Shimla and Its Heritage (Travel Guide)

Nestled amidst the Shivalik range in the foothills of the Himalayas, at an altitude of over 2000m, the popular hill staition of Shimla is approached from the plains by a sinuous road that winds across kilometers of hills swathed in pine and cedar forests.

Even as the capital of Himachal Pradesh, bulges at the seams with unprecedented urban development, the heart of Shimla continous to cherish its rich built heritage harking back to a colonial past. Shimla's architectural treasures include the Viceregal Lodge (now the Indian Institute of Advance Studies), Christ Church, Town Hall, Gariety Theatre, as well as the many charming Raj-era buildings with gabled roofs, ornamental lamp posts, manicured gardens and cemeteries, that centuary back to a nostalgic past. There is a detailed chapter on the Kalka –Shimla Hill Railway, Inaugrated in 1903, that was designated a World Heritage Site by The UNESCO in 2008.

For those wishing to explore beyond Shimla, the book has a chapter on short excursions to nearby places including Chail, Kasauli, Naldehra, Barog and Mashobra.

With over 80 stunning photographs and an up –to –date practical information section, this guidebook will be an invaluable comapanion for both interepid tourist and the armchair traveller.