About the Destination - Udaipur

Owing to the presence of the Pichola, the Udai Sagar, and the Swaroop Sagar -- among the most beautiful lakes in the state of Rajasthan -- Udaipur is endearingly referred to as the City of Lakes. The majestic palaces of Udaipur are fine examples of superlative architectural skills. It therefore comes as no surprise that it is one of the foremost tourist destinations of the country and frequented by many.

The historic town with its meandering lanes offers a wide variety of historic and cultural experiences to the visitor with its exquisite havelis, temples, ghats, baoris and gardens such as the famous Saheliyon ki Bari and Gulab Bagh.

Roam around the historic City Palace. A majestic architectural marvel towering over the lake on a hill surrounded by crenellated walls, it is a conglomeration of courtyards, pavilions, terraces corridors rooms and hanging gardens. The main entrance is through the triple arched gate. The Tripolia has eight marble porticos. The Mor Chowk known for its exquisite peacock mosaics in glass and the Chini Chitrashala noted for its blue and white ceramics are major attractions in the palace

At the City Palace Complex

• Aashka: This souvenir and lifestyle boutique at Manek Chowk, has been conceptualised by Ms. Bhargavi Kumari Mewar of Udaipur and offers a unique collection of arts and crafts of the Udaipur and Mewar region: mementoes in metal, wood, glass and fabric. 
• Anokhi: Pick up contemporary crafted textiles, furnishings and accessories with the distinct hand-block printing of Rajasthan
• Udaya: The City Palace Museum Shop offers books, CDs and mementoes

City shopping

Udaipur has a proud heritage as a centre for crafts and performing arts.

• Miniature paintings: Udaipur is famous for its school of miniature paintings in the Rajput-Mughal style. These paintings,  meticulous in detailing and delicate in brushwork, are done on cloth, marble, wood, paper and even leaves.
• Beautifully crafted enamel work called Meenakari is also a good buy in Udaipur. Filigree animals and birds richly coloured in ruby reds, blues, greens and whites form a dominant theme.  
• Tie and dye fabrics: Bandhini and Lehariya, age-old techniques of tying and dyeing fabrics are another specialty of the 
  region. 
• Lacquer and glass bangles 
• Marble inlay products: Stone crafts with exquisite marble inlay such as table tops, lampshade and other artefacts are  exclusive to Udaipur region
• Silver jewellery and artefacts, old gold jewellery  
• Terracotta handicrafts from nearby village of Molela are available at West Zone Cultural Centre and Shilp Gram 
• Wooden and metal handicrafts / folk arts

Languages spoken:
English, Hindi, Mewari. Accredited guides who speak French, German, Spanish, Italian

• The City Palace Museum
• Crystal Gallery
• The Vintage and Classic Car Collection
• Jagriti at Jagmandir Island Palace
• Jagdish Temple: Built in 1651 by Maharana Jagat Singh, this Indoarmy temple is the largest and the most beautiful temple if Udaipur with noteworthy sculpted images.
• Rana Pratap Smarak: Atop the Moti Magri or pearl hill, overlooking the Fateh Sagar lake is the memorial of the Rajput hero Rana Pratap with his bronze statue.
• Bharatiya Lok Kala Mandal: An indian folk arts museum with an interesting collection of folk dresses, ornaments, puppets, masks dolls, folk musical instruments, folk deities and paintings.
• West Zone Cultural Center in Bagor Ki Haveli & Shilp Gram: Museums displaying local Mewari styles and crafts. The museum setting in Bagor ki Haveli shows an ideal reuse of heritage and Shilp Gram on the city outskirts provides a taste of the rural Rajasthan.
• Ahar archaeological museum and Mahasatyaji: The ancient capital of Sisodias, 3 km from Udaipur, Ahar boasts of a profusion of royal cenotaphs of the rulers of Mewar. A rare collection of antiquities including earthen pots, iron objects and other art items excavated in the region are displayed in a small Government museum.

Gardens & Lakes:

• Boating in Lake Pichola:
  This 14th century lake that was extended to create the city of Udaipur in the 16th century. With backdrop of the Aravalli ranges on the west, historic palaces along the lakefront in the east and island palaces as jewels in the Lake Pichola, it provides one of the most picturesque settings in the world.
• Fateh Sagar (5 km):
  A beautiful lake, overlooked by a number of hills on the three sides and the Pratap memorial on the north was built by Maharana Fateh Singh. In the middle of the lake is Nehru Park a lovely garden island with a boar shaped café accessible by an enjoyable boat ride.
• Saheliyon ki Bari (Garden of the Maids of Honour):
  This small Mughal ornamental garden was a leisure place where royal ladies came for a stroll. Hence the name. The garden has many fountains in its four delightful pools chiseled kiosks and marble elephants.
• Gulab Bagh:
  A spectacular English style rose garden laid out by Maharana Sajjan Singh. The library in the garden has a rare collection of ancient handwritten manuscripts and books.

Temple towns:

• Kailashpuri: Shri Eklingji Temple (22 km)
• Nagda: Sahastra Bahu Temple  (22 km)
• Nathdwara: Shrinath ji Temple (48 km)
• Ranakpur: Ranakpur Jain Temple & Surya Temple (90 km)

Historic forts and sites:

• Sajjan Garh (5 km): Dominating the city's skyline is the monsoon palace of Sajjan Garh. It offers a panoramic overview of the city's lakes, palaces and the surrounding countryside. 
• Haldighati: The famous battlefield where the legendary Rana Pratap fought with the Mughals is about 40 km from Udaipur 
• Kumbhalgarh Fort (84 km): An imposing fort set amid massive ramparts and surrounded by hundreds of temples, is the creation of one of Mewar's legendary heroes, Rana Kumbha. Its 36 km fort wall is said to be the second longest in the world, only surpassed by the Great Wall of China. The fort has seven grand gates and ramparts, one within the other. 
• Chittorgarh: The earlier capital of Mewar about 120 km from Udaipur and is famous for the indomitable fort of Chittor adorned with the Rana Kumbha Mahal, Padmini Palace and the Kirti Stambh.

Lakes:

• Jaisamand Lake: 48 km
• Rajsamand Lake: 66 km 

• Visit the exclusive Crystal Gallery – one of a kind in the world
• Visit The The Vintage & Classic Car Collection
• Ride a boat to Jagmandir Island Palace and dine in the moonlight on the island palace
• Explore the historic core –   The City Palace Museum  with the Audio Guide Tour available in English, Spanish, French, and German
• Walk around the town - Jagdish Mandir and Gangaur Ghat
• Experience the Mewar Sound and Light Show
• Participate in the Regal Festivals (please check the event calendar)