Udaipur has a rich history that is best seen in its palaces and temples. Most sites are based on a religious theme and it is easy to be impressed by the sheer scale of some of the palaces.In particular, the City Palace is absolutely massive and has a nice disposition over Lake Pichola - another of Udaipur's main attractions. There are three lakes in Udaipur's midst with Lake Pichola being the most visible and attractive. It is particularly sublime when seen from the terraces at City Palace during a sunset.
Other major Udaipur sights include the Crystal Gallery, which is home to a huge display of crystal, while the Gulab Bagh and Zoo is popular with famillies and those looking to learn more about India's indigenous wildlife.
Udaipur's star attraction is a monster of a building and the largest palace in the region. City Palace offers tourists hours of pleasure within its pavilions, courtyards and terraces, from where you can look over Lake Pichola. Also onsite are a museum and hanging gardens. This area can be explored on foot or seen from the lake by boat.
Enlarged by the founder of Udaipur, Maharaja Udai Singh II, Lake Pichola is one of the top attractions of Udaipur. The lake is fronted by the town and backed by mountains and its shallow depth means it shrinks somewhat over the winter dry season. Within the lake are a couple of islands while on the shore is the large City Palace.
Although not as impressive in dimensions as City Palace, the 18th century Bagore Ki Haveli Palace boasts stunning architecture. It has well over 100 rooms and is adorned with fine furniture and fancy glass ornaments. There are also terraces and courtyards to explore.
This fine gallery displays a wealth of priceless crystal in the Fateh Prakash Palace. The crystals were originally acquired from England but left in boxes for more than a century when the purchaser, the Maharaja Sajjan Singh, died. Thankfully the crystal was brought back to the fore and today tourists can see the intricate ornaments along with the crystal dining table and sofas.
The small Gulab Bagh and Zoo is well done and has a range of animals from across India. The zoo is more impressive than standard Indian zoos and also comes with expansive gardens and a neat express train. See the zoo on foot September through March when it's dry.
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