Lucknow - Sprinkled with exceptional Islamic and British Raj–era architecture, stuffed with fascinating bazaars and famed throughout India for its food, the capital of Uttar Pradesh is something of a sleeper: plenty worth seeing, but often overlooked by travellers. Central Lucknow features wide boulevards, epic monuments and several parks and gardens that contribute to an atmosphere of faded grandiosity. Locals tend to be welcoming, and you'll experience little of the hassle of more touristy towns.
The city rose to prominence as the home of the Nawabs of Avadh (Oudh), who were great patrons of the culinary and other arts, particularly dance and music. Lucknow’s reputation as a city of culture, gracious living and rich cuisine has continued to this day – the phrase for which conveniently rhymes in Hindi: Nawab, aadaab (respect), kebab and shabab (beauty)
Being the capital city of Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow has great connectivity by air, rail and road. Direct flights connect Lucknow to and from all major cities in India through the Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport. The Charbagh Railway Station of Lucknow is connected to most parts of India through an extensive rail network. It is connected by good road network as well and buses are also available from New Delhi and other major cities of Uttar Pradesh. One can also take a cab from nearby cities like Allahabad, Varanasi, Mathura, New Delhi to reach Lucknow.
The best time to visit Lucknow is October to March when the city experiences winter. Even though December and January could be a little foggy, which might mean trains and flights getting delayed occasionally, the weather is pleasant and suitable for sightseeing.
Lucknow is influenced by subtropical climate with extreme temperatures which means the summers are unusually hot and should be avoided. Lucknow could be visited during July-September as well, but rains might be a little hindrance and could delay your day plans.
The capital and the largest city of Uttar Pradesh, state of India. Lucknow, situated on the banks of river Gomti, welcomes you with a heartwarming note of "Smile, you are in Lucknow ". A city of kebabs and nawabs, of architecture and history, of literature and culture – that is Lucknow in a nutshell for you. From a slice of rich colonial history to modernized museums, this artistic hub of Awadh region beautifully brings together the opulence of a glittering past and the simplicity of a modern city.
Rumi Darwaza, the Mughal Gateway built in the centre of the capital divides Lucknow into 'Old Lucknow' which is ancient, and more crowded, and the 'New Lucknow' which is urban and one of the most planned cities of Asia. Most of Old Lucknow is well-known for its bustling vibrant streets, authentic, mouth-watering kebab and biriyani outlets, lakhnavi chikan market, and the wholesale jewellery stores.
New Lucknow, on the other hand, hosts people of varied cultures and is structurally planned with wide roads, shopping malls and parks built to serve diverse entertainment purposes. The most famous among these parks are the Ambedkar Park and the Gomti Riverfront Park, both ideal places for visiting and strolling around with friends and family in the evening. Hazratganj, a major shopping area located in the heart of Lucknow, is famous for its 'chaat' and 'kulfi' eateries, posh Mughlai restaurants, and various shopping complexes. All the buildings in Hazratganj have a distinct Victorian architecture, and you can shop for literally anything – starting from inexpensive accessories and trinkets to high-end clothes, shoes and jewellery. The people of Lucknow are known for their courtly manners and endearing 'pehle aap' (you first) culture, which always leaves behind a smile on the faces of its visitors.