Jaipur: A Travel Guide to the Pink City

Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan, is the third point of India''s Golden Triangle and one of the country''s most photogenic cities. The old walled centre is painted a warm terracotta pink — a colour it has worn since the 19th century — which gives it its nickname, the Pink City. Between grand forts, a royal palace still lived in by the former ruling family, and famously good shopping, Jaipur is easy to fall for.

The must-see sights - **Amber (Amer) Fort:** The showpiece just outside the city, a honey-coloured hilltop fort-palace with mirrored halls and sweeping courtyards. Go early to beat the heat and crowds. - **City Palace:** A working royal complex in the heart of the old city, part museum and part residence of the former royal family, with beautiful gates and courtyards. - **Hawa Mahal:** The five-storey "Palace of Winds", its honeycomb facade of nearly a thousand small windows designed so royal women could watch the street unseen. Best photographed from across the road in the morning light. - **Jantar Mantar:** An extraordinary 18th-century open-air astronomical observatory — an UNESCO World Heritage Site — full of giant stone instruments, including one of the world''s largest sundials. - **Nahargarh Fort:** On the ridge above the city, the go-to spot for sunset views over Jaipur.

Shopping and bazaars Jaipur is one of India''s great shopping cities. The old-city bazaars — **Johari Bazaar** for jewellery, **Bapu Bazaar** for textiles and juttis (embroidered slippers), and **Tripolia Bazaar** for lac bangles — are an experience in themselves. The city is famous for gemstones, block-printed fabrics, blue pottery and hand-crafted jewellery. Bargaining is expected in the markets.

When to visit October to March is the ideal season, with pleasant days and cool evenings. This window also includes some of Rajasthan''s liveliest festivals. Summers (April to June) are very hot, so if you travel then, plan sightseeing for early morning and evening.

How to reach Jaipur - **By road:** A smooth expressway drive of around five to six hours from Delhi. - **By train:** Frequent trains connect Jaipur with Delhi and Agra; the fast services are the most comfortable. - **By air:** Jaipur has its own airport with domestic connections and some international flights. - **As a circuit:** Jaipur completes the Delhi – Agra – Jaipur Golden Triangle, and is also the gateway to the rest of Rajasthan (Jodhpur, Udaipur, Jaisalmer).

Practical tips - Two full days lets you see the headline sights without rushing; three is comfortable and leaves room for shopping and a leisurely fort visit. - Wear comfortable shoes — the forts involve a fair bit of walking and climbing. - Try the local Rajasthani thali and the city''s famous sweets; ask about dal-baati-churma, the regional signature dish.

Jaipur is grand, colourful and welcoming — the perfect introduction to Rajasthan, and a natural next step after Delhi and Agra.