Always dreamed of visiting India but not sure where to start? The country may seem intimidatingly large at first, but each city has its own unique and captivating culture, heritage and beauty that you’ll fall in love with once you take that first step! ?
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To kick-start your adventure, why not begin with a trip to Jaipur? Located in North India, the capital of the Rajasthan state has stunning architecture and sights which evoke a feeling of nobility and grandeur. Seeing how new and old collide in the city will leave you starstruck. ? To give you some travel 'inspo', here’s a handy Muslim-friendly guide to the “Pink City” that has all you need to know!
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How to get around Jaipur
Getting to Jaipur: Fly direct from KL with AirAsia
AirAsia flies to 11 amazing destinations across India, and their direct routes mean you won’t have to make a stopover before reaching your destination! The flight from klia2 to Jaipur Airport takes just 5.5 hours and lands at night, so you can catch up on your sleep once you touch down and wake refreshed for your first day. ?
Local transport: Cycle rickshaw or autorickshaw
The most efficient way to get around Jaipur is via local transport such as the cycle rickshaw or autorickshaw. There will be plenty of waiting on the streets so you won’t have any trouble hailing one, but do have a rough idea of what the fare should be like as they might try to overcharge tourists. Don’t be afraid to haggle the price!
#HHWT Tip: You can also use ride-sharing services such as Uber or Ola too!
You can also flag down a taxi for longer journeys as they are slightly more comfortable. Taxi fares start around INR20-25 per kilometre, so the cost might be double that of an autorickshaw for a journey. If you don’t want to bother with haggling for the day, you can also hire an autorickshaw driver for a day at roughly INR450-550 who will bring you to the major attractions. If you’re hiring a driver, do some research beforehand to find a reliable and trustworthy guide!
Inter-city travel: Take the train
Why limit your trip to Jaipur? ? Thanks to an extensive railroad system, you can plan an amazing journey across India using the variety of trains available. There are trains at many different price points so you can even ride in comfort no matter how long your journey is. Why not travel around the Golden Triangle which includes Jaipur, Delhi, or Agra? Or if you’re a fan of long train rides (with a touch of luxury), you can book a tour on the Palace On Wheels or Deccan Odyssey to follow a pre-arranged route. ?
P.S. Want to visit other well-known cities such as Chennai? Then you’ll be glad to learn that AirAsia has a direct flight from klia2 to Chennai too! Book your one-way all-in ticket from now till 1 Dec 2019 to enjoy a special rate. You can even combine the two cities with a multi-city flight to explore both North and South India in one trip, or fly AirAsia (India) from New Delhi to Chennai and other destinations! ?
What to see and do in Jaipur
1. Hawa Mahal
One of Jaipur’s most famous buildings is Hawa Mahal, a palace made with red and pink sandstone that looks as beautiful as it sounds! Built in 1799, its beehive-like exterior consists of 953 tiny windows decorated with intricate latticework. Fun fact: though this is the palace’s most famous wall, it’s actually the back of the palace!
P.S. Interested to learn more about Indian culture and heritage? Pay a visit to Tiruchirappalli which is famous for its cultural and architectural heritage! AirAsia has a direct flight from klia2 to Tiruchirappalli which makes it so much easier to explore the cultural diversity and history of India. ? Book from now till 1 Dec 2019 to get an exclusive all-in one-way fare!
Also known as the “Palace of Winds”, the best time to visit is early in the morning when you can see the sun’s rays shining through the latticework. And don’t worry about feeling too hot or stuffy while you’re inside – the latticework and arched roofs help keep it cool and airy even in the hot summer!
Ticket Prices: INR10 (Locals), INR50 (Foreigners)
Opening Hours: Open daily; 9AM – 4.30PM
Address: Bali Choupad, Pink City, Jaipur, Rajasthan 302002
Getting there: From Jaipur railway station, take a taxi or mini-bus (Services 1, 2, 3, 1A, 9A).
2. Jama Masjid
There are various Jama Masjids across India that were built for the purpose of hosting congregational Friday prayers. The one in Jaipur was built in 1569 and sits on a raised platform with a prominent middle dome, making it easy to see even in the middle of the busy city. The prayer hall is surrounded by 7 arches, and prayer takes place in the courtyard at the front of the mosque.
Jaipur’s Jama Mosque stands out from the others as it’s one of the few where women have been dedicated a small area to offer their prayers. ? Located on the ground floor, there is a partitioned area at the south-west corner of the main hall just for women so you won’t have to worry about finding a spot when visiting this beautiful mosque!
#HHWT Tip: The mosque is less than 1km away from the famous Amer Fort (also known as the Amer Palace or Amber Palace) so you can visit this must-see attraction next!
Opening Hours: Open daily; 6AM – 9PM
Address: Johari Bazar Road, Bapu Bazaar, Biseswarji, Jaipur, Rajasthan 302002
Getting there: Located in the middle of the Johari Bazaar, and a 10-minute walk away from the Hawa Mahal.
3. Jal Mahal
This floating beauty in the Man Sagar lake is another popular attraction in Jaipur, mostly for the stunning shots you’ll get if you time your visit just right. Also known as the ‘Water Palace’, it’s best viewed from the Man Sagar Dam on the eastern side of the lake.
P.S. The palace is actually 5-storeys high but only the topmost storey is visible over the water!
Credit: Arian Zwegers on Flickr
The palace’s sandstone walls appear yellow in the day, but can glow a gorgeous orange-red during sunset, which is one of the most popular times to visit to get that classic reflection shot.
4. Ranthambore National Park
While you’re in Jaipur, you’ll definitely need to visit this national park even if animal attractions are not usually in your itinerary! India has many national parks and Ranthambore is one of the largest ones in North India – it’s also home to over 50 bengal tigers! ? The park is divided into 10 different zones, with each zone being home to a few species of animals you can try to spot.
P.S. The park is only open between 1 October to 30 June!
As the park is a wildlife reserve, the animals are allowed to roam freely rather than be kept in enclosures. Visitors to Ranthambore usually book a safari drive to ensure their safety travelling throughout the park. Nature lovers can also book a multi-day multi-city tour with the park itself to enjoy the full experience of India’s nature reserves – tour options include bird watching, and a tiger-focused exploration of the Golden Triangle.
P.S. Nature lovers, you’ll be excited to know that AirAsia also flies directly to the coastal city of Visakhapatnam! Enjoy a whole new side of India’s natural diversity by exploring the Erra Matti Dibbalu red sand dunes, or the Dolphin’s Nose hill. Visakhapatnam also has so many beaches to explore - perfect for a seaside holiday! ? Book your all-in one-way fare by 1 Dec 2019 to enjoy an exclusive rate!
Opening Hours: Morning and evening safari timings differ seasonally. Click here for more information.
Address: Vigyan Nagar, Ranthambore Road | Prempura, Sawai Madhopur 322001
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Where to shop in Jaipur
One of the best places to shop in Jaipur are its bazaars. ? Forget the glitzy shopping malls, the street bazars are some of the best place to find not only locally-made goods, but amazing bargains! Here are some of the city’s most famous bazars:
- Sireh Deori: Located opposite the Hawa Mahal, this is the main bazar of the city where you can find just about anything. Camel leather is one of the most famous local Rajasthani goods, and Sireh Deori is said to be home to some of the best camel leather merchants in the area.
- Johari: If you’re looking for a statement piece to elevate your next outfit, head to this speciality bazar next to the Jama Masjid! Bangles, neckless, rings and more in all sorts of colours and materials can be found here – perfect as a reminder of your travels even when you’re back home.
- Chandpole: If you’re looking for some handicrafts to decorate your home, Chandpole is the perfect destination for you. Pieces expertly carved from wood, marble, and stone can be found here as well as carpets and hanging tapestries. You’ll be able to bring home something that will always remind you of your time in Jaipur!
- Bapu: Bapu is another famous bazar, known particularly for its clothing and textiles. You can find traditional outfits such as sarees, dupattas, and jutis here and even beautiful scarves to brighten up your look.
Muslim-friendly Eateries
1. Muhammadi Palace
Located near the Chandpole bazaar, this eatery serves a variety of vegetarian and non-vegetarian local dishes. Regarded as one of the best non-vegetarian restaurants in the city, their Chicken Korma is particularly well-known. ? They also have everything from Butter Naan to Chicken Tikka to Mixed Dal Masala to fuel you up for the day ahead.
P.S. The restaurant is also connected to the Muhammadi Palace Hotel so you can consider booking a stay there for extra convenience!
Halal Status: Muslim-owned, no alcohol served.
Average Price: INR100
Opening Hours: Open daily; 7AM – 7PM
Address: Hotel Mohammadi Palace, Station Road, Near Chandpole Metro Station, Shriram Colony
Contact: +91 9782210394
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2. Old Take Away
There are several restaurants bearing this name, but the ‘original’ stall remains a super popular spot that even visitors to the city have heard of. Selling tandoori kebabs, biryani and dishes such as butter chicken, it’s a fast and convenient stop that has some of the best street food in Jaipur. ?
#HHWT Tip: The stall is located next to the Mumtaz Bagh Masjid – perfect for doing your prayers before or after you eat!
Halal Status: Muslim-owned, no alcohol served.
Average Price: INR100
Opening Hours: Open daily; 4PM – 11PM
Address: H P Petrol Pump 146 & 149, MI Road, Panch Batti, C Scheme, Ashok Nagar, Jaipur, Rajasthan 302001
Contact: +91 09314968008
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3. Laxmi Mishthan Bhandar
It’s not difficult to find vegetarian food in Jaipur, but Laxmi Mishthan Bhandar is one of the most famous vegetarian eateries in the city. One of the Rajasthani specialities to try here are their Thali plates, which consist of a variety of dishes served with bread or rice. Each bowl has a different taste (e.g. sweet, sour, spicy) so that the entire meal gives you an explosion of flavour with every bite! ? They also have a wide variety of vegetarian sweets that are perfect as a snack!
Halal Status: Vegetarian. We are unable to confirm if alcohol is used or served. We recommend you check with the staff beforehand, and dine at your own discretion.
Average Price: INR250
Opening Hours: Open daily; 8AM – 11.30PM
Address: No. 98, 99, Johari Bazar Rd, Bapu Bazar, Biseswarji, Jaipur, Rajasthan 302003
Contact:
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Excited to start exploring this beautiful city? ? Book your tickets now for exclusive all-in one-way fares to destinations including:
- Jaipur
- Chennai
- Kochi
- Tiruchirappalli
- Visakhapatnam, and so much more!
You’re just one step away from making your India adventure a reality. ? Fares start at RM189 for BIG members and RM194 for non-members. Hurry and book from now until 1 December 2019, which is when the promotion ends! (Travel period: now until 26 April 2020)
This article is brought to you by AirAsia.