Chail, Himachal Pradesh

Tourist Places Near Delhi

Chail

Chail

Chail is a small hill station in Himachal Pradesh that lures tourists with its calm and solitude. Explore travel & tourism in Chail, India.
Location:
Himachal Pradesh.
Distance:
Approximately 375 km
Altitude:
Around 2,250 m
Best Time to Visit:
May to July and September to November.
Main Attractions:
Chail Wildlife Sanctuary, Cricket Ground, Maharaja's Palace

Chail, a pristine hill station situated within the lofty Himalayas, used to be the capital of the erstwhile state of Patiala. The picture perfect hill resort is situated at an altitude of 2,250 m above sea level and is hardly 43 km from Shimla. The lush greenery surrounding Chail makes it seem like a paradise, just waiting to be explored. Not only is the beauty of the place unsurpassed, it also boasts of being home to the highest cricket pitch in the whole world.
The other attractions of the hill station comprise of a polo ground, an old palace and opportunities for angling and hiking. Chail is spread over three hills, with Rajgarh Hill housing its palace, Pandhewa Hill housing Residency Snow View and Sadh Tiba hill making up the rest of the hill resort. As you take a walk down the hill, you come across breathtaking views of Satluj Valley, winding its way through the unblemished valley.

Chail Tourist Attractions

Chail Sanctuary
The quaint little town of Chail stands surrounded by dense forests, full of huge trees of deodar and oak. Not only does this lend the hill resort a pictorial view, but has also resulted in the development of the Chail Wildlife Sanctuary. Spread over an area of approximately 11,000 acres, the sanctuary dates back to the year 1976 and supports a wide variety of wildlife.

Palace Hotel
Chail has a very interesting history behind its development. The hill station was the aftermath of the expulsion of Bhupinder Singh, the Maharaja of Patiala, from Shimla because of his association with the Commander-in-Chief's daughter. This incident took place in the late 19th century and this was when Bhupinder Singh came to Chail and built his palace, which has now been converted into a hotel.

Cricket Ground
Chail Cricket ground has brought fame to India by becoming the highest cricket ground in the whole world. Encircled by gigantic deodars and pines, this cricket ground presents a wonderful sight. Perched at an altitude of around 2,144 m, it dates back to the year 1893.

Maharaja's Palace
Maharaja's Palace, also known as the Rajgarh Palace, was established in 1891 and is today, one of the most popular attractions of Chail. The interiors of the palace have been done up with elaborate furnishings and give us a hint about the rich lifestyle of the royalty in the earlier times.

Sidh Baba Ka Mandir
The site where the 'Sidh Baba Ka Mandir' today stands was initially marked by Maharaja Bhupinder Singh to be the venue of his palace. Even the construction work on the palace had started. However, it is said that one day Bhupinder Singh saw a sidh baba (saint) in his dream. The sidh told him that the place where the palace was being constructed was the site where he had meditated. The very next day, the Maharaja shifted his palace site to another place and built a temple on the spot.

Other Attractions
The other major attractions of Chail comprise of sprawling lawns, a children's park, a `lovers hill', and adventure sports facilities. For those who want to relax and rejuvenate, the best option is to take slow, leisurely walks along the hill and take in the mesmerizing sights that come into view.

Accommodation
Chail is becoming one of the most preferred destinations for the honeymoon travelers. Keeping this is mind, a number of luxury hotels have been opened in the hill resort, with rooms that offer mesmerizing views of the surroundings. However, for the budget travelers, there is no dearth of guesthouses and discount hotels.

How to Reach Chail