A holiday in Shimla, the Queen of Hills is a dream getaway for many travelers as this charming hill station in Himachal Pradesh offers the perfect blend of natural beauty, colonial architecture and a cool tranquil atmosphere. The Mall Road Shimla – stretching from Barnes Court to Viceregal Lodge is known as the ‘heart of Shimla’ and is famous for several compelling reasons that make it an iconic and sought after must visit area in Shimla. Here are some of the key highlights and attractions that make Mall Road Shimla renowned.
1.Shopping Hub:
Mall Road Shimla is a bustling shopping paradise known for its shops and boutiques ranging from local handicrafts, jewellery, stationery to apparel from multinational brands – is an excellent place for retail therapy. Tourists flock here to purchase local craft items, woollen clothes and other souveniers. Among local handicrafts the most famous are Himachali caps, suits, shawls, wooden decoratives and jams.
The Lakkar Bazaar adjoining the Mall is especially known for wooden craft items with intricate carving and the Lower Bazaar towards the starting of the Mall Road is a market for the locals to shop spices, food and clothes. The Tibetan market adjoining the Mall Road Shimla is also a vibrant shopping experience. There are some unique shops available on the Mall Road Shimla selling vintage items such as old newspapers, records, coins and books and they attract collector enthusiasts. Himachal emporium is a good place to find Kullu and Kinnauri shawls at reasonable prices. There are also shops on the Mall Road Shimla from where you can try the local fruit wines made of plums, peaches and apricots.
2. Leisurely Stroll to enjoy the City and its Scenic Beauty:
Mall Road Shimla is unlike the main road in any other hill station as it is completely vehicle free and a pedestrian only street, making it perfect for a leisurely walk. It’s a great place to walk, enjoy the buzz in the city, people watch, soak in the charming surroundings and breathe in the fresh mountain air. The Mall Road Shimla also bifurcates at various points leading to beautiful historic/ nature walking trails which are offbeat and allow one to experience the beauty of Shimla. The end of the Mall – the Ridge promises stunning vistas of the surrounding hills and valleys and is an ideal place to watch magical sunsets.
3. Cultural and Historic Attractions:
Several historical landmarks and cultural attractions are located along the Mall Road.
Namely:
i). Christ Church: Located atop the Ridge, this is North Indias second oldest church, has a Neo Gothic structure and is known for its stunning stained glass windows. It truly defines the skyline of Shimla and has found its way into many Bollywood movies too.
ii). Jakhoo Temple: Perched atop a hill and counted as one of the highest statues at this elevation in the world – the temple can be reached via car / medium level trek. It is known to have the footprints of Lord Hanuman and is frequented by lots of monkeys.
iii). Gaiety Theatre: Known for its victorian architecture, this historic theatre has been showcasing performances for over a century now.
iv). Townhall: Another marvel of British architecture, it is home to MC offices and an eatery – but is a must photo op point as it is a landmark building of historic Shimla.
v). Scandal Point:
The cusp of the Mall and the Ridge marked by the statue of Lala Lajpat Rai is famously called Scandal point as it is believed a Maharaja eloped with a British Royal lady from here.
vi). Bantony Castle:
Closed for renovations for many years, this historic building has now been restored and converted into a museum where one can watch a truly memorable sound and light show about the history of Shimla.
vii). Kali Baari Temple: Located at the end of the Mall Road the temple is dedicated to Hindu Goddess Kaali. It offers breathtaking views and is a peaceful place for prayers and meditation.
4. Street Performers and Cultural Shows:
The Mall Road Shimla often hosts street performers and cultural shows, adding entertainment and vibrancy to the atmosphere. These include standalone performers showcasing their talent, police bands, local Himachali dances or even popular Bollywood music performances in the popular Shimla summer festival. There are also photographers who can click pictures for you wearing local Himachali clothes and these could be great memories
5. Horse Riding:
Tourists both kids and adults can enjoy this popular activity on the Mall Road, taking short rides across the Ridge to enjoy the vibe and views of Shimla.
6. Cafes and Restaurants and
Local Street Food:
In case you are looking for a more cozy, plush, fine dine ambience for a family dinner or a candle light setting – then Eighteen71 Cookhouse and Bar is the perfect option for you. Serving Pan Indian cuisine – the best of Mughlai, Chettinad, Bengali, Goan and also Pan Asian- Chinese, Malay, Thai and Burmese – the food is delectable and the ambience promises a memorable evening.
7. Relax with rejuvenating wellness therapies:
Once you’re tired of all the walking and eating, a great stopover is the unisex Wellness zone at Hotel Willow Banks which offers professional massage therapies ranging from Ayurvedic to Balinese and also a unisex hair and beauty salon by the renowned Jawed Habib. This is a great opportunity to leave Shimla feeling totally fresh and feeling beautiful inside and out..
8. Nightlife in Shimla:
The party in Shimla doesn’t end until midnight and if youre looking for a place to dance till you drop – Shimla Brewing company is it. The ambience is LIT, high energy, great cocktails, fresh beer and music which is a mix of EDM, Bollywood, Punjabi and himachali to ensure this becomes a night to remember. It has one of its kind sky hammocks where you can literally hang in the air with your mug of fresh beer. And if you are sheesha afficianado, Skybar Shimla is the place to be at night – to sit under a starry sky and enjoy a herbal hookah and lipsmacking food while soaking in the mountain breeze.
In summary, Shimla Mall Road is famous for its shopping, delectable food, stunning views and historic landmarks. It is vibrant, buzzing and a dynamic place where tourists can experience the charm of the city. Whether you’re into sight seeing, long nature walks,
Shopping, eating or simply soaking in the beauty of the hills – The Mall Road Shimla has something for everyone. At night the Mall Road looks even more beautiful with the colourful lights. The lights blend in so well with the starry skies that one gets awestruck with its beauty.
As a traveller to Shimla it is best to make time to visit all these attractions and the best way is to look for an ideal hotel which is on the Mall itself. Hotel Willow Banks is an excellent choice of a four star equivalent property at the quieter end of the Mall which offer stunning views of serene landscapes along with easy access to the buzzing lifeline of Shimla, The Mall Road Shimla. With its location in the heart of Shimla – Hotel Willow Banks has plenty of attractions within stone’s throw whether it is street shopping, sightseeing, eating or just unwinding and embracing the fresh cool breeze and warmth of Himachali people.
Note: Please note no vehicles are allowed on the Mall Road Shimla apart from few emergency govt vehicles and also to reach here from the main drivable road one has to come via a Lift which is open 8am to 9pm.
