Jaipur, Rajasthan Travel Guide

Jaipur, popularly known as the Pink City, is the capital of the state of Rajasthan. It has, long been established, on tourist itineraries as the third corner of India's Golden Triangle, just 300 kilometres southwest of Delhi, and 200 kilometres west of Agra. The old city of Jaipur is partially encircled with seven gates - the major gates are Chandpol, Sanganeri, and Ajmeri. The 'pink city' label, applies specifically, to the old walled quarter of the Rajasthani capital, while in the northeast of the town, glorious palaces and temples, in an assortment of styles, spanning centuries, are scattered throughout the, predominantly, urban area.

Today Jaipur is a city of broad avenues and remarkable architectural harmony, built on a dry lake bed surrounded by barren hills. It's an extremely colourful city and, in the evening light, it radiates a magical warm glow. The city has now sprawled beyond its original fortified confines, but most of its attractions are compactly located in the walled 'pink city' in the northeast of the city. All seven gates into the old city remain, one of which leads into Johari Bazaar - the famous jewellers' market.

The most obvious landmark in the old city is the Iswari Minar Swarga Sul (the Minaret Piercing Heaven) which was built to overlook the city, but the most striking sight is the stunning artistry of the five-storey facade of the Hawa Mahal, or Palace of the Winds. The palace was built in 1799 to enable ladies of the royal household to watch street life and processions, and is part of the City Palace complex which forms the heart of the old city.

Numerous international airlines are based in Jaipur Towers, while for domestic flights it's easier to book through any of the big travel agents. Daily flights to Delhi are available and most continue on to Mumbai via Jodhpur, Udaipur and Aurangabad. The Rajasthan State Transport System covers Rajasthan's major cities, as do the privately owned deluxe services. Most of these places can also be reached by train.

Explore Jaipur

• Sights & Activities
• Festivals of Udaipur
• Hotels in Udaiput
• Places near Udaipur
• Map of Udaipur
• How to reach Udaipur

Next...

• Udaipur, The City of Lakes
  This romantic, hilly town of palaces and lakes in southeastern Rajasthan is often described as the Venice of the East.

• Jaisalmer, The westernmost citadel of the desert
  Jaisalmer is celebrated for the exquisite stone-carved havelis or mansions of the merchants who held the reins of its destiny.

• Bikaner - Simply awesome and beautiful
  Vast expanse of rippling sand and scorching sun. An arid, rocky scrubland. It is situated on an elevated ground, surrounded by a seven-kilometer-long embattled wall marked by five gates.

• Jodhpur, The Sun City
  The 16th century capital of the Rathore Rajputs, Jodhpur's history is evident in the hilltop fort, Mehrangarh, from where its destiny was written.

• Bharatpur, Better known for its Bird Sanctuary
  P aradise for the avian world, and the pilgrimage for the bird lovers.

• Mount Abu, A hill station known as son of Himalaya
  Mount Abu, is both a hill resort and a pilgrimage site. This mountain lies at the southern extremity of the Aravalli Range. Surrounded by forests, rich in flora and fauna, the town appears as an oasis.