The Mall

At a distance of 2 km from Shimla Railway Station and 2 km from Shimla Old Bus Stand, Mall Road is the main street and the busiest commercial areas of Shimla. The Mall extends from Barnes court on the eastern side to Vice Regal Lodge on the western side. Shopping in Mall Road is one of the top things to do in Shimla.

Built by the British during the colonial rule in India, the Mall Road was constructed keeping in mind the traffic on this route. Entry of vehicles was banned though cycle rickshaws were allowed. It has been built in a very strategic and planned way. The Mall Road has located a level below the ridge. The offices of the Municipal Corporation, fire service, and police headquarters are located here.

The Mall Road also has all major hotels, restaurants, and recreation centers of Shimla. The Mall Road is full of shops that sell woolen clothes, branded clothes, handicraft items, pottery items, jewellery, books, etc. The Mall Road is also famous for its wooden furniture shops that sell exquisite wooden articles which look like antiques. There are at least three books shops including one that sells old books.

The Mall has many restaurants that offer a wide range of cuisines from Punjabi and South Indian to Chinese and Continental dishes. There are also many good dhabas and fast food joints where you can look out for some yummy pizzas and burgers.

This is especially pleasant in the evenings. The Gaiety Theatre is the place to go for cultural activities in Shimla. A passenger lift of HPTDC can be taken from Cart Road and the Mall. Lakkar Bazaar adjacent to the Ridge is popular for its wooden crafts and souvenirs.