Mall Road Shimla: Mall Road in Shimla, located in the heart of the city, is the main road lined with innumerable restaurants, clubs, banks, shops, post offices, and tourist offices. Also, the place boasts other exciting attractions, such as the Scandal Point and the Kali Bari Temple. By far one of the busiest and more commercialized areas of Shimla, this section is a mini-world in itself. Shimla Mall Road is one such stretch that truly celebrates the spirit of the hill town, its tourist hordes, valleys, and hills covered with houses and hotels. The charm and beauty of Mall Road can be enjoyed by groups of friends, families, and honeymooners alike.
The stores located on Mall Road are famous for their woolen garments and specially handcrafted works apart from the usual books and jewellery. Wood furniture shops are especially famous; So when you shop here, don’t miss buying some exquisite wooden items that look like antiques. Vehicles are not allowed on this road except for emergency ones, which not only makes Mall Road in Shimla an ideal place to visit in the evening without worrying about the traffic. Apart from shopping, Shimla Mall Road is also famous for its variety of cafes and the delicious cuisines served by them. In fact, the people here are spoiled for their choice when it comes to choosing a place to eat. The numerous leisure activities offered by Mall Road ensure that you do not get bored.
Shopping at Shimla Mall Road
A trip to Mall Road would be incomplete without buying some trinkets and other items for which the area is famous. The place boasts excellent showrooms, departmental stores, and shops. The Himachal Emporium here offers exquisite handicraft products like pottery, jewelery, and woolen fabrics. Tibetan carpets and pashmina shawls that are sold in local shops and tents are also readily available in every shop. Apart from these, you can also pick up gloves, socks, and sweaters which can only be found here.
This place is also famous all over the world for its colorful and vibrant Himachali cap. These hats are affordable and comfortable and come in a lot of colors and designs with embroidery on them. You can also find small souvenirs and knick-knacks here, and a plethora of clothing items that are decorated with mirror work, beads, and sequins. The advantage of shopping on Mall Road is that you can buy local and branded clothes here, without being bothered by the constant honking and vehicular movement. Don’t forget to bargain when buying locally-made goods, as shoppers often quote exorbitant and unreasonable prices.
Cafes at Mall Road
There are many cafes and restaurants located on Mall Road that serve delicious food. These renowned eating joints not only specialize in local cuisine but also serve delicious cuisines from other places as well. Cafes here include Honey Hut, which serves everything with honey, Cafe Sol, which is famous for its well-stocked bar and variety of cuisines, and The Devico’s which serves scrumptious Indian, Italian and Chinese food. serves the substance. Indian Coffee House, Wake & Bake, and BK are wonderful options as well.
Attractions Near the Mall Road Shimla
The Mall Road allows you to immerse yourself in the beauty of these majestic hills. However, if you are still not satisfied, and want more; Then these places are good options for you:
- Scandal Point: Mall Road meets Ridge Road towards the west at this point. The statue of the great freedom fighter Lala Lajpat Rai is installed here. Next to Scandal Point is Shimla’s, General Post Office. It would be interesting to know how this place got its name. The Maharaja of Patiala fled here with the daughter of a British Viceroy, causing a lot of commotion and thus the area came to be known as “Scandal Point”.
- Gaiety Theatre: Many famous film personalities have performed here. Even though this theater has now been renovated, the original structure has been left untouched to preserve the heritage and natural beauty of the place.
- Kali Bari Temple: A wooden idol of Goddess Kali to whom this temple is dedicated is worshipped here. Visit this temple for a dose of spirituality and religion.
- Town Hall: This is an architectural marvel, dating back to the colonial period; The pre-independence era adds to the beauty of the surrounding architectural remains and is a must-visit place for all fans of skill and structural design.
It is advisable to visit Mall Road in Shimla in the evening when a calm and relaxed breeze blows over the mountain peaks. You can spend a relaxing evening here and you will not even realize how time has passed. Don’t forget to bring a light sweater or shawl, as it can get cold when you return.
How To Reach Mall Road Shimla
An added advantage of the central location of Mall Road in Shimla is that it is easily accessible from all parts of the city. If you are staying in the heart of the city then you can walk for a few minutes to reach Mall Road. However, if you are staying a short distance from the heart of the city, it is a good idea to hire a cab or bring your own vehicle. Keep in mind that vehicles are not allowed on the main road, so you will have to park your vehicle a few miles away.
There is a lift operated by Himachal Tourism Development Corporation to reach Mall Road from the main road at the bottom of the hill. It is located at a distance of 1 km from the bus stop and 1.5 km from the railway station. The lift has two parts, and one has to buy a normal ticket for INR 8. After coming out of the first lift, you will have to walk on a wooden plank at the end of which you will find the second lift which will take you to Mall Road. The lift operates from 8:00 am to 9:00 pm.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Mall Road Shimla
Q. Is Shimla Mall Road open?
A – Perfect for both couples and families, Shimla Mall Road is home to many fine-dining restaurants, bars, clubs, and shops.
Q. What is special about Mall Road?
A – Mall Road in Shimla, located in the heart of the city, is the main road lined with innumerable restaurants, clubs, banks, shops, post offices, and tourist offices. Also, the place boasts other exciting attractions, such as the Scandal Point and the Kali Bari Temple.
Q. What is best for shopping in Shimla?
A – The best places for shopping in Shimla are Mall Road and Tibetan Market. Various emporiums are found here which are run by the government and many private outlets for traditional artifacts are also found on Mall Road.
Q. Why is it called Mall Road?
A – So, in military terms Mall Road means Married Accommodation and Living Line Road. And, each city has a ‘Mall Road’.
Q. What is special about Mall Road Shimla?
A – Some of the famous tourist attractions located here are Gaiety Theatre, Kali Bari Temple, Town Hall, and Scandal Point. Since it is a popular shopping destination, visitors can buy many things as souvenirs for their stay in Shimla.
Q. Is Shimla Mall Road closed on Sundays?
A – This place remains closed on Sundays due to the high crowd in the Shimla area. So keep this in mind as most of the tourists visit a place during the weekend. This is just for Christ Church in Shimla, and the only advantage of being here on a Sunday is that there is no crowd.
Q. How long is Shimla’s Mall Road?
A – The Mall Road is spread over a length of 2.39 km in Shimla Urban, a sub-district of district Shimla. It connects Chhota Shimla, Bemloi, Lakkar Bazar areas.
Q. Are vehicles allowed on Mall Road Shimla?
A – Cars are always allowed in Shimla city. Except for a few sealed roads like The Mall, CM House Road, IGMC Lakkar Bazar Side, and Vidhan Sabha.
Q. How do I reach Shimla Railway Station from Mall Road?
A – It takes 2 minutes to travel from Shimla Railway Station to Mall Road. The approximate driving distance between Shimla Railway Station and Mall Road is 2 km or 1.2 miles or 1.1 nautical miles.
