The city of victory, Jaipur, presides over the fascinating desert state of Rajasthan and city very nearly exemplifies the character of the state and its people : surrounded by rugged hills, each crowned by a formidable fort; and beautiful palaces, mansions and gardens dotted throughout its precincts.

The city was founded in 1727 AD by Maharaja Jai Singh who moved his capital from Amber to the present site. Jai Singh's various talents are clearly exhibited in the city. The designing of the city was entrusted to a young Bengali architect, Vidyadhar Bhattacharya, who laid the plans according to the Hindu tratise, the Shilp Shastra. Jaipur was built in the form of a rectangle divided into blocks with roads and avenues running parallel to the sides.

Then in 1863 AD, Jaipur dressed itself in pink to welcome Prince Albert, consort of Queen Victoria. Since then the city earned the epitaph 'The pink City'. The modern Jaipur, however, has surpassed the earlier limits and now, nearly, extends to the very doors of the ancient capital of Amber.

Besides its own numerous places of interest, Jaipur forms an excellent base to explore the enchanting surroundings: Ajmer and Pushkar, famous for the Dargah of Salim Chisti and the Temple of Brahma; Shekhawati, the region of fabulous frescoes and havelis; Bikaner and Jaisalmer, the desert fastnesses whose colour and architecture defies their harsh surroundings; Jodhpur, the city of the inpregnable fort; Sariska and Bharatpur, homes of the wild denizens, and so much more. 

• Birla Planetarium
• The City Palace & Museum : Home of the erstwhile royal family, the City Palace complex occupies one seventh of the walled city area.
• Gaitore : Under the shadow of Nahargarh stands the memorials to the royal family of Jaipur, a small tribute to their contribution for the glory of the city-state. The graceful chattries, cenotaphs, made in white marble are beautifully carved.
• Hawa Mahal : Hawa Mahal or 'The palace of Winds' is the most recognisable mounument of Jaipur. The five-storeyed pyramidal building with overhanging latticed balconies is unique in conception and is designed to catch the cool breeze on a hot summer's day.
  The palace borders one of the busiest thoroughfares of the city and was used by the court ladies to view the activity of the market place from the privacy of the balconies.
• Jal Mahal : Opposite the Gaitor cenotaphs this small palace is set in the middle of a small lake. A paved causeway leads up to the beautiful palace. 
• Jantar Mantar (Observatory) : The astronomical observatory is the brainchild of the builder of Jaipur, Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh, who made it in the 18th century. The huge masonry instruments were used to study the movement of constellations and stars in the sky. Enormous sun-dials still provide accurate time, and subject to daily corrections, which are displayed on boards everyday, one can set one's watch with precision. The astronomer-king later built more such observatories in other parts of the country; Delhi, Varanasi. Ujjain and Mathura. 
• Amber : The capital of the Kachhwahas for six centuries before the birth of Jaipur, Amber, stands atop a range of craggy hills, 11 kms from the present city. The fort is remarkable as much for the majestic grandeur of its surroundings as for its sturdy battlements and beautiful palaces. The solemn dignity of its red sandstone and white marble pavilions, set alight by the setting sun on a summer eve, when reflected in the lake at the foot of the hill, is a sight to behold.
  The state of Amber was an important ally of the Mughals and Man Singh I, as Commander-in-Chief of Emperor Akbar, acquired immense wealth. Much of it was turned into the lavish ornamentation of the palaces. Sheesh Mahal is considered, by many, as the world's best Chamber of Mirrors.
  The region of Amber, earlier held by the Mina tribesmen, was wrested by Dhola Rai for the Kachhwahas. The antiquity of the citadel is established to at least, as far back as 954 AD from the inscription on one of the pillars of the Sun temple inside the fort.
   The splendour of Amberis a contribution of many successive rulers and fort is replete with handsome structures.  Diwan-e-Am or the Hall of public Audience is a beautifully proportioned hall open on three sides and stands on two rows of ornamented pillars. Diwan-e-Khas, or th Hall of private Audience, has delicate mosaic work in glass. Sukh Mandir is guarded by sandalwood doors inlaid with ivory.
  Throughout the massive fort finely carved lattice-windows, exquisitely painted doorways and halls and finely sculptured  pillars crave for attention. And one can steal a measure of erstwhile majesty by riding up to the palace   on a brightly caprisoned elephant heralded by musicians, as was the custom to welcome honuored guests.
  At the base of the hill, in the shadow of the mighty fortifications, is the temple of Garuda, the holy vehicle of Lord Vishnu. The beautifully carved gateway of the temple is flanked by large statues of elephants. A small museum nearby displays some of the archaeological finds of the area. The royal cenotaphs, including a memorial to Maharaja Man Singh I, with fine carvings in bas relief depicting scenes from mythology and the famous romantic legend of Dhola-Maru, are other attractions in the vicinity.
• Rambagh Palace :  One of the most luxurious palaces in the country now houses a fine hotel.
• Others : Govind Devji Temple, Jain Temple, Kanak Vrindavan, Maharani ki Chhatri, Moti Doongari & Lakshmi Narayan Temple, Nawab Saheb ki Haveli, Central Museum (Albert Hall), Dolls Museum, Museum of Indology, Statue Circle, Swarghashull, Amusement Parks, Fun Kingdom, Pink Pearl Water Park

• Sisodia Rani Garden 8 Kms : A landscaped garden, built by Sawai Jai singh II for his Sisodia Queen.
• Amber Palace and Fort 11 Kms : A marvellous example of Rajput architecture with its terraces and ramparts.
• Galtaji 11 Kms : A pilgrim centre with temple dedicated to Sun God, Pavillions and holy kunds.
• Jaisinghpura Khor 12 Kms : It has an imposing ofrt, a Jain temple and a step well.
• Sanganer 12 Kms : Famous for its hand printed Cotton Textiles, it also has ruins of a 15th Century Jain Temple.
• Jaigarh Fort 15 Kms
• Nahargarh Fort 15 Kms : Cresting a hill about 600 ft above the city, the fort, also known as Sudarshangarh, was built in 1734 AD for the city's defence. The walls of the fort run along the ridge and within are such architectural beauties as the Hawa Mandir and Madhvendra Bhawan. The fort also had, in those times, a dungeon which even the members of the royal family were prohibited to enter. 
• Kanota 20 Kms : A well equipped, Fort with Cannons and armoury, built as the last defence for the city of Jaipur.
• Ramgarh Lake 32 Kms : A huge artificial lake amidst forested hills. 32 kms northeast from Jaipur, it is a lush picnic spot that comes alive during monsoon. Ancient treasures worth visiting are the ruins of the fort and the Jamwa Mata temple.  The rulers of Jaipur, built a hunting lodge here, which today has been converted into a hotel.
• Bagru 35 Kms : Famous for its hand printed textile industry.
• Samode 40 Kms : An ancient royal retreat, famous for its wall paintings and glasswork in the Durbar. 40 kms northwest from Jaipur is the splendid palace set admist fairy-tale surroundings. The ornate interiors are a fine example of the Rajput haveli architecture.
  Encircled by hills, it is a refreshing retreat with spectacular landscapes.
• Dausa 54 Kms : An ancient town of archaeological importance, with an old fort and many small havelis.
• Bhandrej 12 Kms from Dausa : The Palace here is an interesting blend of Mughal and Rajput architecture and has now been converted into a Heritage.
• Shahpura 60 Kms : A former feudal principailty
• Bairath 66 Kms : Famous for relics and structures of the Mauryan, Mughal and Rajput periods. 
• Abhaneri 90 Kms : Famous for the temple of Harshad Mata built in the 7th Century - 8th Century and the step well - Chanda Baodi.
• Pachar 85 Kms : It has an 18th Century Fort and a European Country Mansion style castle, which has now been converted into a hotel.
• Sambhar 94 Kms : It has the Country's largest inland salt lake.
• Tonk 96 Kms : It was once the stronghold of the Pathan tribesmen of Afghanistan who came to India. The main attractions here are the famous "Sunehri Kothi" and the Arab and Persian Research Institute.
• Pachewar 100 Kms : A 300 year old well preserved fort with imposing gates, intricate balconies and spacious rooms.
• Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary 110 Kms : Sariska Tiger Reserve is situated in the northern part of the Aravali Hills. 110 Kms from Jaipur, 34 Kms from Alwar, with an area of 800 sq Kms, Sariska was declared a Sanctuary in 1955 and it became a Tiger Reserve in 1979.
• Kuchaman 142 Kms : Located in Nagaur District, the Kuchaman Fort has played a strategic role in Rajasthan's history and is now converted into a hotel.
• Ishwar Lat : Also called Swarg suli or the 'heaven piercing minaret', the tower, standing near Tripolia Gate, was built by Raja Ishwari Singh (1744 - 51 AD) and provides one of the most breathtaking views of the city.
• Sisodia Rani-ka-Bagh : The palace and terraced gardens decorated with beautiful fountains was made by a Sisdia princess. It is profusely adorned by painted murlas of shikar scenes and episodes from Radha-Krishna legends.
• Purana Ghat : On the road to Agra, this one km stretch of road is bordered on both sides by a beautiful temple and gardens.