Udaipur Tourism
One of the most romantic cities in the world, Udaipur is nestled among the lush green Aravalis ranges. A legend goes into the making of the city. When the Emperor Akbar sacked Chittaurgarh, the capital of Maharana Udai Singh, a holy man guided the Maharana to re-build his capital here.
A travel to Udaipur would take you to the enchanting land where grand palaces overlook picture-pretty lakes, temples and havelis play hide and seek with myths, legends and history. The city aptly merits the epithet - the "Venice of the East".
Take a peek at the royal garments, armory and utilities of daily chores at the City Palace Museum, cruise in boat on the Lake Pichola or pay a visit to the exquisite sculptures in its temples as you travel to Udaipur. Saunter around in the lanes and by-lanes of the city, where old havelis has a separate tale of valor and romance to tell you.
Treasure your travel to Udaipur with a stay at a heritage hotel. Exquisite chandeliers, antique furniture, rare paintings, unique crystal crockery would transport you to a fairytale world of royal grandeur.
Last, but not the least important is the Shilpgram ! Don't give it a miss as you travel to it if you have a penchant for traditional Indian art and craft.
How to Reach Udaipur
Udaipur is often referred as the 'Venice of the East'. The picturesque landscape, filled with lakes, temples, palaces, gardens and monuments, is one of the most romantic cities in India. 'How to reach Udaipur' provides helpful information to access the city by air, rail or road.
Udaipur deservingly features among the most important tourist destination in the state of Rajasthan. No wonder that in the peak seasons, the city is a huge hit with visitors across the globe.
By Air
The city has domestic airport, which is service by majority of airlines. Regular flights connect the city with key Indian cities like Delhi, Mumbai and so on. Flights to Udaipur
By Train
The nearest railway station is located in Udaipur City. Rail network connects Udaipur with Delhi, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Chittaurgarh and other major Indian Cities. Trains to Udaipur
By Road
The city is conveniently connected with important destinations of Rajasthan and neighbouring states like: Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra by extensive road network. Besides, the government run RST (Rajasthan State Transport) buses can also be a help for commuting in and out of the city.
Distance to Udaipur
- From Jodhpur - 266 KM
- From Delhi - 663 KM
- From Jaisalmer - 574 KM
- From Gurgaon - 633 KM
- From Jaipur - 405 KM
Shopping in Udaipur
Shopping in Udaipur is a great delight. The region has a rich tradition of handicrafts, which are acclaimed all over the world. The ace craftsmen of Udaipur and around create incredible of artifacts. The tradition had flourished under the patronage of the royalties and continues to flow till date.
Miniature painting is a notable art form in Udaipur, which has matured over the ages. It's a very different form of painting featuring long necks, large almond-shaped eyes, long fingers and the use of subdued colours. Check out such items while shopping in Udaipur.
g Mandir
Best time to visit
Udaipur, the lake city of Rajasthan and famously nicknamed as the "Venice of the East", is one of the most beautiful cities of the world and as such attracts tourists from far and wide. The dual beauty of Udaipur, i.e., the royalty teamed with ecological richness, gives this city a certain uniqueness that is second to none. However, the weather in Udaipur is not always conducive. Owing to its location, the summer months in this city are extremely hot, with day temperatures touching the 42 °C mark. Therefore, months between April and June should be avoided. The temperatures fall slightly during the monsoons but the city's close proximity to the desert causes very little rainfall, which doubles the humidity level. Even though Udaipur looks alluring with the lush green foliage and lakes filled with rainwater, the uncomfortable climes play a spoilsport. The winters herald pleasant weather and a host of festivals celebrated during this time. Udaipur is at its element with a carnival-like atmosphere created all around. Thus, best time to visit Udaipur is during the winters, between October and March.
Local transport
The robust transportation system of Udaipur makes travelling within the city hassle-free. For instance, the bus service of Udaipur is a common favorite among the locals and tourists alike, particularly due to their minimal costs and regularity of services. Taxis and cabs are readily available from different locations, like the airport, railway station, various hotels and the numerous cab rental services. This mode of transportation is specifically useful for those who are looking to explore only the city of Udaipur. Different models of cabs and taxis, complete with luxurious facilities, are available at affordable prices. One can easily book these cars beforehand for one single or several days, depending upon the requirement. Three-wheelers and auto rickshaws are also a very popular mode of local transportation in Udaipur and are used by tourists to a great extent. However, both the auto rickshaws and cabs are generally unmetered and therefore, the price needs to be agreed upon before boarding.
Food
Apart from sightseeing, learning about a city's culture is also an integral aspect of exploring, and food is the best medium that can fulfill this endeavor. Udaipur, located in the state of Rajasthan, is the hub of the famous Mewari cuisine. The evergreen dish dal-bati-churma, made with spiced lentils, unsalted whole wheat dumplings and whole wheat balls brushed with ghee, is a local favorite. This wholesome and instantly filling dish is therefore a must-have when you are in any corner of Rajasthan. The street food of Udaipur has quite a sumptuous variety that can easily make for an early-morning breakfast or an evening snack like the pohe, kachori chat, samosa chat, dabeli, etc. Traditional Rajasthani vegetarian thalis are something to die for and it's a treat that one must not miss when in Udaipur. One full thali costs around Rs. 150, which includes popular dishes like the ker sangri and kadhi. Non-vegetarians need not feel disappointed because Udaipur has a little something for everyone. The open-air Ambrai restaurant, located near Lake Pichola, serves the most delectable laal maas, tangdi kebab and mutton boti kebab.
Popular things
One of the most romantic and ecologically beautiful cities of India, Udaipur is much appreciated the world over for its man-made beauty in the form of lakes and palaces. The architectural perfection of the City Palace and Bagore ki Haveli surrounded by the serene quietude of the wondrous Lake Pichola and Fateh Sagar lake instantly captures your imagination. The mesmerizing view of the sunrise or sunset from the various "vantage points" of Udaipur, especially the Ambrai Ghat and the Monsoon Palace, leaves one asking for more.
Outdoor activities like jeep safaris and camel riding are also very popular in Udaipur. The adventurous side in you gets rekindled when on a camel safari, as it takes you to the interior of the desert. Puppet shows are ingrained in Rajasthani culture and you can become a witness to them either at Bagore ki Haveli or Bharatiya Lok Kala museum. The experience of getting a bird's eye view of the city is very thrilling and this is exactly what you get to do from Udaipur ropeway that begins from Doodh Talai Garden. Shopaholics looking to purchase rural arts and crafts of Rajasthan to take back home as souvenirs can head straight to any one of the vibrant markets of Udaipur, like Bada Bazaar, Hathi Pole or Chetak Circle. Myriads of small and big shops sell an assortment of items, from handicrafts to jewellery, traditional Rajasthani printed clothes and miniature paintings. Rajasthali and Sadhna are the two government-run emporiums that sell everything under one roof.
The popularity of Mount Abu, the only hill station of Rajasthan, has increased manifold, particularly recently when it became directly connected to Udaipur. So, young couples looking to get some private time can arrange a quiet getaway to this place.
How many days are enough to travel?
The picturesque and intricately carved city of Udaipur has become a major attraction of Rajasthan tourism over the years. Nestled in the midst of the Aravalli hills this beautiful city proudly boasts of three interconnected lakes together with palaces, temples, gardens, forts all of which are an exemplary testimony of the city's heroic past. The combination of Fateh Sagar Lake, the Lake Pichola and the Swaroop Sagar Lake are not only a pleasure to the mind's eye but they also exemplify the city's man-made beauty. While wandering through the City Palace Complex and Bagore ki Haveli, one gets a firsthand insight of the fascinating lifestyle of royal families. The temples of Udaipur like the Jagdish Temple with exquisite artwork cannot be missed, either. Therefore, even though places of interest may vary from person to person, to experience the real splendour of Udaipur, one has to spend at least three to four days in this city.
Tourism department contacts
For any tourism-related information you can get in touch with the local office of Udaipur tourism whose contact details are as follows.
Udaipur Regional Tourist Office,
Fateh Memorial, Suraj Pol
Phone: 0294-2411535, 2521971/1364
Regional Tourist Office,
Dabok Airport,
Phone: 0294-2655433
Tourist Information Counter, Railway Station
Phone: 0294-2412984
Email: [email protected]
Emergency contact numbers
While vacationing in Udaipur, don't forget to carry those vital helpline numbers. No matter where you are it's best to be always prepared to deal with the uncertainties of life. Here are some of those details.
Police: +91-294-2414600/100
Hospital: +91-294-228811/102
Airlines: +91-294-2528390/142
Railway enquiry: 131/139
Last Updated on : December 31, 2013