Jal Mahal

Halfway to Amber, the road skirts Man Sagar Lake — and there, seemingly floating on the water, sits the Jal Mahal. This five-storey palace is an optical trick of sorts: four of its floors lie submerged when the lake is full, leaving only the top storey and its rooftop garden visible above the surface.

The interior isn't open to visitors, but that hardly matters — Jal Mahal is all about the view. Framed by the Aravalli hills and mirrored in the lake, it's one of Jaipur's most photogenic and peaceful sights, especially at dawn and dusk.

• ›The reflection of the palace at sunrise or sunset.
• ›The lakeside promenade, popular with locals in the evening.
• ›The birdlife on Man Sagar Lake in winter.

It's a viewing-only stop — you admire it from the shore. Perfectly placed to pause on the way to or from Amber Fort.