Taj Mahal
The gates opened right as the sun was rising. Walking through the glamorous entry way and seeing luscious gardens with a long pool in front of the shining white domes was a magical moment for me. It’s no wonder this is one of the 7 Wonders of the World, and the inspiration for the Sultans Palace in the Disney movie Aladdin. The fountains were not turned on yet so there was a perfect mirror image of the Taj Mahal in the still water. The pure white marble structure had very detailed and intricate hand carvings. There are 3 large domes. The iconic one in front of the pool, plus 1 on each side. One is a mosque and the other is merely for symmetry.
I’m glad I arrived when the doors opened because it was absolutely packed with people by mid day. I was oddly surprised at how many people asked to take a photo with me or asked me to be in their family photo. Apparently, it’s because I have blonde hair and they’ve never seen that in real life?
I only expected to stay the suggested 2 hours. I was in such awe marveling at the beauty around the gardens, that I actually spent 5 hours here. Theres now a limit of 3 hours due to over tourism.
Be careful of pick pockets!
Getting There
I flew into New Delhi and booked an early morning train to Agra, where the Taj Mahal is located. There are 2 train stops in both Delhi and Agra, so make sure you book the correct one. Depending which train you take, the fastest one takes 1hr 40min, the slowest around 6hr 25min and the average train is 3 hours. The 2 very useful train apps you should download are Indian Railway and Clear Trip. The trains are often delayed and booking them can be confusing, so I’ve written a separate post here with more info.
Tickets
The ticket office opens at 6:30am and the Taj opens at 7am. There will be a line by 6:15am so it’s helpful to get to the ticket office early. Also, you may need a photo copy of your passport, so bring it just in case.
The entry was $15 USD for tourists (70 cents for Indians) which includes a bottle of water and shoe covers.
The ticket office is next to the Taj Mahal but not connected to it. After you buy your ticket, hurry over to the Taj because you’ll have to wait in another line for the main entrance.
There is a strict security check here. You’re not allowed to bring food, drinks (water only), tripods, cameras (without a permit) or large back packs.
Note that it’s completely closed on Fridays.
Brief History
I naively thought the Taj Mahal was a castle but it’s actually a tomb. When Emperor Shah Jahan’s wife died, he had the Taj Mahal built so everyone would always remember her. It took over 20,000 people to build it over 22 years. Apparently when it was finished, the workers arms were cut off so no one would ever be able to replicate it!
Where To Stay
I stayed walking distance to the East Gate Entrance so I could easily get there before the gates opened in the morning. Keep in mind there are no cars allowed near the Taj. If you’re not walking distance, then you’ll have to take a rickshaw/ tuk tuk.
Things To Do in Agra:
Agra Fort– an impressive fort/castle made of bright red stone that’s definitely worth checking out. The color contrast of bright blue sky against the red stone is gorgeous. The grounds are fairly large with many courtyards, buildings and extravagant doorways. It was $7 USD entrance fee for tourists.
Sunset Viewpoint– across the water from the Taj Mahal is a Viewpoint. They charge $3 USD entrance for tourists. It’s a great place for a scenic sunset photo, with the majestic building in the background.
Oberoi luxury hotel– I can’t afford to stay at this 5 star hotel but I went there for a drink on their outdoor terrace. The grounds are stunning and theres a great view of the Taj from here.
Markets– I found the markets in Agra to be significantly more expensive than other parts of India. I would suggest you do your shopping in a different city.
Women
It’s no secret that India is a difficult place to travel. It’s such a beautiful country and a wonderful cultural experience, but it’s important to know what it can be like.
-Woman, especially woman traveling alone, need to be extra aware and street smart. Rape in India is at an all time high. In 2017 there were 32,559 rapes reported here, although MOST are not reported. That’s more than 3 every hour of the day. This is mind blowing!
-Dress modestly
-Major cities offer police taxis to ensure you arrive at your destination safely.
-‘Hippie in Heels’ is a female travel blogger who moved to India by herself and has lived here for years. Her blog specializes in solo travel for women in India, what to expect, how to dress appropriately etc. She offers a lot of useful information here. 
Visa
You need a Visa to enter the country. This website will tell you what kind of visa you need and as well as an application.
An e-Tourist visa for USA nationals costs $80 USD and can take a week to process. Make sure you apply ahead of time. If you get stuck, heres a step by step guide from Hippie in Heels. 
I hope you enjoy India as much as I did. Here is the link to my post on useful tips for trains in India.