The royal heritage, colourful streets, historic forts, and colourful culture are the features of Jaipur, the Pink City of India. It is a city that bridges the past and the present in a lovely manner. Pink coloured constructions, vibrant markets, traditional foods and grand palaces are some of the reasons why Jaipur is a favourite tourist spot in India. Jaipur has something to offer to all be it history, architecture, shopping or photography. Its beauty is maintained in its magnificent forts, serene temples, museums as well as scenic points of view. Each and every street of Jaipur narrates about kings, queens and their wealthy Rajput culture. The best time to visit in Jaipur is during the months of October and March so that you can explore the best of Jaipur
Amber Fort
It is one of the most beautiful forts in India made on a hill that faces the Maota Lake. It is a blend between Rajput and Mughal architecture and thus is an attraction to the visitors. The fort is spacious with the big courtyards, adorned halls and serene gardens. The most reputed part is the Sheesh Mahal also known as the Mirror Palace which is lit with thousands of tiny mirrors. You are able to walk up the hill or you can use the jeep ride to the fort. The best part of it is the incredible views of the surrounding hills and the lake, from the top. You can enjoy the elephant rides which is one of the best things to do in Jaipur. Amber Fort is particularly pretty in the evening and is also popular due to the presence of light and sound shows in the evening.
City Palace
The centre of Jaipur is called City Palace and demonstrates the royal way of life of kings that lived here. It is designed with beautiful courtyards, well-planned gardens, and magnificent buildings as well as artistic details. There are also museums in the palace where you will find the royal clothes, weapons, paintings and jewellery. The Pritam Niwas Chowk that includes four colour- coded gates depicting the various seasons is one of the highlights. This is a blend of Rajput and Mughal architecture that has made the palace a marvelous structure. The royal family continues to occupy part of the city palace making it even more attractive. It is an ideal place to get aware of the royal history of Jaipur.
Hawa Mahal
The Palace of Winds or Hawa Mahal is one of the most popular buildings of Jaipur. The building contains 953 small windows referred to as jharokhas that help the cool air to enter the building to keep the palace cool even during summer. The structure was made in a way that the royal ladies were able to observe street festivals without being noticed. The Hawa Mahal has a honeycomb-like structure, which is very popular in terms of photography. The top floor view provides the visitor with a gorgeous view of the hustling streets in the old city. The monument is particularly beautiful in the early morning when the sun is softening its sandstone walls, which are pink in color.
Jantar Mantar
Jantar Mantar is an ancient observatory which was constructed by Maharaja Jai Singh II. It is a world heritage site of the UNESCO and contains various large instruments to study the stars, planets and time. The most well known tool is the Samrat Yantra which was one of the largest sundials in the world. Although the observatory is centuries old, some of the instruments remain functional to date. In Jantar Mantar, one has a feeling of being in a giant scientific playground. The buildings are not only informative but also attractive to observe due to the peculiar form. It is an excellent destination to those who love science, history and architecture.
Nahargarh Fort
Nahargarh fort is located on aravalli hills and it is one of the top places to visit in Jaipur. The fort was constructed as a fortification and it also served as a refuge of royal families. The fort has a dramatic view which is a stretch of hills. A lot of people visit here to see the sunset due to the fact that the sky appears to be magical at this level. There is the Madhavendra Bhawan that contains suites that are interconnected in the fort which was constructed to house the queens. Cafes are also found in the fort whereby you can have a rest and enjoy the view. Nahargarh is a ideal combination of history, construction and nature.
Jaigarh Fort
Jaigarh fort boasts of a good wall and military history. It was constructed to defend the fort of Amber and keeps numerous secrets of ancient warfare. The Jaivana Cannon, which was the largest cannon in the world, is one of the most renowned attractions here. There are long passages and open courtyards and watchtowers in the fort, which offer extensive perspectives of the adjacent hills. Jaigarh is more rugged and powerful because it is not adorned as much as other forts are. There is also a museum in the fort which displays weapons, armour and other things that were found in the past. It is an excellent tourist destination among history lovers and photographers.
Jal Mahal
The Water Palace or Jal Mahal is another lovely monument situated in the centre of the Man Sagar Lake. The palace resembles as being suspended on the water and as such it is one of the most serene locations in Jaipur. Even though one cannot enter the palace, the sight of the palace is breathtaking when one looks at the lakeside, especially during sunset and sunrise. The hills and the serene water surrounding form a picture perfect landscape. The lake has a large number of birds and is excellent as a place for those who love nature. Citizens like walking, taking pictures, sitting by the lakeside and enjoying the quietness.
Albert Hall Museum
The oldest museum in the state of Rajasthan is Albert Hall Museum which displays a big array of art, history, and culture. The architecture of the building is beautiful, that is, Indo-Saracenic and designed in detail. There is the presence of ancient coins, pottery, paintings, sculptures and even an Egyptian mummy, all of which you can view inside the museum. It also has statues, musical instruments and clothing of varying times. One can learn a lot about the rich heritage of Rajasthan in the museum. The building is lit up with colourful lights at night, which further makes it appear more impressive. People who are fond of culture and history must visit it.
