Shimla

Shimla is the capital of Himachal Pradesh and one of India's best-known hill stations, set on forested ridges in the Himalayan foothills at about 2,200 metres. Its cool climate, colonial architecture and busy pedestrian core make it a year-round destination for visitors from across India.

The city grew from a small village into the summer capital of British India during the 19th century, and that heritage survives along The Mall, The Ridge and Chaura Maidan. Landmarks such as Christ Church, the Viceregal Lodge and Gaiety Theatre reflect its colonial past, while the Jakhoo Temple looks down from the city's highest hill.

Around the central Mall and Ridge, neighbourhoods such as Lakkar Bazaar, Lower Bazaar and Sanjauli offer handicrafts, markets and everyday local life. Nearby Kufri and Mashobra add forests, trails and viewpoints, and the UNESCO-listed Kalka–Shimla Railway, with its many tunnels and bridges, remains one of the region's most distinctive experiences.

As the state capital, Shimla is also an administrative and business centre, hosting government offices, conferences and educational institutions. Its food scene mixes Himachali dishes such as dham and siddu with cafés, bakeries and restaurants along the Mall, while seasonal snow, festivals and pleasant summer weather shape the city's event calendar.

Shimla suits both leisure and business travellers: leisure visitors come for the heritage, hill-station atmosphere and mountain excursions, while business travellers find a compact centre with hotels, meeting venues and transport connections.