The Ridge

Top choice in Shimla

Along the central ridgetop, this broad pedestrian esplanade diverges from The Mall at Scandal Point, guarded by a fancifully hatted policeman. Thronged with strolling locals and visitors, it rises to a triangular parade ground backed by Christ Church and dotted with statues.

Indira Gandhi turns her back on the panorama to the north which, in clear weather, includes a jagged line of distant snowy peaks. Gaggles of domestic tourists delight in innocent pleasures:; strolling and taking selfies or get photographed sitting on horses brought in specially for the purpose.

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Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Viceregal Lodge
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Nearby Shimla attractions

1. Christ Church

0.05 MILES

This 1840s square-towered church would turn few heads in an English market town but in Shimla it's a treasured landmark, prominent at The Ridge's east end.

2. Gaiety Theatre

0.09 MILES

Lovingly restored between 2004 and 2009 and hoping for Unesco status, this remarkable 320-seater theatre opened in 1877, originally as part of a bigger…

3. Town Hall

0.12 MILES

Shimla's half-timbered old town hall building originally dates from 1908–10, but has been so restored that it looks essentially new.

4. Ripon Hospital

0.23 MILES

One of Shimla's most atmospheric timber-framed buildings, the green-and-white Ripon Hospital building (1885) has a couple of exterior wooden stair-spirals…

5. Rothney Castle

0.25 MILES

On the way up to the Jakhu temple, you can peep through the gates to see the glass verandas of this 19th-century mansion that was built for colonial…

6. Sri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara

0.26 MILES

This major Sikh temple isn't a particular attraction but makes a useful landmark beside busy Cart Rd below the bazaar area.

7. Shimla Heritage Museum

0.34 MILES

This small, one-room gallery displays enlargements of a few historic photos of old Shimla, with cursory explanations, but you can see it all in five…

8. Bantony

0.34 MILES

Whimsical and photogenically dilapidated, this 1880 red-brick mansion looks like a place for a Scooby Doo adventure. There's a wobbly central spire-turret…

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