Jaipur's most acclaimed landmark, the tapering Hawa Mahal or "Palace of Winds", stands to the west of the City Palace, where it exudes an orangey-pink glow in the rays of the rising sun (8-9am is the best time for photographs.

Built in 1799 to enable the women of the court to watch street processions while remaining in a strict state of purdah, its five-storey facade, decked with no less than 593 finely screened windows and balconies, makes the building seem far larger than it really is; in fact it is little more than one room thick in most parts.

Though the primary source of its appeal is undoubtedly the fantastic honeycomb pink and white face, visitors can go inside (enter from the back) to see exactly where the women sat, and take a close look at the detailed stone-work
 

Hawa Mahal or "Palace of Winds"
Daily 9am-4.30pm; Rs2, Rs50 extra for camera, Rs100 extra for video.

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