Taj Mahal (India)

If you go to see the Taj Mahal, remember to check what you can bring into the area (e.g., no tripods, food, etc), and that the earlier you get in, the greater your chance of pictures without hundreds of people in them.

Once you get in through security, you’re best bet is to go right to the famous cenotaph as the lines get quite long as the day goes by. The line goes in one direction through the main chamber and then out a long hallway to the exit of the building.

Everyone knows the story of the Taj Mahal. Shah Jahan had it built in the mid 1600s as a symbol of his eternal love for his favorite wife who he called Mumtaz Mahal (“Jewel of the Palace”). It is an architectural wonder made of glimmering white marble with detailed mosaic inlay. 20,000 laborers took over 20 years to complete this marvel.

Agate, jasper, malachite, turquoise, tiger’s eye, lapis lazuli, coral, carnelian, among others were used. Also numerous base stones were used – marble, slate, and sandstone.

You can get great pictures of the tomb from the archways in the two flanking mosques (one is real the other is a duplicate for symmetry). Generally, going to a far archway will give you the fewest tourists in your pictures.

Note: you can’t take pictures inside the cenotaph which is where the most beautiful stonework is.