The Journal
The Pink, Blue and Golden Cities of Rajasthan
A land painted in colour
Rajasthan's great cities are known as much by their colours as their names, and the Palace on Wheels calls at the three most famous of all.
Jaipur, the Pink City
Jaipur was washed in terracotta pink in 1876 to welcome the Prince of Wales, and the old walled city still glows rose at sunset. Laid out in 1727 by the astronomer-king Sawai Jai Singh II, it pairs the Amber Fort and City Palace with the extraordinary open-air observatory of Jantar Mantar.
Jodhpur, the Blue City
Jodhpur's old town is a sea of indigo-blue houses spilling beneath the ramparts of Mehrangarh, one of India's mightiest hilltop forts. The blue, traditionally linked to Brahmin households, is best seen from the fort walls high above.
Jaisalmer, the Golden City
Far out in the Thar Desert, Jaisalmer rises from the sand in honey-gold sandstone — a living fort still inhabited after 850 years, ringed by carved havelis and, beyond, the rolling Sam Sand Dunes best seen by camel at sunset.
Three cities, one train
Few journeys link all three so gracefully. Explore Jaipur, Jodhpur and Jaisalmer, or the full route.