attraction for the city. The building was designed by Henry Irwin in a 'faux-baronial' style and was built with electrical circuits even before the city had electricity. It was home to 13 Viceroys starting with Lord Dufferin and ending with Count Mountbatten in 1947. At the height of the British Empire it is said that one fifth of the world's population was controlled from this building. It was also the place where many of the negotiations for independence were drawn up. Visitors are admitted to the grounds of the Lodge for a fee of 100 Rp (approx 2 €) which includes a guided tour of approximately 30 minutes.