Best places to visit in Shimla

Shimla is one of the easily affordable hill stations in India. And it is an ideal escape for backpackers, family vacationers and even couples. The snow-capped peaks and green pastures that surround the hill station attract hordes of travellers throughout the year. The hill station is home to a surfeit of budget stays, easy on pocket restaurants, charming cafes, and bustling bazaars. The charm of this town also lies in its narrow lanes, the people you bump into and the wonderful views that greet you around every bend in the road. A getaway to Shimla is not very expensive on the pocket, just keep a few days handy to fully suss out the experiences that the hill town has to offer. Here’s some best places to enjoy this holiday destination in Himachal Pradesh, without denting your bank balance.

1. THE MALL ROAD

In Shimla, the Mall Road lies at the heart of all the action and activity. Buzzing with shops, cafes, theatres, restaurants and a whole bunch of merriment, it is close to all places of interest. The restaurants here offer a wide range of cuisines, and the Gaiety Theatre is the place to go for cultural activities in Shimla. If you’re looking to do a spot of shopping, the Mall offers a number of emporiums, showrooms and storehouses selling everything from shawls and woollens to jewellery, pottery and books. Extending from Barnes Court in the east to the Viceregal Lodge in the west, this is the place to go when you’re looking to be entertained.

2 HIMACHAL EMPORIUM

If you’re in the mood to shop for locally made handicrafts at pocket friendly prices, Himachal Emporium is just the place for you. Located at the Mall Road in Shimla, the emporium offers handicraft products of Himachal Pradesh like locally designed woollens, pottery items and jewellery. There is an enormous range of Kangra silks, Kinnauri shawls and other Himachal souvenirs available here. Run by the Himachal Pradesh Government, the emporium sells genuine handicrafts for the discerning buyers.

3. TIBETAN MARKET

This makeshift market is perched on Shimla’s slopes and is the perfect destination for those who love a good bargain. Woollen clothes, Tibetan rugs and carpets, padded jackets, mufflers, scarves, sweaters as well as quality Tibetan accessories like bags, boots, shoes and jewellery are found in its bylanes. If you wander further into the chaotic lanes, you’ll also discover charming antiques and curios. Located just beneath the Ridge, the market is the preferred destination for travellers looking to shop at reasonable prices. Corn cobs swathed in butter, salt and lime are sold by wayside vendors and are a great snack to indulge in while you wander through the market.

4. LOWER BAZAR

Hidden amongst crowded lanes and old buildings, Lower Bazar, also known as Subzi Mandi, is extremely chaotic yet full of life. As the name suggests, the market is located just bellow the Mall Road, and starts from the bus stand in Shimla. It comprises of endless streets merging into one another, with shops selling everything from wooden items, walking sticks, winter clothes to mobile phones and vegetables. Although less opulent than its upper counterpart, the Lower Bazar retains an old world charm and is an excellent place to get your hands on some inexpensive daily products. The craftsmen here are skilled in carving beautiful wooden sticks that come in various shades and designs. As you walk up the winding streets, you’ll come across quaint bookshops selling everything from school books and comics to magazines and guides.

5. MINCHY’S

For a taste of delicious and authentic jams and preserves, head to Minocha Industries’ manufacturing outlet located in the town of Shoghi. Minchy’s, their brand of fruit-based jams and preserves, are a popular souvenir to take back home from Shimla. This region is blessed with an abundant variety of fruits and Minchy’s processes these into delicious and high quality gourmet products. Their range covers everything from jams and preserves to squashes and even fruit wines. You can find multiple stalls selling these products everywhere on the Delhi-Shimla highway and even in the city.

6. LAKKAR BAZAAR

A trip to Shimla is incomplete without a stroll in the maze-like alleys of Lakkar Bazaar. Located on a narrow road adjoining the Ridge, the bazaar is popular for wooden decorative items and souvenirs. The market traces its origins to the time when a group of Sikh carpenters came and settled here from Hoshiapur and today, they continue to churn out products made from deodars and walnut. A majority of shops sell a wide range of pashmina shawls, woollens and handicrafts and the bazaar is especially popular for its Kullu shawls. If you are feeling peckish after a long haul of shopping, head to Sita Ram for its famous aloo tiki and chole bhature.