About Shimla

Shimla, encased in Rhododendron, Himalayan Oak, and fir trees is crowned with the title ‘Queen of hills’. Shimla has been in importance since the very beginning, from being the summer capital during the British era to being the state capital of Himachal Pradesh. It has always captivated numerous tourists from all over India and the world. The city has received its name from Shyamala Mata who is believed to be an incarnation of Goddess Kali for whom a temple is dedicated on the hilltop of Bantony as Kali Bari Temple. Shimla is one of the favorite hill stations in Indian hearts and is also listed under UNESCO World Heritage sites along with a few other hill stations of India. Also, the Shimla-Kalka Railway which still runs on the almost century-old engine built during British rule is listed in UNESCO World Heritage sites. Shimla was brought into importance only after the start of British rule. Shimla is home to the oldest post office in North India and the only Natural Ice skating Rink in South Asia. In 1806 Shimla was invaded by Bhimsen That Nepal. After the Anglo- Nepalese war between 1814-16, the British East India Company took over the territory under control as per the Sugauli Treaty. Due to once being the Britisher’s vacation hub, Shimla has many structures influenced by British culture, one of those is the Second Oldest Church of North- India. Leaders of the freedom movement Mahatma Gandhi, Pandit Nehru, Sardar Patel, Maulana Azad, and many others frequently visited Shimla during the struggling days of Independence. Shimla has an important role in Indian History as the India- Pakistan peace treaty, Shimla agreement was signed by Prime Minister of India Indira Gandhi and President of Pakistan Zulfikar Ali Bhutto at that date in Viceregal Lodge which is now, Indian Institute of Advanced Studies. During its heyday, it attracted many princes, diplomats, merchants, and political leaders of countries like Tibet, Afghanistan, Myanmar, China, and other countries. Shimla is also an Agricultural trade center and has industries like manufacturing, Brewing, and handloom weaving.

Things to do in Shimla

Paragliding

Paragliding in Shimla has recently become popular among the enthusiastic and zeal-filled youths of India who look for new adventures every now and then. Shimla once being the summer capital of India during British rule, the land is sprawling green during the summers and covered with a white blanket of snow during winters and the best way to witness this beauty of Shimla in a single view is through Paragliding. The only place in Shimla where paragliding takes place is Shivpuri another place is Waknaghat just 22 km away from Shimla. Paragliding in Shivpuri takes place at a height of 3200ft and at Waknaghat at 5000ft. Though there is a difference in height but not in the experience that it will leave you with. One can choose based on their interest and level of excitement at which height they want to glide through.
Paragliding location: Shivpuri, Shimla
Duration of Paragliding: 15-20 mins
Height:  3200 ft
Timings for Paragliding:  6 am - 10 am, 5 pm to 7 pm
Paragliding Season:  Summers (March to June), Winters ( September- December)
Fees: ₹ 3500
Age limit for Paragliding: Above 12
Medical limitations for Paragliding: High Blood Pressure, Asthama, Heart Disease, SARS, Pregnant ladies.

Golfing

Shimla once being the summer capital of British India, Shimla is incomplete without any golf course which is true as Shimla abodes India’s most famous golf course, the Naldehra Golf course, and  Annadale Ground as Shimla is blessed with the vast meadows of open land just perfect for Golf. Shimla is a big helping hand in promoting golf in India giving tourists a vivid experience to try their hand in golf. The calm and serene atmosphere with a backdrop of the snow-covered Himalayas adds charm to the game and makes it more pleasurable for the tourists as well as the players. The Naldhara Golf Course is one of the most famous and oldest golf courses in India, located approximately 22 km away from the city center. It is considered to be one of the most challenging golf courses in India a par 68, 9 holes golf course. Annadale ground is also a nine-hole golf course managed by the Army with several beautiful hotels and resorts with a view of the lush green golf course.
Golfing Location: Naldehra Golf course and Annadale Ground
Time required for Golfing: 3-4 hours
Entry fees:
Naldehra Golf course: 180 
Annadale Ground: N/A
Entry Timings for Golfing: 10 am to 2 pm and 3 pm to 5 pm

Ice- Skating

The Shimla Ice-Skating Rink is a popular place for tourists and ice-skating enthusiasts from all over the world as it is the largest and only natural ice-skating rink in South Asia. It is also the oldest Ice-Skating Rink in India. Indulging in a sport at the hummock is a once in a life experience. People come with family or friends to have fun and quality time. The Ice-skating Rink has been in use for Sports and recreational activity since the very beginning in the year 1920. It also holds sports events for Ice skating, Ice hockey, and the annual carnival. The ice skates can be rented here at reasonable rates. It is highly recommended to experience ice-skating on a visit to Shimla in winter.
Ice Skating location: Ice-Skating rink, Shimla
Duration of Ice Skating: 1- 3 hours
Timings for Ice Skating: 8 am to 11 am
Entry fees for Ice Skating: ₹ 200 per person/ per hour
Ice- Skating Season: December to February
Age limit for Ice Skating: Above 6 years

Skiing

Shimla with its snow-capped peaks is popularly known for winter activities one of them is Skiing. The lofty Himalayan Ranges are ideal for it. Many places and properties in Shimla offer Skiing. Popular places in Shimla for Skiing are Kufri, Mashobra, and Narkanda.  Kufri is the popular winter sports capital of Shimla, approximately 14 km away from Shimla Kufri attracts huge folk along with skiing enthusiasts from all over the world in winter for its winter sports events and Skiing is one of them. Otherwise a quaint town Kufri becomes lively during the winters. The skiing season in Kufri starts in January and ends in March. Another popular place for skiing in Shimla is Mashobra, just 10 km away from Shimla, which has a ski belt attracting many from December to March for skiing and many other adventure sports. Narkanda abodes one of the oldest ski resorts in India is around 60 km away from Shimla. Narkanda is heaven for ardent skiers.
Skiing in Shimla locations: Kufri, Mashobra, and Narkanda- Shimla
Timings for Skiing:9 am to 6 pm
Height: 2622ft and 8100ft
Entry fees: 300 - 500
Skiing Season: December to March
Age limit for Skiing:  Above 12

Summer Festival of Shimla

Shimla is the land that adores its culture and tradition and gratitudes the nature its offers with festivals and celebrations. One of such festivals is the Summer Festival of Shimla celebrated with gratitude and tribute to the god for the bountiful harvests. It is a grand festival celebrated in the month of May or June. It was in 1960 when the Summer Festival of Shimla was first celebrated and has been celebrated with the same enthusiasm to date captivating a huge audience every year. The festival was started to promote the tourism and culture of Himachal Pradesh which has turned into the most anticipated event of the year. Shimla’s Summer festival celebrated for five long days is a complete fete of cultural attractions, locally made handicraft exhibitions, folk musicals, and dance performances. Wacky activities like Dog Shows, fashion shows, and artisanal ware selling stalls are also put up for the festival. Multiple local cuisine stalls are found all around this time. An amazing flower show that is organized is a bliss to the festival with blooming flowers and orchards bathing the town with the flowers make a charm of the town. The summer festival is the best time to witness the maximum blooms of Himachali floras.
Summer Festival location: The Ridge, Shimla
Duration of Summer Festival: 5 Days
Summer Festival Time:  May or June
Entry fees of Summer Festival: N/A