Steeped in history and tradition, Jaipur, India’s Pink City, is a stunning UNESCO World Heritage site with centuries-old palaces and imposing fortresses where architecture and artistry combine for breathtaking results. Learn how gems are polished and cut at legendary jewelers. Be captivated as skilled artisans print motifs across fabrics using carved blocks. Fall in love with the immense beauty and bustle of Rajasthan’s capital and the wilderness beyond.
Known as the Pink City for the warm rose hue of its historic buildings, Jaipur stands as the vibrant capital of Rajasthan in northern India. It offers a unique blend of stunning forts, fabulous palaces, and breathtaking landmarks found nowhere else in the world.
See the Hawa Mahal by day and night.
Hawa Mahal or the Palace of the Winds is one of Jaipur’s most iconic sights. It was constructed with red and pink sandstone in 1799 as an extension to the City Palace nearby. The ruler of Jaipur, Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh, built this palace so that the royal ladies could watch the festival celebrations and other activities that took place on the streets below without being observed.
This intricately beautiful five-story building contains rows of small windows that allow the breeze to flow through and keep the place cool, making it an ideal place to stay for the royal family in summer. Surprisingly, the whole structure was built without foundations and still remains upright thanks to its curved shape.
You can enjoy splendid views of the City Palace and other stunning structures from the top of Hawa Mahal. The best time to visit this fascinating palace is in the early morning when the structure is illuminated with golden sunlight. You can get a full view of Hawa Mahal from a rooftop café just opposite the monument.
Explore Amber Fort
Perched on the hilltop overlooking Maota Lake, the 16th-century-built Amber Fort is only around a half-hour’s drive from the city center. It is one of the most famous and most visited forts in India, with over a million visitors every year. This magnificent, opulent fort, made from marble and sandstone, was home to Rajput kings until the construction of Jaipur city.
The fort, whose architecture is a fusion of Hindu and Mughal styles, consists of a series of palaces (such as the famous Sheesh Mahal or Palace of Mirrors), four courtyards, gates, halls, gardens, and temples. It was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2013 because of its historical significance. It’s worth a night visit here for the spectacular sound and light show (6:30 pm – 9:15 pm).
Visit City Palace
The impressive City Palace, once the residence of some of India’s richest royal families, covers one-seventh of Jaipur’s Old City and sits in the city center. This complex contains many courtyards, gardens, pavilions, and temples that reflect a perfect blend of Mughal and Rajput architecture.
Though first constructed in the early 18th century when Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II moved the capital from Amber to Jaipur, the complex has buildings from different eras, some built in the early 20th century. The royal family still lives here in the Chandra Mahal and it’s possible to arrange a visit to the private rooms with an additional fee.
Go to Jantar Mantar
Sitting next to the City Palace is Jaipur’s Jantar Mantar, the biggest and best-preserved observatory of the five observatories constructed by the Rajput king Sawai Jai Singh II.
Jantar Mantar literally means “calculating instrument” and it contains an intriguing collection of 19 architectural astronomical instruments including the world’s largest stone sundial, each serving a specific purpose from measuring time to predicting eclipses to tracking stars. The observatory was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2010. If you want to learn how each instrument works, it is highly recommended to hire a knowledgeable local guide.
Explore Jal Mahal
Beautifully situated in the middle of the peaceful Man Sagar Lake nestling among the Nahargarh hills, Jaipur’s Jal Mahal (meaning Water Palace) is one of the most charming and mysterious places in India. No one knows why it was built, but it was said to be extensively restored in the 18th century by Maharaja Jai Singh II of Amber.
This dreamlike palace was built with red sandstone and has 5 stories, 4 of which are underwater when the lake is full. Like many other famous palaces in Jaipur, the architecture of Jal Mahal is a fusion of Rajput and Mughal styles. Visiting inside the palace is restricted, however, you can admire its stunning beauty from the outside, especially during golden hour.
Visit Nahargarh Fort
Sitting high on the Aravalli Hills that overlook the city of Jaipur, the majestic Nahargarh Fort or Tiger Fort was built in 1734 to defend Jaipur city. The fort has never been attacked and it provided protection for the British during the Great Uprising of 1857 when the Indians fought against the rule of the British East India Company.
It was expanded in 1868 and 1880 when the Madhavendra Bhavan, the most famous part of the fortress was built. The Madhavendra Bhavan has 12 identical rooms linked by corridors for each of the 12 queens. It was said that rooms were built in this way so that the king could visit one of the queens without letting the other queens know. You can stroll through its beautifully decorated halls and rooms and imagine what it is like to be a queen living in such a stunning place. Also, you can visit the interesting wax museum that sits next to the fort or dine in a fine local restaurant.
Nahargarh Fort provides a stunning panoramic view of Jaipur city, and it is best visited at sunset or at night when it’s lit up.
Enjoy Rajasthani Cultural Experiences at Chokhi Dhani
If you are looking to have a unique and completely Rajasthani cultural experience, Chokhi Dhani, a village themed resort in Jaipur, is where you should go.
At Chokhi Dhani, you can enjoy an amazing variety of cultural experiences, including traditional Rajasthani folk dances, snake charming, boating, archery, puppet shows, magic shows, acrobatics, etc. If you are feeling hungry, there are several restaurants you can go to for a taste of authentic Rajasthani food.