For all you people who are joining us in Udaipur to make the 4th edition of WordCamp a success, we have tried to list down a few must-to-do things in Udaipur to make your trip memorable.
Udaipur is a beautiful city in Rajasthan, India, known for its rich history, stunning architecture, and picturesque lakes. Check out this breathtakingly beautiful aerial video of Udaipur.
Here is the list of all the fun things, that you can do here:
1. The City Palace
The foremost thing to do when in a new city is to explore the history, and no other place offers it better than the City Palace, which is situated on the banks of Lake Pichola. The palace was constructed under the leadership of Maharana Udai Singh and was completed by his successors.
The structure is a blend of splendid architecture and has 11 palaces inside it that showcase antique furniture, unique paintings, ornamental tiles, big corridors, pavilions, gardens, and other heritage marvels. The palace is also the home of present King Maharaja Arvind Singh Mewar and the Royal Family.
Inside the palace is the Crystal Gallery, which has everything from an ashtray to a cupboard made of crystals and is a delight for all to witness.
2. Lakes
There is a reason why Udaipur is called the City of Lakes; it has eight major lakes that you can visit: Lake Pichola, Lake Fateh Sagar, Udai Sagar Lake, Badi Lake, Swaroop Sagar & Goverdhan Sagar.
Jaisamand Lake, which is Asia’s second largest artificial lake, is situated 50 Km away from the city and is a ‘must-visit’ place.
Lake Fateh Sagar is the favorite hangout place for every Udaipurite. You can enjoy a speed boat ride, local food at the lakeside Mumbaiya market, and the famous Kulhad Coffee.
3. Forts and Palaces
Besides the City Palace, there are a number of forts and palaces which have unique stories of their own. Situated around 85 Km away from the city is Kumbhalgarh Fort, which is known to be the birthplace of Maharana Pratap.
This 15th-century-constructed fort is also included in the World Heritage Sites and has a 38 Km long wall, which is recognized as the second longest wall in the world after the Great Wall of China. Watch this amazing video by Rajasthan Tourism.
Sajjangarh, or Monsoon Palace, is another hilltop wonder which provides a panoramic view of the entire city and one of the most beautiful sunsets.
4. Boat Ride in Lake Pichola
You must take a boat ride in the pristine blue waters of Lake Pichola and visit Jag Mandir, a modern restaurant with beautiful gardens situated on an island. During the ride, you will also get a chance to see a fairy tale like Lake Palace, which has a classic white structure that will take your breath away. The plush palace is now one of the finest heritage hotels in India and is a dream destination.
5. Boat Ride in Lake Fateh Sagar
Another boat ride is available at Fateh Sagar, which takes you to Nehru Garden, an open space garden in the middle of the lake. Any time of day to have a boat ride is fun, but it’s totally awesome if you do it in the evening at sunset time.
If you would like to have fun, Fateh Sagar also has a speed boat ride.
6. Heritage Walk
Discover the rustic charm, Rajasthani paintings, and old architecture, enjoy shopping, and interact with the locals in the heritage walk around the old parts of the city. Walking through the fascinating lanes of the city and numerous Ghats, you can unravel the history in the palaces, gardens, walls, and houses that exude the wonderment of the Mewar dynasty.
You can also enjoy the evening folk dance show at Bagore Ki Haveli. Timing: 7 PM – 8 PM.
7. Cycle Tour
Bicycle tours are one of the most exciting things to do in Udaipur as you get to see not only the interior parts of the city but also take a ride along the outskirts that cover lakes, dams, villages, forests, and a relaxing time in the private lodges if one wishes to stay overnight. There are multiple tour operators who provide bicycle tours in and around the city at affordable rates.
8. Art & Culture
Since Udaipur is a hub of art and culture, you can meet a number of artists proficient in age-old miniature paintings or Rajput art, modern paintings, and contemporary art. Shilpgram is a cultural hub situated on the outskirts of the city that showcases textiles, crafts, and handicrafts of not only Rajasthan but of different states. A fair is also held in the month of December, which markets products of local designers and other artists from across the country. If in Udaipur, you must visit Baghore ki Haveli, which is next to Gangaur Ghat, for the enthralling folk performances during the evening. You can learn more about the culture at Ahar Cenotaphs and Ahar Museum.
9. Shopping
For the shopaholics, the market is filled with many articles, textiles, and handicraft items that will interest you. A variety of silver ornaments, jewelry, textiles, clothing, leather products, wooden toys, paintings, and a lot more are available for tourists. Handmade paper, wall hangings, wood puppets, Pichwai paintings, tie and dye textiles will give you a peek into the Mewar culture and make for the perfect souvenir.
The popular bazaars are Bapu Baazar, Hathipol, Palace Road, and Bada Baazar, where you can shop for products and bargain for the best price.
10. Other Tourist Spots
Besides the given places, you can visit touristy spots such as Gulab Bagh, Saheliyon ki Bari, Karni Mata Temple, Dudh Talai, Haldighati, Moti Magri, Ranakpur Temple, Alsigarh, Saas Bahu Temple, Eklingji, Nathdwara and many other places worth visiting if time permits.
11. Vintage Car Museum
If you love cars, you will surely enjoy the awesome vintage car collection owned by Udaipur’s Maharanas. The car collection includes Cadillac, Chevrolet, Morris, Rolls Royce Phantom, etc. You would be surprised to see all the vintage cars are perfectly maintained and are in working condition. Vintage car museum is located at Gulabh Bag Road. If you are obsessed with classy cars, this place is a must-visit.
12. Bhartiya Lok Kala Mandal
Bhartiya Lok Kala Mandal is to encourage folk art and dance. It is a museum that displays clothes, paintings, ornaments, and other royal heritage. Every evening, they organize folk dances and puppet shows, and it totally gets you in the Rajasthani culture zone. It is situated near Chetak Circle.
13. Shilpgram
Shilpgram is situated 3km away from Udaipur. It promotes rural arts /crafts and gives an opportunity to many people to exhibit their art and handicraft skills. Every year, Shilpgram organizes a festival known as the Shilpgram festival. It is generally organized in the last week of December, and there are various shops for handicrafts, ornaments, and decorative items. They also have cultural programs in the evening.
14. Ropeway to Karni Mata Temple
One of the famous temples in Udaipur is Karni Mata, and there is a cable ropeway ride available to reach the temple. It is a five-minute ride, and you can’t miss the breathtaking view of Udaipur city. If you want to see a beautiful sunset or nature’s picture, then it’s a must-visit. It is located near Deen Dayal Park, Dudh Talai.
15. Restaurants, Street Food & Drinks
If you are a foodie and love to try different varieties of food, Udaipur has much to offer. From spicy and yummy traditional food to classy Rajasthani food, you will love all of them. Check out the list below and indulge yourself in yum-yum food:
Raas Leela: Raas Leela is a multi-cuisine restaurant situated near Lake Pichola with a very beautiful view. You can plan a perfect candlelight dinner here.
Apart from this, there are a few more rooftop restaurants to enjoy a pleasant view and ambiance: Jaiwana Haveli, Upre, Mewar Haveli, Chunda Palace, and Jaisingh Garh.
Goverdhan Thal: If you want to try Gujarati and Rajasthani food, you should visit Goverdhan Thal. They have a Thali system, including both Rajasthani and Gujarati food. The food and service are both awesome.
Natraj Restaurant: Natraj Restaurant is located near the railway station and serves one of the best Rajasthani Thali in the city. If you want to try traditional Rajasthani food, this is a must-try.
JMB (Jodhpur Misthan Bhandar): JMB is located near Surajpol and has mouth-watering “pyaz ki kachori” and “mirchi vada”. It is basically a sweet shop, and if you love sweets, try different traditional Rajasthani sweets here.
Sukhadia Circle: Want to try different cuisines in one place? Check out Sukhadia Circle. It is well known for its street food. A number of stalls remain open until late hours in the city, providing typical street food from Pav Bhaji Bhel Puri to Chinese, Pizza, South Indian, and much more.
Mumbaiya Bazaar: Mumbaiya Bazaar is located on the bank of Fateh Sagar with a lot of street food stalls, and you can’t afford to miss Kulhadh Coffee at Shiv Sagar. It is fun to view the lake and indulge in yummy street food.
Apart from the above street food, you can also check out mirchi vada at Eklingji, vada pav outside Lok Kala Mandal, Gulab Jamun at Clock Tower, and Purnima’s panipuri at Baapu Bazaar.
Coffee at Brewmen: Brewmen is located at Saheli Marg. It is one of the best cafés in Udaipur and serves delicious coffee, snacks, and pizzas.
Panna Vilas Palace: A good place to chill with friends and enjoy drinks/snacks. It has a good ambiance and is situated at Rani Road, near Fateh Sagar.
Udaipur is an amazing city packed with eclectic culture, lush gardens, fabulous forts, yummy street food, and romantic lakes. So, enjoy your stay, explore new spots, and have total fun at WordCamp Udaipur 2023. Don’t forget to share your experience in the comment section.