The Golden City of Jaisalmer is a major tourist attraction located in the northwestern state of Rajasthan. It is also known as the “golden city” due to its plentiful golden dunes and castles clad in golden honey sandstone. Jaisalmer is embellished with lakes, luxurious Jain sanctuaries and havelis. Jump on to the camel seat and clear your path through this desert or camp under the night sky in this brilliant land for an extraordinary encounter.
The Jaisalmer post remains as a fortification and is encircled by slender rear entryways occupied by individuals living there for ages. With shops selling bright painstaking work and havelis that will make you travel back in time, Jaisalmer is an amalgam of intriguing Indian desert, culture, legacy and experience. Jaisalmer tourism is home to numerous attractions that showcases the magical past of the city. Jaipur is one of the most popular places to visit in Jaisalmer.
The mirage like golden city of Jaisalmer, in Rajasthan’s Thar Desert conjures up images of an Arabian Nights fable. A former medieval trading centre, the most notable characteristic of the town is an abundance of structure built using distinctive yellow sandstone- making any location a picture perfect spot. It attracts many couples, honeymooners and families with its erstwhile royal splendor. Jaisalmer Tour Packages is a great place to simply wander.
The old city was once totally encircled by a broad divider, quite a bit of which has unfortunately been torn away as of late for building material. Some of it remains, however including the city gates and inside them the massive fort which rises above the city is the essence of The Golden City of Jaisalmer. Some of the most popular bazaars in the city one must explore on Jaipur tour package are Pansari Bazaar, Sonaron ka baas, Bhatia Bazaar, Sardar Bazaar and Manak Chowk.
The city is also popular for its local food and dishes like Ghewar, Pyaaz Kachori and Dal Baati Churma. It is one of the largest cities in India and is also home to modern amenities with some of the most lavish and exotic Jaisalmer hotels and resorts. The city has an international airport and is also well-connected by rail and road, such as Laxminath Temple, Jain Temples, Akal Wood Fossil Park, Patwon ki Haveli, Nathmalji ki Haveli, Salim Singh ki Haveli, Jaisalmer Folklore Museum, Desert Culture Centre & Museum, Government Museum, Mool Sagar, Gadi Sagar, Amar Sagar, and more.
History
Jaisalmer was founded in 1156 AD by Maharawal Jaisal Singh, a Rajput ruler. Jaisalmer literally means “the Hill Fort of Jaisal“. It has earned the title of the “The Golden City of Jaisalmer” due to the sprawling Thar Desert. Most of the buildings here are made of yellow sandstone which shines bright when the rays of sun fall on them.
Most of the city is arid desert. As you walk through the roads of Jaisalmer Day Tours, you will be greeted by smiling locals dressed in colorful Rajasthani attires and ornaments. Most of the men here carry rainbow color turbans and big moustache which is their pride.
Travel Tips
- If you are visiting Jaisalmer during summer months, do carry a sun block, hat and sunglasses.
- Sightseeing in Jaisalmer can be tiring, thus, always wear comfortable shoes.
- Stay well hydrated.
- Hire a guide to explore the city like a local.
- Always take prior permission before clicking pictures while visiting heritage monuments.
Beautiful Jaisalmer Tourist Places To Visit:
Jaisalmer is one of the most charming tourist destinations in Rajasthan. Popularly known as the Golden City, it is a land of incredible attractions. Travel to the sand dunes and enjoy a camel safari in Jaisalmer amidst a rustic and dramatic setting. This Mesmerizing city was discovered by Rawal Jaisal in 1156 AD. Located in the Great Thar Desert of India, this city invites you to an incredible travel experience. The history of this city has its own charm. Go through the following travel guide where we have listed the best places to visit in Jaisalmer to make your itinerary convenient:
Jaisalmer Fort:
In 1156 on Trikuta Hill, the fort was built by the ruler BhatiJaisal. Satyajit Ray, the famous film director, wrote a detective novel about this fort that later became the basis for his film Sonar Kella or the Golden Fort. In this fort, the main attraction that you will find is Rajmahal and the temples of Laxminath and Jain. The walls of this fort are the color of the lion that turns into honey gold at sunset The Golden City of Jaisalmer.
Salam Singh ki Haveli:
This Haveli was built by Salam Singh in 1815. He was the PM of Jaisalmer at this time. The arched ceilings decorated with peacock-shaped brackets draw anyone’s attention to this Haveli. It is one of the most overlooked places to visit in Jaisalmer that will give you a glimpse of the history of Rajasthan and its culture.
Patwon ki Haveli:
This is the largest and most attractive Haveli in Jaisalmer. It is a five-story complex that took 50 years to complete. This haveli was built by a wealthy merchant Guman Chand Patwa and his five children. Jaisalmer tourist places are known for their historical touch and Patwoki Haveli is a great example of this.
Nathmal Ki Haveli:
This was newly built by Prime Minister Nath Singh of the princely state of Jaisalmer. It is decorated with beautiful ornamentation of birds, elephants, flowers, soldiers, steam engines, and a bicycle. If you are looking for some of the most tourist attractions in Jaisalmer then this one is an ideal destination.
Sand dunes and camel safari:
Explore the mystical charm of the sand dunes at the camel’s back. The moment you embark on a camel safari through the sand dunes, you will be transported to a completely different world. The rustic charm will never fail to capture your heart. You can even plan a stay in organized camps on the sand dunes. This will add the best adventure to your list of most adventurous Jaisalmer tourist attractions.
Jain Temple:
The splendid Jain temples make the city a holy land. There are a total of 7 temples, built within the fortress walls. Decorated with beautiful sculptures, the temples are a wonderful example of the then prosperous architecture. If you are planning a tour with Places to visit in Jaisalmer in 2 days then you must add this Jain Temple in your itinerary.
Lodurva
It is a great place for this purpose. It is a fort with golden tones, located in Jaisalmer and it also houses a large part of the city. There are narrow streets and charming havelis as well as some magnificent Jain temples as old as the 12th century AD. C. and five palaces. It is at a height of 80 meters above the desert area. The fort is allowed through 4 gateways: Hava Pol, Suraj Pol, Ganesh Pol, Akhaiya Pol. There is a market located within the lanes of Lodurva where tourists can shop for souvenirs and remember the trip to Jaisalmer forever The Golden City of Jaisalmer.
Mool Sagar Fort
It has three Spectacular carved Jain temples dedicated to the Jain Tirthankara-Rishabdev, Sambhavnath, and Parswanath. Sam Sand Dunes is another pagoda-shaped architectural building that emerges from the beautiful “Badal Mahal”. It is located 42 km from the city center. It is one of the most famous places of attraction in Jaisalmer. Most tourists are attracted to these Sam sand dunes due to the pleasure that comes after a camel ride in these sand dunes. This is the best method to explore the wonderful stretch of sand dunes.
Amar Sagar
It is the most beautiful haveli in the city of Jaisalmer, known for its large pillar carving and all the corridors. This five-story building has an apartment painted with murals (large paintings). It has a beautiful blue dome ceiling with supports superbly carved like a peacock. This entire fort is made of yellow stone and has a complex balcony or gallery on the top floor.
Bada Bagh
This is another excursion site and is a very old haveli. It was the residence of the Prime Minister of Maharaja de The Golden City of Jaisalmer. The yellow-colored mansion is superbly beautiful with its blue capola ceiling and carvings. It is the most famous among all the other have in Jaisalmer. Jaisalmer tourism is one of the exciting and thrilling among Rajasthan tourism.
Gadisar Lake
This lake is one of the best picnic spots in the city. In the desert land, this beautiful lake is like a lifeguard of the city, as it is the source of water for all of The Golden City of Jaisalmer. In winter, a number of migratory birds come here. So it is one of the ideal places to visit at Jaisalmer during the winter season.
Things to Do Jaisalmer
Jaisalmer is a magical city that showers you with some of the most unmatched experiences. This is real Rajasthan that lets you take a plunge into the local cultures, art and history in the most beautiful way. From adventure activities to camping and from traditional dance forms to tasting local cuisines – there are so many interesting things to do in Jaisalmer.
1. Experience Dune Bashing
A dune bashing experience in The Golden City of Jaisalmer bestows seamless pleasure to those seeking thrill. The Sam Sand Dunes amidst Thar Desert is a dream of many adventure lovers that lets them ride the rising and falling sand dunes on a racing jeep.
2. Quad Biking Tour
Enjoy a Quad Biking Tour inside the jungle and fall in love with the landscapes around you. The activity is available for both adults and kids.
3. Desert Safari with Camping
The Golden City of Jaisalmer can ever end without indulging in a charismatic desert safari. Ride on a camel amidst shimmering desert sands and spot the most beautiful sunset views. Also relish the pleasure of staying in luxury tents. Most of these tents organize Rajasthani dance performances along with a traditional Rajasthani dinner. Camping is available in Jaisalmer in all budgets.
4. Boating in Gadisar Lake
Do not miss a romantic boat ride experience on Gadisar Lake to catch the most beautiful sunset of your life. The ride takes you around the lake that lets you explore the splendid temples dotted in the middle of the lake.
5. Fly High with Parasailing & Paramotoring
Enjoy the beauty of the desert like a bird by partaking in parasailing and paramotoring. These activities are organized right in the middle of the desert to let you relish fascinating views as you fly high.
6. Kalbeliya Dance Show
Kalbeliya is a snake charmer community famous for their unique dance style and colorful dresses. A dance performance by beautiful Kalbeliya girls along with live folk music is a must do activity while staying in The Golden City of Jaisalmer.
Shopping in Jaisalmer
Shopping in Jaisalmer is all about mingling with the locals, understanding their deep cultures, soaking into their traditions and bagging beautiful local handicrafts. The Golden City of Jaisalmer is blessed with some exciting local markets showcasing all the hues of Rajasthan. Sadar Bazaar remains the best street market known for selling anything and everything.
From here you can buy paintings, carpets, handicrafts, jewelry, etc. If you are looking some antique souvenirs, then Bhatia Bazaar should be your spot. Sonaron ka Baas is another colorful market of Jaisalmer from where you can buy precious stones apart from funky ornaments. Other prominent markets of the city are Pansari Bazaar and Manas Chowk.
Where to eat in Jaisalmer
We Indians are very much aware of Rajasthani food because of its spices nature. Rajasthan’s cuisine as rich and vibrant as their culture. It has a long list of traditional and local food. You can easily find traditional food in Jaisalmer. Almost every restaurants serve you to The Golden City of Jaisalmer’s special cuisine. While writing this my mouth watering. There are lots of famous restaurants for traditional food like Milan Restaurant, Zoya is Zayeka, Gaji’s Restaurant, Jaisal Italy etc. But we had lunch at Dessert Bite Restaurant. The food was so delicious. Especially I loved their local sabzi i.e. Ker Sangari. The interior of this restaurant is so peaceful. To know more about this restaurant
Dishes to Enjoy In Jaisalmer
- Pyaaz ki Kachori
- Murgh-E-Subz
- Ker Sangria
- Kadi Pakora
- Bhanon Aloo
- Mutton Saag
- Dal Bati Choorma
- Mughal Chicken Recipes
- Panchadhari Laddoos
- Local Styled Lassi
- Ghotua – Iconic Dessert Item
Best time to visit Jaisalmer
The best time to visit Jaisalmer is from November to March. It is the best time to enjoy sightseeing, camel ride, desert safari and to explore The Golden City of Jaisalmer.
How to Reach Jaisalmer
Jaisalmer is situated in the very heart of Rajasthan and a popular tourist destination therefore it is well connected to the rest of India and Rajasthan with airways, railways as well as roadways.
By Air
Jaisalmer Airport is a military airport and supports only chartered flights, hence is sparingly used by travellers. Although air travel is generally not considered an ideal mode of transport for travelling to Jaisalmer, some people do travel by air to save on time.
Jodhpur Airport is the closest domestic airport that is functional throughout the year. Major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata and Udaipur have regular flights to Jodhpur. The airport is approximately 5 to 6 hours’ drive from the city. You can either hire a prepaid or a private taxi from the Airport to reach The Golden City of Jaisalmer.
By Bus
There are no direct buses from Delhi to Jaisalmer as the 17-18 hour drive is too time-consuming and quite exhausting. You can however switch buses in Jaipur from where a state-run sleeper coach operates regularly. Be sure to book tickets in advance as there are limited seats. Some sleeper buses are also available from Jodhpur and Udaipur.
By Train
Jaisalmer is well connected with a wide network of trains covering most of the Indian cities like Delhi, Jodhpur, Jaipur and others. Some of the popular trains are Delhi Jaisalmer Express, Jodhpur Jaisalmer Express, Howrah The Golden City of Jaisalmer Express and Lalgarh Jaisalmer Special.