There used to be a time when the place to visit in the summers used to be Shimla. Beautiful buildings, amazing views, a climate to die forit was a destination par excellence. However, like most other things that have suffered at the hands of modernity, Shimla too has lost the greater part of its charm to unplanned and indiscriminate development.

But all is not lost!!! All you need to do is go beyond the obvious tourist trail. And the Queen of the Hills will reveal her original splendor to you once again.

1.First, read up a bit about the history of the hill town.
Shimla was first developed as the summer capital of the British empire in India and the entire Government machinery used to move up to the hills in summer every year to escape the sweltering Indian summers. In 1832, Lord William Bentinck wrote, Simla is only four days march from Loodianah (Ludhiana), is easy of access, and proves a very agreeable refuge from the burning plains of Hindoostaun (Hindustan).

2.Subsequently, the sizable number of pre-independence structures which still dot Shimla will take on a character of their own and become worth visiting. The old Viceregal Lodge, the Gaiety Theatre, the old Town Hall are all heritage buildings and retain the character of the Tudor-Elizabethan style of architechture.

3.Wake up early and head towards Mall Road.
The main hub of the city, the mall road is located on a ridge and is a popular hangout zone for locals and tourists alike. Lined by numerous shops and restaurants this is the heart of the city. A passenger lift operated by HPTDC can be taken from Carter Road to the Mall. Most of the time this is a crowed and busy place. But to really appreciate the beauty of the place, go and sit there in the wee hours of the morning when it is quiet.

4.Explore the local hangouts.Lakkar bazaar is a must visit if you want to explore a part of Shimla that is not touristy. A local wooden market known for wooden handicrafts and souvenirs is a well kept secret.

5.And sometimes, just go ahead and do the touristy thing. It can be fun too. Here are some attractions for you to visit.

a.Jakhoo temple: 2 kms away from the city centre, this is the citys highest point and offers the best views of the surrounding peaks and mountain ranges. Definitely worth a visit, especially during sunrise or sunset. There is a temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman on the hill top. Folklore says that Hanuman rested here while searching for the magical sanjieevani plant the leaves of which would cure the wounded Lord Lakshman during the epic Ramayana battle

b.Sankat Mochan Temple: Situated on the Shimla-Kalka (NH22) road, the Lord hanuman temple is a popular attraction

c.State Museum: This museum houses an extensive display and collection of the states cultural, historical and archeological heritage. The visiting hours are from 10am to 5 pm. Closed on Mondays and gazette holidays.

d.Indian Institute of Advanced Studies: Housed in the Viceregal House, this is an imposing stone structure with magnificent woodwork in the interiors. It also has a small museum inside Trust me. Shimla still is worth a visit.