Chail, 45 km from Shimla, was a hamlet till the Maharaja of Patiala, Maharaja Rajinder Singh, built the Chail Palace here in 1900 to serve as a royal resort. When his son Bhupinder Singh, Maharaja of Patiala, was expelled from Shimla, he decided to create a summer capital to rival that of the British, Shimla.

Situated at a higher altitude than Shimla and surrounded by a thick cover of deodars, Chail is a resort in the real sense. The Rajgarh palace with its elaborate furnishings, comfortable log huts and cottages, dense forests and serene walks, sprawling lawns, children's park, lover's hill and sport facilities make a visit to Chail memorable.

Chail also provides good opportunities for fishing and trekking and boasts of the world's highest cricket pitch and polo ground.