The capital of Rajasthan state, Jaipur is popularly known as the "Pink City" because of its many sandstone-like pink buildings. Architecturally, the city is well planned and separated by wide roads into six sectors. Along with Delhi and Agra, Jaipur forms the famous Golden Triangle in India that is most popular among international tourists. For a visitor the city has a variety of sightseeing options, including palaces, forts and monuments, as well as national parks and wildlife and bird sanctuaries.

Close-up view of the Hawa Mahal.

Jantar Mantar, a short walk across the road from the palaces, is one of the five observatories in India. Sawai Jai Singh who had a passionate interest in the field of astronomy and numerology built this observatory through skilled laborers who created complex astronomical instruments chiseled out of stone that can provide accurate information even today. The most striking instrument is an imposing Sundial that aids in the calculation of local and meridian time and various attributes of stars and constellations. This highlight of the observatory has made it a popular attraction in Jaipur.

The Albert Hall Museum and the City Palace Museum have an impressive collection of voluminous royal attire worn by the kings, Benaras silk saris, Pashmina shawls, artistic folk prints and embroidery, swords, daggers with ivory and jewel encrusted handles, poison tipped blades, small cannons and gun powder pouches.

The aesthetic arts and handicrafts in the form of carpets, camel leather items; the captivating variety of gems and jewelry offer a delightful shopping experience to any avid and serious shopper. The famous kundan and minakari jewelery - enamel work on gold, exotic blue pottery, enamel and brassware all form great items for personal souvenir and gift shopping. Cotton fabrics in Sanganeri prints, tie-and-dye (bandhani), fine kota sarees are characteristic marks of shopping in Jaipur. Woolen carpets and cotton rugs are also good buys and shipping is also done for the convenience of shoppers as these items may be too bulky to carry back.