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The Pink City

Jaipur architecture

Jaipur is called the Pink City because in 1876, the entire old city was painted terracotta pink to welcome the Prince of Wales. The color has been maintained by law ever since, giving the old city its distinctive warm glow. It is part of India's Golden Triangle (Delhi-Agra-Jaipur) and home to the Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds), whose 953 small windows were designed to allow royal ladies to observe street life without being seen.

  • 5Landmarks
  • 1592Oldest · Amber Fort
  • 30 mTallest · Amber Fort
  • 5Architects

Before you go

  • Fly intoJaipur International Airport (JAI)

    Jaipur International Airport underwent significant expansion in 2009 and again in recent years, establishing it as Rajasthan's primary air gateway. Its terminal features Rajasthani architectural motifs, including ornate jharokha windows and traditional geometric patterns in its facade design. Direct flights connect Jaipur to major Indian cities and select international destinations.

  • CurrencyIndian Rupee (₹)
  • LanguageHindi & Rajasthani

    Rajasthani Hindi is the primary spoken language, a dialect of Hindi with its own distinctive vocabulary and lilt. Standard Hindi and English are used in education and commerce. The old city's markets and bazaars are vibrant spaces where the Rajasthani tradition of bargaining is a social art form — vendors and buyers engage in animated, often theatrical negotiation.

  • Getting aroundBuses & Cycle Rickshaws

    Jaipur's public transport includes city buses and Jaipur Metro's two operational lines. However, the most atmospheric way to navigate the Pink City's old walled center is by cycle rickshaw or auto-rickshaw. Camel-drawn carts can still be seen in some outer districts. The walled city's narrow lanes, unchanged for centuries, make walking the most rewarding way to discover its hidden havelis and spice markets.

5 landmarks in Jaipur

  1. Hawa Mahal
    Photo: Chainwit., CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Hawa Mahal

    Hawa Mahal Rd, Badi Choupad, J.D.A. Market, Pink City, Jaipur

    The Palace of Winds, a five-storey pink sandstone screen facade built in 1799 for the royal ladies to observe street life without being seen. Its 953 small latticed windows create a honeycomb effect unique in world architecture.

    Built
    1799
    Architect
    Lal Chand Ustad
    Style
    Rajput
    Height
    15 m (49 ft)
    Stories
    5
    Today
    Museum
  2. Amber Fort
    Photo: Jakub Hałun, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Amber Fort

    Devisinghpura, Amer, Jaipur, Rajasthan 302028

    A majestic hilltop fort complex overlooking Maota Lake, begun in 1592 by Raja Man Singh I. Its blend of Hindu and Mughal architectural styles culminates in the Sheesh Mahal (Hall of Mirrors), whose walls are encrusted with thousands of convex glass pieces that reflect candlelight in a constellation effect.

    Built
    1592
    Architect
    Raja Man Singh I
    Style
    Rajput-Mughal
    Height
    30 m (98 ft)
    Stories
    4
    Today
    UNESCO World Heritage Site & museum
  3. City Palace, Jaipur
    Photo: Jakub Hałun, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    City Palace, Jaipur

    Tulsi Marg, Gangori Bazaar, J.D.A. Market, Pink City, Jaipur

    A vast palace complex at the heart of Jaipur's walled old city, begun by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II in 1729. Its seven-storey Chandra Mahal remains the residence of the former royal family, while other sections house museums of royal textiles, weapons, and art.

    Built
    1729
    Architect
    Vidyadhar Bhattacharya
    Style
    Rajput-Mughal
    Height
    25 m (82 ft)
    Stories
    7
    Today
    Museum & royal residence
  4. Jantar Mantar, Jaipur
    Photo: Knowledge Seeker, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

    Jantar Mantar, Jaipur

    Gangori Bazaar, J.D.A. Market, Pink City, Jaipur, Rajasthan

    An extraordinary collection of 19 astronomical instruments built by Maharaja Jai Singh II between 1724 and 1735. The largest, the Samrat Yantra, is a 27-metre sundial accurate to within two seconds. The instruments are built at an architectural scale that makes their workings visible at a distance.

    Built
    1735
    Architect
    Maharaja Jai Singh II
    Style
    Rajput
    Height
    27 m (89 ft)
    Stories
    1
    Today
    UNESCO World Heritage Site & museum
  5. Nahargarh Fort
    Photo: Sanyam Bahga, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Nahargarh Fort

    Krishna Nagar, Brahampuri, Jaipur, Rajasthan

    Built in 1734 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II on the ridge of the Aravalli Hills overlooking Jaipur, the fort served as a defense post for the city. Its most distinctive feature is the suite of nine identical rooms built by Maharaja Ram Singh for his nine queens, each connected to a central corridor.

    Built
    1734
    Architect
    Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II
    Style
    Rajput
    Height
    18 m (59 ft)
    Stories
    2
    Today
    Heritage site & restaurant

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