City Palace

City Palace is the royal complex at the heart of the walled Pink City in Jaipur, Rajasthan, India. Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II began it in 1727 when he founded the city, and later rulers added wings, courtyards and gateways that blend Rajput, Mughal and European styles. Part of the palace remains the residence of the Jaipur royal family, while much of it is open as a museum. Visitors usually enter through Virendra Pol and pass into the Mubarak Mahal, a 19th-century reception hall that now holds a textile and costume collection, including royal garments and shawls. The Sarvato Bhadra courtyard contains the Diwan-i-Khas, where two enormous silver vessels, recorded as among the largest silver objects in the world, are displayed. The Pritam Niwas Chowk, the Peacock Gate courtyard, is the most photographed spot, with four small doorways decorated in the motifs of the seasons and deities. Galleries hold weapons, miniature paintings, manuscripts and carriages, and a separate higher-priced ticket opens the Chandra Mahal, the seven-storey residential tower, for those who want to see the upper rooms. Plan two to three hours for the standard route. The best time to arrive is at the 9:30AM opening, when the courtyards are quiet and the light is good for the painted doors; by late morning tour groups gather at Pritam Niwas Chowk. Crowds are heaviest around midday on weekends and holidays. Hawa Mahal is a 10-minute walk away, and Jantar Mantar stands next to the palace wall, so many visitors combine the three. Govind Dev Ji Temple sits in the adjoining Jai Niwas garden. Guides are available at the ticket area, and audio guides are commonly offered. Cafes inside the complex serve snacks and tea, and the shops sell block-printed textiles and handicrafts.