Chail - History, Timings & Entry Fee

At a distance of 43 km from Shimla, Chail is a Hill Station located at an altitude of 2250 m above sea level in Solan district of Himachal Pradesh. This is one of the popular places to visit in Shimla and also one of the top Himachal places to visit.

According to the History, Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala incurred the wrath of the Commander in Chief Lord Kitchener, who banned his entry into the British summer Capital of Shimla in 1891. This incensed the Maharaja and he vowed to build a new summer retreat for himself. So he rebuilt the place Chail as per his requirements.

The picturesque hill station located amidst scented forests of pine and gigantic deodars. Chail is built on three hills, the palace is on Rajgarh Hill, the Residency Snow View once occupied by British resident is on Pandhewa Hill and on the third hill Sadh Tibba where Chail is situated. Overlooking Satluj Valley, Shimla and Kasauli are also visible at night from here.

Maharaja Bhupinder Singh developed the highest cricket field in the world in Chail. Well-kept and accurately maintained, more than the excitement of the game, the pitch offers a picturesque view of the surroundings, with tall forest trees all around it. Chail is also considered as the hiker's paradise.
Chail has dense cover of pine and deodar trees. Its lush green outfields, stunning view of the mountains and captivating natural beauty makes it a fine place to visit. Lots of trekking trails lead from Chail to Shimla, Choor Peak, and Kali Temple etc. Angling is another popular activity undertaken in Giri River just a few kilometers away from Chail. Nearby by places like Kufri are excellent places to enjoy other adventure sports like snow skiing.

Chail Wildlife Sanctuary also attracts a large number of nature lovers and wildlife photographers. One can spot a wide variety of flora and fauna that includes animals like Himalayan black deer, sambar, goral, wild boar etc. Kali ka Tibba is a popular shrine in Chail that is often visited by people from nearby towns and villages apart from tourists who visit the hill station.

Chail is pleasant in summers and cold in winter. During spring-summer, the rhododendrons are in full bloom and the bright orange hues are a treat to the eyes.