I am not sure why my friend is insisting on passing by Jaipur during our trip in India. Is it really a must-see place? Do you have any itinerary ideas that are fun?
Jaipur is a beautiful place and of historical importance. Forts and palaces in Jaipur are world-renowned for their exquisite architecture. Amer Fort is a must-see. Jaigarh fort is famous for 'Jaivana'- the world's largest cannon. Other places worth visiting in Jaipur include Nahargarh Fort, Kanan Ghati, Hawamahal, Jantar Mantar, Birla Temple, City Palace etc.
Hello, @Neve! Welcome to the forum! Jaipur is the capital of Rajasthan, and at the same time, it's the largest city in the state. It is very accessible as it's part of the Golden Triangle Tour (Delhi > Agra > Jaipur). Perhaps what makes it a must visit destination is the stunning and magnificent structures in the city. Here, you'll find the forts and the palaces are well-preserved and maintained. For the most part, the city has held on to its rich traditions and cultures. The traditional and authentic Rajasthani cuisine here are also worth tasting. Aside from that, the city of Jaipur is also the gateway for other cities like Pushkar, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer and Udaipur. Here's a possible itinerary for you: Day 1 - Arrive in Jaipur. Check in at your hotel and explore the attractions in the centre of Jaipur: City Palace - This is a palace complex housing the Chandra Mahal and Mubarak Mahal. This was the residence of the Maharaja of Jaipur for a long time. It was originally built by Sawai Jai Singh II but later renovations were added by other rulers. The Mubarak Mahal now houses a museum, with collections of costumes worn by the royal family like embroidered shawls, sarees and pashminas. The Chandra Mahal also has a museum although most of it is still resided by the descendants of the royal family. Jantar Mantar - This was built by Sawai Jai Singh and was completed in 1734 CE. The world's largest sundial can be found here, the Samrat Yantra. The term Jantar Mantar can be translated to 'calculating instrument.' The observatory has about 19 instruments for measuring time, predicting ellipses and tracking the locations of major stars. Palace of Winds - This is also called as the Hawa Mahal. It was Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh who built this palace in the year 1799. It has about 953 small windows, also called as jharokhas. Supposedly, these windows allow the royal women to look out and observe the streets without being seen. Aside from that, the windows provide some ventilation during the hot summers in the region. Sun Temple - You can end your first day here. To reach the temple, you need to walk for about 15 minutes from the Surajpol Bazaar. Right next to the Sun Temple is the Monkey Temple which you can also visit. It is best visited during sunset as the whole of Jaipur is covered in golden sunlight and you can see this from the temple. Travel back to the hotel, have dinner and rest for the night. Day 2 - Have some breakfast and visit the following attractions: Water Palace - This is also known as Jal Mahal and is located in the middle of Man Sagar Lake. This was enhanced by Maharaja Jai Singh II, although it was built by another former ruler. It was built using Rajput and Mughal styles of architecture. It has five floors but the top floor is the only one exposed if the lake is full of water. Amber Fort - This is located about 11 kms away from Jaipur. Originally, this was a small place built by the Meenas. The fort is believed to have been built by Raja Man Singh during 967 CE. It was further expanded by Jai Singh I and other rulers. The fort has about four courtyards, each having different structures within. Many tourists opt to reach the fort via an elephant ride. Nahargarh Fort - This was built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II in the year of 1734. You can visit the fort in the night and enjoy the view when it's all lit up. There's also a cafe here that serves some snacks and alcoholic drinks to guests. Jaigarh Fort - This was built by Jai Singh II during the year of 1726. The world's largest cannon on wheels can also be found in this fort, so named 'jaivana.' You can also find several structures inside: Laxmi Vilas, Lalit Mandir, Vilas Mandir and Aram Mandir. This is also connected to the Amber Fort by a subterranean passage so some people consider them as one. Travel back to the hotel, have dinner and rest for the night. Day 3 - After breakfast, you can explore the city more and maybe do some shopping. Some locations for shopping are: Johari Bazaar - This is open from 7:00 am to 10:00 pm daily. It's the best market for shopping for jewelries and gems. Tripolia Bazaar - This is open from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm daily. You can shop for jewelries, textiles, carpets and brass wares in here. Nehru Bazaar - This is open from 11:00 am onwards, daily. You an find textiles, clothes and beautiful joothis here. Travel back to the hotel and pack your things. You can then leave for your next destination. I hope this helps.
It's pretty good if you like visiting monuments, there are a number of them in the city. There are some great hotels as well. It's one of the most typical cities to visit in the country, although I think there are better options available in the state of Rajasthan. Jodhpur and Udaipur both seem to have better forts and palaces but aren't visited as much as Jaipur
