In comparison to many Indian cities Jaipur is very well-organised. Many avenues were brightly painted in honour of a visit from the Prince of Wales in 1876, and since then it has been known as the Pink City, an entirely fitting name for such a lively destination. At the centre of it all, the City Palace is the home of the former royal family, and walking around you will constantly see other traces of Jaipur’s majestic past. Have no fear of venturing out to sightsee on foot - if your legs get tired, you’re never more than a few moments from an auto rickshaw driver touting for business.
Areas & Neighbourhoods in Jaipur
Old City - the beautiful pink sandstone buildings aside, Jaipur’s old city is liberally dotted with historic architecture and palaces that look as though they’ve fallen straight out of a fairytale. Don’t miss the Hawa Mahal, ‘Palace of the Winds’, which has almost 1000 tiny windows that give it a honeycomb effect, and which offers stunning views of the city from its top floors.
Rambagh - South of the old city, the Rambagh district is home to a prestigious polo club, where you can watch tournaments featuring either horses or sometimes elephants, and even attend a clinic yourself. There’s also an excellent golf club here which if you’re finding the hustle and bustle a little oppressive, can be a good way to get your breath back.
Amber Fort - On the outskirts of Jaipur, the Amber Fort, built at the end of the 16th century, is comprised of the Summer Palace and the Winter Palace, the Sheesh Mahal, the interior of which is decorated with many thousands of mirrored tiles.
Bani Park - Notable for the excellent fine dining options in the neighbourhood, as well as the number of shopping centres, Bani Park has a more laidback atmosphere than other parts of Jaipur.
Things to See in Jaipur
Evening entertainment is easy to come by in Jaipur. Trace 600 years of history, and the stories of 28 kings, with a spectacular sound and light show at the Amer Fort, or enjoy a traditional marionette show, performed by high-skilled puppeteers. Both tours offer dinner in a local restaurant afterwards. If you’d like to get out of the city for a while, you can join a small-group tour of rural Jaipur, during which you’ll visit pleasant little villages, handicraft markets, and even get a henna tattoo.
Things to Do in Jaipur
If you love Indian food and would like to learn techniques from the experts, enjoy a visit to the home of a local family where you’ll prepare a delicious meal from ingredients sourced at a local market. Discover the spices, herbs and cooking techniques particular to Rajasthan, and then sit down to share your food - a perfect slice of authentic Jaipur culture, and once you get home you can impress your friends with your newfound curry skills.
