What to See and Do in India’s Pink City, Jaipur
The Rajasthani capital of Jaipur in northern India is a delightful place to visit, with fabulous forts, palaces, and other incredible sites that can be found nowhere else. It is known as the Pink City because of the rose hue that many of its buildings in the Old City have. The walled city of Jaipur, which is home to the city’s most historic sites such as Amber Fort and Hawa Mahal, was recently designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a status that this colourful and vibrant city richly deserved.
Not only is Jaipur one of the three Golden Triangle cities (the other two being Agra and Delhi), but it is also the gateway to other popular Rajasthan destinations such as Jodhpur and Jaisalmer. This means that if you are planning a trip to northern India, you will almost certainly visit Jaipur. So, to give you some ideas, I’ve hand-picked some of the most amazing things to see and do in this charming city.
Jaipur’s Top Attractions
- Amber Fort
The 16th-century Amber Fort, perched on a hilltop overlooking Maota Lake, is only about a half-hour drive from the city centre. It is one of India’s most famous and visited forts, with over a million visitors each year. This magnificent, opulent fort, built of marble and sandstone, was home to Rajput kings until the city of Jaipur was built.
The fort’s architecture is a fusion of Hindu and Mughal styles, and it includes a number of palaces (including the famous Sheesh Mahal or Palace of Mirrors), four courtyards, gates, halls, gardens, and temples. Because of its historical significance, it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2013. The spectacular sound and light show here is worth a night visit (6:30 pm – 9:15 pm).
Devisinghpura, Amer, and Jaipur are the locations.
Daytime hours are 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and evening hours are 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Foreign tourists must pay 500 rupees (approximately $7 USD) to enter. The cost of a night visit is 100 rupees (1.5 US dollars) per person.
- The Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds)
The Hawa Mahal, also known as the Palace of Winds, is one of Jaipur’s most recognisable landmarks. It was built in 1799 as an extension to the nearby City Palace out of red and pink sandstone. The Jaipur ruler, Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh, built this palace so that the royal ladies could watch the festival celebrations and other activities on the streets below without being watched.
This intricately beautiful five-story structure has rows of small windows that allow the breeze to flow through and keep the place cool during the summer, making it an ideal place for the royal family to stay. Surprisingly, the entire structure was constructed without foundations and remains upright due to its curved shape.
From the top of the Hawa Mahal, you can see the City Palace and other magnificent structures. Early morning is the best time to visit this fascinating palace because the structure is illuminated with golden sunlight. A rooftop café directly opposite the Hawa Mahal provides a panoramic view of the monument.
Hawa Mahal Road, Badi Choupad, J.D.A. Market, Pink City, Jaipur
Foreign tourists must pay a fee of 200 rupees (approximately $3 USD).
Opening hours: 9 am – 5 pm daily
- The City Palace
The impressive City Palace, once home to some of India’s wealthiest royal families, occupies one-seventh of Jaipur’s Old City and is located in the city centre. Many courtyards, gardens, pavilions, and temples in this complex reflect a perfect blend of Mughal and Rajput architecture.
Though it was first built in the early 18th century when Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II relocated the capital from Amber to Jaipur, the complex contains buildings from various eras, including some built in the early 20th century. The royal family still lives in the Chandra Mahal, and a visit to the private rooms is possible for an additional fee.
Inside the City Palace complex is a museum with an interesting collection of Kachwaha rulers’ costumes, ornaments, paintings, and weapons. Two massive silver jars, each 1.6 metres (5.2 feet) tall, are displayed here and are thought to be the world’s largest silver objects.
Tulsi Marg, Gangori Bazaar, J.D.A. Market, Pink City, Jaipur are the locations.
Entry fee: Ticket prices vary depending on which parts of the City Palace you wish to visit. For foreign tourists, the composite ticket costs 700 rupees (10 US dollars).
Hours of operation: 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
4. Jantar Mantar
The Jantar Mantar, located next to the City Palace, is the largest and best-preserved of the five observatories built by Rajput king Sawai Jai Singh II.
Jantar Mantar literally translates to “calculating instrument,” and it houses an intriguing collection of 19 architectural astronomical instruments, including the world’s largest stone sundial, each serving a specific purpose ranging from time measurement to eclipse prediction to star tracking. In 2010, the observatory was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is strongly advised that you hire a knowledgeable local guide if you want to learn how each instrument works.
Location: Jaipur, next to the City Palace
Foreign tourists must pay a fee of 200 rupees (approximately $3 USD).
Daily hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- the Jal Mahal (Water Palace)
Jaipur’s Jal Mahal or Water Palace is one of India’s most charming and mysterious palaces, beautifully situated in the middle of the peaceful Man Sagar Lake nestled among the Nahargarh hills. Nobody knows why it was built, but Maharaja Jai Singh II of Amber is said to have extensively restored it in the 18th century.
This ethereal palace is made of red sandstone and has five stories, four of which are underwater when the lake is full. Jal Mahal’s architecture, like that of many other famous palaces in Jaipur, is a fusion of Rajput and Mughal styles.
Unfortunately, the Jal Mahal is closed for visitors while it is being restored.
Amer Road, Jal Mahal, Amer, Jaipur
6. Nahargarh Fort
The majestic Nahargarh Fort or Tiger Fort, which sits high on the Aravalli Hills overlooking Jaipur, was built in 1734 to defend the city. The fort has never been attacked, and it protected the British during the Great Uprising of 1857, when Indians rebelled against the British East India Company’s rule.
The most famous part of the fortress, the Madhavendra Bhavan, was built between 1868 and 1880. For each of the 12 queens, the Madhavendra Bhavan has 12 identical rooms connected by corridors. It was said that the rooms were constructed in this manner so that the king could visit one of the queens without informing the other queens. You can walk through its beautifully decorated halls and rooms and imagine yourself as a queen living in such a magnificent setting. You can also visit the interesting wax museum next to the fort or dine at a fine local restaurant.
Nahargarh Fort offers a breathtaking panoramic view of Jaipur and is best visited at sunset or at night when it is illuminated.
Krishna Nagar, Brahampuri, Jaipur is the location.
Foreign tourists must pay a fee of 200 rupees (approximately $3 USD).
Daily hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
