The popularity of a tourist destination is directly proportional to the number of tourist visiting that state. So if we have a look at how many tourist visit Shimla every year. The analysis shows that last year i.e in 2010 a record number of 2,608,835 tourists, out of which 1,24,273 were foreigners visited Shimla in 2010. This shows the popularity of the Shimla places to visit amongst the visitors. Some of the best tourist places to visit in Shimla are

The Mall

The Mall is the main shopping centre of Shimla. It also has many restaurants, clubs, banks, bars, post offices and tourist offices. The Gaiety Theatre is also situated there. People walk up and down the Mall slowly, stopping to gossip, as it is the main meeting place for everyone. The Ridge and Scandal point are the two main meeting points at the Mall.

Christ Church

Situated on the Ridge is Christ Church, which is the second oldest church in Northern India. It has a very majestic appearance and inside there are stained glass windows which represent faith, hope, charity, fortitude, patience and humility. Christ Church is a place all visitors should spend some time in.

Jakhu Hill

Hardly two kms. from Shimla at a height of 8000 ft, Jakhu Hill is the highest peak and offers a beautiful view of the town and of the snow-covered Himalayas. At the top of the Hill, is an old temple of Hanuman, which is also the home of countless playful monkeys waiting to be fed by the visitors.

Shimla State Museum

The Museum, which was opened in 1974, has tried to project hill-out and the cultural wealth of the state. There is a collection of miniature Pahari paintings, sculptures, bronzes wood-carvings and also costumes, textiles and jewellery of the region.

Indian Institute of advanced studies

This institute is housed in the Viceregal Lodge, which was built in 1884-88 during the British times. It has spacious gardens and is ringed by beautiful pine trees. All is calm and serene just the right atmosphere for a student of literature or politics.

Summer Hill

Situated at a distance of five kms. from the Ridge is the lovely township of Summer Hill at a height of 6,500 ft. on the Shimla-Kalka railway line. Mahatma Gandhi lived in these quiet surroundings during his visits to Shimla. Himachal Pradesh University is situated here.

Annandale

Developed as the playground of Shimla, Annandale is four km from the Ridge at a height of 6,117 ft. It is a favorite spot for cricket, picnics and the princely game of polo.

Tara Devi

Eleven kms. from the Shimla bus-stand. Tara Devi has a temple dedicated to the goddess of stars on top of the hill. There is a military Dairy Town here as well as the headquarters of Bharat Scouts and Guides. At a height of 6,070 ft. Tara Devi is an ideal place for a person wanting peace and some rest.

Sankat Mochan

A popular Hanuman temple is located here. We get an excellent view of Shimla from the temple. It can be reached by car or on foot.

Mashobra

At a distance of thirteen kms. from Shimla, Mashobra has several excellent picnic spots. Mashobra is the site of the annual Sipi fair in June. The nearest rest house is at Craignano which is three kms. from Mashobra, and is a beautiful holiday resort

Jakhoo Temple

A temple dedicated to Hanuman, whose form is much in evidence. This is a spot that interests the tourists a great deal. The children enjoy throwing biscuits and grams to the chattering monkey folks dwelling here in great number.

Bhimkali Temple

A marvelous example of hill architecture, the temple complex at Sarahan is set against the incredibly beautiful backdrop of high ranges and forested slopes. Built in a combination of the Hindu and Buddhist styles, it was a temple of the Bus hair rulers of Rampur.

Hatkoti

Situated along Pabbar river, 104 km from Shimla, the temple is dedicated to Durga and Shiva.

Kufri

From Shimla hardly sixteen km at a height of 8,600 ft. Kufri is the winter sports capital. During winter, visitors have the facility for skiing. The skiing season is at its best during January and February. Equipment for skiing is available from HPTDC winter sports club at Kufri. Apart from skiing, Kufri is a lovely picnic spot with a beautiful view of the hills around and the snowy peaks. There is also a zoo that delights children.

Naldehra

From Shimla at a distance of twenty two km and surrounded by beautiful deodar trees. Naldehra has a well kept nine-hole golf-course. It is a lovely, popular picnic spot. The annual Sipi fair in June is held in Naldehra.

Chail

Chail is a little mountainous heaven forty five km from Shimla. It was the summer capital of the Maharaja of Patiala before independence. The forests near Chail have many species of birds and deer. Chail is known for its cricket pitch, which is the highest cricket ground in the world.

Chadwick falls

The beautiful Chadwick falls Shimla is of major attraction for the vast number of tourists who visit Shimla every year. If you want to have a glimpse of the Chadwick falls, take a walk of about forty five minutes from the Summer Hill of Shimla. The distance between Shimla and Chadwick falls is about seven kilometers. One can also avail a shared taxi to reach the Shimla Chadwick falls.

The Shimla Chadwick falls flow from a height of 1586 meters. This fall of Shimla is a very favorite destination of the visitors. The fall is encircled with thick green woods from all sides and looks amazing in the midst of steep hills of pine and deodar. The standing woods make the place look all the more exotic and ravishing. The water of the Chadwick falls of Shimla is very cold and bracing.

The Summer Hill

The Shimla Summer Hill is situated at an altitude of 1283 meter above the sea level. The Summer Hill of Shimla is a spot on the way of Shimla to Kalka and distance between summer hill to shimla is only seven km. The place is perfect for taking a pleasurable walk amidst the quietness of the mother nature. The Summer hill is situated in between huddles of green hilly trees like pine and deodar.

The age old Georgian House of Raj Kumari Amrit Kaur is located here. Once, Mahatma Gandhi during his visit to Himachal Pradesh University stayed in this place. The green scenery of the Summer Hills adds to the beauty of the place. Distance between Shimla summer hills and Shimla bus stand is eleven km only.