Must See Places in Jaipur for Tourists
For the benefit of India Visa applicants, we will cover primary attractions in Jaipur.
Jaipur, also known as India's Pink City, is a place where tradition and modernity come together in a perfect union. It’s a modern metropolitan city in its own right with a bustling life of its own but at the same time it also encapsulates the ancient charm and opulence of Rajasthan that it is the capital of. Jaipur would provide an immersive experience of being in a modern city which is also deeply connected to its ancient history of the Rajput era which shows in its majestic forts and palaces.
This unique combination is partly what makes Jaipur such a popular destination among international tourists who are visiting India. And because it is so popular with tourists it has also become a place equipped to provide luxurious accommodations to its visitors with its lavish heritage and 5 star hotels. At the same time those wanting to explore the city on a tight budget can also easily do so and enjoy the experience. Out of all the places to see and things to do while vacationing in Jaipur, here are those that you absolutely must see and do.
Amber (or Amer) Palace
Although Amber Palace is located at a distance of 11 kilometers from Jaipur you cannot visit the city without making a trip to the Palace. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, along with 5 other Hill Forts of Rajasthan, Amber Palace was constructed back in 1592 AD and is situated atop the rocky Aravali Hills, overlooking the stunning Maotha Lake in the town of Amer. Its Indo-Mughal architecture is a marvel to look at, and the Fort is made up of red sandstone and white marble, and is full of passages that resemble a maze and circuitous and quite convoluted staircases. Originally serving as a residence and also fortress for Rajput rulers that was supposed to keep them protected from enemies, it has large ramparts and also other smaller buildings within its courtyards. The fort is quite large and will take quite some time to be explored in its entirety but it is worth it to give it that time. As it is situated far on top of a hill you can take a jeep or an elephant ride to the top, which is what a lot of tourists do.
Hawa Mahal
This imposing structure stands right in the middle of the main road in Jaipur, near the commercial center of the city. Built as a summer retreat in 1799 by the poet king Sawai Pratap Singh, its front is entirely made up of pink sandstone and is encompassed of a mesh of 953 small latticed and intricately designed windows that are known as Jharokhas and which explain its name, the Palace of Winds. Not only do the windows let the wind in, keeping the palace cool at all times, making it perfect for a summer retreat, but originally they also allowed the ladies of the royal household to observe the city without being seen themselves. Now the Palace’s unique exterior is an iconic part of Jaipur and its identity. But apart from its magnificent exterior, you can also climb to its very top for a wonderful view of the city outside, and within the Palace’s complex there is a small museum that can be visited which houses miniature paintings and armour and others relics.
Jantar Mantar
A place that brings science and culture together, Jantar Mantar is fascinating to those interested in both of those fields and many other fields such as history, architecture, and geography. It is one of the oldest astronomical observatories that features amazing stone instruments meant to interpret the position of celestial bodies and calculate local time. It has the world’s largest stone sundial and 19 other remarkable astronomical instruments. Its architecture was as innovative as its scientific innovations and is a testament to the development of both in the Rajput era. A national monument now as well as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is a marvel in and of itself but as an added bonus there is also a light and sound show that takes place here that you wouldn’t want to miss!
Jal Mahal
Jal Mahal, or Water Palace, is probably the most breathtaking of all of the places you could visit in Jaipur. Standing in the middle of the Man Sagar Lake, it is made up of pink sandstone which looks stunning against the water, especially when lit up in the evening. Amazingly, though only 1 floor of the Palace is visible, it actually has 4 more floors submerged beneath the lake! Tranquilly sitting in the lake and surrounded by the Nahargarh Hills, it makes for quite a pretty sight and is a serene escape from the city. It is probably the most beautiful spot in Jaipur and you wouldn’t want to miss out on the experience of standing on the bank of the Man Sagar Lake and gazing at this wonder.
Albert Hall Museum
Inspired by The Victoria and Albert Museum in London, from where it gets its name too, Jaipur’s Albert Hall Museum contains more than 24,930 exhibits spread in a total of 16 art galleries! Jaipur’s most famous museum, it houses an extensive collection of antiques and artifacts from the past, which includes everything from paintings, arms, weapons, sculptures, tribal art, textiles, jewellery, musical instruments, clocks, and other enthralling items to pique the interest of any visitor. Visit it in the evening and apart from the remarkable things to be seen inside you will also get to see the exterior of the museum lit up with beautiful yellow lights.
New Delhi is also close to Jaipur. If you are arriving on Indian Visa (eVisa India) then you can take advantage of its proximity to Jaipur. We have covered Must See Places to Visit in New Delhi.
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