Old timers say that once Shimla gets in your blood, it never leaves. It calls you back time after time and at every moment, the town is capable of showing a fresh nuance to its rich and varied character. As the former “Summer Capital” of British India, Shimla has a rare range of built heritage and is surrounded by thick forests of Pine Himalayan Oak, flowering rhododendron and tall cedars- the ‘almost – legendry’ deodar trees. High peaks that trace a snow-clad line across the north frame this magnificent setting and picture of idyllic retreat in the midranges of the Himalayan Mountains.

Today Shimla retains a substantial measure of a district lifestyle that had grace, leisure and elegance as its hallmarks. But unlike a place that lives on memories alone, the town also has a youthful vigour in its step and its well – developed facilities and numerous attractions and activities have ensured its popularity down the decades.

18th Century India saw the growth of a totally new urban concept – the hill – station. Initially built by British rulers of the country, these towns grew to become retreats from the heat and dust of the plains. With the mighty Himalaya mountains and its sub systems as their backdrop, the state of Himachal Pradesh has towns that date back to the hey day colonial rule – Kasauli, Dalhousie, Palampur, Dharamshala and the grandest of them all Shimla.

As the summer capital, Shimla also saw a spate of remarkable building activity in the town and some of the finest structures of the British – Colonial genre still stand over its seven hills. Today, the lingering strands of Shimla’ s past still echo through its streets and buildings – which have so much history packed into them. In its old Architecture, the town still holds the memory of Britain’ s imperial dream – made all the more fascinating, as much of the design is European while many structural elements are indigenous. The mall with its resemblance to an English ‘home counties’ marketplace has, perhaps one of the longest stretches of purely pedestrian shopping anywhere in the world. The town also holds what many well be one of the last urban forests to be found on our planet.

Jakhu Temple
This temple of lord Hanuman ji is situated at the height of about 8500 ft. in the east of historical ridge ground in Shimla city. This temple is very easily approachable and is one of the most sought after site to be visited not only by the devotees and pilgrims but also by the tourists of all age groups visiting Shimla, the Hill capital of Himachal Pradesh.

Tara Devi Temple
“ Ma Bhagwati Tara Devi” temple is located on Tarav Parvat in the western side of shimla Town about 15 Km from Shimla situated by the side of Kalka- Shimla National Highway near Shoghi. The road meandering uphill through the sweet smelling pine forests and lush green meadows with the cool gentle breeze touching one softly infusing a freshness and vigor in the devotees, pilgrims and tourists visiting this holy shrine. The picturesque view from thetemple is indeed breath taking and captivating with the superb panorama of the lofty and majestic forested mountains around, which offers a calm peaceful and tranquil countryside, a site that has a soothing and rejuvenating effect, being away from the din, pollution and the taxing effect of a fast urban life style.

The Mall
As the town of Shimla grew through the 19th century, its Mall steadily developed as the town's commercial street and the hub of its social life. The road, which some 5-km in length, starts in the west at the gates of he former Viceregal Lodge, the present day Indian Institute of Advanced Study and ends at Chhota Shimla or 'Small' Shimla, in the east. The mall The route has bends, as one would expect any hill road to have, its nature essentially follows a wide sweeping curve along the hills. The primary aspect is south facing and affords a view of the valley below the town and of the foothills that reach out to the plains from its habitation.

Tapta Pani
The name Tapta Pani, translates to "Hot - Water" in local dialect.This is about half a square kilometer area on the banks of Satluj river with boiling hot Sulpher water springs. Bathing with this water is known to be good for skin.

Mashobra
Mashobra At 2149m, 12 km out of Shimla is this beautiful suburb, surrounded by a thick forest. From here, a pedestrian track leads down to Sipur. Which is an exquisite glade shaded by ancient deodar trees. Steams of cool water gently divide it. Through thick woods, a side road leads to Bekhalty. The temples on the edge complete the pastoral picture. An annual fair is held at Sipur every April. A trek to the Shali peak - the highest in the area - can be made from Mashobra. Craignano with its rest house - and once the estate of an Italian confectioner is close to Mashobra.

Chail
Around 43 km away from Shimla and at an elevation of 2250 m is Chail, a small idyllic hill town. Chail shot into prominence when Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala was denied an entry into Shimla by the British. At that point of time Shimla was the summer capital of the British and a hot favorite with the Maharajas as well. However, Maharaja Bhupinder Singh was not the one to accept defeat easily. He found a new summer capital for himself amidst scented forests of Chir pine and gigantic deodars in the village of Chail.

Naldera
At Naldera, 23 km beyond Shimla is one of the oldest golf courses in India. The British Viceroy, Lord Curzon who was so enchanted by the place that he gave his daughter Alexandra, ‘Naldera’ as her second name after the spot, originally designed the course, whose topography is absolutely natural. This is a par 68 nine-hole golf courses, which is regarded as one of the most challenging in the country. In the repeat nine, the yardage somewhat increases.

Kufri
If Shimla is the summer capital par excellence, Kufri is the winter sports capital; at an altitude of 2,622 metres (8,600 ft), it is ideal for skiing. The air is crisp, invigorating and the snow, warm-Kufri is agog with activity, tourists, in their thousands, have come from far and near to partake in the poetry of motion, skiing. Fun from the very beginning, the real sense of exhilaration in the joyous sport comes along with the sense of accomplishment that follows the first time one skis down a slope under total control. Then come the ethereal joys of the downhill, the exhilaration of speed and the intoxication of the control of ones nerves.