Sign in with Facebook"Jaisalmer - The Golden City" Top 5 Page for this destination Jaisalmer by Willettsworld
Jaisalmer Travel Guide: 387 reviews and 1,375 photos
Jaisalmer is the last frontier before hitting the Pakistan border in western Rajasthan. It springs up like a mirage in the surrounding Great Thar Desert like something from a romantic fairytale and is nick-named "The Golden City" due to its golden sandstone buildings. These buildings enshrine Jaisalmer's star attraction - its fort, which was built in 1156 by Maharawal Jaisal and added to by his successors after leaving his capital at nearby Lodurva after repeated attacks. The fort stands on the peak of the 80m (263ft) high Trikuta Hill and features 30ft high crenulated walls made out of golden sandstone to boost its defences. Within these fortified walls are royal palaces (accessed through the forts museum), Jain temples and havelis. It is the second oldest Fort of Rajasthan after Chittorgarh and used to house the entire population of Jaisalmer. Even today, about a quarter of the city's people still reside here, making it India's only living fort. Outside of the fort, Jaisalmer is blessed with some wonderful haveli architecture a colourful markets and bazaars. Jaisalmer is also the centre for activity trips into the desert. Camel treks of varying amounts of nights are offered by practically every hotel, shop and tour operator and are a good bit of fun. I went on a 2-day trek and really enjoyed it.
As Jaisalmer is in the middle of nowhere, it takes a while to get here but it's well served by transportation links as the India Army are based here to keep an eye on the nearby border. The best way to get here is by train with daily services to Delhi and Jodhpur but expect delays! Other alternatives include bus and private car. I took a 12 hour overnight bus from here in order to reach Udaipur as there is not direct train link. Although the journey lasted so long, it was overnight but don't expect to get much sleep as the roads are pretty terrible. Jaisalmer deserves to be visited as it is so far away from anywhere else and offers the tourist an insight into everyday desert life. I loved it!
Reviews (86)
Souvenirs
Shopping
(4)
The fort is Jaisalmer's main tourist attraction and so you'll find lots of souvenirs in and around the fort for sale.... more travel advice
Fruit & Veg Market
Shopping
(4)
Jaisalmer's fruit and veg market is located just outside the southern walls of the fort (exit out of the fort and turn... more travel advice
Funny sign!
Favorites
(1)
Throughout India you'll come across some funny signs with great phrases or spelling mistakes on them. This one amused me... more travel advice
Empty lanterns
Things to Do
(59)
The main road that goes to the railway station is lined with these lanterns in the middle. I can only guess that they... more travel advice
Willettsworld's Related Pages
Jaisalmer Travel Guide
Member Travel Pages
- "Jaisalmer - Beautiful Oasis in the Sand"
- "Jaisalmer - The Golden City"
- "Golden City of Jaisalmer"
- "Golden Desert City of Jaisalmer"
- "A Giant Glittering Desert Sandcastle"
- "Fairy Tale - Jaisalmer"
- "Jaisalmer - the romantic Oasis in the Thar desert"
- See All...
Explore the World
Badges & Stats in Jaisalmer
- 86 Reviews
- 315 Photos
- 0 Forum posts
- 3 Comments
- 5,764PageViews
- See All Stats
- See All Badges (65)
Have you been to Jaisalmer?
Share Your TravelsLatest Activity in Jaisalmer
- Posted in Technical Help Forum "Re: Videos have disappeared"
- Wrote a Review Souvenirs in Jaisalmer Shopping
- Uploaded a Photo to "Souvenirs"
- created a Jaisalmer Travelogue "Jain Temples"
Top 10 Pages
-
Top 5 Page for this destination
Beijing
Intro, 163 reviews, 623 photos, 10 travelogues
-
Istanbul
Intro, 136 reviews, 545 photos, 10 travelogues
-
Top 5 Page for this destination
Slovenia
Intro, 99 reviews, 416 photos, 3 travelogues
-
Delhi
Intro, 108 reviews, 371 photos, 7 travelogues
-
Singapore
Intro, 100 reviews, 376 photos, 10 travelogues
-
Top 5 Page for this destination
P'yongyang
Intro, 89 reviews, 373 photos, 7 travelogues
-
Shanghai
Intro, 81 reviews, 373 photos, 10 travelogues
-
Lisbon
Intro, 87 reviews, 359 photos, 10 travelogues
-
Udaipur
Intro, 97 reviews, 335 photos, 5 travelogues
-
Top 5 Page for this destination
Rio de Janeiro
Intro, 103 reviews, 327 photos, 5 travelogues
Beaches
Castles and Palaces
ArcheologyLatest Jaisalmer hotel reviews
- The Desert Resort (Rajasthan Desert Safari Camp)
- 23 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Feb 16, 2013 - Golden Haveli
- 62 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 31, 2013 - Hotel Paradise
- 59 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Jun 12, 2013 - Gorbandh Palace
- 122 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Jun 4, 2013 - Hotel Jaisalgarh
- 58 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Jun 10, 2013 - Gateway Hotel Rawalkot Jaisalmer
- 89 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Mar 25, 2013 - Hotel Nachna Haveli
- 73 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 31, 2013 - The Serai
- 46 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Jun 5, 2013 - Hotel Rose Villa
- 110 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Mar 30, 2013 - Hotel Golden City
- 88 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 29, 2013 - Hotel Jaisal Palace
- 22 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 22, 2013 - Hotel Shreenath Palace
- 81 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Apr 24, 2013 - Hotel Shahi Palace
- 409 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Jun 16, 2013 - Hotel Pleasant Haveli
- 332 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 21, 2013 - Hotel Suraj
- 39 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Mar 26, 2013
Comments (3)
Hey, Actually 'child beer' is a recognised & appropriate term - it's no spelling/gramatical error! It's beer made by breweries employing orphans paid legitimate wages.
LOL @ your camel riding experience. To stop your legs dangling you are supposed to put them cross-over at the camel's neck! I shan't be taking a camel safari myself, I will be going for the softer option of a 4WD. looks a great place!
You are too kind. The restaurant is filthy and depressing. The owner may advertise that s/he is an Australian 'permanent resident' but s/he certainly wasn't working for the sanitation department. The fare is grim, too, rancid lassi for breakfast, yummie.