Jaipur – the Pink City of Rajasthan – features among the top attractions of the royal state. The capital city is home to numerous historic and cultural places that aren’t worth a miss. Besides, there are tons of exciting things to do as well, enough to make your holiday memorable and lure you to keep coming back for more.
Here are top 10 best things to do and tourist places to visit in Jaipur that are a must-include in your Jaipur tour itinerary.
1) Groove to Rajasthani folk dances
A visit to Rajasthan is truly incomplete without catching a glimpse of the world-famous folk dance of the state. And you’ll find ample opportunity to enjoy this in Jaipur, the capital city. ChokhiDhani, which lies about 30 km from Jaipur, is the best place to enjoy the state’s colourful and vibrant culture at its best. Every night, there are traditional performers grooving to the beats of local Kalbeliya dance, Chari dance, and the most famous Rajasthani-style Ghoomar.
2) Go trekking
The city has numerous forts and temples where adventure-loving travelers can fulfill their wish to get an adrenalin rush during the tour to Jaipur. The best trekking spots to find in and around Jaipur would be Nahargarh Fort, Garh Ganesh, Mt. Abu, and Kumbhalgarh.
3) Shop till you drop
You’ll find lots of colourful stuff to carry back home as souvenirs, for the pink city is home to an amazing collection of local markets popular by the name Pink City Bazaars. They are made up of four main markets in the city – Johari Bazaar renowned for precious gemstones, Bapu Bazaar for textiles, Nehru Bazaar for Rajasthani jootis(shoes), and Kishanpole Bazaar for wooden sculptures.
4) Participate in fun festivals
Another amazing opportunity to experience the authentic culture of Rajasthan is to be there during its colorful festivals. One example is the famous Gangaur Festival in March observed in honor of Goddess Gauri. The festival is celebrated by the local women as a symbolism of their marital fidelity. But unmarried ladies also participate in the rituals to seek blessings for a good husband.
Teej is yet another popular festival celebrated by married women in Jaipur during the monsoon season of July-September. The women take out a grand procession of Teej Mata in a carriage known as TeejSawari. Dancers and music bands accompany the huge procession on Jaipur streets.
5) Experience grandeur at heritage hotels
Jaipur, the home of regal palaces, you’d actually find plenty of them that have been converted into heritage hotels. This gives the traveller a peek into the history and culture of the royal era of the times. Samode Palace, Narain Niwas Palace, Jai Mahal Palace and Chomu Palace are classic examples. These authentic royal palaces have been artistically revamped to give the tourist a lavish accommodation while lending an authentic view of the palatial property too.This is one of the best places to visit in Jaipur.
6) Pump your adrenaline at jungle safaris
For the wildlife lover too, Jaipur has something exciting on offer. Add a dash of thrill to your tour by undertaking one of the jungle safaris at the various national parks situated in and around Jaipur. Don’t miss the Jhalana Leopard Safari in Jaipur, Nahargarh Biological Park 21 km from the city and Chandlai Bird Sanctuary 30 km from Jaipur.
Other top national parks situated around the pink city include Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary (107 km), Ranthambore National Park (165 km) and Bharatpur National Park (180 km).
7) Float high in a hot air balloon
There can be no better way to get a bird’s eye view of this gorgeous Pink City. Hop on to a hot air balloon to enjoy the ride of a lifetime. There are several places in the city where the ride can be availed from– Amber Fort, Jal Mahal, Shiv Vilas, and Delhi-Jaipur Road.This experience is one of the best things to do in Jaipur.
8) Visit the ancient temples and forts
They provide the best idea about the age-old heritage of the city. You’ll find them in abundance too like the Birla Mandir which stands in stainless white marble, GovindDevJi Temple of Lord Shiva and Galtaji dedicated to Lord Hanuman. The latter’s unique architecture isn’t worth amiss.
Again, you can’t leave Jaipur without trekking up its three most famous ancient royal forts – Amber Fort, Jaigarh Fort, and Nahargarh Fort. Don’t forget to hire a guide for complete info on the intriguing history of each fort. Also, the elephant ride at Amber Fort is an experience you’d absolutely cherish.
9) Taste authentic Rajasthani cuisine
Rajasthan is famous for its food and Jaipur gives you ample opportunity to taste it. Chokhi Dhani is one place you can enjoy the most authentic lip-smacking delicacies of the state served in complete Rajasthani style too. Besides, Bapu Bazaar and Laxmi Mishthan Bhandar are other best places to taste local food such as Dal Baati Choorma, Ghevar, Mawa Kachori, Mirchi Bada, Missi Roti, and Gatte ki Subji.
10) Live up the Jaipur nightlife
Not just during the day but Jaipur is equally vivacious at night too. And there are several places that exemplify the city’s enthralling nightlife. The ChokhiDhani huge fair is held in the evenings and lasts up to the late night. The Jal Mahal situated in the middle of the Mansagar Lake in Jaipur is beautifully lit up at night and worth a gaze. Then there’s the sound and light show at Amber Fort which can’t be missed.
Other Top Attractions of Jaipur
There are several other places to see in Jaipur, each offering a unique and fascinating insight into the city’s rich historic and cultural heritage. These include:
- The City Palace – an icon of the city’s splendid history and architecture.
- Hawa Mahal – unique architectural beauty housing 953 windows and 5 storeys with no steps!
- Jantar Mantar Observatory – among the largest observatories in the world; home to the largest sundial.
Indulge in these amazing activities during your Jaipur tour and create memories of a lifetime.
Traveling to Jaipur is like a dream for everyone.