Rajasthan Travel Guide

Jaipur, popularly known as the Pink City, was founded in 1727 AD by one of the greatest rulers of the Kachhawaha clan, the astronomer king Sawai Jai Singh. The pink color was used at the time of making to create an impression of red sandstone buildings of Mughal cities - and repainted in 1876, during the visit of the Prince of Wales. The city is best explored on foot and the adventurous visitor willing to go into the inner lanes can discover a whole new world not visible to the tourist-in-a-hurry. GENERAL INFORMATION
Jaipur is barely 262 kilometers from New Delhi, and is well connected by road, rail and air. Detailed information on how to get to Jaipur and where to stay is given here PLACES OF INTEREST Places of interest are mainly located within the walled city. The City Palace complex is the most important landmark with its numerous outbuildings, courtyards, impressive gateways and temples. Across the road from the palace is the Jantar Mantar, one of the five observatories built bySawai Jai Singh. A collection of complex astronomical instruments, chisseled out of stone- most of which continue to provide fairly accurate information to this day - is the highlight of this observatory Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds) adjoins the outside of the palace wall. Built in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh, the Hawa Mahal is a remarkable structure which overlooks one of the main streets and also provides some excellent views of the city. In the not-too-distant past, ladies of the court found it convenient to watch the activities on the streets below without being observed themselves. Located just outside the walled city is the sprawling Ram Niwas Garden. The garden houses the majestic Albert Hall Mueseum. Opened in 1887 AD, this impressive building displays a rich collection of paintings, carpets, ivory, stone and metal sculpture among other objects. THE GARLAND FORTS

These forts, though built at different periods, are so located that they seem to be stringed together.

AMER

Set in a picturesque location, Amer is a fascinating blend of Hindu and Mughal architecture. Built in the 16th century by Raja Man Singh, it sprawls on the hillside. Click here to see a panoramic view of the formidable Amer with Jaigarh in the background. Built in red sandstone and white marble, the palace complex has some very interesting apartments, the likes of which are not to be found anywhere else in the country. Jai Mandir, Sheesh Mahal, Sukh Niwas and Ganesh Pole are the prominent areas of interest.

The old township of Amer lies at the foothills of the palace and has an old world charm, a character of its own. Jagat Shiromani Temple, Narsingh Temple are some of the places of interest.

JAIGARH

Jaigarh , or the Fort of Victory, is a rugged fort built in 1726. The world's largest cannon on wheels is to be found here. The fort houses a museum and provides some excellent views of the Amer Palace. NAHARGARH
It is the first of the three forts. Built in 1734, this fort provides some stunning views of the city down below both during daytime and at night. An open air restaurant-"PADAO" lets you enjoy the panoramic view of the city even as you sip a hot cup of coffee on a pleasant evening !
Nearby Excursion Points

SHOPPING
Jaipur is a shopper's paradise. This is one of the few places where the shoppers may actually watch the skilled artisans producing the articles they want to buy.  

Jaipur is a wonderful city! I loved living there because your always having an adventure whether it's riding in a rickshaw, talking to native people, or shoping in the various diverse shops in Pink City. I lived in the Bahni Park area and it was beatiful; there were big trees and lushious flowers. In the Old City, there is a palace where the King and Queen on Jaipur used to live, there are also many forts and temples you can visit! Jaipur is pretty much a travelers destination; New Dehli, Agra, and Jaipur are called a triangle because tourist visit those three cities a lot! Hence, there are a wide variety of hotels you can choose from: expensive 5-start hotels with swimming pools, resturaunts, and two bedroom swuites, fancy hotels that are comfortable yet give you a little bit of the traditional Rajistani feeling, and then there are the accomidations where it feels like you're living in the natives home. Along with the hotels, there are resturaunts geared towards travelers like McDonnalds, Pizza Hut and Baskin Robins, and there are turist resturants that are very nice but serve traditional food such as Handi's and Talk of the Town, and there are also the small little shops that are stuck in the nooks and cranies in Pink City and all over town. As a traveler, there is ample public transortations whether it be a taxi (ex. car, jeep) or a motor or cycle rickshaw; I don't thing you gan go a whole minute without seeing one of these. The locals are really nice and either try to make you feel at home, or they can take advantage of you and raise the price of and item since you are American (anyone who is of lighter skin than they are); but, I'm pretty sure that happens where ever you go, such is the case when I went to Thailand! There are many diseases you can get going to Jaipur, as it is a third-world country. Just make sure you get the recomended shots and drink BOTTLED water as you immune system isn't used to the regular tap water. If i had to recomend three thing someone should bring to Jaipur with them, it would be:

1. A camera - there are so many facinating thins to do and see, you'll definately want to capture every moment.
2. comfortable walking shoes - even though there is a lot of transportation, you'll most likey be doing a ton of walking!
3. Well, I'm not sure what else, maybe for all the women out there, you should bring a hair tie, because it gets really, really, REALLY hot!

  The one thing i would warn first time visitor about when visisting Jaipur or any city in India is the beggar. At every chance they get, beggars will tug on you shirt, talk to you and follow you around asking for food or money. It may be very tempting to give them some money because they look so hungry and poor, but giving them money is the worst thing you can do; if you really feel the need to give them something, buy a soda for them or give them the last two slices of your leftover pizza. If you give them money, thay will end up giving all of it to an adult who is their boss and will end up with nothing. After saying all this, I will conclude with one final statement. I have lived in India for 9 months and can't wait to move back in the very near future!