Jaipur

Climate

Jaipur's climate is characterised as semiarid, with just a few rainy days per month for most of the year. The exception is the monsoon period from June to September, when heavy rain and thunderstorms are commonplace. Expect daytime highs of above +20°C throughout the year, and prepare for scorching heat in May and June. During the winter temperatures are mild, and while nighttime temperatures seldom drop much below +10°C, Jaipur has experienced temperatures below freezing.

History

Jaipur gets its name from its founder Maharaja Jai Singh II (1693-1744), a great warrior and astronomer. He came to power at the age of 11 on the death of his father Maharaja Bishan Singh. Jai Singh’s lineage can be traced back to the Kucchwaha Rajput, clan who came to power in the 12th century. They were long-term rivals to the Sisodia Rajputs who ruled from Mewar. This rivalry led them to ally with the Mughals, and this alliance resulted in them eventually gaining a pre-eminent position in Rajasthan.
Ruling from the magnificent Amber Fort which they built, the might of the Kucchwahas encompassed the kingdoms of Mewar (Udaipur) and Marwar (Jodhpur). After Jai Singh came to power, there was moment of disquiet when he supported Aurangzeb’s son Azam Shah’s bid to the throne. Azam Shah lost the battle of succession to his brother Bahadur Shah, who demanded Jai Singh’s removal and the installation of Vijay Singh to the throne of Jaipur. Jai Singh, not one to take setbacks lying down, formed a formidable front against the Mughals by aligning himself with other Rajput states and reinstated himself.
After the dust had settled, peace reigned, the kingdom prospered and its borders expanded. Jai Singh built the city around the Amber Fort to serve as his capital, and the city was named Jaipur, after himself. Much of the credit for Jaipur goes to Vidhyadhar Bhattacharya, the chief architect from Bengal who, with Jai Singh’s approval, founded the city on strong scientific principles, laid out according to the Shilpa Shastra, the ancient architectural manual. It remains one of India’s best planned cities. However, expansion meant that the limited sources of water proved inadequate for the city.
After Jai Singh’s death in 1744, his sons squabbled for power and without a monarch, the kingdom became open to invasion and neighbouring Rajput states and the Marathas usurped large areas of kingdom. The core, however, remained part of the kingdom, which lasted during British times. As with the Mughals, Jaipur maintained good relations with the British and during the war of independence in 1857 remained loyal to the Raj. Yet, the British gradually began to undermine the independence of the state and exercised greater control over the administration.
In 1876, Maharaja Ram Singh painted the entire city pink, traditionally a colour associated with hospitality, to welcome the Prince of Wales (later King Edward VII) to the city. The tradition has been maintained and today all residents in the old city are compelled by law to preserve the pink colour. Jaipur has thereby earned the sobriquet of pink city.
Maharaja Ram Singh also built the Ramgarh Lake to supply water to the burgeoning city. During the 19th and 20th centuries, the city’s population spread beyond its walls. In 1922, Man Singh II ascended to the throne and it was during his reign that civic buildings like the secretariat, schools, hospitals and other public buildings were built. After independence, Jaipur merged with the states of Jodhpur, Jaisalmer and Bikaner to form the state of Rajasthan. In 1956, Jaipur became the capital of the state of Rajasthan.

Suggested reading

• Sarkar, Jadunath, (2009). A history of Jaipur. New Delhi: Orient Blackswan. A well written account of the history of Jaipur by prominent historian Sir Jadunath Sarkar.
• Jaipur – Nagaur - Deshnoke (India Charming Chaos) by Johnny Fincioen. This book concentrates on Jaipur and two small villages and puts them in historic context. The text and the 190 original pictures offer the reader a holistic view of the particular way of life in Rajasthan.

By plane

• Jaipur AirportOffers sporadic (chartered) service to London and Dublin. Direct flights to Singapore, Bangkok, Sharjah, Muscat and Dubai are also available. Jaipur also has daily domestic air links with many Indian cities such as Jodhpur, Udaipur, Aurangabad, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Goa, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Mumbai, Pune and Indore.

By train

Indian Railways connects Jaipur from all over the country and is one of the cheapest options. A number of daily trains connect Jaipur to Delhi, Ahmedabad, Agra, Mumbai, Jodhpur, Kota, Alwar and Ajmer. Daily connections are also available for Udaipur, Chittorgarh, Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Barmer, Kolkata, Jammu, Pathankot, Ludhiana, Kanpur, Roorkee, Haridwar, Gwalior, Indore, Jabalpur and Bhopal.
Long-distance trains arrive from many other major cities including Lucknow, Allahabad, Varanasi, Vadodara, Surat, Nagpur, Bilaspur, Raipur, Patna, Ranchi, Bhubaneswar, Puri, Chennai, Bangalore, Mysore, Hyderabad, Goa, Mangalore, Kozhikode and Kochi.
The most popular option from Delhi is the Shatabdi express which departs New Delhi station at 06:05 and reaches Jaipur at 10:30AM.
There are three major railway stations: , which is the main station, Durgapura and Gandhinagar (Jaipur) — which is not to be confused with the Gandhinagar that is the capital city of the state of Gujarat. All trains stop at Jaipur Junction and a few trains stop at Durgapura and Gandhinagar stations also.

By bus

There is an excellent bus service between Jaipur to Delhi by Rajasthan State Road Transport Corporation (RSRTC) with buses approximately every half an hour in both directions. Non-A/C and AC Volvo bus services are offered. The air-conditioned bus is taken through a well-maintained highway and has good shock absorbers. From Delhi you can board the bus from Bikaner House on Pandara Road next to India Gate. From Jaipur you can board the bus from Narayan Singh Circle or the main Sindhi Camp bus stand. You can also book tickets up to 6 days in advance from both these places. These buses typically take 6 hours for the Volvo and 6-7 hours for the others. There are also some private bus operators from Dhaula Kuan in Delhi and outside of Sindhi camp in Jaipur. No need to make advance reservations. The buses journey along bumpy backroads to avoid toll roads, and their shock absorbers are not good.
If you plan to leave from Delhi airport, you can get off the bus at Dhaula Kuan and get an autorickshaw (to the bus stand) or perhaps a taxi from there. You do not need to enter congested Delhi.
Express buses to several cities and towns within Rajasthan, such as Kota and Bundi, are also available.

By car

This is the most popular way of reaching from Delhi. The journey by car from Delhi to Jaipur takes less than 4 hr. National Highway no. 8 connects Delhi to Jaipur via the industrial township of Gurgaon. The road is excellent.
There are also many car rental services in Delhi which can provide chauffeur-driven cars to Jaipur.

By RTDC bus

It is the best and cheaper way to visit the Jaipur Local Sights by RTDC (Rajasthan Tourism Dept. Corp.) There will be one guide with each bus to give you brief info about all sights. There are three type of tours:
#full day tour (April 2019 price: ₹500),
#half-day tour (April 2019 price: ₹400; there are 3 different routes to choose from) and
#Pink city by night tour (April 2019 price: ₹700).

By metro

Started running in 2015, Jaipur Metro provides a fast, reliable and inexpensive way to get around the city. The Pink Line runs from Mansarovar to Chandpole station, which is around 1 km from the walled old town (a.k.a the Pink City), and passes by the Jaipur Junction Railway Station and Sindhi Camp (the interstate bus stand).
Construction work is on full swing to extend the line and take passengers right into the heart of the Pink City, with two stations - Badi Chaupar and Chhoti Chaupar. The stations are supposed start running by 2018. Fares range between ₹5 and ₹25.
In Phase 2, a second line, the Orange Line, will connect the Jaipur Airport with the Pink City by 2021.

By autorickshaw

By and large, autorickshaw is the best way to travel around the city. Hiring an autorickshaw for a whole day with a trip to Amber Fort, Tiger Fort, Jal Mahal, and other areas can cost anywhere between ₹450 to ₹550 (as of November 2018). But be careful, as the drivers might ask for more money to cover parking fees, petrol, and other charges along the way. Always agree on an ‘all-in’ price that includes his/her time, petrol, lunch, and parking fees. It’s not uncommon for people to agree to ₹500 and pay close to ₹1000 with all of the surprise fees. Lastly, make sure you and the driver agree that he/she will take you to the site and not close to it ‘just for photographs’.
Prepaid autos are available at the Jaipur railway station and the Sindhi Camp bus stand, although prices are a little inflated and often the same as you get with minimal bargaining.
At a certain point, the rates were revised to around ₹350-400. The autorickshaw wallas will tell you to take the slip from the police booths. You can also go directly without the slip, but don't forget to bargain over the price in that case; it could be much cheaper. It'll be best if you start your sightseeing by 10AM in the morning as some of the major spots close by 4:30PM and each spot takes a lot of time, especially the forts.
Some autorickshaw drivers will try to trick you into paying more than the agreed amount after the trip is over, but you should stick to the original amount decided. Police in Jaipur are very friendly, so in case you feel the autorickshaw driver is trying to misguide you or force you to hand over extra money, just refer the dispute to the police officers at various spots.
Also some autorickshaw drivers will tell you to buy artefacts and gifts from some shops especially some on the way to Amber Fort. Firmly refuse to stop there as these shops operate on commission to the auto driver and fleece you. If you want to buy souvenirs, get them in city's main shopping areas like Bapu Bazaar.
Take along some of your own information about the eating and shopping places as the drivers have their fixed commissions at shops and eating outlets, so you might end up paying more for an item or eating at an undesirable place.
Autorickshaw drivers have been known to work together with the gem scammers. If you hire an autorickshaw for the day, he may suggest that you 'go for a beer' afterwards, and if you accept you will be introduced to the main man on the scam attempt, usually a very charismatic person who is clearly much wealthier than his rickshaw-driving 'friend'. Use common sense: why would a rickshaw driver who earns ₹350 per day (minus petrol) want to take you to a bar where beers are ₹75? Politely decline these invitations as they are invariably more trouble than they are worth.

By local bus

City bus #5 connects directly Amber Fort, Hawa Mahal, New Gate and the intersection of MI Road and Railway Rd every 10 min until 9PM.
City bus #2 runs from the train station up Station Road to the City Palace, Minar, Observatory, etc. The bus driver will try to charge you more. They also sometimes ask you if you need change, or say they don't have change, despite it being obvious they do.
The buses are generally overcrowded and are in a poor condition. You can view this link to learn about the bus routes in Jaipur. Fares are by distance, as show on these charts.

By cycle-rickshaw

Cycle-rickshaws are cheaper, but the amount of time it takes quickly makes it worth paying a few extra rupees and going by autorickshaw, bus or taxi. The advantage of traveling by cycle-rickshaw is that you can cover some great places in the narrow lanes of Jaipur which can not be seen if you hire some other mode of transport.

On foot

Jaipur's planned, but beautiful Old Town has wide multi-lane roads and footpaths, which also means that it is much bigger in area than its counterparts that are generally full of alleyways and small streets. Even so, the Pink City's staggering architecture and endless colorful bazaars make walking around a treat, and many points of interest, like the Hawa Mahal, City Palace and Jantar Mantar are close by each other.

By taxi

The taxis in Jaipur are very convenient and comfortable. Most of the vehicles are Maruti Omni Vans or Tata Indica cars, which are much safer than Auto rickshaws, and the drivers are polite. If you are alone or going to an unknown destination, you are strongly advised to choose this option, even though the rates will be double that of an autorickshaw. you must call for a taxi, as it is nearly impossible to hail one unless you are at a major point like the airport. When you call, you should negotiate a fare (or agree on using the meter) and get the taxi's 'number'. The taxi will come pick you up, and call you when they are close. Taxis generally have yellow licence plates with black letters. Some taxis are yellow & black, which helps to differentiate them from the private cars.
You can also try the Uber Supercabz or Ola Apps for taxi services which are not as expensive as hiring regular taxis. These services are becoming increasingly popular, so finding a car at a reasonable fare (often cheaper than a tuk tuk) is getting easier day by day.

By car

Car rental is one of the effective alternatives for wandering around in Jaipur. Almost all of the car rental services in India including Zoomcar, Myles and Avis offer services in Jaipur.

Tickets

It's possible to see the ticket price for each point of interest on the Rajasthan Tourist Government Office website

Composite tickets

There was a substantial fee increase in 2016 for the composite ticket. It now includes Amber Fort, Jantar-Mantar, Hawa Mahal, Albert Hall (Central Museum), Nahargarh Fort, Sisodia Rani Palace/Garden, Vidyadhar Garden, and Isarlat tower (Swargasuli). The Composite Ticket is for sale at all archaeological monuments and costs ₹300/40 Indian adult/student and ₹1000/200 foreign adult/student. The ticket is valid for two days.

Forts

• Amber Fort

  phone: +91 14 1253 0293
  This massive fort-palace complex built in hybrid Hindu-Muslim style dates back to Raja Man Singh and was the royal palace of the Kachwahas from c. 1600-1727. It's one of six world heritage forts in Rajasthan. The name has nothing to do with the rather pretty pastel yellow colour; instead, the fort is named after the town of Amber, in turn named after the goddess Amba. The main sights within the fort include the Sheesh Mahal, adorned with thousands on thousands of mirror tiles on the walls and ceiling. The fort/palace grounds are sprawling and the information panels (Hindi/English) are somewhat limited, so it might be worth getting an audio guide or a real guide. It's a bit of a hike up from the town, and the touristy thing to do is to ride on an elephant to the top (in order to get an elephant it is better to arrive there in the morning, otherwise at midday the elephants are done working; however, the road that the elephants walk on is not so long). If you hire a genuine guide, you will be taken not only to the Amber Fort but also to the Rajasthan Kala Mandir (a government operated shop) to buy souvenirs. Guides get a 2% commission on the items you buy there. Also see the Amber Light Show below. The site has come under scrutiny as tourists claim to have witnessed the elephants being beaten by handlers. If you walk up the hill to the Jaigarh Fort be prepared to pay the entry fee as the path terminates at a ticket window and there is no way around to the road.

• Jaigarh Fort

  phone: +91 14 1267 1848
  Never conquered in battle, this was considered the strongest of the three forts in the area. It is best known as the site of the world's largest cannon, the Jaivana, which was test-fired only once — according to legend, despite using only the half the design amount of gunpowder, the cannonball flew 35 km! A better reason to visit the fort, though, are the scenic gardens at the other end and the spectacular views over the Amber Fort and the hills around. The remains of the foundry where the Jaivana (and many more) were cast are also in the fort grounds. There are multiple boards with "no tips allowed," in case someone is bothering you.

• Nahargarh Fort

  phone: +91 14 1518 2957
  address: Krishna Nagar, Brahampuri
  The smallest of the three forts, notable primarily for excellent views over Man Sagar lake and the vast sprawl of Jaipur. Built in 1734 by the Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II in a mix of Indian and European styles, the fort also houses the (relatively) compact Madhavendra Bhawan palace, although its former splendour is fading under layers of graffiti and pigeon droppings. Some of the film Rang De Basanti were shot at this fort. To get to the area where the "Pathshala" song was shot, take a left turn as soon as you enter the fort. An autorickshaw can be taken from the stand in front of the Amber fort. The fort also houses the Jaipur's Wax Museum and Sheesh Mahal, although tickets for these have to be bought separately and are ridiculously expensive. Beware if buying the Wax Museum and Sheesh Mahal combo ticket, you'll be paraded through the largely unimpressive museum and then be told to queue for the Sheesh Mahal which can last from 30 minutes to 2 hours.

Palaces

• City Palace

  phone: +91-141-4088888, +91-141-4088855
  address: Jaleb Chowk
  An imposing blend of traditional Rajput and Mughal architecture. It is a vast palace complex occupying nearly one-seventh of the Pink City. It was built by Maharaja Jai Singh II. The complex is divided into a series of courtyards, sprawling gardens and buildings. It is home to several palatial structures like the Chandra Mahal, (home to present Maharajah of Jaipur), Mubarak Mahal (housing a textile museum), Diwan-e-Khas (or Hall of Private audience housing the two largest silver vessels in the world, which are duly mentioned in the Guinness book), the Diwan-e-Aam ( or Hall of Public Audience) and the gateway Ridhi Sidhi Pol (with four small doorways decorated with motifs depicting the four seasons). Be warned that although they sell tickets for taking photos with a camera inside, most exhibits inside have a "no photography" sign.

• Hawa MahalBuilt in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Singh as part of City Palace, it was an extension of the Zenana (women's) chamber. Its purpose was to allow royal ladies to observe everyday life in the street below without being seen. It is a five storey high red sandstone structure complete with over 950 windows. The breeze (or hawa in Hindi) circulates through these windows, giving the palace its name. The iconic facade is best seen from the street, which is free.

Jal Mahal

address: Jal Mahal Amer Road

This beautiful Jal Mahal or water palace was made by the King of Amber in the middle of the Man Sagar Lake. The Jal Mahal represents the use of Mughal and Rajput architecture style.

Temples

• Akshardham Temple

  phone: +91 141 224 6100
  address: Vaishali Nagar

• Birla Mandir (aka The Marble Temple)

  phone: +91 98295 95467
  This is a relatively new temple made of white marble with beautiful carvings. It covers a vast area in Jaipur city and is built in a contemporary manner. Birla Temple is completely constructed with the finest high-quality white marbles. In addition to having statues and paintings of Hindu deities, the temple has pictures of famous philosophers from around the world including Socrates, Confucius and Zoroaster. No bags (besides purses), food, cameras. No photos in the temple itself, but rules are not enforced outside.

• Galtaji

  address: 10 km from Jaipur on Jaipur-Agra highway near Sisodia Rani Garden
  This temple is an ancient Hindu pilgrimage site. The main temple, Galtaji, is constructed in pink stone. The temple has a number of pavilions with rounded roofs, exquisitely carved pillars and painted walls. The temple is surrounded by natural springs and reservoirs that are considered holy. There are also seven tanks or kunds here. There are two routes to reach the temple: if you arrive from west you will have to hike uphill and downhill for about 20 minutes; the eastern gate is easily accessible by car, though it is a longer journey to get there.

• Galwar Bagh

  address: Eastern edge of the city
  Locals and tourists come here to feed the surprisingly tame monkeys, use the temples, and enjoy the views. You can climb to the top of the hill and then down into the valley to see the Monkey Temple, while enjoying the company of countless monkeys, goats and other animals. At the top of the hill, you turn right to reach the Sun Temple for one of the best views of the city, especially at sunset. Monkey food is available for purchase at the bottom of the hill. Entrance to the temples are free, but local religious people may ask for donations and there is a ₹50 charge for using a camera.

• Govind Devji TempleFor Vaishnavites, particularly followers of Lord Krishna, this is the most important temple in the world after Vrindavan. Lord Krishna presiding in the temple were brought to Jaipur from Vrindavan during Mughal rein. According to popular legend, Lord Krishna's idol in the temple looks exactly like Krishna's form while his incarnation of Earth. It is at Jainiwas Gardens, Jalebi Chowk, in the same campus as City Palace. The temple was constructed in 1590.

• Jain MandirJain temple in Shivdaspura, well known as “Bara Padampura”, famous in north India for its very beautiful statue of God Padamprabhu (The 6th Teerthankar for Jains). God is sitting in a crossed leg seating posture. The statue is 0.7 m high and made of pure white stone. It was found while digging for foundation of a house.

• Moti Dungri Mandir

  address: JLN Road
  This temple, dedicated to Lord Ganesha, is the main centre of religion for Jaipur people. Moti Dungri, meaning Pearl Hill, is a small hill that hosts a temple and a palace. It is said that this temple was built before construction of the rest of the city was begun, so as to protect the city.

Monuments

• GaitoreA royal cremation site of the rulers of Jaipur.

• Iswari Minar Swarga Sal

  address: Chandpol Bazaar near City Palace
  A minar (minaret) with great views of Jaipur. There is an alternative to the minar that's open 24/7. Just across the other side of the road (Chandpol Bazaar) from the minaret is a shopping complex with stairs up to a rooftop area where you can get basically the same view as from the minar. To get there, go through the arched gateway almost opposite the minar, then as soon as you get to the courtyard, look to the left for a metal spiral staircase and keep climbing until you reach the roof, walk around the corridor to the next set of stair and go up another floor until you know you can't go any higher.

• Jantar Mantar

  phone: +91 141-261-0494
  This UNESCO world heritage site is the largest of five astronomical observatories build by Maharaja Jai Singh during the period 1727-1734 in north India. The observatory consists of fourteen major geometric devices (or yantras in Hindi) for measuring time, predicting eclipses, tracking stars in their orbits, ascertaining the declinations of planets and determining the celestial altitudes etc. There is signage providing elaborate explanations for the use of each device, and guides can be hired to provide much the same information in a more digestible format. Guides' charge is 200 rupees for 4 people. For a better explanation, you can take a guide. The audio guide at the observatory isn't great and doesn't tell you very much more information than the already existent signs. The observatory, the water and the wind palace are free on 18 May.

• Panna Meena Ka Kund StepwellPeople come here to get water, swim or hang out with their loved ones.

Gardens

• Ram Niwas Garden

  address: exact city centre
  Built in 1868 by Maharaja Sawai Ram Singh of Jaipur, this garden contains a bird park, zoo, Ravindra Rang Manch Theatre, art gallery, exhibition ground, gymnasium and several cafes and picnic spots.

• Sisodia Rani Palace and GardenThis palace was established by Sawai Jai Singh for his queen Sisodia, rulers of one of the oldest kingdoms of India. There are tiered multi-level gardens with fountains, watercourses and painted pavilions. A double-storeyed palace occupies the top terrace of the garden. The palace has many galleries, pavilions and beautiful murals depicting scenes from the life of lord Krishna.

• Vidyadhar GardenThe garden is a real treat for those who want to see a fusion of Mughal and Hindu culture.

• Zoological GardenIn the serene environment of Ram Niwas Bagh, this garden is prized for its rich flora and fauna.

Museums

• Anokhi Museum of Hand Printing

  phone: +91 141 2530226
  A beautiful clean museum dedicated to the traditional art of hand block printing textiles, this museum is housed in a restored heritage haveli tucked into the back streets of old Amber. Small cafe (see "Eat"), clean toilets, small shop selling hand printed contemporary wearable clothes and textiles, friendly staff and a printer and block carver demonstrating their crafts every day.

• Central Museum

  address: Ramniwas Bag, Adarsh Nagar
  A fine example of Indo-Saracenic architecture, this building was designed by Sir Samuel Swinton Jacob and was opened as public museum in 1887. Maharaja Ram Singh wanted this building to be a town hall, but his successor, Madho Singh II, decided it should be a museum for the art of Jaipur and included as part of the new Ram Nivas Garden. The museum has a rich collection of artefacts like paintings, carpets, ivory, stone, metal sculptures and colourful crystal works. It is named after King Edward VII (Albert Edward), during whose visit to the city as the Prince of Wales, its foundation stone was laid on 6 February 1876.

Other

• Statue Circle

  address: C-Scheme, Ashok Nagar
  Statue Circle is exactly what it sounds like: a roundabout that contains a statue that is beautifully lit up at night.

• Amber Fort Sound and Light Show

  phone: +91 14 1270 9162
  address: Lower Amber Fort
  Experience the history, culture and life of Amber through this spectacular show. Amitabh Bachhan narrates the story of Rajasthani kings with a script written by Gulzar. Don't forget the mosquito repellent. The light show can be watched from outside the fort, but the sound won't be audible from there. There is also a sound and light show at Jantar Mantar for ₹100.

• B.M. Birla Auditorium and Conference Hall

  phone: +91-141-2385224
  address: Birla Institute of Scientific Research, Statue Circle
  These are at the heart of Jaipur. This auditorium is spread over 9.8 acres and includes a computer centre, interactive science museum, an information processing centre, library, a processing planetarium, eight research divisions, a dissemination cell and an auditorium. The auditorium has a seating capacity of 1,350 and is among the largest in India. This auditorium is built up to international conference standards. However, people visiting Jaipur for leisure are likely to be most interested in the Planetarium (all shows in Hindi) or Science Museum (under renovation as of November 2015) that are part of the complex.

• Rajmandir Cinema

  phone: +91-141-2374694, +91-141-2379372
  address: C-16, Panch Batti, Bhagwan Das Rd, C-Scheme
  An experience in itself, and another "don't miss". Once known as the best cinema India, and still the best in Rajasthan, it offers an overwhelming experience. From the pushing, shoving, and general chaos in the ticket queue, to an audience that laughs, cries, cheers, claps, and consistently talks through the entire film, the Rajmandir provides an insight into Rajasthani culture. The films can be interesting; Masala movies are action, drama, mystery, suspense, and epics all wrapped into one single film, teeming with dances and obligatory wet sari scenes, and unabashedly lifting generous amounts of plot devices from Western films. The theatre-goers are very friendly and genuinely curious about overseas visitors who come to the Raj. Don't be put off by "House Full" notices at the entrance. The box office opens again a nominal 45 minutes before the next performance, and there are usually tickets available. Box seats at ₹120 go first, so its worth going early to avoid disappointment. Shows at 12:30PM, 3:30PM, 6:30PM and 9:30PM. A great place to meet locals, with the nearby McDonald's as a central congregation spot.

• Heiwa Heaven The Resort

  phone: +91 9828844474
  address: Jaisinghpura Khor, Jamdoli Chauraha, Agra Road, Jaipur, Rajasthan
  Heiwa Heaven is a Jaipur-based luxury resort that hosts parties and destination weddings.

Nearby

• Chokhi Dhani

  phone: +91-141-516 5000, +91-141-516 5015, +91-9667222203
  address: 12 Miles Tonk Road, Via Vatika
  Around 18 km from Central Jaipur on the Jaipur-Tonk highway, Chokhi Dhani (Fine Hamlet in Rajasthani dialect) is a kind of virtual village and also a 5-star resort. There are lodging facilities available, but the real attraction is the evening fun-fairs. There are two excellent places to enjoy Rajasthani food served in the traditional mode at their resort. Chokhi Dhani a.k.a. Lalten Restaurant is a more popular place because it is on the main road near the airport and also has other attractions, such as horseback riding, camel riding, bullock cart rides, a maze, boating and kathputli (puppet) shows. You can also watch live folk dances and listen to live folk music for free. It gives the visitor a glimpse of culture from different parts of Rajasthan, and could be nice if you will not have time to see much of Rajasthan yourself. It opens at 5PM, and be sure to get there early as many of the sites are difficult to see when it gets dark. It's a 30-min rickshaw ride from Central Jaipur, or you can go there by bus or taxi, but you are best off making sure you have a ride back.
  Consider buying the pass for AC hall, because the outdoor seating is a self-served buffet, while in the AC Dining you'll be served food. This makes a massive difference when there are too many people at the restaurant, as the restaurant is unable to keep up with the demand for buffet food.
  If you would prefer to sleep at the resort, have a look at their accommodation. Avoid going there during the rainy season.

Festivals

• The Gangaur Festival of Jaipur is well known in India. It starts on the day after Holi (March or April) and lasts for 18 days. In Jaipur, a sweet dish called a ghewar is characteristic of the Gangaur festival. People buy ghewar to eat and distribute among their friends and relatives. The celebration is dedicated to the God Shiva and his consort, the Goddess Parvati. A procession with the image of Gauri commences from the Zanani-Deodhi of the City Palace. It then passes through Tripolia Bazaar, Chhoti Chaupar, Gangauri Bazaar, Chaugan stadium and finally converges near the Talkatora.

• Dhamma Thali Vipassana Meditation Centre

  address: There are 8 locations in Jaipur, which you can see here, along with contact information of instructors
  1- to 45-day meditation courses (10-day residential courses are given for new students) run for a donation.

• Madhavanand Girls College

  phone: +91 141 2200317
  Free hatha yoga courses from 6-7AM.

• Maharaja Sawai Mansingh Sangeet Mahavidyalaya

  phone: +91 141 2560193
  address: Sawai Ram Singh Road

• Nad Sadhna

  phone: +91-141-2295153, +91-9414461059 (mobile)
  address: E-122(A) Kataria Colony, Ram Nagar Extension
  An institute of Rajasthani music that holds group classes for vocals, guitars, synthesizer, tabla, sitar, flute, mouthorgan, dholak and dance. Tablas and sitars can be provided to students; other instruments must be brought by students to the class.

Nothing is 'fixed price' in Jaipur, even in the self advertised government (RTDC) approved shops & emporiums. There are a few RTDC approved shops along "Amer Road" claiming to be government-owned and 'fixed price', but beware: they are frequently overpriced by as much as three times. Almost everything, from food to transportation to handicrafts, even accommodation can be bargained down to as much as a 60% discount off the quoted price. The lowest rates will be found in the bazaars of Bapu & Johari. Even here, keep inquiring in several shops as each one will have a different price for the same item. Don't be ashamed to spend an hour or more in each shop with the friendly shop owners sharing stories over masala chai as you look at their goods. While they are doing their best to run a business, do not overlook the genuinely hospitable culture of Rajasthani people.
Jaipur has tens of bazaars of different sizes and specializing in different products. Expect a brilliant, colourful explosion of flowers, elephants, ox carts, and wares; a complete assault on the senses. The traveller will smell the deep aroma of spices in canvas bags, the fetid smell of animals and open sewers, the sweet waft of tea, and the crusty acrid burn of dust and exhaust. There are different specialist zones, whether it's food, flowers, textiles, carved statues or plumbing. It is chaotic and noisy, people may stare if you are a Westerner, and anybody who has something to sell will try to sell it to you, repeatedly. Watch cobras dance out of their wicker baskets, and don't be too surprised if the snake charmer slaps his cobra for having a wayward eye. Be prepared to be asked for money if you plan to take photographs of snake-charmers and beggars. While you should always be wary, be sure not to completely close yourself out to the locals as one of the highlights of Rajasthan is the chance to interact with the friendly people.

• Bapu Bazaar and Nehru bazaarBapu and Nehru bazaars are for budget and traditional shoppers. They are popular and chaotic bazaars selling many different items ranging from handicrafts to western outfits.

• Johari Bazaar and Chameliwala MarketJohari bazaar and Chameliwala Market both best known as jewellery bazaars. There are hundreds of shops lined up in each bazaar selling jewellery of all types. Local jewellery along with authentic gems and stones can also be purchased.

• Jaipur also has other markets like Civil Lines Market and MI Road and nearby markets. It also has a few malls like Crystal Palm Shopping Mall, Gaurav Towers, MGF Metropolitan Mall, Pink Square Mall, Triton Mall and World Trade Park.

Jewels

Jaipur is famous for its many jewel merchants where you can get great deals on semi-precious gems such as turquoise, lapiz, tiger eye and the star ruby (a gem found only in India that is distinctive for the 6-pointed star it shines under natural light).

Rajais

Jaipur is famous for its 'rajais', a type of light quilt stuffed with cotton. You can get colourful & soft `Shaneel ki Rajai' in a velvet finish. These are quiet warm, soft and long lasting. You can shop in the main market area. But remember to bargain. To be confident of quality, and are willing to pay a little more, visit government stores for rajais.

Budget

Sweet

• Gangaur Sweets

  phone: +91-141-382-835
  address: J-32, Subash Marg, C-Scheme
  Sweets for chamcham, also baked sweets and crispy samosas.

• Jal Mahal

  phone: +91-141-2373520
  address: 85, MI Road
  A popular ice-cream parlor on MI Rd. An assortment of ice cream shakes, and some indigenous ice cream flavours. Excellent after a hearty meal at one of the MI Rd restaurants.
• Zolocrust, (Hotel Clarks Amer, Jawaharlal Nehru Marg, Near Malviya Nagar). The gourmet bakery and italian restraunt is operated by chefs of Hotel Clarks Amer and serves exquisite bakery items, it also serves vegan and vegetarian food.

Savoury

• Anokhi Cafe

  phone: +91 141 400 7245
  address: 2nd Floor, KK Square, C-11 Prithviraj Road
  Mostly organic non-Indian-style ("international flavour") home-style cakes, freshly prepared sandwiches, pastries, savoury snacks plus organic coffee and a selection of good teas. Quiet, relaxing, good value for money, situated outside the Anokhi shop (see Anokhi Museum of Hand Printing listing in "See").

• Ambrosia

  phone: +91 141 3153900
  address: In the Hotel Ramsingh Palace, B 2, Hathi Babau Ka Bagh, Kanti Nagar, Banipark
  Serving vegetarian and vegan, Chinese food and barbecue atop a 100-foot-high building providing a breathtaking view of the city.

• Old Take Away

  phone: +91 9828101014
  address: 146, Subhash Corner, MI Roa
  Various chicken and mutton dishes for take-away.

• Peacock Rooftop Restaurant

  phone: +91 94 14 236323
  address: 51, Hari Kishan Somani Marg
  A rooftop restaurant serving Indian, Western and Chinese food. Fast service and good value.

• Rawat Mishthan Bhandar

  phone: +91-141-236-7460
  address: Opposite Polo Victory Cinema, Station Road, Sindhi Camp
  Do not miss the famous Pyaz ki Kachori, a spicy onion dish. Also, the ghewar and mawa kachori is famous.

Mid-range

• Apno Gaon

  phone: +91 941 334 3477
  address: 14, New Loha Mandi, Sikar Road, Vishwakarma Industrial Area
  Vegetarian food, including fresh vegetables and fruits. Slightly away from the main city: One has to go on a bumpy ride to reach there.

• Four Seasons Restaurant

  phone: +91 141 237 5221
  address: D-43A, Subhash Marg, C Scheme
  Indian and Chinese food, among the most popular vegetarian restaurants in Jaipur.

• Handi Restaurant

  phone: +91 141 237 2275
  address: Maya Mansion, Opp GPO, MI Rd
  Specialising in meat dishes; chicken, mutton, kebab, tandoori and the super spicy Rajasthani speciality lal maas.

• Little Italy

  phone: +91 141 402 3444
  address: C/11, K.K. Square, Prithviraj Marg, C-Scheme
  Part of a chain with restaurants around India and some other Asian countries, as the name reveals, this is a place to go to for Italian food. Wide selection of pizza, pasta and other typical Italian food, also some Mexican dishes. Large range of wines.

• LMB

  address: LMB Hotel & Restaurant, 100 Johari Bazaar
  Good mid-range north Indian vegetarian restaurant. The restaurant sells good sweets and chat, Indian sweet and savory snacks, and is most famous for its Aloo ki Tikiya and Paneer Ghewar.

• Loharu House

  phone: +91-141-222-5251, +91-141-222-5945
  This is the house of a Royal Family in Civil Lines. Primarily a hotel, but they also serve food. You can call in advance and request a special dinner. Otherwise, dinners are served for in-house guests.

• Mamu's Infusion

  phone: +91 141 5108290
  address: 101, 1st Floor, Mangalam Ambition Tower, Subhash Marg, C Scheme
  Serves Indian, Italian, Mexican, Chinese, Thai and Middle Eastern dishes. Quirky decor, large servings and friendly staff.

• Natraj

  phone: +91 141-237-5804
  address: Panch Batti, M.I. Road
  Vegetarian, speciality is the Rajasthani thali. Credit cards are accepted and they do not serve alcohol. They also have a mithai (sweets) shop.

• Okra

  phone: +91 141 4567777
  address: Ashram Marg, Jawahar Circle
  Both a large buffet and a la carte. Reservations are required.

• Zodiac

  phone: +91 141 2720532
  address: Fortune Park Bella Casa, Cityplex, 1, Ashram Marg, Tonk Road
  A buffet restaurant with North Indian dishes.

Splurge

• 1135 AD Amber

  phone: +91 98290 37170
  address: Amer Road
  Upscale restaurant in the Amber Fort complex. They serve traditional Rajasthani cuisine in royally decorated dining rooms.

• Cinnamon

  phone: +91 141 222 3636
  address: Jacob Road, Civil Lines,
  Northern Indian cuisine in a romantic setting, however they are reportedly a bit overpriced.

• Niros

  phone: +91-141-237-4493
  address: MI Rd
  Niros is a 60-year-old restaurant serving mostly Indian and Indo-Chinese dishes. Opinions are divided between those who laud the restaurant and others who consider it overpriced and more hype than quality.

• Steam

  phone: +91 141 2211919
  A train turned into an Italian restaurant, on the grounds of the Taj Rambagh palace. Popular among the upper class of Jaipur, they are also famous for their pizzas.

In addition to these listings, see the "Do" listing for Chokhi Dhani.

Bars & Pubs

• Amigos Bar & Discoteque

  phone: +91 141 404 6666
  address: Church Road, MI Road
  Mexico-themed bar at the 9th floor of the OM Tower hotel, in the adjoining room there's a dance floor. Apparently a wider range of beverages and cocktails than at restaurants.

• Colorbar

  phone: +91 141 5198845
  address: Radisson Blu, Plot 5 & 6, Airport Plaza,Tonk Road, Durgapura
  On the top of the roof of Radission Blu Airport hotel, with nice views of the planes landing and taking off. Barbecue, pool and interesting luminescent chairs and tables.

• The Courtyard

  phone: +91 141 3319405
  address: SB-59, 4th & 5th Floor, UDB Tower, University Marg, Tonk Road
  Beer, cocktails and wine; however their food has got some very negative reviews. The rooftop section is popular among younger patrons, while the indoor restaurant is good for families.

• District 9 Lounge

  phone: +91 141 2553903
  address: E-20, Prem Plaza, Girdhar Marg, Opposite Reliance Fresh
  Rooftop and indoor seating. More of a restaurant than a bar, with dishes from all over the world ranging from spring rolls to pizzas and fajitas to burritos.

• Drop Zone Lounge Bar

  phone: +91 141 2723594, +91 141 3155220
  address: 14/82 & 83, Niti Nagar, Opposite Capt Amit Bhardwaj Petrol Pump, Malviya Nagar
  A bar with a pleasant rooftop seating with fantastic views, and they serve food as well.

• Henry’s – The Pub

  phone: +91 141 236 0202
  address: Park Prime Hotel, Prithviraj road, Near Statue Circle
  Cozy pub in the basement of the Prime Park Hotel, reportedly great for an evening out with your friends. Many different snacks and cocktails. On the downside some guests find the service is a bit slow.

• Hightz

  phone: +91 141 236 0382
  address: Hotel Man Singh, Sansar Chandra Rd
  More of an upscale restaurant, serving Rajasthani and Chinese food.

• Replay

  phone: +91 141 403 1026
  address: SB-57, Riddhi Tower, 5th Floor , Opposite SMS Stadium
  Bar, restaurant and lounge with Mexican and Italian cuisine. Different sitting areas, which makes it a good place for private events.

Night clubs

• 3D's Restro Lounge

  phone: +91 9166048000
  address: A2 Corporate Tower, Near Jawahar Circle
  A lounge bar with two restaurants (fine dining and casual). A good place to hang out with your friends, and fairly popular among students.

• Blackout

  phone: +91 96801 67016
  address: 9th floor, Golden Oak Hotel, Landmark Building, Ahinsa Circle, C Scheme
  Bar and nightclub popular with the party crowd, though their food is apparently not very good. Great views of the city from the rooftop lounge.

• Club Seven

  phone: +91 9549876525
  address: The Byke Grassfield Resort, Kishan Nagar , Near Bansal Hospital
  A nightclub with electronic music and different events every few weeks at the Byke Grassfield Resort, some 6-7 km southwest of the city centre.

• Duplay

  phone: +91 141 4033300
  address: MI Road
  Popular nightclub with two dance floors for Bollywood and electronic dance music. Wide choice of drinks, though less so with non-alcoholic.

• Waves

  phone: +91 141 220 4702
  address: Hotel Maharani Palace, Station Rd
  Bar and nightclub serving food. Special events during New Year, Valentine's Day and festivals.

• House of People

  phone: +91 141 3391479
  address: Hotel Las Vegas, A1, Sehkar Marg, Bais Godam
  House of People is a nightclub offering a wide variety of drinks and an amazing lounge to hang out. A pint of beer would cost about ₹250. It also attracts good gentry in general.

Budget

Jaipur being a prime destination for the tourists of all ages, both international and domestic, has a plethora of budget accommodation options. Almost all of the pan-Indian hostel chains are present in the city, including Zostel, Moustache, Backpacker Panda, Roadhouse and others. These places are generally dominated by young backpackers. Homestays and guest houses that are hosted by local residents and offer to give you an authentic experience from interiors, to ambiance, to the food they serve. Try to find a place near the Pink CIty, or Hawa Mahal.

• Atithi Guest House

  phone: +91 141 237-8679, +91 141 237-9496
  address: 1 Park House Scheme
  A nice, modern and very clean hotel a few minutes from the Pink City. Has a simple restaurant, laundry service, Wi-Fi (check on current rates, which are not posted on their site). Be careful of rickshaw/taxi drivers as they don't get a commission here so may try to bring you somewhere else.

• Bhim Vilas

  address: 1 Gopinath Marg
  Family-run guesthouse in the heart of the city, with 8 A/C rooms. The service is friendly and it is also excellent value for money.

• Chit Chat Palace

  phone: +91-141-2201-899, +91-141-2202-843
  address: D-160 Kabir Marg, Bani Park
  Airport/rail station/bus station pick up available, nice restaurant.

• Explorer's Nest

  phone: +91-99-285-17801
  Bed & breakfast by a couple fond of visitors, and of guiding them about their city. The house has ethnic decor and is in a quiet place 5 min walk from the centre. The rooms have air-conditioning and wifi.

• Hotel Kalyan

  phone: +91-141-2368355, +91-9314501591
  address: Hathroi Fort, Ajmer Rd
  2-star hotel with a quiet and relaxing atmosphere. Free parking and pickup is available from the train station and central bus stand. Tasty restaurant and good service.

• Hotel Malak Mahal

  phone: +91 8890825040, +91 88908 25040
  address: 54, Near Jal Mahal, Amer Rd
  This hotel, which opened in 2012, has 45 rooms, an in-house restaurant and reserved parking spaces. It also provides free Wi-Fi, air-con rooms with attached washrooms and a nice guest service system. Their reservation phone number is covered 24/7.

• Hotel Pearl Palace

  phone: +91 141-2373700
  address: 51 Hathroi Fort, Hari Kishan Somani Marg, Ajmer Road
  The place is designed as an art museum. Wonderful roof top patio restaurant. The owners are nice but the front desk clerk is very moody. They do not always honor reservations made from their website.

• Hotel Ramsingh Palace

  phone: +91 141 4005191 (Mr. Mahendra Singh)
  address: B-2, Hathi Babu Ka Bagh, Kanti Nagar
  Comfortable beds, each room comes with LCDTV with multiple channels. Walking distance to the train station and central bus stand. Airport/rail station/bus station pick up available, multi-cuisine restaurant.

• Hotel Sangam

  phone: +91 141 237179192
  address: 17 Motilal Atal Rd
  Good mattress, TV, restaurant, includes breakfast toast.

• Hotel Shikha

  phone: +91 141 4031212, +91 9582221212
  address: R-14, Yudhishthir Marg, C-Scheme
  The only hotel in Jaipur that is opposite to the deer park in c-scheme. Coffee & wine lounge in premises with Rock Pub and discotheque. Special offers on website.

• Jaipur Inn

  phone: +91-141-2201121
  address: B-17, Shiv Marg, Bani Park
  Hot water, air-con, TV, heater, and telephone in every room. The hotel also has a backup power generator and a lift. Nice rooftop bar with great views over the city. All room rates include rooftop Wi-Fi and free cancellation. They can also serve food. During low season (April/May/June), 50% discount if you stay 2 days or more.

• Karni Niwas

  phone: +91 141 2365433
  address: C-5 Motilal Atal Road
  Good budget hotel. Very clean with hot water, quiet room. Restaurant, includes continental breakfast.

• Krishna Palace

  phone: +91 141 2201395, +91 94 14311252
  address: E-26, Durga Marg, Bani Park
  Heritage property which looks like a palace. Nice garden, quiet and very clean. Traditional-style spacious rooms with private bath and hot shower. 24-hr service. Comfortable beds, each room comes with colour TV with all channels. Rooftop and garden restaurant available. Walking distance to the train station. Managed by a friendly family. Very quiet and relaxing neighbourhood surrounded by greenery. Pickup service from the train and central bus station is free of charge.

• Moon Light Palace

  phone: +91 141-2450753, +91 141 6508059
  address: S-34, Shanti Nagar, Near Labour Court
  It's clean with solid Wi-Fi. Free pick up from station. Restaurant has a wide range of food.

• Pink City Guest House

  phone: +91 141-5106184
  address: 18 Motilal Atal Rd
  Clean rooms and good value with reliable hot water, TV and Wi-Fi - just ask the guy at the reception. Steps away from bus station and few min walk from old town and/or rail station. Five stores down the road south on that side of the street is an amazing vegetarian restaurant Mohal's which does great cheapish food. Make sure you get one of the rooms facing the quiet backstreet. The hotel lacks its own website, and current tariffs seem to be impossible to find online. As of 2012 or so, they charged ₹400-700 for a double room, with off season rates of ₹250 for a very basic room without attached bathroom.

• Satkar Hotel

  phone: +91 94 14255755,+91 14 12202020
  address: 187, Barodia Scheme, Banipark
  Family run budget hotel, free pick up from railway station, bus stand, free Wi-Fi. Air-con and non-air-con rooms with attached bathrooms and TV. Hot shower, food, travel desk, laundry, 5 min walk from railway station. Not especially clean, ceiling fan noisy. Laundry is available for a charge. Walking distance to the bus station in a seedy neighbourhood.

• Sunder Palace Guest House

  phone: +91 141 2360178
  address: No. 46, Sanjay Marg
  Clean rooms, great service, convenient location, a rooftop restaurant, a lovely garden area and a terrace. Tiled double room with cable TV, big bathroom with hot water and a Persian carpet area with a small table where you can sip tea and read. Internet available, but there was a charge for this service a few years ago, so enquire.

• Zostel

  phone: +91 11 3958 9005
  address: First Floor, 85-A, Rajamal Ka Talab, Icici Bank Building, Chandi ki Taksal
  Backpacker hostel.

Mid-range

• Anuraag Villa

  phone: +91-141-2201679
  address: D-249, Near Collectorate Circle
  3-star hotel 15 min by rickshaw from the city centre. Peaceful place to relax with clean, comfortable rooms and free Wi-Fi Onsite restaurant offers very good vegetarian options Rajasthani style.

• Arya Niwas

  phone: +91 141 237 2456, +91 141 237 1773, +91 141 510 6010
  address: Sansar Chandra Rd
  A feudal lord's mansion converted into a hotel with the ambience of a stately home. Centrally located, family managed, cafeteria serving decent vegetarian food and a garden to relax in during the evenings.

• Colonel's Homestead Jaipur

  phone: +91 99 8379 6656
  address: 10 & 11 Cosmo Colony, Ram Marg, Amrapali Rd, Vaishali Nagar
  Run by a retired army colonel and his wife, who hails from a royal family of Rajasthan, a peaceful place to stay adjoining 50 acres of bird-filled nature. Home-cooked meals available, and good advice on attractions and shopping.

• Hotel Classic Holidays

  phone: +91 141 229 3890
  address: A-79, Shyam Nagar, Sodala, Ajmer Rd
  In a residential area with peaceful, clean, green surroundings.

• Hotel Mandakini Castle

  phone: +91 141 2371779
  address: Sansar Chandra Rd
  3-star hotel. 12 superior rooms and 26 suites. All are fitted with a private bath with hot & cold water, cable/sat TV, and broadband internet connection. The travel desk, 50-capacity conference area, complimentary transfer services. It is not easy to find current room rates, but the hotel gets mixed reviews from guests.

• Hotel Meghniwas

  phone: +91 141 2202034
  address: C-9, Sawai Jai Singh Highway, Bani Park
  It also has a garden and a swimming pool, which is free for guests and open to non-guests for a charge.

• Hotel Sarang Palace

  phone: +91 141 2281199
  address: A- 40, Subhash Nagar Rd, Near Peetal Factory
  3-star heritage hotel, offers free pick up from train and bus station.

• Loharu House

  phone: +91 141 222 5251, +91 141 222 5945
  address: Civil Lines
  This property belongs to the Royal Family of Loharu and they rent out a few rooms. The place is quaint and beautiful and the rooms are well appointed. The service also has the touch of personal care and warmth. A plus side is the cooks are excellent and put together some fine dinners.

• Milestone 251

  phone: +91 96107 1000
  address: Near Collectorate Circle, D-251, Devi Marg, Bani Park
  Near the railway station in Bani Park area.

• Sumati Villa

  phone: +91 141 5140965,+91 141 5125176, +91 98 29055772
  address: 7, Shubham Enclave, Jamnalal Bajaj Marg
  A budget guest house.

• Umaid Bhawan

  phone: +91 141 2206426
  address: D1-2A, Behari Marg, Bani Park
  A nicely restored heritage hotel with clean, comfortable rooms, many with balconies. Beautifully decorated, it looks like a mini-palace. It has a roof-top restaurant with views of the rising sun in the morning and the setting sun in the evening. The swimming pool is on the ground floor, and it's cold in the off-season. The friendly and helpful staff will arrange airport/train station pickup. Great value, a great place.

• Umaid Mahal

  phone: +91 141 220 1952
  address: C-20 / B-2, Bihari Marg, Sawai Jai Singh Highway,
  A very nice heritage house hotel with 3-star facilities and also offers free pick up from train and bus station.

• Pride Amber Vilas

  phone: +91-141-2777077

• White Mushroom V Inn Jaipur

  phone: +91 7827824444
  address: I - 7 C2

• Mosaics Guest House

  phone: +91-141-2530031, +91-9950457218
  address: Siyaram ki Doongri, Amber

Splurge

Jaipur has an excellent selection of expensive places to be treated like a maharaja for a day or two, most of which are often booked a year in advance. Though the list is endless, a few of them are:

• Lohagarh Fort Resort Jaipur

  address: Kachera Wala, Kukas (NH-8)
  13 acres of green lush mountain area in Kukas, a 50-minute drive from Jaipur. Cottages with private pool, luxury tents with jacuzzi, luxury suite with jacuzzi. Apart from accommodation they offer spa & massage and their pool is one of the biggest in the city. They also have in-house restaurant.

• Naila Bagh Palace

  phone: +91 141 260 7492
  address: Moti Doongari Road
  Heritage home built in 1872 by the Prime Minister of Jaipur (Late Thakur Fateh Singh ji of Naila), now owned and managed by his 7th-generation descendants. It is surrounded with sprawling gardens and open spaces on all sides; the large front courtyard provides ample seating space for our visitors along with providing a calm and serine ambience. One of Jaipur's oldest heritage buildings and home the erstwhile Prime Minister, Thakur Fateh Singh Ji. Surrounded with gardens and open spaces on all sides, large front courtyard provides ample seating, antique chandeliers, original frescos, colonial furniture and a heritage of family history on display. Swimming pool, modest gym, Wi-Fi in some areas.

• Oberoi Rajvilas Palace Hotel

  phone: +91 141 268 0101
  address: Goner Rd
  If you have money to blow and you want to stay in the lap of luxury, this is the place for you. The only problem is that it is nearly impossible to get a booking.

• Taj Rambagh Palace HotelA former palace and an excellent place to stay.

• The Trident Jaipur

  phone: +91 141 267 0101
  address: Amber Fort Rd
  Surprisingly intimate low-rise hotel built like a glittering white Mughal palace, renovated and well maintained. Small pool. It's worth it to pay extra for a lake view room.

Beyond the standard dangers of travelling in India (thieves, hustlers, touts, questionable drinking water), Jaipur has developed its own set of unique scams.

The gem scam

You may be approached by a local, sometimes youths on motorbikes, who claim that Westerners are unwilling to engage with the Indian people.
"Why don't tourists want to talk to me?" or "I am a student, I want to learn about your culture" is a common opener. They may also try to make you feel guilty by claiming "It is Indian culture to be help." If you engage them, the scam artist will invite the visitor to drink tea. Frequently, the tourist will only be told of the gem stones the next day or after dinner. Usually it is some sort of tax problem. The unwitting mark is then sold fake stones for resale in his/her home country. Even if stones are posted in front of your eyes, you are more likely to see Elvis than the gems again. As a general rule, do not accept tea from strangers, but in addition be wary of any who invite you to talk in secluded areas. The easiest is a simple and polite refusal of any offer, even if just a drink and chat. You may need to firm in your refusal, and walk away.
If you are a Westerner and a person outside your hotel accosts you, then it's likely the person is scheming to acquire your money. There have been reports of smugglers trying to entice foreigners to assist in smuggling items. Under no circumstances accept: smuggling is a serious offence.

There are many other fascinating and beautiful places to visit in Rajasthan.
If you are booking train tickets out of Jaipur, make sure to ask for Tatkal tickets at the reservation office, as tickets to just about everywhere sell out weeks in advance. Tatkal (last minute) tickets only open for sale the day before the train leaves, and are not always offered voluntarily by the staff, who will simply tell you the train is full.

• Abhaneri — you can arrange transport to this village, which contains an impressive ancient stepwell and a beautiful 9th-century temple
• Bikaner — a city in the Thar Desert; though less visited than Jaisalmer, it is home to several important sites such as Bikaner Fort (Junagarh Fort), Laxmi Niwas Palace and Shivbari Temple
• Bhandarej — a little-known town 62 km from Jaipur off the Jaipur-Agra Highway, which dates from the times of the Mahabharata and features 11th-century monuments and temples
• Jaisalmer — the Golden City in the Thar Desert
• Jodhpur — the stunning Blue City, with its awe-inspiring Mehrangarh Fort
• Udaipur — train #2965, Gwalior Udaipur Superfast Express (via Agra), is the best option for this beautiful City of Lakes