Shimla Shopping & entertainment guide

There is an enormous range of goods that Shimla has to offer. This includes handicrafts, wood and metalwork, shawls, pullovers, local tweeds, caps, juices, pickles, jams and squashes and many more.

Lakkar Bazaar

The discerning shopper would find shopping in Shimla a pleasant experience. Like all hill stations in India, Shimla also has a rich and diverse forestland. One thing that must feature in your shopping cart in Shimla is the walking sticks. This and more is available in the Lakkar bazaar adjoining the ridge. The bazaar offers everything from toys, figurines, candle stands, key chains, carved sticks to pots, pans and spoons – all made of wood. The ace craftsmen in Shimla make exquisite walking sticks out of the wood available in Shimla. Shimla fruit products are also ideal gifts for near and dear ones.

The Mall

Shimla shopping center is basically centered around the Mall of Shimla. The Mall flocks with innumerable shops on both the sides. Shopping in Shimla is an absolute delight. There are various emporiums loaded with handicrafts on the mall. The government emporiums are more famous.

Local Himachal handicrafts like Woolen and pashmina shawls, decorative items, handmade shoes, dolls, the famous Himachali woolen caps, rugs, woolen coats etc. are available in these emporiums.

Weavers in the Kullu-Manali region weave colorful caps on their looms, which are favorite with the tourists visiting this region.

Lower Bazaar

As the name suggests the Lower Bazaar is located below the Mall. In between these two is the middle bazaar. These the shopping place for the local people. People from villages around Shimla are seen shopping at these markets. Goods here are also cheaper as compared to the mall. This is a narrow bazaar with traditional shops on both sides. Natthu Halwai, Mehru Halwai and Gujjar Khan Sweets are popular sweet shops in Lower bazaar.

Restaurants

These are some of the most popular restaurants in Shimla located on and around the mall road.

Baljees Restaurant
Alfa Restaurant
Indian coffee house
Embassy Bar and restaurant
Devicos sweets and restaurant
Deepak Vaishnav Bhojnalya
Himani restaurant
Rendezvous Bar & Restaurant
Nalini restaurant
Ashiana & Goofa restaurant ( government)

Bakeries in Shimla

These are the popular bakeries on the mall road famous for pastries and cakes

Trishool bakers
Krishna Bakers Confectioners
Beekays

Cinema Halls in Shimla

Shimla has three old cinema halls. . These are old ones and have limited seating capacity. Ritz being the best in ambience.Now a new 2 screen multiplex is operational at the New Bus stand in Shimla

Rivoli Theatre :Located near Ice skating Rink, Lakkar Bazaar

Ritz Theatre : located at the ridge behind Christ Church and

Shahi Theatre Located near Bus Stand

SRS Multiples: Two screen new multiplex, CK Mall, second floor, New ISBT, Tuttikandi, Shimla

Theatre in Shimla

Gaiety Theater is a prehistoric building in Shimla located on the mall road. It is one of the major attractions of Shimla. It has been renovated recently to make it more attractive. Many movies have been shot in the old theatre (like Gadar) and it is witness to some of the finest stage plays of its time. Many popular film personalities have performed on its stage. Attached to the theater is a club known as Amateur Dramatic Club (ADC) meant exclusively for members. Various shows and events are organized here from time to time. Schools in Shimla also use this theater for performing arts.

Get complete travel information on Shimla here: Shimla travel Guide

Adventure Sports In Shimla

Shimla district is full of thickly populated pine trees and small rivulets, rivers in deep gorges and placid mountains lakes, mountain sides draped in snow, and green alpine meadows, all form a part of this immense spectrum and the possibilities for a wide range of adventure activities are enormous. Shimla is also famous for its adventure Sports which thrills and spills. Shimla Adventure Sports gives the participant the taste of a life worth living.You can also enjoy the snow activities in winter.

Ice Skating in Shimla

The Shimla ice-skating rink has the largest open-air area with naturally frozen ice in this part of the world. The Ice Skating Club has already celebrated its Diamond Jubilee. Ice-skating normally begins in early December and carries on to February. Clear skies and low temperatures provide series of uninterrupted sessions.

Trekking in Shimla

Trekking is a very exciting adventure sport, where one treks or walks from one mountain incline to another mountain incline. Every mountain slope is distinct from the other, with varying altitude and terrain. The magnificent hills surrounded by snowy peaks are ideal for trekking in Shimla in India. The best way to appreciate the mountains in Shimla is by taking a scenic walk. Himachal Pradesh Development Corporation (HPTDC) provides guidance, camps, equipments and hospitality services to trekkers.

Some popular trekking places around Shimla are:

Chharabra (2,953m): 13 kms away from Shimla

Naldehra (2,044m): 23 kms from Shimla

Narkanda (2,700m): 64 kms away from Shimla. From here you will find one of the famous treks to Hattu Peak via Sutlej Valley.

Trekking to Tara Devi temple

This is from Shimla end and the walk starts from Tara Devi station on the national highway 7 kms before Shimla. From this place one has to walk / trek about 4 kilometers to reach the temple. When out walking, it is recommended that you do not wander off the tracks and that you wear sensible, comfortable shoes or sneakers. The meandering foot path to the temple is uphill, through the pinewoods and green meadows, accompanied by the chilly mild wind. Atmosphere of the hill rejuvenates the pilgrims and common tourists visiting this sacred temple.

Walk Grade

Easy to medium: May not be suitable for all ages, some steps and inclines; for people who walk occasionally. Distance about 4 kilometers

Skiing in Shimla

There are many places in Shimla that offers skiing and tourists flock these places in winters to try out this adventure sport.

Skiing in Kufri

The ski resort which is perhaps the most easily accessible for anyone in northern India is Kufri. Just about 10 km from Shimla, Kufri’s a quiet little town which becomes a busy winter wonderland once the snow starts falling. The Mahasu Ridge, just above Kufri, has some good slopes which are worth a try.This place attracts ski enthusiasts from all over the world during winters.

Skiing in Narkanda

64 km from Shimla is one of India’s oldest ski resorts, Narkanda. Narkanda lies at an altitude of 8,100 ft. The slopes at Narkanda run the gamut from beginner’s to advanced, from slalom to cross-country. Hattu Peak, 6 km from Narkanda, towers 2,000 ft above Narkanda and has popular ski slopes. It is less crowded and the slopes are virtually unexplored which is what makes Narkanda a haven for ardent skiers.

Himachal Tourism manages all the skiing facilities at Narkanda. They hire out equipment, conduct training courses, and provide everything from accommodation to transport. The Directorate of Mountaineering and Allied Sports at Manali also plays a part in the skiing at Narkanda; they organize special skiing courses January onwards every year.

River Rafting in Shimla

The swift flowing rivers of Shimla provide the ideal condition for the river rafting adventure sport. The Sutlej river near Shimla offers exciting river rafting opportunities. River rafting is done on an inflatable rubber dinghy. The sport cannot be conducted during the winter and the monsoons. The famous white water rafting place in Shimla is water rafting from Chabba to Tattapani a stretch of 12 km. and two hours river down challenging the rapids of aggressive Sutlej river.

Golf in Shimla

At Naldehra, 23 km. from beyond Shimla is one of the oldest golf courses in India. The course, whose topography is absolutely natural, was originally placed by the British Viceroy of India, Lord Curzon. This is a par 68, nine hole course which is regarded as one of the most challenging in the country.

Category: Tourist Spots in Shimla