Shopping is one of Jaipur's primary draws and the city's multitude of impressive palaces and temples are another prime reason for many to visit. Restaurants usually close at 23:00 and the nightlife in Jaipur is relatively calm in comparison to that of other cities. Theaters often host puppet shows that are colorful and fun for all the family.Hotels provide the setting for much of the after dark entertainment with Kalbelia dancing shows on offer at the Sheraton Hotel. Classic Indian plays can be enjoyed at Jawahar Kala Kendra and Ravindra Manch and live bands play in some of the local bars throughout the week.
Liquor consumption is largely limited to hotel bars and restaurants but there are a few bars and pubs to enjoy a cocktail or two for those who fancy it. Le Meridian is home to a lively discotheque that regularly invites local DJs to entertain its crowds but much of the city's entertainment is carried out during daylight hours, with markets and palaces begging to be explored.
A visit to Amber Fort is a must for all visitors to Jaipur with its complex warren of temples, halls and palaces intertwined with stairs and pillars that are all carved from pink-colored sandstone and white marble. City Palace, Gaitore and Hawa Mahal are also popular. There are suitable trips for all ages and family sizes and many choose to discover the historical mazes within a guided group tour.
There are endless market places to choose from and they all sell a wide assortment of goodies and local souvenirs, from textiles and colorful carpets to silver and gold charms and tasty treats. Markets are scattered throughout the city, both within the walled area and outside, and bartering with the local traders is all part of the fun.
An unusual feature of this large and developed city is its surrounding countryside that is home to a handful of national parklands. Rathambore National Park and Sariska National Park are the pick of the bunch and endangered species such as tigers can be spotted in the former. Thousands of acres of woodland are home to the widest diversity of animal and plant species in the country and these areas are a must-see for anyone visiting Jaipur.
This man-made lake is often included on visitors' itineraries as it is found only 25kms from the heart of Jaipur and provides a welcome relief from the city's interesting temples and palaces. People can enjoy all manners of activities here from hiking and swimming to picnics and choose to take in a polo match at the famous ground located between the Aravalli Hills and Ramgarh Lake.
If you have explored all the temples and palaces until you can take no more and bartered your way through the array of markets, you may wish to discover a less dusty side of the city. There are many attractive green spaces to enjoy including Ram Niwas Garden, Sisodia Rani Ka Bagh Garden and Vidyadhar Garden. Many of the landscaped gardens were created during the time of the maharajas and contain a wide display of fountains, greenhouses, pools and aviaries as well as a zoo. The gardens are great to visit for those who are traveling with children and who need a break from trawling the city.
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