Incredible India
7 Things to Do in Shimla, the Himalayan Town That Was British India's Summer Capital
Shimla, the summer capital of British India from 1864 to 1947, pairs colonial-era landmarks like Christ Church and the Viceregal Lodge with the UNESCO-listed Kalka-Shimla toy train and Himalayan views.
Sep 25, 2026 · BigTravel.in
Shimla served as the summer capital of British India from 1864 until 1947, when the colonial government would relocate much of its administration up from the plains each year to escape the heat. That history has left the town with a distinctive layer of colonial-era architecture laid over its Himalayan ridge, still visible alongside the temples, markets and toy train that draw visitors today. Here are seven ways to spend time there.
1. Walk the Ridge and the Mall
The Ridge, an open pedestrian square at the heart of town, and the Mall Road running below it form Shimla's main promenade, closed to private vehicles and lined with colonial-era buildings, shops and cafes.
2. See Christ Church
Consecrated in 1857, Christ Church on the Ridge is among the oldest churches in North India, built in a neo-Gothic style with stained-glass windows added later in memory of local colonial officials.
3. Ride the Kalka-Shimla Railway
Built between 1898 and 1903 and declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008, the narrow-gauge Kalka-Shimla line climbs through 102 tunnels and more than 800 bridges, and the toy train journey remains one of the more distinctive ways to arrive in or leave the town.
4. Climb to Jakhu Temple
Set on Shimla's highest peak and dedicated to Hanuman, Jakhu Temple sits beside a statue of the deity that rises around 33 metres, and the short trek up gives views over the town and surrounding hills, along with a resident population of macaques used to visitors.
5. Visit the Viceregal Lodge
Built in 1888 as the official residence of the British Viceroy, the Viceregal Lodge is now home to the Indian Institute of Advanced Study, though its grounds and a portion of the interior remain open to visitors on a guided tour.
6. Browse Lakkar Bazaar
Just off the Ridge, Lakkar Bazaar is Shimla's dedicated market for carved wooden souvenirs, walking sticks and local handicrafts, a long-running trade that gives the market its name, meaning wood market.
7. Day-trip to Kufri
Around 16 kilometres from Shimla, Kufri sits higher in the hills and offers walking trails, pony rides and, in winter, some of the more accessible snow activities in the region, along with views back toward the Shimla ridge.
Traveller tips
- Shimla is reached via Kalka, the nearest broad-gauge railhead, or Shimla Airport at Jubbarhatti, which has limited flight connections.
- The Mall and the Ridge are pedestrian-only; vehicles must be left at designated parking areas below.
- Jakhu Temple's macaques are accustomed to visitors and occasionally take food or loose items; keep bags secured.
- Late spring through October offers the clearest weather; winter brings snow and colder temperatures, particularly toward Kufri.
Where this is
Shimla, Himachal Pradesh