Chini Ka Rauza
Agra, Uttar Pradesh · monument
- Days OpenOpen daily
- Entry FeeFree Entry
Chini Ka Rauza — literally 'China Tomb,' a reference to the Persian and Central Asian glazed tile work (kashi-kari) that once covered its entire exterior — is the tomb of Allama Afzal Khan Mullah (also known as Shukrullah Shirazi), the Prime Minister of the Mughal court under Emperor Shah Jahan, built around 1635. It stands on the east bank of the Yamuna, a kilometre south of Itmad-ud-Daula, and is one of the very few surviving examples in India of the enamel-glazed tile exterior decoration common in Persian and Central Asian Mughal architecture — making it architecturally unique in the Agra monument circuit.
Where to Eat Nearby
The Local Flavor Pillar
Pinch of Spice
Casual DiningTravellers' Choice — Agra's best value Mughlai veg thali
Agra's most reliable sit-down address for Mughlai vegetarian thali — paneer, dal makhani, saffron pulao, and tandoori bread in copper katoris.
Mughlai Veg Thali · ₹390
Avg. for two ₹700 · ★★★★★
Panchi Petha
Heritage InstitutionSince 1955 — Agra's most trusted petha institution
Agra's most trusted petha institution since 1955 — the definitive source for original, kesar, anguri, and pan petha varieties.
Original Plain Petha · ₹100
Avg. for two ₹300 · ★★★★★
Bhikharam Chandmal
Heritage InstitutionSince the 1880s — Agra's dalmoth institution
One of Agra's oldest sweet and namkeen shops — the undisputed champion of dalmoth, Agra's signature crunchy spiced lentil snack.
Original Agra Dalmoth · ₹200
Avg. for two ₹400 · ★★★★★
- ✦Chai stalls near Itmad-ud-Daula gate – a 5-minute auto away; simple chai and biscuits for a pitstop between monuments.
- ✦Joney's Place – rooftop vegetarian restaurant near Taj East Gate; ideal dinner after a full east-bank afternoon circuit.
- ✦Carry your own snacks – no food available at Chini Ka Rauza; this is Agra's best off-grid monument experience.
About
Chini Ka Rauza — literally 'China Tomb,' a reference to the Persian and Central Asian glazed tile work (kashi-kari) that once covered its entire exterior — is the tomb of Allama Afzal Khan Mullah (also known as Shukrullah Shirazi), the Prime Minister of the Mughal court under Emperor Shah Jahan, built around 1635.
- It stands on the east bank of the Yamuna, a kilometre south of Itmad-ud-Daula, and is one of the very few surviving examples in India of the enamel-glazed tile exterior decoration common in Persian and Central Asian Mughal architecture — making it architecturally unique in the Agra monument circuit.
- In its heyday the entire dome and exterior walls were clad in turquoise, blue, green, and yellow glazed tiles in geometric and floral patterns — a visual explosion of colour in Agra's otherwise red sandstone and white marble landscape.
- Much of the original tiling has been lost to time and neglect, but substantial sections remain on the south and east faces, giving a vivid impression of the original effect.
- The interior retains plasterwork with painted calligraphy and geometric patterns in gold, red, and blue — rare surviving examples of Mughal interior decorative painting.
- No commercial audio guides or tour buses serve this site, so the entire compound is often yours alone on a weekday morning.
- For vegetarian travellers, Chini Ka Rauza fits naturally into an east-bank half-day loop with Itmad-ud-Daula and Mehtab Bagh.
- Entry is free, the site is managed by ASI, and there are no food stalls.
- Its obscurity is its greatest asset: this is the kind of hidden monument — extraordinary in craft, invisible to the mass-tourism circuit — that rewards curious travellers who go beyond the UNESCO headline sites.
- Share a hired auto for the full east-bank circuit (Itmad-ud-Daula → Chini Ka Rauza → Mehtab Bagh) for ₹300–400 covering three hours.
Timings & Entry Fee
Verified: June 2026
Location & How to Reach
Address
Katra Wazir Khan, near Itmad-ud-Daulah Road, east bank of the Yamuna, Agra, Uttar Pradesh, 282006
How to Reach: East bank of the Yamuna, 1 km south of Itmad-ud-Daula. From Taj East Gate, auto-rickshaw costs ₹80–100 (15 minutes). Best visited as part of an east-bank loop — share one auto with Itmad-ud-Daula and Mehtab Bagh for the full circuit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there an entry fee for Chini Ka Rauza, and what are its timings?
Entry is free. Chini Ka Rauza is an ASI-managed monument with no ticket charge, open daily from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM. There is no weekly closed day, so you can visit any day of the week, including weekends.
How do I reach Chini Ka Rauza in Agra?
Take an auto-rickshaw to the east bank of the Yamuna, 1 km south of Itmad-ud-Daula. From Taj East Gate it costs roughly ₹80–100 and takes about 15 minutes. There is no metro to the site; auto-rickshaw is the standard way. It is best done as part of an east-bank loop — share one auto with Itmad-ud-Daula and Mehtab Bagh (around ₹300–400 for the three-hour circuit).
What is there to see at Chini Ka Rauza?
It is a rare Persian-style glazed-tile (kashi-kari) mausoleum — the tomb of Allama Afzal Khan Mullah, Shah Jahan's prime minister, built around 1635. The big draw is the surviving enamel-glazed tilework in turquoise, blue, green, and yellow on the south and east faces, plus interior plasterwork with painted calligraphy and geometric patterns in gold, red, and blue. It is one of very few examples of this Central Asian tile decoration in India, and on a weekday morning the compound is often empty.
When is the best time to visit Chini Ka Rauza?
Aim for October to February, and go in the morning for soft light on the remaining tile panels. The site stays effectively uncrowded throughout the year, so you rarely need to worry about tour groups — a weekday morning gives you the quietest experience.
Where can I eat vegetarian food near Chini Ka Rauza?
There is no food at the site itself, so carry your own snacks and water. The nearest option is the chai stalls near the Itmad-ud-Daula gate (about a 5-minute auto away) for simple chai and biscuits between monuments. For a proper meal, Joney's Place — a rooftop vegetarian restaurant near Taj East Gate — is ideal for dinner after a full east-bank afternoon circuit.
How long should I spend at Chini Ka Rauza, and how does it fit into a day trip?
Plan about 45 minutes — it is a quick, focused stop. It fits naturally into an east-bank half-day loop combined with Itmad-ud-Daula and Mehtab Bagh, sharing one hired auto for all three. Because it is off the mass-tourism circuit with no audio guides or tour buses, it is a peaceful complement to Agra's headline monuments.
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