The wonderland called Udaipur was founded in 1559 by Maharana Udai Singh of Mewar. The city gained importance after the Sisodias of Mewar shifted their capital from Chittorgarh after being defeated by Akbar, the Mughul emperor. The Sisodias maintained enmity with the Mughuls and refused to submit to them. Chittorgarh was eventually deserted after the defeat, but the wonderful city of Udaipur grew as a result.

The city, also called the city of Lakes, is famous for its magnificent palaces, beautiful havelis, temples, lake, and the vibrant bazaars. The main structure dominating the city is the City palace besides Lake Pichola. It is a massive and magnificent structure built at the eastern shore of the lake. It is a complex of various palaces and buildings built by the rulers of the clan between the 16th and 20th centuries. The palace and its various buildings offer a visual delight in the form of a refined blend of Rajput and Mughul architecture. It is also the largest palace in Rajasthan, and covers an area of about 5 acres (2 hectares). Many parts of the palace now act as museums, while two palaces have been converted into luxury hotels. The Jag Niwas palace, also called Lake Palace, and the Jag mandir palace are the other two palaces of repute in Udaipur. These palaces are unique as they are located at islands separated by some distance from each other on Lake Pichola. They have been converted into lavish hotels.

Apart from the palaces, the tourist attractions in Udaipur include the temples and the religious places. These include the Jagdish mandir, which is a 17th century temple located at the main gate of the city palace. Eklingji is located about 22 kms from Udaipur and is a complex of 108 temples dedicated to lord Shiva, called Eklingji in Rajasthan. Nagda is another site near Eklingji known for the 11th century Saas Bahu temples. About 48 kms from Udaipur lies Nathdwara which houses the 18th century Srinathji temple.

The Bagore ki haveli is an 18th century mansion that now houses a museum exhibiting the arts and crafts of Udaipur. Folk performances are held every evening at this place for tourists. Saheliyon ki bari, the cenotaphs of the Mewar rulers at Ahar, and the Fateh Sagar Lake are some of the other important tourist attractions in Udaipur.

Tourism in Udaipur also involves visits to some interesting sites like the Shilpagram, which is a specially designed crafts village meant for promoting the traditional crafts of Udaipur. The old walled city, with its narrow lanes, and centuries old bazaars selling a wide range of interesting articles should also be visited during a tour of Udaipur.

The city has many accommodation options including luxury hotels and heritage hotels. There are numerous budget accommodations available as well. A large number of tour packages offer all inclusive tours of the city.

To know more about Udaipur and tourism in Rajasthan, visit touristplacesinindia.com.