Shimla is a popular hill station located in the state of Himachal Pradesh in India. This beautiful hill station features mighty mountain peaks, quaint cottages, rich flora & fauna and verdant greenery. Shimla is a famous summer retreat not just for organising a family vacation but also for experiencing a romantic honeymoon. The natural vistas, rich history and rustic charm of the city captivate the souls of tourists of every kind. Besides scenic beauty, Shimla has a lot more to offer.
I love to travel but never got an opportunity to travel solo. Since I am a mountain person, I wanted to go on a trip to one hill station. A friend of mine visited Shimla and uploaded the photos on Instagram. After watching those gorgeous pictures, I started making plans for a solo trip to Shimla. As a woman, I had faced issues back at my home concerning safety. So I checked on the internet whether Shimla is a safe destination for solo women travellers or not. Thankfully, it is a safe place for all! Without much delay, I began comprehensive research online to find comfortable hotels in Shimla that would match my budget. At last, I found The Oberoi Cecil and booked a long stay for five consecutive days. To my surprise, out of all the other websites, Intermles offers a dedicated page of the aforementioned property, loaded with all sorts of relevant information that a traveller needs. After reaching the long-awaited destination, I was ready to explore the lifestyle and signature places of Shimla. Below is a thorough overview of the hill station.
The Oberoi Cecil Page on Intermiles
Visited Himachal State Museum
Himachal State Museum View
I began my Shimla expedition by paying a visit to the Himachal State Museum at around 10 am. As a history lover, museums and monuments have always fascinated me. Himachal State Museum is a signature tourist attraction of Shimla. Housed in an old Victorian mansion, the museum really brings out the charm of the bygone days. With impressive design on the outside, the museum features various galleries ranging from pre-historic, wood carving, wall painting, coin collection and Pahari painting galleries. Surrounded by a massive lawn, the Himachal State Museum fulfilled my cravings for historical artefacts and information. If you also have an interest in learning about the history of the colonial days, visit the Himachal State Museum. Remember to visit the museum in the early morning if you want to avoid crowds.
Explored the Mall Road in Shimla
Mall Road in Shimla
Like many other hill stations, Mall Road Shimla is also crowded with various tourists and locals. The Mall Road, located in the heart of Shimla houses many markets, restaurants and cafes. Posing as one of the busiest commercial areas of the town, Mall Road is a haven for shopaholics like me. Mall Road houses both branded and local shops selling beautiful books, pottery items, jewellery and handicraft items. I had a fun time shopping for shawls, sweaters and woollen beanies for myself and my family. I also shopped for handicraft items from the local stores which I took back home as souvenirs. After shopping, I went to a reasonable fast food joint and had delicious momos and thukpa to quench my hunger.
Went to The Ridge
The Ridge
After the delightful shopping and dining at Mall Road, I headed to The Ridge. This large place located in Shimla is well connected with several notable places of the town namely Lakkar Bazaar, Jakhoo Hills and Scandal Point. Like Mall Road, this place is also crowded with tourists and locals. However, this place offers a better view of the snow-capped mountain peaks and the alpine forests. At Ridge, I also stopped by an age-old Christ Church that exhibited the Neo-Gothic style of architecture and the Tudor Library. For me, the best moment was when I sat to witness the sunset. If you are already thinking of coming to Shimla, then visiting the Ridge is a must-thing to do. Also, if you get time, shop wooden items from the Lakkar Bazaar. Trust me! You won’t regret it.
Tried Pahari dishes at Himachali Rasoi
Himachali Rasoi
My one-day Shimla expedition finally ended with an elaborate dinner at Himachali Rasoi. Located near the Baljees Restaurant in Mall Road, the Himachali Rasoi is a famous restaurant in Shimla. This restaurant serves delicious Pahari dishes that are authentic in flavours and rich in taste. Since I like to try different cuisines, I decided to have dinner at Himachali Rasoi to explore the taste of traditional Pahari dishes. I ordered a Kangri Dham Thali which is sufficient for one person. The names of the dishes are unique, as are their tastes. I also clicked pictures of the dishes to keep as a memory from my Shimla trip. You can try their Kangri cha (herbal tea) which is aromatic.
After exploring the major attractions of the city and having dinner at Himachali Rasoi, I went back to The Oberoi Cecil. I will always cherish this one day tour of Shimla. If you want to experience a day in Shimla, be alone or with family/friends, then stop procrastinating and reserve a stay at the best hotels in Shimla. Once you are in Shimla, start witnessing the wonders it beholds.
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