The Rose Pink City founded by Maharaja Jai Singh II (1693-1743), is the capital of Rajasthan. It is a major attraction for the first-time visitor. Jaipur is surrounded on all sides by rugged hills, crowned with forts & enclosed by embattled walls. Houses with latticed windows line the streets with their rose pink colour, lending enchantment to the scene, which is almost magical at sunset.

The Old City (Known as the Pink City) is a great place to wander around. The whole city was painted in Pink colour by Maharaja Man Singh II when Prince of Wales, later Edward VII, visited Jaipur in 1876 AD. Today, every home within the city is obliged by law to maintain its facade. It is a very well planned city laid out in a grid pattern and was designed by a young Bengali engineer and scholar by the name "Vidyadhar Bhattacharya".                               

Jaipur was and remains the only city in the world, symbolising the nine divisions of the universe, through nine rectangular sectors sub-dividing it. Jaipur is a royal city & this is its most noticeable aspect, small buildings & festivals testify it.
Jaipur & its surroundings are rather like an endless museum. The city also offers an endless variety of crafts. Jewellers here still fashion the beautiful enamel-on-gold pendants, studded on the reverse with precious stones or pearls & turquoise that one sees in miniature paintings. Jaipur's lacquer bangles are famous all over the world. This is a city to be visited

Hawa Mahal Or palace of winds, which is , in fact, no Palace, but an extraordinary facade 0f 953 airy windows used by the ladies of the Palace to watch the outside world. It was built in 1799. The top of the honeycomb like frontage of Hawa Mahal offers an excellent view of the surrounding 

City Palace  In the center of the sprawling old walled city stands the City Palace with its ornate entrance gates, arches, projecting balconies and a series of courtyards. The ground and first floors of the seven storey Chandra Mahal houses the Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II Museum. The museum has a rare and rich collection of ornaments, arms, royal costumes, carpets and decorative art objects.  

Jantar Mantar  The observatory of Maharaja Jai Singh II. The construction and precision of the observatory were a unique achievement for the year 1716. This observatory best reflects the passion of its founder for astronomy and his scientific genius. It helped in calculating the movements and positions of stars and planets and in foretelling the eclipses. 

Jaigarh Fort  It was recently opened to the public after being sealed for seven years, following a rumor that an enormous treasure in gold was buried in vaults under deep reservoirs. 

Jaigarh , or the Fort of Victory, is a rugged fort built in 1726. The world's largest cannon on wheels is to be found here. The fort houses a museum and provides some excellent views of the Amer Palace.

Nahargarh Fort Nahargarh Fort 15 km, provides a marvelous view of Jaipur city. Shekhawati 168 km, the painted town, was once subordinate to Jaipur. Sariska Palace 37 km, once a hunting lodge, now a private hotel set on the outskirs of a wildlife sanctuary where tiger, panther, blue bull, wild boar and deer roam the scrubby thicket and bush.

THE GARLAND FORTS These forts, though built at different periods, are so located that they seem to be stringed together.

AMER  Set in a picturesque location, Amer is a fascinating blend of Hindu and Mughal architecture. Built in the 16th century by Raja Man Singh, it sprawls on the hillside. Click here to see a panoramic view of the formidable Amer with Jaigarh in the background. Built in red sandstone and white marble, the palace complex has some very interesting apartments, the likes of which are not to be found anywhere else in the country. Jai Mandir, Sheesh Mahal, Sukh Niwas and Ganesh Pole are the prominent areas of interest.

The old township of Amer lies at the foothills of the palace and has an old world charm, a character of its own. Jagat Shiromani Temple, Narsingh Temple are some of the places of interest.

Mehrangarh Fort  One of the largest forts in India, it is unsurpassed in beauty and grandeur. Innumerable palaces in the fort, interspersed with sprawling courtyards, are intricately carved. Various folk musicians and bands gather here on important occasions and perform against the magical backdrop of the fort - reviving the regal splendor of a bygone era.

Jaswant Thada The 19th century royal cenotaph, a creation in white marble was built in commemoration of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II and displays some rare portraits of Jodhpur's rulers.

Umaid Bhawan Palace The  only palace built in the 20th century as a famine relief project, which gave employment to hundreds of people for 16 years. Its sculpted lawns with sandstone pavements and bouquets of bougainvillea bushes, offer a lovely sight. The palace now runs as a hotel with a part of it retained as a museum.

Mandore  The capital of ancient Marwar, it is truly an oasis in the desert with its beautifully laid out gardens. The sprawling greenery of peepal, banyan, palms and plantains along with swirling fountains and lovely peacocks make Mandore a visual treat. The main attraction is the 'Hall of Heroes' housing sixteen gigantic figures chiselled out of a single rock and the cenotaphs of the former maharajas of Jodhpur.

Clock Tower and Sardar Market One can go shopping for Jodhpur tie-and-dye textile, embroidered leather shoes, lacquer ware, antiques, carpets and puppets, amidst the setting of traditional haat bazaar and the well-planned Sardar Market near the Clock Tower.

Mahamandir Temple  Built in 1812, is an old walled town with few hundred houses. The temple with 84 beautifully carved pillars is an architectural wonder.

Kailana Lake An artificial lake on the Jaisalmer road. An idyllic picnic spot with spectacular sunsets.

Balsamand Lake and Palace A picturesque artificial lake with a summer palace on its banks. There are lush orchards of mango, guava and other fruits.

Sardar Samand Lake and Palace As you drive to the lake, the picturesque countryside with lovely villages and smiling folks on the way, offer a spectacular sight. A rendezvous with chinkara and black buck might add more fun to the drive.

Osian An ancient town of the Thar Desert, renowned for a cluster of ruined Brahmanical and Jain temples dating from 8th to 11th century. The most important temples are the Surya or Sun Temple and the Sachiya Mata Temple. The latter has a 'shikhar' clustered by a row of tarrets, an ambulatory and a large assembly hall with an elaborate ceiling.

Guda Bishnoi (25 km)These are immaculately kept villages of Bishnoi community-staunch believers in the sanctity of plant and animal life. Khejri trees and varieties of deer are the attractions of the villages