The Ultimate Guide To Jaipur
» The Ultimate Guide To Jaipur
3 Days in Jaipur – The Ultimate Jaipur Itinerary for Photographers
Famously known as the ‘Pink City, Jaipur is the capital of India’s Rajasthan, here is our ultimate guide To jaipur. The epitome of royal hospitality can be found in the centre of this beautiful Indian city. So how did the city become known as the ‘Pink City?’.
This was a question we asked ourselves as we drove through the never ending line of pink sandstone buildings. The color pink actually symbolizes hospitality and in 1876 the King of Jaipur, Maharaja Ram Singh, requested that the entire city be painted pink for the visit of the Prince of Wales and Queen Victoria. Thus, the city obtained the name ‘Pink City,’ shortly thereafter.
How To Get There
One can easily either fly into Jaipur, or arrive via car, or train from the surrounding cities. For us, we actually took a train from Agra Fort Station to Jaipur. The ride was not as frightening as we had anticipated and we were pleasantly surprised by how quickly we got there. The train took us between 3-4 hours and it dropped us off in the centre of the city. In order to buy tickets, it is best to either have your hotel concierge book them for you, or you can download the app MyTrip and book them yourself. Booking tickets does require you to have your contact details and passport information on hand.
TIP
In order to book any train tickets via MyTrip, you must have an Indian phone number. If you are able to pick up an Indian SIM card upon arrival this new phone number will work. This is just another perk of purchasing a SIM card. It makes transportation around the country easier.
Amber Fort or ‘Amer Fort’
Located atop a high hill with sweeping views of Jaipur below, Amber Fort is a gigantic structure worth a visit on your trip. It’s sprawling grounds make for a fantastic day out, as there are plenty of areas to explore. Amber Fort is also one of the most well-known and visited forts in all of India. The fort is made out of sandstone and marble and has many great locations for photos.
If you visit the fort, you will see at the bottom they offer elephant rides up to the fort. PLEASE DO NOT EVER RIDE THESE ANIMALS. We were in total shock to see so many tourists riding their way up to the front entrance. It is horrible to the animals and the locals will only continue to do it if we continue to fund it. Rant aside, please don’t ride, and be a conscious traveller.
City Palace is a massive complex with intricate buildings, gardens and courtyards located in the very centre of the Old City in Jaipur. The city palace is known for its detailed and colorful rooms. Entry fee to the city palace can be steep, so be sure to do your research to find up to date prices.
Panna Meena Ka Kund – Stepwell
One of the most famous stepwells in Jaipur. This geometric ancient well is a fantastic place to visit. Depending on the time of year, it may be filled high with water. It is important to note that as of recently they have placed guards on duty to stop tourists from taking photos on the steps. If you want to get a picture you have to arrive before 6:30 am, however even if you can’t walk inside, we still recommend you come to look at it! The shape and size is magnificent!
It is one of the oldest museums in the state and serves as the official museum of Rajasthan. The exterior entrance is always covered with birds and is a famous place to snap a photo, but if you are afraid of birds… its best not to go!
Patrika Gate
A beautiful colorful series of gates located at the Jawahar Circle entrance. Though the gate itself isn’t too big, the colors and patterns are truly mesmerizing. This was one of our favorite places to photograph as well whilst in India!
