One of the most astonishing locations to explore while on a tour are the magnificent palaces. After all, the palaces give a reflection of glorious days in the past. Moreover it is extremely exciting to dive deep into the days that are long gone. However some splendid structures are still standing tall as a remembrance of the old days. And if you are visiting Rajasthan then you will find so many such structures that you can explore here. Also the city of Udaipur in Rajasthan is undoubtedly one of the best locations that you can explore. And here the City Palace Udaipur is one of the most popular sightseeing spots. Out of all the sightseeing locations here, what makes this site special is that it is the largest palace complex.
A long history is attached with the palace and the structure and architecture here is worth exploring. Currently the palace complex houses a museum with several galleries for the visitors to explore. You can check out the City Palace Udaipur photos and you would know how majestic this complex is. However you definitely need to visit there in person to know more about the location. Keep on reading this article as here I will mention everything that you need to know about the City Palace. This will be a helpful article for you if you are travelling to Udaipur any time soon.
City Palace Udaipur
Location: City Palace Complex, Udaipur, Rajasthan
Timings: The City Palace Udaipur timings are from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm on all days of the week
Entry fee: City Palace Udaipur ticket price is Rs. 30 per person for adults and Rs. 15 per person for children. There is an however additional charge for camera and that is Rs. 200 per person
Boat Ride at Udaipur City Palace
The timings of boat rides during summer are from 10 am to 3 pm and during winter it is from 10 am to 2 pm. For adults the charge of boat ride is Rs. 400 and for children from 5 years to 12 years it is Rs. 200.
There is a Sunset Boat Ride here also and the timings of the boat ride during winters are from 10 am to 5 pm and during summers it is from 10 am to 6 pm. The charge for a sunset boat ride for adults is Rs. 700 and for children from 5 to 12 years of age it is Rs. 400.
There are other boat rides here as well like Cargo Boats that are charged at Rs. 4100 per hour.
For charter boats the charge starts from Rs. 4500 and goes up to 18,000 according to the number of people in a boat.
Crystal Gallery visit: Rs. 550 for adults and Rs. 350 for a child from 5 years to 12 years of age.
Vintage and Classic Car Collection Visit: Rs. 250 for an adult and Rs. 150 for a child
Lunch or Dinner Coupon at Garden Restaurant: Rs. 200 for adults and Rs. 150 for a child (Veg Thali)
Entry fee and timings of City Palace Museum
The entry fee is Rs. 250 for adults and Rs. 100 for children up to 18 years. For children below the age of 5 years there is no entry fee for City Palace. There is an additional fee for cameras and that is Rs. 250. Also for students in a group the entry fee is Rs. 100 per person.
Udaipur City Palace Museum is open from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm on all days of the week.
How to reach
By air
If you are travelling by air then the nearest airport to reach the City Palace Udaipur is the Maharana Pratap Airport in Udaipur. From the airport the location of the palace is about 23 km away. It would approximately take you around 35 minutes to reach the location of the City Palace from the airport. You can take a car or take a cab as well to reach the location from the airport. Or else you can even take an auto rickshaw as well to reach the City Palace from the airport.
By train
While travelling in a train the nearest railway station is the Udaipur Railway Station. From there City Palace is located at a distance of 2.7 km. It would approximately take you around 8 to 10 minutes to reach the City Palace from the railway station. The most convenient way to reach the palace from the Udaipur Railway Station would be to take an auto rickshaw from the station.
By road
You can travel by road as well to reach the City Palace as the location is located at an accessible location. Buses are an easy way to commute if you are travelling from nearby major cities and towns. If you are travelling by bus both government as well as private buses are available on this route that you can opt for. Also you can take auto rickshaws as well if you are travelling shorter distances. And you can take a car or hire a cab as well to reach the City Palace from different directions.
Read More: Jagdish Temple Udaipur Timings, Photos, History, Location
History of City Palace
Located on the bank of Lake Pichola, the City Palace Udaipur is one of the major sightseeing spots to explore in Udaipur. The history of the City Palace is related to the Mewar Kingdom. However the Mewar Kingdom had gone through multiple changes of capitals. In 1537 the kingdom came under the rule of Maharana Udai Singh II. At that time due to the conflicts with the Mughals there was a high chance of losing the Chittor Fort. Therefore Maharana Udai Singh II decided to construct a new capital near Lake Pichola. The main aim of constructing this structure was to shield the territory from enemies. The construction of the City Palace however started during the reign of Maharana Udai Singh II but it continued for over a period of 400 years and was subsequently enhanced.
The Rai Angan or the royal courtyard was the first ever construction of this complex. After the death of Udai Singh II his son Maharana Pratap took over the rule. But soon he lost the Battle of Haldighati to Mughal Emperor Akbar and therefore Udaipur came under Mughal rule. Later after the death of Akbar, the son and successor of Maharana Pratap, Amar Singh I took over Mewar from Jahangir. But in 1761 again the Marathas attacked Udaipur. After the independence of India Mewar became a part of India. Also the kings of Mewar retained their ownership over the palaces of Udaipur.
Architecture of City Palace
The architecture of City Palace Udaipur is one of the major attractions of this fort complex. The complex is huge and houses multiple structures that will leave you in awe. The construction of the palace is done using granite and marble. Moreover the construction pattern of the palace reflects a fine blend of European, Medieval as well as Chinese styles of architecture. There are multiple palaces inside the City Palace complex. However the main facade of the complex is 100 feet in height and 801 feet in length. Furthermore one of the major attractions of the construction is its magnificent location. The palace is located at a pristine elevation of 1962 feet. 22 generations of Sisodia Rajputs built the complex over a period of time. The construction however started in 1559.
Rulers like Maharana Udai Singh II and many other significant rulers have heavily contributed to the construction of this magnificent palace. The impressive complex has 11 small palaces within its premises.
City Palace Udaipur interior is as attractive as the exterior of the palace. The beautiful painting on the walls, the marble work, intricate carvings are worth admiring. Furthermore there are intricate mirror works, murals, coloured glasses and inlay work that attracts attention. In the upper part of the complex there are terraces. And because of its elevation it also offers a breathtaking view of the Udaipur City along with the lake. Each of the palaces here is connected by corridors and chowks. These corridors in the complex are built in a zigzag pattern so that it can surprise and confuse the attackers or the enemies.
Read More: Jaisalmer Fort Timings, Entry Fee, History, Ticket Price
What’s more?
There are multiple structures inside the palace complex that are worth exploring. It would be like a treat to the visitors to explore these beautiful structures. There is the Suraj Gokhda which is the public address facade, Mor Chowk that is the Peacock Courtyard, Dilkhush Mahal that is the Heart’s Delight. Other important structures are Sheesh Mahal or the Palace of Glass and Mirrors, Surya Chopar, Moti Mahal or the Palace of Pearls etc. You will also get to see Krishna Vilas, Bhim Vilas, Shambhu Niwas, Amar Vilas etc. Other notable structures are Fateh Prakash Palace and Niwas Palace. Currently these two palaces are beautifully transformed heritage hotels.
The Mewar family currently owns the whole palace complex and there are various trusts that look after the different structures inside the complex. There are facilities of a Post Office, a Travel Agency and also a Bank inside City Palace complex. You will also find some craft shops here as well. Furthermore there is a beautiful Indian Boutique located inside the complex as well and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) supports that. On your trip to the City Palace you surely need to check out these shops and the boutique. You can also buy a few things for yourself as souvenirs or get something for gifting purposes.
Wrapping Up!
So that was all about the City Palace Udaipur and now you need to plan a trip to this location as soon as you can. The City Palace is one of the most exquisite palaces that you can visit in Udaipur. Moreover this palace complex is huge and has so much to explore for the visitors. You must visit the various galleries, museums and the different palaces here and you would get so much insight about the days long gone. It would truly be an interesting visit not just for history buffs for every tourist. So when you are visiting Udaipur make sure you are definitely including visiting the Udaipur City Palace as a must visit location. The architecture to history to the beauty of the location everything is worth exploring.
So when are you planning a trip to this beautiful City Palace? Also let me know if this article on the City Palace Udaipur is helpful for you in planning a trip to this location.
