Jaipur Regions Guide - attractions

Amber Palace
Situated on the crest of a hill seven miles north of Jaipur is Amber, capital of the Kuchwaha Rajputs from 1037 to 1728. The city-palace is protected by towering outer walls, a further wall runs for miles along the hills surrounding the palace. For many, the most memorable part of a trip to Jaipur is the journey up the palace ramparts, through a succession of vast gates, on the back of a painted elephant - Maharaja style. Inside are the ruins of a once great palace, a wonderful example of Rajput architecture, with Mogul influences. Visitors will be able to see the remains of the Maharajas quarters surrounded by the rooms of his many wives and concubines, each linked to his bedroom by secret steps and passageways to avoid jealousy. Although much of the complex is closed to the pubic, there is still a large area to explore. Visitors are advised to spend at least a few hours here and ideally hire a guide who will explain the architecture and history of the palace.
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Transport: There are options for climbing the steep hill to the palace: an elephant ride (Rs400), by jeep (Rs120) or on foot
Opening times: Daily 9am to 4.30pm

City Palace
The magnificent City Palace is in the centre of the Pink City of Jaipur, enclosed by high walls and set amidst fine gardens and courtyards. Since Jai Singh built it in 1728 it has been the principal residence for the Maharajas of Jaipur and the successive rulers have each added to it. The Palace was built during the glory days and the exhibits and interior have lost none of their splendour; the doors and gateways preserve their flamboyant decoration and royal retainers, clothed in turbans and full livery, still guard the principal halls and entrances. Chandra Mahal is the private palace of the current ruler and is approached through a number of courtyards. Mubarak Mahal, in the first courtyard, was once a guesthouse and is now a textile museum. There are number of other museums displaying old costumes and uniforms, carpets, mementos, elephant 'saddles' and an armoury containing a fascinating array of fearsome and inventive weapons dating back to the Mogul era. A beautifully carved marble gate with brass doors leads to the second courtyard where Diwan-I-Khas, the hall of private audiences, is found. On display here are two gigantic silver urns used by Madho Singh II to carry water from the holy Ganges when he travelled to London in 1902 on board an ocean liner - he was reluctant to trust the water in the west! These are the largest silver vessels in the world - 243 kilograms of silver was required to cast each urn, which can contain 8,182 gallons of water.
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Opening times: 9.30am to 5pm