What the Pink City is
The Pink City is the historic walled part of Jaipur. Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II founded Jaipur in 1727 as a planned city on the plain, not as a fort on a hill. The streets follow a grid, with open crossings called chaupars and uniform shopfronts along the main roads. The Hawa Mahal, the City Palace, Jantar Mantar and the main bazaars all lie inside this area.
This is an independent guide, not an official site. It explains the old town and does not sell entry to it. Walking the streets is free. Entry fees apply only to individual monuments.
Why Jaipur is pink
The colour is younger than the city.
In 1876 Maharaja Ram Singh had the old town painted pink for the visit of the Prince of Wales. Pink was used as a sign of hospitality. The same year the foundation stone of the Albert Hall Museum was laid. Today the colour is kept up along the main streets, and many facades look more terracotta than pink in strong sun.
The Hawa Mahal is the best known pink building. It has five storeys and rises above the street in the heart of the old town. See our page on the forts outside the city if you want to see how the older Rajput capital looked before Jaipur was founded.
Our picks: tours in the Pink City
A walk from Hawa Mahal, an evening drive and a food tour.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Two-hour food tour in the Pink City
A guide, at least seven or eight tastings, masala chai and local tips are included. Hotel transfers and tips are not.
Check availability →
Private evening tour through the Pink City
Transfers, a car or tuk-tuk depending on the option, taxes, parking and fuel are included. The route passes Hawa Mahal and the Albert Hall Museum; entries, meals and tips are extra.
Check availability →
Guided walk from Hawa Mahal to City Palace
A private guided walk of about four hours. Entry is included only with the matching option; hotel transfers and tips are not.
Check availability →Pink City walks and Jaipur city tours
Guided walks, city tours and day trips in and around Jaipur, with live prices and availability.
World Heritage and the city walls
What the inscription covers and what it does not.
The inscription
UNESCO listed Jaipur City, Rajasthan, in 2019. The subject is the historic walled city, not every modern district and not every fort in the region. The Jantar Mantar was listed separately, in 2010.
The gates
The inscription counts the city wall and 9 city gates among the features. That is an inventory figure, not a promise that you can drive or walk through nine gates today. Some gates are busy roads and some are easy to miss.
No general entry ticket
The inscription does not create a pass for the whole old town. Each monument sets its own fee and hours. Do not assume the streets are closed to traffic. Expect cars, scooters and rickshaws.
The grid
The layout of squares and straight streets is part of what makes the city notable. A map helps. The chaupars are useful meeting points and are also the names of the two old town metro stops.
How to walk the Pink City
A simple half-day plan.
Start at the Hawa Mahal
Start early, when the street is quieter and cooler. You can see the facade from the street without a ticket. The interior is a separate visit.
Hawa Mahal facts →Continue to the City Palace and Jantar Mantar
These two sit side by side. The City Palace has its own fee scale and hours, and the Jantar Mantar opens from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
City Palace guide →Add a craft lane walk
The city's heritage walk links the Kishanpole Bazaar area with Chaura Rasta through craft lanes, including Maniyaron Ka Rasta and Thatheron Ka Rasta. It starts near the Museum of Legacies and the Rajasthan School of Arts. It is a marked route, not a daily guided tour.
Finish in the bazaars
The main markets run along the grid. Opening days vary by shop, so ask before you plan around a Sunday.
Jaipur bazaars →Metro stops at Badi Chaupar and Chhoti Chaupar serve the old town. In the hot months, avoid sun exposure between noon and 3 p.m., drink water regularly and carry a hat.
More from the old town
Pages that go with a Pink City visit.
Pink City: frequently asked questions
Why is Jaipur called the Pink City?
The old town was painted pink in 1876 for the visit of the Prince of Wales, with pink as a sign of welcome. The colour has been kept ever since.
Do I need a ticket to walk the Pink City?
No. The streets are public. Fees apply only at monuments such as the Hawa Mahal interior, the City Palace and the Jantar Mantar.
Is the Pink City a World Heritage Site?
Yes, the walled city was listed in 2019. The Jantar Mantar has its own inscription from 2010.
How long should I plan for the old town?
A half day covers the main streets and a monument or two. Add time if you want the City Palace, the Jantar Mantar and the bazaars on the same day.
When is the best time to walk the streets?
Early morning is cooler and quieter. For the season, see the page on the best time to visit.