Quick answer: “Jubbal Palace” can mean two different buildings, and many guides, including an earlier version of this article, mix them up. The Jubbal Palace itself stands in Jubbal town, about 100 km east of Shimla, and was the seat of the rulers of the former Jubbal State. It is known for its stone-and-deodar construction and its mix of hill and Indo-European styles. Woodville Palace, in Shimla town, was the Jubbal family’s summer residence and is now a privately run heritage hotel. Neither publishes official visiting hours or entry fees, so contact the property before you go.
Jubbal Palace and Woodville Palace at a glance
| Detail | Jubbal Palace | Woodville Palace |
|---|---|---|
| Where | Jubbal town, Shimla district, about 100 km from Shimla | Shimla town |
| What it was | Seat of the rulers of Jubbal State | A colonial-era house that became the Jubbal rulers’ summer residence |
| What it is now | Described as a heritage site | Heritage hotel run by descendants of the Jubbal family |
| Visiting | No official timings or fee published; ask locally | Mainly for hotel guests; contact the hotel |
An earlier version of this article said there is no entry fee and that the palace is open from 6 am to 6 pm every day. We could not confirm this for either building, so it has been removed.
Jubbal Palace, Jubbal
The Jubbal State
Jubbal was one of the princely hill states around Shimla. According to published histories, its rulers belonged to a family whose kingdom was overrun by the Gorkhas in the early 1800s and was later under British control. Rana Bhagat Chand succeeded his brother in 1910 and received the hereditary title of Raja in 1918 for his support of the British war effort in the First World War. He abdicated in 1946 in favour of Digvijay Chand, the last ruler, and Jubbal merged with the Indian Union in 1948.
The palace building
The palace was the residence of the Jubbal ruling family and is now described as a heritage site. Published descriptions note two distinct parts:
- The older section, sometimes called the Rana’s abode, in a style often described as “Chinese”, with suspended attics and timber structures carved from deodar.
- The newer wing, with an Indo-European design and elaborate wooden ceilings.
Travel guides describe the lower parts of the building as stone and the upper parts as built with large quantities of deodar timber from the surrounding forest, with a tall wooden main door. Some guides say a French architect designed the newer palace in the 1930s; we could not confirm the architect’s name or the exact date from a reliable source.
An earlier version of this article said Jubbal Palace “dates back to the twelfth century” and stands “7,000 metres above sea level”. Neither is correct. The twelfth-century date refers to legends about the founding of the state, not to the palace, and Jubbal town is at roughly 1,900 to 2,200 m, depending on the source.
How to reach Jubbal
Jubbal is about 100 km by road from Shimla. The usual route runs east from Shimla through Kufri and Theog, then on through the apple-growing country of Kotkhai. The drive takes several hours on mountain roads, so start early and check road conditions in the monsoon and winter. Buses run by the Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) and taxis are available from Shimla.
Woodville Palace, Shimla
Woodville is a colonial-era property in Shimla. According to the hotel’s published history, it was bought in 1866 by General Sir William Mansfield, then Commander-in-Chief in India, and for a time served as the Commanders-in-Chief’s summer residence. It passed through several owners and later came to the Jubbal family. In 1938 the house was rebuilt for Raja Rana Bhagat Chand of Jubbal as a summer palace, and it was later turned into a heritage hotel by his descendants.
Woodville’s 1930s interiors are known to film audiences: it was used as a location for a wedding scene in the film 3 Idiots.
Because Woodville is a working hotel, it is not a public monument. Contact the hotel if you would like to visit.
Corrections to the earlier version
- The earlier version said “Sir Willian Rose” was the first occupant. The buyer in 1866 is recorded as General Sir William Rose Mansfield.
- It gave both “5.8 km from the city centre” and “90 km from Shimla” for the same palace. The first fits Woodville, in Shimla town; the second fits Jubbal Palace, about 100 km away.
- It named “Raja Rana Yogendra Chandra” as the 1938 builder and gave a 1977 date for the hotel conversion. The 1938 rebuild is generally credited to Raja Rana Bhagat Chand, and we could not confirm the 1977 date.
- It listed several films shot at the palace. We could confirm only 3 Idiots, at Woodville.
Places to visit nearby
Woodville is in Shimla town, so it combines easily with the Mall Road and the Ridge. On the way to Jubbal, you pass Kufri, with its Himalayan Nature Park. Near Jubbal, the Hatkoti temple complex on the Pabbar river is a popular stop. If you are arriving in Shimla by rail, read our guide to the Kalka–Shimla toy train.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Jubbal Palace?
In Jubbal town, Shimla district, about 100 km east of Shimla. The Jubbal family’s palace in Shimla town is Woodville Palace, now a hotel.
Who built Woodville Palace in Shimla?
The original house dates from the 1860s or earlier. It was rebuilt in 1938 for Raja Rana Bhagat Chand of Jubbal.
Can you visit Jubbal Palace?
No official visiting hours or fees are published. Ask locally in Jubbal, or contact Woodville Palace if you mean the Shimla property.
Which film was shot at Woodville Palace?
A wedding scene in 3 Idiots was filmed there.
This guide was checked in October 2026 against published histories of Jubbal State and the town, Woodville Palace’s published history and press coverage. Neither property publishes official visiting details, so contact them before you go.
