Shimla – Queen of Hills

The hill station of Shimla was a favourite haunt of the British. In fact, Shimla was the capital of the British during the Raj, in the summer months. It is because of the beauty of this hill station, its pleasant weather and the many structures dating back to the British Raj that it is called the Queen of the Hills.

Some of the scenic spots in Shimla include:

Summer Hill: At 1,283 m, this hill provides great vistas of the entire region. Summer Hill is just about five km from the Ridge, an important tourist hub in Shimla. 

Summer Hill (Photo Courtesy: https://www.tourmyindia.com)

The Ridge: If you are in Shimla, you cannot miss this place! It is a huge stretch right in the city’s heart and offers brilliant views of the surrounding peaks. The library building (Tudor) and Christ Church are worth visiting.

Kalka-Shimla rail: The railway line is one of the most captivating routes, in the whole of the country. You can chug along on a train and see the beautiful tunnels and hills, and see the light streaming through the gaps between the tall pines. The historic railway line was first thrown open for traffic in 1903. There are over a hundred tunnels on this path.

Kalka to Shimla Train (Photo Courtesy: http://www.himachal.exploreindia.in)

Mall Road: Yet another British contribution to the lovely hill station is the Mall Road, which is the key street in the city. It is the shopping hub of the city, and you can buy handicrafts, clothes and woollens here for your family or friends back home. If you love heritage, you will notice a really old theatre called Gaiety, which dates back to the late 19th century. The structure has now been renovated and the facade retained for its heritage value. It is located on Mall Road.

Gaiety Theatre (Photo Courtesy: http://www.tedxcartroad.org)

Jakhoo Hill: The peak is a mere two km away from the hill station, and is one more point where you can go watch the surrounding peaks and ranges.

Annandale: Also called Annadale, this was a patch/clearing which served as a playground for British officers who created their own Little England here.

Annandale Ground (Photo Courtesy: http://archive.indianexpress.com)

Chadwick Falls: This is a cascade that will bring you cheer! At a mere seven km from Shimla, it is a sight for sore eyes. Spend some time listening to the sound of the water, and watching the greenery, and watch your blues melt away!

Chadwick Falls (Photo Courtesy: https://www.tourmyindia.com)

Best time to visit

The ideal time to holiday in Shimla is summer, when most people from the cities in the North get away to the hills for some respite from the heat. Winter is not a good time to visit Shimla, if you are not accustomed to severe cold, when temperatures drop to sub-zero levels. While you are in Shimla, you could also try your hand at water sports or trekking – there are plenty of opportunities available.

There are plenty of hotels in Shimla, but you may need to make your reservations ahead of time because Shimla is a much-visited destination. If you are booking at one of the Shimla hotels, choose a nice heritage hotel or a charming property with all the amenities and have the time of your life!

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Jaipur: The Pink City of India

A heady combination of temples, forts, palaces, lakes, festivals and shopping – that’s Jaipur for you. If you love heritage, there’s no better place in India for you than Jaipur to visit.

Why pink?

Jaipur, also known as the Pink City, is the capital of Rajasthan, and is symbolic of majesty and colour. The city, which was founded in the 18th century, is one of the most picturesque destinations in the country. The city is called the Pink City because every building in the walled city has a pink shade. The colour is representative of hospitality and royalty. The terracotta pink that was used is made of calcium oxide, and lasts really long, especially in the dry weather conditions in Jaipur. Yet another story has it that the favourite wife of Maharaja Sawai Ram Singh loved the colour pink. A law was also passed making it illegal for buildings to be painted any other colour. The law continues to be in effect even today.

Places to see in Jaipur

• The Hawa Mahal is the most iconic structure in Jaipur, and is perhaps the most photographed. The structure has been designed to look like a honeycomb and is made of pink sandstone. The Hawa Mahal also has a museum which is home to paintings and other memorabilia

  

  Hawa Mahal (Photo Courtesy: http://www.panoramio.com)

• The City Palace is another impressive structure and has buildings, gardens and courtyards inside the complex, all reminiscent of the royal past of the city.
• The Amer Fort, located about 10 km from the city, is another monument worth visiting. The Fort has wonderful courtyards, and is built in sandstone and marble.

  

  Amer Fort (Photo Courtesy: http://geekphotography.in)

• You could make a trip to the Jantar Mantar observatory, which has a huge sundial, said to be the largest in the world by some.

Things to do

In terms of activities, you could enjoy folk dances or puppet shows – many hotels organize these shows and you could seek further information from the travel desk on other options.

Puppet Shows (Photo Courtesy: https://dpstinkyfinga.wordpress.com)

 One of the best activities is shopping! Who wouldn’t want to lose oneself in the lanes and bylanes shopping for textile, the gem jewellery, and other artefacts such as pottery and brassware. You could visit Johari Bazaar, Rajasthali, Nehru Bazaar, and MI Road, among other places.

You can also check for heritage walks with different themes – there is one which focuses on Jaipur’s printed textiles, for instance.

Some of the other activities include elephant and camel safaris, hot air ballooning and sky diving. You can also enjoy boating in the city’s lake.

Eating out in Jaipur

If you are a foodie, Jaipur is a great place to visit. You can savour Rajasthani cuisine, from Dal-bhati-churma to kachoris and ghewars (the latter are deep fried snacks).

When to visit

The best time to visit Jaipur is between October and March. The city is an important place on the tourist circuit; so plan ahead and make reservations at one of the hotels in Jaipur. If you are looking at luxury options, then you could opt for one of the resorts in Jaipur.

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