Situated in the Indian state of Rajasthan, Jaisalmer is also known as the "the Golden City" due to the yellow-tint of the sandstone. The desert city was founded by ancient Rajput ruler Rawal Jaisal in 1156.

The city's name literally translates into "the Hill Fort of Jaisal" and its crowning feature is the awesome fort situated on Trikuta Hill.

A unique, sandy town, the city looks like the set of a movie and aside form its grand architectural delights, boasts some of the friendliest locals in north-west India.

Jaisalmer Traditions and Culture

Desert culture prevails in Jaisalmer, with the city keen to embrace its unusual roots as one of the only built up areas in the sprawling Thar Desert.

The city's position by the border with Pakistan makes for an interesting mix of religions. Hinduism, Islam and Jainism have all influences the culture of Jaisalmer, with places special to all three found within the city wall.

Mughal emperors are key to the city's history and the famed Mughal ruler Akbar married one of Rawal Jaisal's daughters.

Local people make a living, not only from the bustling tourist industry, but from tending animals in the desert and other rural handicrafts.

Jaisalmer Recommended

The fort itself is perhaps the top attraction in Jaislamer. Carved out of sandstone, the impressive fortress is still inhabited today – in fact a significant proportion of the town's entire population lives inside the honeycomb walls.

Inside the fort, places well worth a visit include the Raj Mahal, or Royal Palace, the Jain temples and the plethora of handicraft shops and market stalls dotted along the winding cobbled streets.

A twilight stroll across the ramparts makes for a romantic evening – although visitors are reminded that as a living artefact the fort is suffering with increased population figures. It is therefore recommended to find a cheap hotel outside of the city to ensure the architecture lasts for several more thousand years.

Another must-do in Jaisalmer is a camel safari. Most hotels can orgnaise a tour through the Thar Desert with an overnight stay underneath a blanket of some of the brightest stars known to man. A camel safari gives visitors the chance to stop by traditional tribal villages and sample the unique Rajasthani way of life.

Jaisalmer Weather

As a desert destination, the climate in Jaisalmer can be humid in the day and fairly chilly in the evening.

Winter runs from November to February when the days are less humid than in the build-up to the Monsoon – which usually breaks over Rajasthan towards the end of June. It's best to keep up to date with the path of the Monsoon before heading to Jaisalmer, as during severe rain some travel routes can be closed.

Autumn is the best time to visit, with humidity at its lowest and the nights cool rather than cold.

Jaisalmer Destination checklist

Like in the rest of India the Indian Rupee (INR) is legal tender in Jaisalmer. Visitors from overseas will need a visa to enter India.

The official language of India is Hindi, although several hundred regional variations are spoken across the sub-continent. English visitors can breathe a sigh of relief as English is widely used and taught in most schools.

India's international dialling code is +91. The regional area code for Jaisalmer is 2922 and the city is 5.5 hours ahead of GMT.