A Locals Guide to Jaipur

A Locals Guide to Jaipur, the heart of Rajasthan

Guest Post by Rohit from TransIndia Travels

The city of Jaipur is not only the capital but also the heart of Rajasthan, and its vast, mesmerizing culture has made it a rather delightful location as a tourist spot and a culturally rich environment for any visitor. Not only is it a popular tourist location, you’d be surprised at how it is an ideal location for a backpacker. There is no doubt that you’d be mesmerized by the brilliant architecture, sprawling market streets and abundance of natural beauty on your trip to Jaipur. Add to that the delicious food and your trip is all set to be fantastic. If you’re on your way to backpack across Rajasthan, and particularly Jaipur, here’s a guide to get you through this enchanting city.

Average Daily Backpacker Budget:

Places to Visit and Things to Do in Jaipur:

• One of the first thing one should do is visit as many historic locations as one can. This includes the Amer fort, Nahargarh fort, Jantar Mantar, Hawa Mahal, Jaigarh fort, Jal Mahal, Jaipur zoo, Rambagh Palace etc.
• Shop at the innumerable street shops that can be found almost everywhere. Here you can find leather shoes, exquisite textiles, sweets, brass pots, incense, antiques, rugs etc.
• Visit the City Palace of Jaipur where you can find a rather gorgeous collection of arts and craft and Mughal paintings, and even attend a workshop to meet with many of the artists.
• Go up the hill to Amer fort and observe the fascinating view of the city below, along with some spectacular Rajput architecture.
• Take a Jaipur sightseeing day tour which will include all the main attractions of the city, which is available for public as well as private booking.
• Go for a motorcycle trip to Sambhar Lake and enjoy the natural beauty of the outskirts of Jaipur while taking an adventurous ride.
• The hot air balloon safari in Jaipur is also a popular tourist activity to get a bird-s eye view of the mesmeric pink city.
• Visit the Abhaneri step well located 95kms from Jaipur to observe the intricate construction of providing water to the deserts of Rajasthan.

Where to Stay in Jaipur:

Jaipur has accommodation to suit all budgets. Hotels and hostels in the areas of Bani Park, Subhash Nagar and Sindhi Camp make a convenient base to access the main city areas. There are many new backpacker hostels in the city. Some of the best ones are Zostel, Moustache Hostel, Roadhouse and Backpacker Panda. 

There are also many reasonably priced hotels and guest houses in Jaipur, the best ones including the Hotel Pearl Palace, Umaid Mahal, Hotel Arya Niwas, Jai Niwas, Ram Singh Palace etc.

There are also some fabulous heritage properties and Jaipur is a great place to splash out on a luxury, heritage stay in a fort or palace like the Jai Mahal Palace 

Where to Eat in Jaipur:

• Indulge in some authentic Rajasthani cuisine at places like the Rambagh Palace hotel, Kalyan restaurant, Handi restaurant, Copper Chimney, Surya Mahal among many others.
• The Thali Restaurant is famous for its Rajasthani Thali, which consists of a sumptuous meal.
• Try the famous cuisine of Rajasthan like Dal-baati choorma, bajre ka halwa, and visit Mishtan Bhandar for delicious sweets.
• 100% Rock is a popular bar in Jaipur, and Polo Bar and Blackout are known for the best nightlife experience in the city.

Best Time to Visit Jaipur:

October to April

How to Reach Jaipur:

• Jaipur being a major city in Rajasthan can be accessed by air or rail from metropolitan cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata and even some major cities.
• There are roadways from cities like Udaipur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur and others to access Jaipur via public or private transport.

 Interesting Facts about Jaipur:

• The city of Jaipur is said to have been built by Maharana Sawai Jaisingh II in 1727, and it is known to be the first ever planned city of India.
• The science of Indian architecture, Shilpa Shastra was the secret behind the outstanding planning of the city that was designed by a Bengali architect Vidyadhar Bhattacharya.
• The reason behind Jaipur being known as the ‘Pink City’ is that its walls were specially painted a faded, terracotta pink in welcome of the Prince of Wales.
• Maharana Jai Singh also built the Jantar Mantar, five astronomical observatories, which are a brilliant combination of geometric structures.
• Jaipur’s oldest museum, which is a popular tourist destination is the Central Museum situated in the middle of Ram Niwas Bagh.
• Located at about 15kms from Jaipur is a cremation ground of the royals of the city, which is known as Gaitore.
• Jaipur is specifically famous for its beautiful fortresses, gardens, temples, museums and markets.
• The food and culture of Jaipur is well-known throughout the world.
• It has been a favourite site for the filming of movies and television shows due to the richness of its design.

Backpacking Tips:

• For a first-time visitor in India, the culture is a huge turnaround, and although it might be a bit difficult to get along with, you’ll have the experience of a lifetime. Keep in mind that there are certain cultural norms to follow in every place.
• You will hardly spend too much money here, in fact, Jaipur will give you a royal experience at a minimal cost.
• Be mindful that foreign visitors are charged more than Indians at various historical places, but it’s not going to cut a hole in your pocket anyway.
• Following a few regulations here and there will help in enjoying your time, and other than that, just keep your adventurous streak ready for a fun ride in Jaipur.

Backpacking is a rather popular phenomenon in India these days, and with all the new aspects of it cropping up, Jaipur has become one of the most desirable locations for the same. So, gather your supplies and head over to this beautiful city on your tour.

Author Bio:

Rohit is an adventure lover and explorer, who shares his experiences on TransIndiaTravels, noting many of his exciting visits to various parts of India.