In typical Indian style , Jaipur is chaotic and bursting at the seams ... and utterly beguiling . Known as the Pink City , thanks to its profusion of salmon-hued façades , the gateway to the regal desert state of Rajasthan remains a treasure-trove of old India , and boasts some of the most photographed scenes in all of the country – the blush tones of the Old City walls and intricately-painted murals of palace doors provide the backdrop to many a traveller ’ s Instagram posts . The streets are a riot of colour and character – peacocks still roam the gardens of grand old palaces , monkeys scamper across rooftops , and brightly-painted elephants lumber down the streets on the outskirts of the city centre , absorbing the new while embracing the old . It ’ s a feast for the senses .
PHOTOS : NATALIE BANNISTER
[ Opposite ] Bask in the beauty of the inner courtyard of Jaipur ’ s sprawling City Palace . [ From top ] The honey-hued minarets of Amber ( Amer ) Fort ; capture sensational views of the Pink City from the fortified walls of Nahargarh Fort .
If there ’ s one place in Rajasthan where you can feel like both an intrepid traveller and like royalty in the space of a single day , Jaipur is it !
The city combines the allure of its ancient history with all the advantages of luxury accommodation offerings — Jaipur is home to some of India ’ s most splendid hotels , many of which are centuries-old palaces and havelis ( traditionalstyle mansions ) that have been converted into plush boutique retreats . But along with the seductive and the sensory , this precious Pink City is equally renowned for its artisan trades like block print and jewellery ( its bazaars bursting with coloured , precious gems ), and a formidable echo of India ’ s decadent , fierce Mughal dynasty , seen in its impressive forts which once formed a vital defence ring for the city .
The 16th-century Amer Fort ( also called Amber Fort ) is the largest of the three , with a commanding position high on a hill overlooking the city . This sprawling palace complex is a perfect example of Mughal architecture – the mirrored Sheesh Mahal , in particular , is stunning – and you can spend a few hours exploring the hidden passageways , underground tunnels , and ornate interior chambers .
Don ’ t be tempted to skip the nearby Nahargarh Fort – we loved that , with fewer crowds than Amer , we could wander peacefully through the empty , fresco-adorned corridors and ornately painted royal chambers . Nahargarh was the hunting residence of the Maharajas of Jaipur ( the name translates to Tiger Fort ), but these days the only hunters are the tourists and locals who come to capture the sensational views over the Pink City . The walls of the fort extend over the hills to the sprawling red-sandstone fort of Jaigarh , built in 1726 to protect the Amer Fort and its palace complex . holidaysforcouples . travel 71