The City of Lakes
Set by the beautiful Lake Pichola, Udaipur is must see on any Indian tour and classed as the Crown Jewel of Rajasthan it is prettier and more relaxing that Jodhpur. Also known as the White City and built in 1559 the city is the former capital of the Mewar Kingdom and has lavish Royal palaces, forts and temples to explore.
It is also famous for the Taj Lake Palace used in the James Bond film Octopussy.
How to get there and Transportation
By Air - flights from Delhi and Mumbai on Air India, SpiceJet and IndiGo
By Bus - connected to Agra, Ahmedabad, Jodhpur, Ajmer, Jaipur, Bikener and Delhi
By Train -direct connections to Chittorgarh, Jaipur, Agra, Delhi, Mumbai and Khajuraho
Car - Jodhpur (260 KM), Jaipur (421km), Chittorgarh (117 km)
From the airport you can get a taxi from outside the terminal or bus route 5.
Local Transport
Auto Rickshaw - unmetered, not the safest or most comfortable way to travel and you need to haggle.
Car - arranged by your agent or the hotel this is the safest way to see the city.
Best time to Visit
December to February - perfect time to go with temperatures below 32C
March to June - hotter weather
July to September - monsoon season and humid
Where to stay
Oberoi Udaivilas - luxurious hotel overlooking the lake
Taj Lake Palace - iconic hotel on the lake
Raas Devigarh - boutique heritage hotel outside the city
Bujera Fort - boutique hotel west of the lake
Amet Haveli - luxury heritage hotel by the lake
Kandarwa Haveli - family run heritage hotel on the banks of the lake
Read More about The Oberoi Udavilas
What to See
A complex of 11 palaces, museums and gardens of Mughal, Medieval, European and Chinese architecture originally built by Maharana Uday Singh II entirely of granite and marble on the banks of Lake Pichola.
Lake Pichola
Take a boat ride, available from the palace or boat a luxury one with food provided. Best done at sunrise or sunset, hotels will organise for you if required.
Built in the 18th century the palace has over a 100 rooms filled with costumes and modern art including Mewar paintings and glassworks.
Saheliyon ki Badi Gardens
Built of Maharana Bophal Singh for 48 young women attendants of a princess as part of her dowry. Full of fountains, lotus pool and marble elephants plus a small museum on site.
Sajjan Garh
Built in the 19th Century and also called the Monsoon Place as it was intended as a place to watch for the monsoon clouds. Great panoramic views of the city.
Where to report animal cruelty in Udaipur
Ambrai - Indian food - Tel: +91 294 243 1589
Millets of Mewar - Health food
Palki Khana - Cafe near palace museum, Jagdish Chowk, Rao Ji Ka Hata - Closes 6 pm - Tel: +91 98280 39304
Udai Art Cafe - Jagdish Temple Rd, Near Jagdish Temple - Closes 8 pm - Tel: +91 294 512 0789
1559 AD - Fine dining restaurant - P P Singhal Marg Near, Fateh Sagar Lake - Closes 11 pm - Tel: +91 73570 41559
Royal Repast - Indian - Closes 10.30 pm - Tel: +91 98292 20362
Shopping
Ganesh Handicraft Emporium - full of bed covers, cushions, throws and the most gorgeous handbags.
Anokhi - inside the palace grounds
There is a selection if little shops on the road up to the palace, we found a silver jewellery shop, places selling puppets and another selling fabric notebooks etc.
Andraab - beautiful shawls/wraps, I bought mine in the Delhi branch.
We bought other items at the shop in the Oberoi hotel.
Tips
If coming from Jodhpur by car do stop at Ranakpur Jain Temple.
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