Jaipur
Top Tips
Sightseeing
Jaipur is surrounded by hilltop forts, many of which are worth
visiting, in particular Amber Fort, Jaigarh Fort and Nahargarh
Fort. The sprawling palace complex (Hawa Mahal) with its
intricate courtyards, gardens and sumptuous decorations, is a
must-see; we also enjoyed exploring the 1728 Jantar Mantar
Observatory, with its extraordinary astronomical sculptures.
Shopping
All the Rajasthani cities are renowned for shopping and each has
its own speciality, however, Jaipur is probably the best all
rounder. Check out the traditional crafts, silver, gemstones,
textiles, marble and pottery. Try the government backed emporiums
for a range of goods, and be prepared to haggle - the Rajasthanis
are experts!
Outside Town
The little town of Sanganer is 16km south of Jaipur. It boasts
several Jain temples and is famous for its handmade paper and block
printing.
Around 3 hours west of Jaipur, Pushkar is a small and peaceful Hindu pilgrimage town situated on the edge of the desert, by the shores of Lake Pushkar. Its most famous temple is the Brahma Temple; visitors are asked to respect Pushkar's holy status and not eat meat or consume alcohol. The town's Camel Fair in October/November is a huge affair featuring not just camels but also cattle, traders, pilgrims and tourists, with much excitement and noise. Pushkar's shopping speciality is costume jewellery, but you'll also find embroidered fabrics from the tribal areas of Rajasthan.