Jaipur Tourism - Travel to Jaipur
Jaipur is in Rajastan, in India.
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Understand Jaipur Tourism
Jaipur, the largest city in Rajastan, not only provides a stepping stone to the enchanting desert cities of Jodhpur and Jaisalmer, but offers several massive forts of its own; tributes to the Rajputs who once ruled the land.
Jaipur is a bustling, dusty, chaotic city that will confuse and overwhelm an ordinary traveller's senses.
Get into Jaipur
Overnight trains arrive from many major cities including Delhi and Agra.
Get around in Jaipur
By and large, autorickshaw is the best way around the city. Bicycle rickshaws are cheaper, but the amount of time it takes quickly makes the extra few rupees worth it. Walking in the bazaar is a treat, although side streets are a bit less welcoming and offer a sharper glimpse of poverty.
See Jaipur
- Nahargarh Fort.
- Amber Fort. The Amber fort greets one with regal architecture (and elephants giving rides to tourists!) derived from Hindu and Muslim styles.
- Jaigarh Fort. The Jaigarh Fort holds the world's largest cannon, and offers stunning views.
Do Jaipur
- Raj Mandhir Theater. An experience in itself. The best movie theater in Rajastahn, it offers an overwhelming experience. From the pushing, shoving, and general chaos in the ticket line, to the Indian audience that laughs, cries, cheers, claps, and consistently talks through the entire film, the Raj Mandhir provides an insight into Rajastahni culture. The movies themselves are always interesting; Masala movies are action, drama, mystery, suspense, and epics all wrapped into one single movie, teeming with dances and obligatory wet Sari scenes, and unabashedly lifting generous amounts of plot devices from Western movies.
Buy
- Bazaar. A brilliant colorful explosion of flowers, elephants, ox carts, and wares! 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. The noise is chaotic, the people constantly will stare (at Westerners), 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.
Eat - Travel to Jaipur
Drink
Sleep - Jaipur Tourism
Stay safe - Jaipur Tourism
Beyond the standard dangers of travelling in India (thieves, hustlers, touts, questionable drinking water), Jaipur has developed its own set of unique scams. You may be accosted by youths on motorbikes who claim that Westerners are unwilling to engage with the Indian people. The scam artist then changes their tune and invites the traveller to drink a tea. 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.
There have been reports of smugglers trying to entice travellers to assist in smuggling items. Under no circumstances accept; smuggling is a major criminal act.
Get out
Continue into Rajastan, to the stunning, powerful fort of Jodhpur, and onto the dreamy, enchanted desert city of Jaisalmer
External Links for Jaipur Tourism