Shimla

Shimla was the hill station that made up the official summer capital of the British Raj. It is located in northern India in the state of Himachal Predesh. Every summer until 1939, the entire Indian government fled here from the heat. Today it is a popular hill station for Indian tourists and especially honeymooners.

The city centre contains beautiful, old, British style buildings among gardens. There is a long, winding, pedestrians only Mall at the city centre with restaurants, shops, museums, and a church. Due to the style of buildings and the cleanliness of the streets on the Mall, it doesn't feel like you are in India. Although I have never been, the Mall is what I would expect England to look like.

One evening we went for dinner at Shimla's top five star hotel, the Oberoi Cecil. I would describe the hotel as having colonial elegance. The buffet dinner was multi-cuisine including great Indian dishes and there was a friendly staff that was there to serve you. It was fun to spend the evening at this hotel as it captured the elegance and class of Shimla before it became more popular for tourism.