5 Things Social Media Doesn't Tell You About Jaipur, India

If you’ve searched “Jaipur” on social media, you’ve noticed the intricate and colorful architecture. India’s first planned city, Jaipur is known for its markets, palaces, temples, and wildlife sanctuaries. While planning your trip to New Delhi and Agra (for the Taj Mahal), this spot is a must-add to complete India’s “Golden Triangle” region. I recommend spending 2-3 days in this area. You can find more tips here. However, you should know a few things before visiting: here are the 5 Things Social Media Doesn’t Tell You About Jaipur, India.

Social Media Reality #1: You can’t walk on the Jaipur Stepwell

Formally known as “Panna Meena Ka Kund”, this 16th-century stepwell is in the shadow of the Amber fortress. I pinned a photo of someone walking along the stepwell only to realize that it’s long been banned to prevent injury and preserve the steps. Some writers have shared that you can maybe get a photo if you arrive incredibly early and potentially pay the security guard. That being said, as I always say – it’s important to respect local laws and monuments. PS: It’s still pretty cool to learn about and see from above.

Address: XVR2+FGV, Amer, Rajasthan 302028, India.
Hours: 7 AM to 6 PM daily
Admission: Free

**Social Media Reality #2: The blue room at the city palace isn’t actually that instagrammable.**

This Instagram-famous blue room is located inside the Jaipur City Palace and is only accessible via private tour. The private tour takes you to areas of the palace that are normally only accessible to the royal family. What’s particularly interesting about the blue room is that it has a VERY low seating due to being made for sitting. This makes taking photos pretty tough!

Is it worth doing the private tour? The private tour is expensive (3000 rupees / $35 USD) vs. the normal ticket costing 1500 rupees (~$17 USD). While I would argue that it’s not worth it if you’re just trying to take one photo in the blue room, it IS worth it for the history, and for the private rooftop you can access and enjoy afternoon tea in. This unexpected experience was a highlight in Jaipur!

Address: The City Palace, Gangori Bazaar, J.D.A. Market, Pink City, Jaipur, Rajasthan 302002, India
Hours: 9:30 AM – 7:30 PM daily
Admission: Ranges from 300 – 3000 rupees.

Social Media Reality #3: The Patrika Gate isn’t as old as you may think.

When we arrived at the Patrika Gate (about a ~30 min drive from the center of Jaipur), the first question our guide asked us was “how old do you think the gate is?” We guessed 150 years. We were off by about 140 years. The Patrika Gate was established in 2016 by the Patrika Group of Newspapers. The vibrant sketches paint a picture of the city’s history and a glimpse into the Rajasthan culture. It’s often referred to as “the most colorful door in India”. For your visit, go early. It gets super crowded the later it gets in the day, making it impossible to take a good photo!

Address: Jawahar Circle, Jaipur 302017 India
Hours: open 24 hours
Admission: Free

Social Media Reality #4: The Tattoo Cafe (and all those cafes across from the Hawa Mahal)

I’m just going to come out and say it: Going to the cafes across the street from the Hawa Mahal is not pleasant. It’s crowded with tourists, the waiters are rude, and you’re overpaying for your order. BUT they all have the best view of the Hawa Mahal (especially at sunset). Not to mention it’s the only way to fully see the Hawa Mahal and capture photos.

All the cafes are in a building across the street from the Hawa Mahal. This indoor outdoor space with various floors and stairs is worth exploring as you’ll find an area with views of the building that are not part of any cafe. So final thoughts – skip the cafes, go grab your photo, and move on to your next activity.

Social Media Reality #5: People don’t talk about the Royal Gaitor – but it is such a hidden gem!

Formally known as the Gaitor Ki Chhatriyan, it is the Jaipur royal family’s funerary space. The cenotaphs you’ll see inside are each made out of one marble stone. I hadn’t heard of the Royal Gaitor until our guide recommended we make a quick stop to one of his favorite hidden gems. Hot take: this was arguably my favorite (at least in the top 3) things we did In Jaipur. The architecture, the peacefulness, and the overall energy of the space were unforgettable. The best part? We basically had it to ourselves!

Address: 309B, Mangala Rd, Bada Akhada, Krishna Nagar, Brahampuri, Jaipur, Rajasthan 302002, India
Hours: 10 AM – 6:30 PM daily
Admission: 30 Rupees