Though the increasing number of tourists is stripping away its hold on being an ecotourism spot, and the rains bring landslides, Shimla continues to be one of the favourite haunts of Indians and foreigners alike during summer. The Kalka-Shimla railway line is one you’d have seen in many Bollywood films, latest being the Kashto maza song from Parineeta. The majestic hills provide the backdrop of this picturesque hill station, offering sweeping views of the land below as you go up.

Since this is a tourist spot, tourism remains an important source of revenue and the hospitality industry offers great employment opportunities, mostly in its many restaurants and as tourist guides. Small scale industries also thrive with souvenir and crafts production much in demand. Hot sulphur springs can be found at Tatta Pani, about 55 kms from Shimla, and are said to have great medicinal value. Not just because of this and the clean, unpolluted air, but also because of well-functioning hospitals, Shimla has gained fame as a popular health tourism spot.

Jakhoo hill is the highest point and is not for the faint-hearted, made evident by the fact that Hanuman, the monkey god has a temple at the peak. There aren’t any water bodies in the city area, the closest one, Sutlej, being at least 20 kms away. Yamuna tributaries, Giri and Pabbar, also flow through the district. For tourists, there’s an added attraction to visit Shimla during summer – the Shimla Summer Festival, held for 3-4 days at the Ridge every year during peak tourist season. If you’re visiting in winter, however, make your way towards the Kufri ski resort, a popular spot for winter sports.

Coming to the architecture, Shimla boasts of retaining the old-world charm of its buildings in their original form, with some having been converted like the Wildflower Hall, which today is a luxury hotel. The State Museum, established in 1974, features paintings and jewellery from the bygone era. For those hungry for souvenirs and shopping, Lakkar Bazaar offers you everything you want from and about Shimla, including clothes, jewellery and local crafts. The main shopping street of Shimla is the Mall, populated by various tourist offices, clubs, bars, eateries, shopping centres and such like. A variety of cuisine is served in hotels in Shimla, continental as well as various Indian cuisines like Punjabi and Vaishnav, to cater to various tourists. Shimla apples remain a favourite among tourists. Local specialties are Sidku, a sweet dish made of wheat flour, jaggery and khus khus, and Patandey, made from a thin paste of wheat flour and served with ghee.