Jaipur

Amber Fort (Amer Fort) is the most spectacular example of Rajput military architecture, a massive hill fortress 11 km from Jaipur built of pale yellow and pink sandstone and white marble. Constructed in the late 16th century by Raja Man Singh, it features a series of beautiful courtyards, palaces, and halls decorated with intricate mirror work, frescoes, and carved marble. The approach on elephant-back along the paved pathway, or by jeep, leads to the Sheesh Mahal (Palace of Mirrors) whose millions of tiny mirrors create a spectacular effect.

Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds) is Jaipur's most iconic landmark, a five-story pink sandstone façade featuring 953 small windows with intricately carved latticework screens. Built in 1799, it allowed the women of the royal household to observe street life below while remaining unseen. The honeycomb structure creates a natural wind-cooling system throughout the palace.