Visit Rajasthan and The North
Jaipur, known as the Pink City because of the painted stone buildings, is a lively and bustling place founded in 1727. The Maharajahs of Jaipur were always amongst the most powerful and wealthy of Rajasthan. Today, visitors can explore the lavish architectural projects sponsored by the royal family, including the Jantar Mantar observatory. Constructed by the scholar Maharajah Jai Singh II, this celestial device is still accurate almost three hundred years on. The City Palace houses a magnificent, if somewhat eclectic, museum of miniature paintings, textiles and costumes, weapons and musical instruments.
Outside the city the magnificent Amber Palace lies on top of a hill, best climbed by elephant, where you’ll find a number of impressive public rooms decorated with marble, mirror work and mosaics. Jaipur is either one point on the Golden Triangle or a stop-off on a more extensive tour of the region. Continue on the express train to Jodhpur or drive through the Shekahavati region to the city of Bikaner.