So named for the yellow sandstone used in most of its buildings, the Golden City of Jaisalmer is an oasis of splendid old architecture that rises from the sand dunes of the Thar Desert. Once a strategic outpost, today the city is filled with splendid old mansions, magnificent gateways, and the massive Jaisalmer Fort-also known as the Golden Fort-a daunting 12th-century structure that rises high above the town.

In addition to its palaces, temples, and fine old homes, the fortress boasts 99 bastions along with massive gates leading to its main courtyard where you’ll find the seven-story-tall Maharaja’s Palace. Started in the early 1500s and added to by successive rulers right up until the 19th century, the palace offers sections open to the public including areas beautifully decorated with tiles from Italy and China, and intricately carved stone doors, as well as a number of Jain temples dating from the 12th to 16th centuries, each decorated with fine marble and sandstone images, palm-leaf manuscripts, and brightly painted ceilings.

Jaisalmer Fort

This fort is a world heritage site. Forts’ walls and grounds include: Four massive gateways through which visitors to the fort must pass, situated along the main approach to the citadel,The Raj Mahal palace, Jain Temples, The Laxminath temple, Numerous Merchant Havelis.

Government Museum

This museum has a unique collection of sculptures from townships of that era of Kairadu and Lodurva of 12th century, marine and wood fossils.It is established by the Department of Archeology with an aim to highlight the diverse tradition, culture of Thar Desert and its heritage.

Nathmal Ji ki Haveli, Salim Singh ki Haveli and Patwon ki Haveli

The construction of this Nathmal Ji ki haveli is done by two brothers who started from two different points at the same time. Elephant carvings on yellow stones, and intricately carved exteriors and interiors are remarkable. A huge statue of an elephant made of yellow sandstones welcomes every tourist and shopper in this Haveli.

Salim Singh Ki Haveli was built in 18th century by Salim Singh.The construction is done with help of the stones that are connected with strong iron rods. The architecture of this mansion is inspired by dancing peacock.

Patwon ki Haveli is the most important and the largest haveli. It is renowned for its ornate wall paintings, intricate yellow sandstone-carved jharokas or balconies, gateways and doorways. The haveli is built using yellow sandstone and the main gateway is brown in colour. The walls also feature beautiful mirror work and several paintings.

Gadisar Lake

Aartificial water reservoir, the Gadisar Lake was constructed by the first ruler of Jaisalmer, Raja Rawal Jaisal, It is one of the most famous tourist places in Jaisalmer. The bank of the lake is surrounded by artistically carved Chattris, Temples, Shrines, and Ghats.

Desert National Park

The Desert National Park is an perfect example of the ecosystem of the Thar Desert. Around 20 % part of park is covered by sand dunes , jagged rocks, dense salt lake bottoms and inter-medial areas. Various species of animals such as black buck, chinkara and desert fox inhabit the Park. The highly endangered Great Indian Bustard, one of the world’s heaviest flying birds, can also be seen here. In winter, the park hosts an incredible variety of migratory raptors such Himalayan and Eurasian Griffon Vultures, Eastern Imperial Eagle, and the Saker Falcon.

KULDHARA

Kuldhara is an abandoned village in the Jaisalmer located about 18 km from the city by its villagers in the 1800s. It was like the entire town vanished in the course of a single night. It remains a mystery as to how no one saw them leave; in fact, even to this date, no one knows where all of them went either. The village remains uninhabited to the day, in the same state that the villagers had left it, hundreds of years ago. The location has become a major tourist destination as people from all over the world travel here to revel in the mysteries of the past.

Jaisalmer War Museum

The Indian Army has commemorated the sacrifices of their soldiers in a beautiful display at this war museum, situated at the Jaisalmer military base. This exhibit is primarily to pay respect to all the soldiers who took part and lost their lives in the battle. Located on the Jaisalmer-Jodhpur Highway, the museum has free entry, and holds a very important part of our country’s history. A visit to this museum lets you see a number of captured tanks and other memorabilia with many war trophies and vintage equipment, along with tanks, guns, and military vehicles, murals of soldiers who lost their lives in the war, and weapons which were used during the same.You can also watch an interview with Major Kuldip Singh Chandpuri who was a crucial part of the Longewala battle.

Longewal War Museum

This is around 130 Kms from Jaisalmer city and This is the spot of the battle of Longewala in 1971 between India and Pakistan, on which the movie “Border” is based. It is also the last point up to which civilians are allowed, just 12 km from Pakistan. There is an audio visual show chronicling the Longewala battle, giving out interesting details of those days. They have the actual battle tanks, jeeps and weapons from the battle displayed over here, both from Indian and Pakistani sides. They have also preserved photos of and after the battle.

Tanot Mata Temple

There are many stories of how during the 1965 India-Pakistan war, Tanot was under heavy attack and shelling. However, none of the shells or bombs fired at the temple exploded. After the war the Pakistani General actually asked his counterpart in India about this incident and on knowing the story of the power of the temple that apparently protected the area he asked to see this place. This request was granted and the Pakistani General actually went to the temple and paid his respects and acknowledged the supernatural happening.

Akal Wood Fossil Park

Akal Wood Fossil Park is a National Geological Monument of India .This Park is a 21-hectare preserved area that lies about 17 km from Jaisalmer, towards Barmer. The petrified wood is indicative of lush forests in a tropical warm and humid climate thriving 180 million years ago.[7] Existence of fossils of gastropod shells also suggest that the region was a sea once upon a time. There are a total of 25 petrified tree trunks along with centuries-old fossils, and right at the entrance, you can also stroke a fossil of an ancient red-wood tree trunk. In the geological area that had only non-flowering trees, an entire forest comprising of huge trees was fossilized.

Amar Sagar Lake

Amar Sagar Lake, located about 7 km towards the western outskirts of Jaisalmer, is a lake cum oasis lying adjacent to the Amar Singh Palace. The palace itself was built in the 17 th century. The complex that includes the palace and the lake is also home to several ponds and wells, along with an old temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Numerous figureheads of animals carved in stone surround the lake, and according to legends, these carved figureheads are supposed to be protectors of the royal family.