Jaipur, referred to as the Pink City because of its Old City’s pinkish hue, is surrounded by rugged hills and besieged walls. Rajasthan’s capital city holds a royal heritage full of fascinating, well-preserved buildings that make it one of the busiest and most iconic cities in India with a population near 3 million people. Jaipur is also part of India’s famous Golden Triangle Tourist Circuit. Jaipur, nicknamed the “Pink City” was just recently named a UNESCO World Heritage site in July 2019. Despite this recent title, Jaipur has managed to remain hip with lots of new cafes, shops and art spaces sprouting up everywhere. If you’re interested in visiting this amazing city soon, definitely check out this guide for more tips and information about Jaipur.
Getting There
The journey takes around four hours by road. Jaipur is also reachable from Agra in Uttar Pradesh via the Abhaneri village stop well on the way, taking four hours. Indian Railways’ “super fast” trains run along the route and it’s possible to get to Jaipur in less than five hours from Delhi. If you’re looking for the best trains from Delhi to Jaipur, look no further. A useful website for checking out bus timetables is that of the Rajasthan State Road Transport Corporation.
Things to Do
To see Jaipur’s most noteworthy attractions, two or three days are plenty. Start by exploring the Old City on foot, either independently or via one of Vedic Walks’ intimate heritage walking tours. Many forts and palaces dot Jaipur- be sure to take in the sweeping views from these structures and marvel at their warren-like architecture. If you’re feeling particularly adventurous during your time here, consider going on a hot air balloon flight! And finally, if you want to do some shopping while in town, check out these recommended places. Finally, don’t miss seeing a couple of old step wells with fascinating architecture close to Jaipur. To watch a Bollywood movie, go to the Art Deco Raj Mandir cinema near MI Road. If you’re in Jaipur in late January, make sure to attend the annual Jaipur Literature Festival. The Gangaur festival occurs annually in March and features many colorful street parades. Lastly, don’t miss out on the Teej Festival which takes place either at the end of July or early August!
The Shekhawati Region of Rajasthan, often called the world’s largest open air art gallery, is only a three-hour drive from Jaipur. Its old havelis (mansions), adorned with painted frescoes, are breathtaking. Although it’s not as popular as other places in Rajasthan– meaning fewer tourists –it’s definitely worth a visit.
What to Eat and Drink
Rajasthani cuisine is a feat in both flavor and appearance. Between the four dishes mentioned–dal with bread, laal maas, ghevar, and kachori–there’s something for everyone to love. And what could be a better way to try typical street food than by visiting Masala Chowk? The first-ever open-air food court of its kind can be found Jaipur at Ram Niwas Garden near Albert Hall Museum. Best part? It only costs 10 rupees per person to enter! There are plenty of stalls hawking their wares daily from 10 am until 10 pm so you’ll never go hungry while exploring Rajasthan.
Natraj, located on M I Road near Raj Mandir Cinema, offers a decent vegetarian Rajasthani thali (platter). In addition to the thali, Natraj also has a wide variety of other Indian vegetarian dishes available.
For those craving authentic laal maas, Handi Restaurant is the place to go. Handi Restaurant is located across from the post office on M I Road and specializes in non-vegetarian dishes.
LMB (or just Laxmi Misthan Bhandar) at Johari Bazaar in the Old City is LEGENDARY for its sweets and traditional vegetarian fare – including some of THE best kachoris in Jaipur. If you’re looking for onion kachoris specifically, Rawat Kachori opposite the bus stand should be your go-to spot!
At the Peacock Restaurant at the Pearl Palace hotel, which is located in the Hathroi Fort neighborhood, you’ll be able to enjoy India’s iconic beverage while sitting on a cool, clean patio. The cuisine is fantastic but cheap. If your money allows it, dine at Suvarna Mahal, the beautiful Indian restaurant housed within Taj Rambag Palace (the original palace dining room).The Narain Niwas Palace Hotel’s Steam lounge bar and restaurant serves up delicious royal cuisine from all across India, in a beautifully restored vintage colonial train. As the sun sets, relax with a cocktail or gin and tonic at chic Bar Palladio, which features stunning interiors by Dutch designer Marie-Anne Oudejans. You can also enjoy Italian cuisine here, as it opens at 6 p.m.. If you’re looking for a more laid-back afternoon drinking spot, head to Shikaar Bagh restaurant and bar next door instead –– though be warned, it gets pretty happenin’ in the evening hours!
Where to Stay
Budget friendly to luxurious, here are the best hotels Jaipur has to offer depending on what you’re looking for. If you want to stay in a central location while still being close enough to common tourist attractions, choose Bani Park or Hathroi Fort. And if money is tight but you’d rather not skimp on quality , use our list of top rated budget accommodations around Jaipur.
Culture and Customs
He decided it was necessary to shift his residence from Amber Fort to a place with more space and better facilities. Jaipur is actually India’s first planned city, and the king put great effort into its construction. He recruited Vidyadhar Bhattacharya, a Bengali architect to design it according to ancient Hindu principles of town planning known as Vastu Shastra (the Indian version of Feng Shui).The Old City was constructed in the shape of a nine-block rectangle. The Old City was divided into nine blocks, with two state buildings and palaces put in the middle. Why was the city painted pink? It was done to welcome Prince Edward, who visited in 1876 when he was known as the Prince of Wales. Because of local regulations, the color must be preserved, so it continues to be painted over.
Beware of scams when visiting Jaipur! You will most likely be approached multiple times by people looking to scam you, especially if they realize you’re a tourist. The gemstone scam is the most common, so remember: never buy gemstones from anyone who asks you to do so on the street or enter into any business deals with them, no matter how enticing it may sound. Auto rickshaw scams are also prevalent in Jaipur. If you arrive by train, expect to be surrounded by them all vying to take you to a hotel of their choosing, where they will get a commission. By using the prepaid auto rickshaw counter at the station, you can avoid this.
