Introducing Shimla, the Queen of Hills in India

While this trip covered three cities, I'd like to focus on Shimla first, as it left the most lasting impression.

Among my many trips to India, Varanasi remains my favorite, followed closely by Shimla.


This sentence describes a place in India called the "Queen of the Mountains." The writer expresses excitement about visiting this place, which is known for its scenic beauty and its status as a World Heritage Site. The writer also mentions a "heritage railway line" that cuts through the mountains, offering stunning views.


Travel to Shimla from Jodhpur by train.

While India may lag behind Thailand in terms of living standards, it surpasses Thailand in economic development, attitude, legal system, perseverance, and technological advancement. The success of Indian youth in securing employment opportunities in Europe and America further highlights their achievements. India's technological prowess is evident in its cutting-edge applications, scientific advancements, and weapons production, including nuclear capabilities and self-sufficiency in firearms manufacturing.

India's wealth distribution is highly unequal, with a stark contrast between the extremely rich and the desperately poor.

Developed cities are highly developed, while undeveloped cities remain in their past state. However, overall, there has been significant progress compared to the past.

Whenever we travel in India, we usually choose to travel by train. We know that many people are afraid and do not dare to do so, and they are sure that it is dirty because

Whenever we write articles sharing our travel experiences, the feedback we receive is often a mix of admiration, disbelief, and concern. People are impressed by our courage and resourcefulness, but they also express reservations about the challenges and risks involved, particularly when it comes to traveling by train in India.

We are not cool, not good at anything. We just took the train, which is no different from the Thai train.

We will put the topic of Indian trains on hold for now. If you would like to read more, you can find an article at Oh Wow, Amazing! Indian Trains Are Much Better Than Thai People Think.

Come back and visit again later ...............

After exploring Jodhpur, we boarded a train to Shimla. However, there is no direct train to Shimla. We had to disembark at Kalka station and transfer to the Toy Train, a World Heritage Site, to reach Shimla.

We departed from Jodhpur on December 6th, boarding the 10:25 AM train. We had booked A3 class, which was comfortable enough, although it had fewer seats than A2. The journey was long, lasting several hours, from 10:00 AM on December 6th to 7:00 AM on December 7th in Gwalior.

India is quite advanced in terms of technological applications. While Thailand only recently introduced a train tracking app, and it is not real-time, and there is no food ordering app. Passengers buy food from vendors walking through the train, and first-class passengers eat what is served. In contrast, India has a real-time train tracking app and a food ordering app available for all classes. It is important to note that in Thailand, only first-class passengers have access to dining cars or food service, depending on the class they paid for. Notably, Indian trains have charging outlets in all classes, even for short journeys. Similar to Thailand, classes with standing tickets do not have charging outlets. However, from second class to first class, sleeper class with or without air conditioning, and even first class, all have charging outlets. Additionally, India has a dedicated app for booking train tickets, eliminating the need to log in to a website. India is not as technologically backward as some Thai people might perceive.


Safety is a top priority, and Indian people are generally friendly. It's important to avoid misinterpreting their tendency to stare as malicious intent. This behavior is driven by cultural norms and a fascination with foreigners, particularly women.

A small minority of Indian women dress in a flamboyant and heavily made-up manner. This is because Indian women have a traditional culture similar to that of Thailand in the past. In fact, we are similar to them because their country has existed for much longer than ours. However, we have evolved in some areas more than they have because we have embraced all civilizations, both Eastern and Western.

And you know that Thai people go everywhere with a lot of props. Their outfits are very fashionable, right? So, some look beautiful, some look strange, and some look attractive to them (but some are just flirting, so girls should be careful with the sweet talk of foreign men). There's nothing to be afraid of if you understand them. There's nothing to be afraid of.

From a male perspective, some men may encounter situations that are not ideal. Some Indian men come to Thailand for the "hot girls" in Pattaya, as they may not have access to such openness in their home country. Therefore, Thai men who travel to India may be asked if they have visited Pattaya, if they like mustaches, and what women are like. Some may even ask for recommendations. However, it's important to remember that not everyone is the same. There are many kind and helpful people in India as well.

Most of the time, we encounter annoying situations, such as excessive talking, persistent conversations, following us, requests for photos, pressure to buy things, insistence on getting rides, attempts to sell tours, and conversations that end with requests for Facebook information. The Hyderabad immigration officers asked a lot of irrelevant questions and then requested our Facebook information. We had a connecting flight at 5 a.m. and were exhausted, wanting to go to the gate to sit and rest. The questions they asked were irrelevant, and they refused to stamp our passports. We only encountered such situations, nothing scary, just annoying ones.

I have extensive experience interacting with Indian people, including friends and a partner from India, with whom I have maintained relationships for several years. These individuals are knowledgeable and have provided me with valuable insights and assistance. Their perspectives and explanations have proven to be accurate, based on my direct and close relationships with them. This allows me to understand their culture and perspectives deeply.

(This is a food order placed through a train tracking app.)

After leaving Jodhpur, we arrived in Kalka, where the extreme cold forced us to add another layer of clothing. We wore three layers of turtlenecks, a coat, and a shawl, but we were still freezing. We bought third-class train tickets for 100 rupees each, which is about 25 baht per person.

Let's get to know Shimla before we go any further.
Shimla is the capital of the state of Himachal Pradesh.
Shimla is a city, a village located on a valley, throughout the mountains.
Shimla has long been known as the Queen of the Hills.
Many people may feel that Leh Ladakh is more beautiful, why not get the title? I must say that the amazingness of Shimla has been around for a long time. What is most amazing for us is the building, the houses, and it is located on a valley, amidst pine forests, mountains, very beautiful and natural. Therefore, it is appropriate that he receives this nickname.
Shimla has a cool climate all year round. In winter, it is really cold, but very beautiful. The temperature in winter is between -3 and 6 degrees Celsius. During our visit in December, the daytime temperature was 3-6 degrees Celsius, and the nighttime temperature was 1 degree Celsius to minus degrees Celsius.


And then we arrived in Shimla... and the taxis swarmed us so much that we lost our cool. Actually, we were very irritable on this trip. Since I have an Indian boyfriend, I tend to absorb his habits (blame him again). My boyfriend once told me, "If you don't want to go, just say no firmly. Don't use a soft voice like that. Don't take, don't buy, don't go, don't accept their services. Just say no firmly. Don't use a soft voice or act shy." So I try to sound a little tough, like I'm always ready to fight, haha.

Like in Shimla, I said, "I said I don't want a taxi!" in a high-pitched voice.
The taxi driver: "Ooooooh, wow!" (and then backed away immediately)

Or sometimes I just say "No!" firmly and that's it, or I say "I said no" repeatedly and firmly with them. Beggars, their condition is pitiful, but I feel more sorry for myself because I have limited money. And if I give to this one, what about the others watching from afar? So I say "No, I don't" and wave them away (am I cruel? TT.TT)

Well, yes, I'm cruel, but I don't want to drag things out. Short and sweet, that's it. Let's move on... You don't have to fight with everyone, it's their territory, but if you can't take it anymore, give them a piece of your mind and be done with it. My boyfriend once told me that it's not wrong to react like this, and drivers should understand that if people need them, they will come to them, no need to pester or harass them like this. If it were my boyfriend, he would yell at them in every case. At most, he would just not speak but stare at the faces of those tuk-tuk drivers. He even once unleashed a long string of Hindi on the drivers, haha.

Shimla was founded during the British Raj, making it a great alternative for those who dream of visiting Europe but are on a tight budget. The locals here dress in a very Western style, giving the city a distinctly European feel. The British began developing Shimla in the 1820s, and since then, the "Queen of Hills" has attracted tourists seeking its cool climate and stunning natural beauty. One thing to keep in mind when planning a trip here is that it's located in the mountains and lacks tuk-tuks. Taxis are available, but if you're on a tight budget like us, walking is the most economical option. ...

To prepare for the hike, it's recommended to engage in physical fitness training. The trail involves climbing hills, which can be strenuous, especially at higher altitudes where oxygen levels are lower. Bringing a water bottle is essential to stay hydrated during the hike. The terrain primarily consists of walking paths that connect various alleys, making it easy to navigate and explore. The overall experience is enjoyable, especially for those who enjoy walking and exploring new areas.

The sentence is already in English and does not require translation.


I personally love Indian food. I don't understand why some people dislike it. It's a matter of personal preference, but I don't support judging it without trying it. Those who have tried it and don't like it, at least they have given it a chance.

The Ridge is Shimla's iconic landmark. You can walk there, or take a taxi if you prefer. Shimla doesn't have tuk-tuks. The Ridge offers a European ambiance. Let's take a look at The Ridge in pictures. It's a ridge that encompasses everything. Shimla is a city with stunning scenery and neo-Gothic architecture in the English style. It's incredibly beautiful. I don't know what else to say. It's just stunning.

Walking down from The Ridge back to the accommodation. The sky is so beautiful.

And then walk up again to enjoy the beautiful night atmosphere. The most beautiful description was born.


This is the city I've always wanted to visit, and I've put in the most effort to get here. It's taken me the longest time, so it's quite packed. Are there a lot of people? Not really. There seem to be a lot of people walking around, but it's very peaceful. It's very chill and enjoyable. If you have time, plan a trip to Manali next. It's also amazing, but we didn't have time. So we returned to Delhi on December 9th. We took the train back. We traveled by train the entire trip because Indian trains are not what Thais think. Their trains are excellent and very advanced. There is safety, a train tracking app, and everything that Thailand doesn't have. I emphasize that we have traveled in every class except first class.

In addition to Shimla, there are other beautiful nearby towns in Himachal, such as Manali, Kullu, Dharamsala, etc.

India is a vast country with diverse landscapes within each state. If you have ample time, consider exploring the entire state. However, if you have limited time and can only choose one city in one state, Manali is a stunning option. If you have time after visiting Shimla, consider extending your trip to Manali. It's an incredible experience.

#shimla#himachal#shimla#travel#india travel#travel#india#sightseeing#train#subway#subway
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