Shimla Facts

One of the most beautiful hill stations of India, Shimla is a place that should not be missed at any cost if you are visiting India. This beautiful hill station was a small, unknown village before the British discovered it in the year 1819. Around the year 1864, the British declared it the summer capital of India. Even today, it is one of the most preferred hill stations for tourists. In order to know more about this place, check out this section on "Shimla facts and figures" that will tell you interesting facts about Shimla.

Area:	25 square kilometers
Altitude:	2130 meters above sea level
Currency:	Indian Rupee
Language spoken:	Himachali, English and Hindi
Location:	31.06° North to 77.13° East
Population:	163,000 (according to 2001 census)
Religion:	Domination of Hinduism
STD (Standard Trunk Dialing) Code:	0177
Summers:	April to June (16o - 28o Celsius)
Monsoons:	July to September (12o - 22o Celsius)
Winters:	November to February (-7o - 10o Celsius)
Time:	IST (Indian Standard Time) +5.5 hours

Shimla Location

Located in the middle ranges of the Himalayas, Shimla is a lovely hill station that is a favorite among tourists. It is the capital city of Himachal Pradesh. Shimla's geographical location is responsible for its pleasant climatic conditions. In India, the location of Shimla is just perfect to go on an ideal vacation. It has its own charm in summers as well as winters. Read on further to know about the geographical location of Shimla in India.

The city of Shimla is spread over an undulating altitude that averages at 2100 meters above sea level. This beautiful hill station lies between 31.06o North to 77.13o East. The high altitude has a fitting vegetation cover of evergreen pine trees. The city is spread over an area of 25 square kilometers. Though it seems small, the hills and undulating terrain surrounding it give it the look of a majestic hill station.

Shimla Shopping

Your trip to Shimla would remain incomplete if you do not indulge in some guilty shopping! There are many shopping places in Shimla that will take care of your demands and taste. A judicious shopper would definitely find Shimla shopping an enjoyable experience. You wouldn't be stuck with the question of what to buy in Shimla, as the place has a huge variety of things to offer tourists. The place is well known for its handicrafts and other handmade artifacts. Read on further to know where to shop in Shimla.

One of the most popular places to go to for shopping is at the Mall road in Shimla. This place is the shopping hub and commercial center of Shimla. One can find small souvenirs and knick-knacks here along with handicrafts and other artifacts that Shimla is famous for. You can buy the famous Himachali caps that are available in almost any shop. These caps come in various colors and designs and also have intricate designs embroidered on them. You can buy a variety of these caps, as they are very affordable and absolutely comfortable.

Yet another item that tops a shopper's list in Shimla are the woolen shawls that are available very easily in every shop in Shimla. These shawls come in different shapes and sizes and the variety of colors is huge. The shawls come in different kinds of wool also. One can find mirror work, thread work, sequins and embroidery decorating these shawls. Apart from shawls, you can always pick up colorful gloves, sweaters and socks, which are not found anywhere else in India and are exclusive of Shimla.

Another popular shopping place is the Lower Bazaar, which is also known as the Subzi Mandi. This place is absolutely chaotic yet full of life. There are endless mazes of narrow lanes merging into one another and just when you think there is a dead end ahead, you find another lane full of shops selling just about anything you can think of! Local craftsmen make beautiful walking sticks by carving wood in different designs and shapes. You could one of those and use it while you walk along the woods. This is available in Lakkar Bazaar (lakkad means wood), which is quite famous for wooden souvenirs.

Shimla Tipping

Tipping in Shimla is a norm like it is anywhere else in India and the world. Though there is no fixed rate or amount for tipping, places like restaurants and hotels expect that you leave some tip. High-end hotels and restaurants expect that you tip at least 10% of the bill, in case service charges are not added. For more information on how to tip in Simla, please read on further.

In hotels, you are expected to tip the maintenance staff, the bellhop (luggage carrier) and the person who brings you food in your room. In case you ask for extra services, you are expected to tip some amount for that also. While traveling, it is not customary to tip the cab driver. The amount can be rounded off and a small tip can be given if the services are exceptionally good. Also, if you are hiring a cab for an entire day, it is expected that you give a small tip. The people here are very friendly and even a small tip will be accepted with a generous "Thank You".

Shimla Voltage

Shimla uses the same electricity and voltage as any other state in India. The current in Shimla is around 240 volts, alternating at around 50 cycles per second. In case the devices you carry will not work on 240 volts, you can carry a voltage converter. If you are not carrying one, you can easily get it in any electrical appliance shop in Shimla. In Shimla, electricity and voltage is supplied to the entire city and the state by a state government owned body.

The types of plugs used in Shimla or anywhere in India are also different from the ones used in the West. Here in Shimla, the plugs that are used are the round pin variety instead of the flat pin variety that is used in western countries. It is advisable that you carry a combination plug adapter that would be adaptable anywhere in Shimla and would be of use even in a place where flat pin is used. You can get one easily in any electrical appliance shop in Shimla.

Shimla Weather

The climatic conditions of Simla are pleasant throughout the year. It is because of the favorable weather and climate of Shimla that tourists throng this hill station in any season. Though there is less of rush in monsoons, the rest of the year sees a steady inflow of tourists. In Shimla, weather and climate is prone to sudden changes as the high altitude results in sudden drop and rise in temperature. Read on further to know about Shimla weather in more detail.

Summer
Shimla has warm summers and the temperature never goes beyond 27o Celsius. The duration of summers in Shimla is from April to June. During this time, Shimla is overcrowded and packed with tourists, as temperature in the plains gets too high. The days are warm and the nights tend to get cooler. Thus, one is required to carry some light warm clothes for the nights. The variations in the diurnal range of temperature are starkly evident to anyone visiting the place. There is occasional rainfall during summers, though not too heavy.

Monsoons
Then come the monsoons that last from July to September. During monsoons, it is advisable not to visit Shimla, as the place is not too hospitable during rains. Monsoons are pretty heavy in Shimla. Being a hill station, there are too many instances of landslides occurring here. The temperature during monsoons drops considerably and ranges from 15o - 25o Celsius.

Winters
The temperature starts to drop here on and the monsoons cease to make way for winters. The cold and chilly winds from the higher ranges of the Himalayas lash the place and the temperatures can drop to sub-zero levels. The winters last from November to mid- February. The main attraction of winters is the snowfall that Shimla receives around the time of Christmas in December. Though transportation and accommodation is a bit of a problem during winters, yet tourists throng the place during December and January.

Tourist Guide in Shimla

Getting a tourist guide in Shimla is not at all a problem. However, one must always exercise caution while dealing with Shimla tourist guides. Though these guides are dedicated professionals and trustworthy, it is always better be alert all the time. It is always better to hire a tourist guide while moving around and touring a new place. These guides are very helpful and have a knack for making your trip not just interesting but also memorable. Read on further for more information on tips for handling Simla guides.

• Always hire a guide from a trusted travel agency. If you are staying in a hotel, ask the staff to arrange a guide for you.
• Always fix the amount to be paid to the guide before embarking on the journey. This will avoid any confusion later on.
• Avoid exhibiting too much cash and rolls of money in front of them. Do not disclose the amount of money you are carrying with you.
• Keep your credit cards and other cash receipts with yourself and do not hand it over to them for any reason.
• It is okay to mingle around freely with them but keep a distance between. Do not let dominate you or take you for granted.
• When moving around with guides, try to carry minimal luggage with you. This is because moving around with them becomes easy as the responsibility of looking after luggage is not there.
• Remember that you are paying them for their services. If not satisfied, ask them for more information and demand better services.
• Pay them at the end of the day when you feel satisfied by their services. It is not mandatory to tip, though if the service has been exceptionally good, you may give them Rs.50 more than the amount decided before.