Back in March 2014 when we were a couple, Daraius and I flew to India as part of an around-the-world trip for my parents. During our journey, we visited India, the Maldives, and Hong Kong.
We took a 4-day trip to Jaipur, a city in the Northern part of India called Rajasthan. I really like Rajasthan for its historic palaces, extraordinary forts, and excellent shopping. And we even took a picturesque elephant ride! It’s different than anywhere else I’ve traveled, and that’s why I liked it so much!
We Had a Terrific Time Visiting Historic Sites Like City Palace in Jaipur, India
This series of posts will cover the logistics of getting to Jaipur, the hotel we stayed in, the activities we did, and restaurants we visited.
Jet Set to Jaipur Trip Report Index:
- Part 1 – Planning and Introduction
- Part 2 – Getting to Jaipur, India
- Part 3 – ITC Rajputana Hotel Overview
- Part 4 – ITC Rajputana Hotel Room
- Part 5 – Activities in Jaipur – Amber Fort and Elephant Ride
- Part 6 – Activities in Jaipur – City Palace and Jaigarh Fort
- Part 7 – Shopping in Jaipur and the Hunt for Lacquer Jewelry
- Part 8 – Eating in Jaipur
- Part 9 – Conclusion & Blog Giveaway
Activities in Jaipur
Riding an elephant up to Amber Fort was my favorite activity in Jaipur. We also went to the City Palace and Jaigarh Fort. Jaigarh Fort is near Amber Fort, and is worth a quick visit.
City Palace
The City Palace isn’t just 1 structure – it includes courtyards, gardens, and buildings. Built between 1729 and 1732, it’s been added to many times over the years! It’s an amazing complex!
The entrance fee was ~$5 for visitors.
Visiting the City Palace Isn’t Expensive and Well Worth a Trip!
We paid an extra 300 rupees (~$5) for a guide.
Check Out the Beautiful Architecture and Intricate Decor
We walked around the palace, and were told about the old kings who created it, and kept adding to it.
The Grounds Are Extensive and Decorated in Pastel Tones
I loved seeing the sculpted marble and arched doorways.
The Entryways Were Gorgeous and Very Well Maintained
It was like stepping back in time. Mubarak Mahal, which means “Auspicious Palace,” was built in the late 19th century. You can really see the blend of European, Indian, and Islamic architecture.
It is now a textile museum that has outfits worn by the kings, shawls, and saris.
Mubarak Mahal Combines Architectural Styles. Now It’s a Museum Displaying Textiles and Outfits Worn by Royalty
To enter the City Palace, you have to walk through these gates.
The Entryways Provided Welcome Shade on a Very Hot Day!
There were men dressed up outside of the palace doors. You could take a picture with them, but they expected a small tip. 20 to 50 rupees (30 to 75 cents) each would be sufficient.
Don’t Mess With My Bodyguards! :)
There wasn’t much old furniture or jewels to admire, but it was still very pretty.
Not as Cool as the Real Elephant, but Still Pretty Neat!
In 1 courtyard, there were 4 covered arches that each represented a different season and Hindu gods:
- Northeast Peacock Gate (with peacocks on the doorway) represents autumn and Lord Vishnu
- Southwest Lotus Gate (with flowers) represents summer and Lord Shiva-Parvati
- Northwest Green Gate, also called the Waves gate (green) represents spring and Lord Ganesha
- Rose Gate (flower pattern) represents winter and Goddess Devi.
The arched doorways were painted so beautifully!
At the Rose Gate, Which Represents Goddess Devi and Winter
The guide tried to get us to buy things from the shops in the palace. Prices are high though, so don’t buy anything from these shops. The guides most likely get a commission which is why they are so eager to show you.
Jaigarh Fort
Another fort, called Jaigarh Fort, is located next to the Amber Fort, so we went to check it out because we were so close.
After returning from my trip, I learned about an underground tunnel that connects both forts. This was used in case the royal family had to relocate from 1 fort to the other for safety reasons. I would have loved to explore the underground tunnels, but never saw any option to walk through them. It was probably closed off to visitors.
We made our way up to the top of the fort, and were again treated with beautiful views.
You Could See for Miles!
The fort is made of thick red sandstone walls and is spread over ~2 miles and a width of about half a mile.
Mark and my mom liked exploring, too!
Like Nothing They Had Visited Back in the US!
Daraius found a cannon… One of the large cannons at the fort was manufactured there, and was then the world’s largest cannon on wheels.
At a point, Jaigarh Fort was 1 of the world’s most efficient cannon manufacturers because of the nearby iron ore mines.
We learned that they were so good at making cannons because they created a wind tunnel that sucked air from the mountains into the furnace. Then they would melt the metal at very high temperatures!
Jaigarh Fort Was a Leader in Cannon Manufacturing for Many Years
After admiring the cannons, I met some new friends! These schoolgirls were so friendly and we enjoyed chatting and learning about each other.
So we posed for some fun pictures!
One of My Favorite Things About Travel – Making New Friends!
The fort was huge, and I loved exploring the various coves and walkways.
Lots of Nooks and Crannies to Explore at Jaigarh Fort
It really was like walking through history!
We Learned a Lot on Our Visit! Don’t Forget Sunscreen and Comfy Shoes!
Bottom Line
The City Palace is worth exploring for a few hours. The guide is optional, and it depends what you want. I would have preferred not having a guide to feel less rushed, and his heavy accent sometimes made it difficult to understand him.
Jaigarh Fort is worth a stop if you have time. There isn’t as much artwork or detailing, but I liked that it was like the “Rome Forum of the East” and left a lot to be discovered.
After all the touring around, we were ready for some shopping! And Jaipur didn’t disappoint…
* If you liked this post, why don’t you join the 20,000+ readers who have signed-up to receive free blog posts via email (only 1 email per day!) or in an RSS reader …because then you’ll never miss another trip report!
