Jaipur vs Udaipur: Comparing the Vibrant Pink City with the Serene Lake City

Jaipur and Udaipur are the most prominent tourist destinations of Rajasthan. Although it’s difficult to point out which one is a better spot for tourists, you can make a choice as to which city you would like to tour by collecting vital information on both places.

While Jaipur is more of a vibrant city that exhibits the rich culture of Rajasthan, Udaipur is for people who wish to spend time in quaint spaces by the side of a lake or a scenic view. Here’s a brief description of Jaipur vs Udaipur details that will help you decide your next tourist destination.

About Jaipur

Jaipur rises up majestically against the backdrop of the forts Nahargarh, Jaigarh and Garh Ganesh Temple. The bustling modern city is one of the three corners of the golden triangle that includes Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur.

In the year 1876, the city was painted in Pink as a gesture of hospitality to welcome Prince of Wales. Since then, it got the name Pink City.  Although today most of the parts of the city are being reconstructed to make way for metro and other commercial infrastructure, the essence of the Pink City remains intact through its art and culture and we hope it stays the same in future.

Major Tourist Attractions of Jaipur

• Amber Fort - Amber (pronounced Amer), now a UNESCO World Heritage Site is at a distance of about 11 kms from Jaipur. Made entirely of red sandstone and white marble, visitors are left spellbound by the magnificence of the palace that utilizes carvings, precious stones, and mirrors.
• City Palace, Jaipur - Located deep within the walled city, the City Palace Complex is a beautiful fusion of Mughal and Rajput architecture. The palace is still home to the last ruling royal family which lives in a private section of the palace. The City Palace Complex includes the Mubarak Mahal (the palace of reception) and the Maharani’s Palace (the palace of the queen).
• Jantar Mantar - Jantar Mantar in Jaipur is considered to be the largest of the five astronomical observatories built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, the founder of Jaipur. It contains sixteen geometric devices, designed to measure time, track celestial bodies and observe the orbits of the planets around the sun.
• Hawa Mahal - Hawa Mahal, literally the Palace of Winds, served as a place where the ladies of the royal household could observe everyday life without being seen themselves. Built from pink sandstone, the Hawa Mahal is Jaipur’s iconic landmark and visitors can view its complete magnificence from outside, from across the road.

Best Time to Visit Jaipur

Owing to its proximity with the Thar Desert, the Pink City is less visited in summers and ideally, tourists prefer to come here in winters. The most suitable time to visit Jaipur is between October and March when the temperature varies from 21 degree Celsius to 8 degree Celsius.

About Udaipur

Udaipur was founded in 1568 by Maharaja Udai Singh II and is surrounded by lakes, forests, and the Aravalli Mountain Range. The land of Udaipur is drenched in history, and its culture floats in the air.

Known for being the most romantic city in Rajasthan, the city is famous for its history, culture and scenic beauty and is called the Venice of the East. The city is a popular destination for organizing various national and international cultural events.

Major Tourist Attractions of Udaipur

• Jag Mandir- Jagmandir is a palace built on an island on the Lake Pichola. Also called the ‘Lake Garden Palace’, the construction for this began in 1620 and was completed around 1652.
• Lake Pichola - Lake Pichola is an artificial fresh water lake, created in the year 1362 AD, named after the nearby village Picholi. The islands of Jagniwas and Jagmandir are housed in this lake.
• City Palace Udaipur- The palaces of 11 separate rulers sit together in this sprawling complex that was started in 1559. The main part of the palace is now preserved as a museum displaying artifacts.
• Monsoon Palace - Situated just outside Udaipur, this 19th-century palace is built on top of Banswara hills. The white marble palace is surrounded by a wildlife sanctuary & offers panoramic city views.

Best Time to Visit Udaipur

The best time to visit Udaipur is between Mid of September to early April although the beginning of September would be much more ideal as after September large number of tourists visit this beautiful city which may lead to hike in prices for accommodations.

The climate during this season is very pleasant, around 28 degrees Celsius during the day and 11 degrees Celsius during the night. However, the city can also be visited during monsoon season starting from July.