Jaipur also known as the ‘Pink City’ is the capital of the North Indian State of Rajasthan. Named after its founder Maharaja Jai Singh II (1693-1743), this royal city of the former Rajputana is one of the most glorious places to visit in India. In fact, Jaipur is a famous stop on the favourite tourist circuit of India, the Golden triangle tour. Surrounded by the Aravalis, the city is dotted with hill forts-listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India, splendid palaces, and many fascinating architecture. Jaipur tours are perfect for history lovers, the cultural enthusiasts and visitors who love to be pampered by royal hospitality.
Houses in the city were coloured pink in 1876 to honour the visit of the British Monarch, the Prince of Wales, later Edward VII, by Maharaja Man Singh II. Extremely well-planned, Jaipur city was designed by an engineer and scholar Vidyadhar Bhattacharya, in accordance with ancient Hindu treatise on architecture, Vastu Shastra. In fact, the old city is one of the proposed world heritage sites in India. The walled city has seven gates, built for protection from invading armies and wild animals. The planned grid system has wide straight avenues, roads, streets and lanes and uniform rows of shops on either side of the main roads. Amazingly, Jaipur remains the only place where the nine sectors that sub-divide the city symbolise the nine divisions of the universe.
Now with the changing time, Jaipur city has become a treasure of fascinating sights. Perched on the hills are the Amer Fort, Jaigarh Fort and the Nahargarh fort. In the heart of the city is the beautiful City Palace, which is the residence of the royal family and also one of the finest museums in Rajasthan. Jantar Mantra, the royal observatory is one of the listed UNESCO World Heritage Sites. An unmissable gem in the city, looking like floating in the middle of the Man Sagar Lake, is the grand red-sandstone palace made of red sandstone, most of it submerged. The Hawa Mahal is an iconic landmark in the city that is a tribute to the glorious days of royalty.
As delightful as its sights are the arts and crafts of the Rajasthan. For the shopaholics there is much to explore. From the multi-coloured ‘bandhini’ fabrics, richly-decorated handlooms, jewellery and other trinkets, the colourful bazaars of Jaipur have it all. Keeping the traditions of the former days alive there is the delicious gastronomy of Rajasthan, elephant rides and pampering hospitality.
Besides the tourist attractions in Jaipur, the city serves as a gateway to the other royal cities of Rajasthan.
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Getting to Jaipur By Air
Jaipur is well connected by air internationally as well as domestically. The Jaipur International Airport has flight connectivity from Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Dubai, etc. as well as Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and to the other tourist destinations of Rajasthan i.e. Jodhpur and Udaipur.
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Getting to Jaipur By Rail
Jaipur is connected by superfast trains to Delhi and Mumbai and to the other tourist destinations of Rajasthan i.e. Jodhpur and Udaipur. In fact, some of the top luxury trains in India has Jaipur as their stop.
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Getting to Jaipur By Road
Jaipur is well connected by road to Delhi (250 km), Agra (250 km), Jodhpur (330 km), Udaipur (400 km), Bikaner (330 km), Pushkar (145 km) and serves as the gateway for tourists travelling through Rajasthan. The easy connectivity by road to Jaipur is the reason that it is the stopover of the preferred tourist circuit of the Golden Triangle in India.
Best Places to Stay in Jaipur
Shahpura House
The Heritage-style hotel, Shahpura House is an excellent value for money accommodation option in Jaipur. Located very close to the city centre, the accommodation options recreate the style of the erstwhile royalty of Rajasthan and furnished with elegant colonial furniture. Facilities here, include a small outdoor pool, and a wonderful roof-top restaurant for alfresco dining.
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Alsisar Haveli
The Alsisar Haveli is a renovated Heritage hotel, from the erstwhile old merchant's home. Owned by the family that built the lavish mansion, it is very close to the city centre. Rooms and Suites, are set around a central courtyard, and are furnished with elegant colonial style furniture. Facilities here include an outdoor swimming pool, a bar and a restaurant. It is one of the best places to enjoy a comfortable stay in Jaipur.
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Radisson Jaipur City Center
Centrally located in the city, the Radisson Jaipur City Center is located just above a modern shopping mall. All 100 rooms, are modern, well-appointed and have all amenities like colour televisions, tea / coffee makers and mini bars. Wi-fi internet access is available. Leisure facilities include a Health club, Spa and Swimming pool, in addition of a night club and discotheque.
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Samode Haveli
The Samode Haveli is one of Jaipur's best known and most liked hotels. Built over 150 years ago, the luxury heritage hotel is a small and intimate well- known for its personalised service. The rooms remain in traditional style equipped with all modern facilities. The best feature of Samode is its ideal location offers easy access to the city centre, the Fort of Amber and other historical sites, making it a convenient place to stay. Facilities here include a Swimming pool, restaurant and bar.
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Jai Mahal Palace
Set in several acres of beautifully landscaped gardens, the Jai Mahal Palace was the residence of the former Prime Minister of the state of Jaipur. Now a Deluxe hotel, managed by the Taj Group, the hotel has recently been refurbished and upgraded. Almost all rooms offer breathtaking views of the Mughal gardens or the swimming pool. Excellent service and modern amenities make Jai Mahal Palace one of the finest hotels in Jaipur.
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Rambagh Palace
Voted as one of the best Palace Hotels in the World, Rambagh Palace is the former residence of the Maharaja of Jaipur. The luxury hotel set in forty-seven acres of lush gardens has recently undergone major refurbishment. With antiques and works of art spread throughout, it has some of the most beautiful rooms of any hotel in India. The Rambagh Palace is also home to several fine restaurants and bars, noted amongst which the “Polo Bar”, rated as one of the finest bars in the world. Facilities here include a temperature-control indoor swimming pool, Jacuzzi, Fitness Centre, Tennis Courts etc. The Rambagh Golf Course, Jaipur's best golfing facility, is adjoining the Palace. Undoubtedly, Rambagh Palace as the finest place to stay in the pink city of Jaipur.
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The Oberoi Rajvilas
Set amid thirty-two acres of beautiful gardens, pools and fountains, The Oberoi Rajvilas is the perfect experience of the palatial treasures of Jaipur. Each Deluxe room and villa features a regal teak four-poster bed and a sunken white Italian marble bathtub looking into its own private walled ornamental garden. The luxury hotel is furnished with every conceivable modern comfort, including private bar, satellite TV and CD and DVD player, direct dial telephone, data-port, the same day laundry and dry cleaning, 24 hour in-room dining and butler services ensure that every need is catered for.
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