Why Jaipur is Continuously Voted One of the Best in the World to visit?
Jaipur, the capital of India’s Rajasthan state, is a destination filled with beautiful palaces, a rich history, and luxury hotels. Here’s how to plan the best trip.
Pink City
Jaipur, nicknamed the Pink City, forms a key point on the Golden Triangle, the tourist circuit that connects New Delhi, Agra, and Rajasthan. Jaipur’s nickname is a nod to the pink buildings within its historic core, among them the iconic Hawa Mahal.
Jaipur is also continuously named one of the best cities in the world by Travel + Leisure readers. A city of sprawling palaces, it’s also home to ornate architectural masterpieces and sweeping views of lush green hills and idyllic lakes. It is the first planned city in India and has earned UNESCO World Heritage status for setting an exceptional example of indigenous city planning. And its streets feel a little more manageable than the congested labyrinths of New Delhi and Mumbai, especially for first-time visitors to India.
This is a city that inspired Paul McCartney to write “Riding into Jaipur” and became the backdrop of The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel movies. It is a place to enjoy the performing arts, to feast on sumptuous meals in the banquet halls of royalty, and to reminisce about a bygone era of Maharajas. Ride elephants and explore Mughal architecture by day and enjoy some of the world’s finest hotels by night.
Jaipur is also a shopper’s paradise, offering everything from fine jewelry and intricate handmade art pieces to a variety of textiles.
Visitors can fly directly into the city or take a train, bus, or private car from New Delhi. The fastest route is by high-speed train, which takes just under four hours.
About Jaipur
Jaipur is the largest city in Rajasthan and the 10th most populated city in India. It is known as the Pink City, a nickname earned for a color elegantly woven throughout the city. Jaipur forms one point of the Golden Triangle, a tourist trail that connects New Delhi, the Taj Mahal, and Rajasthan. Jaipur is only 167 miles from New Delhi, but it is an entirely different world. Founded in 1727, Jaipur is the first planned city in India. Instead of a complicated labyrinth of roads, the city is built on a street grid that makes it easier to navigate than Delhi or Mumbai. Jaipur is a place to explore the palaces of pre-colonial India, dive deep into Indian history, and relax in world class hotels.
