The romance of Shimla is unmatchable and can be better experienced than expressed. After all it was not for nothing that the British were drawn to Shimla so much that they made it the summer capital of India.
Shimla, the capital of Himachal Pradesh, is located at an altitude of about 7000 feet above the sea level in the lower reaches of the Western Himalayas. During the summer months of April, May, June and July the temperatures here hover between the pleasant range of 15 and 25 degrees celsius, making it the ideal time to visit this pretty hill town. With the plains downhill scorching under the sun, thousands of tourists flock to Shimla every year during this period. Previously visitors avoided coming here during the monsoon period but with the improvement in the quality of infrastructure there has been a steady rise of tourists during the months of August and September. The hillside looks resplendent and greenest during the rains. If you can, do visit Shimla during this time – it is at its prettiest best!
Besides its natural splendour, Shimla is also known for its beautiful architecture; several beautiful heritage building dot the landscape here – amongst them the Christ Church on the mall is the most popular. This yellow building is notable for its lovely stained glass windows. Another striking building is the Gorton Castle, designed by the famous architect Sir Swinton Jacob. While in Shimla, you must also check out the 122 years old Gaiety Theatre, which was reopened this year (2009) after five years or renovation work.