Raniji Ki Baori (Stepwell)

Bundi is sometimes called the 'City of Stepwells', and the finest of them all is Raniji Ki Baori — the Queen's Stepwell — built in 1699. Descending over 45 metres into the ground, it's a breathtaking example of the water architecture that once sustained Rajasthan's desert towns.

A high, ornately carved arched gateway leads down flights of steps past sculpted pillars and niches holding images of deities. Cool, quiet and beautifully proportioned, it's a reminder of how these functional structures were elevated into genuine works of art.

• ›The towering carved entrance arch.
• ›The sculpted niches and pillars lining the descent.
• ›Bundi's many other stepwells scattered through town.

It's an easy stop in the middle of Bundi town. Combine it with the palace and a wander through the blue lanes for a lovely, low-key day.