Padam Palace

A good place to break up the journey between Kinnaur and Shimla, Rampur was once the capital of the princely state of Bushahr. Little remains of its regal past save for the city’s main attraction: the extravagant Padam Palace. This whimsical complex, which features blends of Indo-Saracenic and Kinnauri styles, was commissioned in the early 20th century by then-ruler Raja Padam Singh and features ornately carved pillars, screens and archways, constructed largely of wood and stone. The gardens are open to visitors free of cost and the exterior architecture alone merits a visit. If you want to spend time inside, you can book a room at the Hotel Nau Nabh, a heritage hotel that occupies a renovated adjunct of the palatial complex.