Lucknow (Hindi: लखनऊ Lakhnaū) is the capital of Uttar Pradesh and one of the most populous cities in northern India. Lucknow, the "City of the Nawabs", thrives along the banks of Gomti river. The city along with the rest of Awadh fell to the British during the colonial era. Today, Lucknow is dotted with remnants of its rich cultural past.

Lucknow is also known for its elaborate cuisine and chikankaari or exquisite shadow-work embroidery on fine muslin cloth.

Lucknow is a historically important city and for many centuries was at the heart of North Indian culture. In particular, the city was famous for its adab and tehzeeb (manners and etiquette), intricate embroidery, beautiful gardens and dance forms such as kathak. It was also one of the sites of the 1857 Indian Mutiny (or First War of Indian Independence). The city has a population of around 3.4 million.

Lucknow is the heart of the art, cuisine, dance, culture and music of Northern India. It was the cradle of the Hindu-Muslim-symbiosis that was the epitome of India for hundreds of years. it brought in the best of various cultures and accepted Western institutions like La Martiniere College in her womb. It was made famous by the soft-spoken, and sweet tongued, Awadh-Lucknowai culture that was based on civilised behaviour toward fellow human beings. The city is also famous for its sweetmeat, the sweet shops in the old city dates to 1850s. Awadhi and Mughlai food is the delight of the visitors to Lucknow.

Lucknow became known as a centre for Urdu poetry and courtly presence and diction, being the birthplace and city of residence for many poets. The Mushaira, an event of poetry recitation forms the heart of Lucknow's nightlife where Mushairas go on into the wee hours of the night. Lucknow's only rival in Northern India was Delhi, though Lucknowis were always embroiled in a healthy rivalry with Delhi, home of the famous poet Ghalib and others.

Another thing that may surprise visitors are the ubiquitous posters, billboards and signs boasting of great progress and bearing the picture of Mayawati. She is the former chief minister of Uttar Pradesh state and is quite controversial. Labelled by some as the "Dalit Queen," she has received criticism for misuse of public funds and abuse of power. She has spent millions of rupees on massive public works projects such as the Ambedkar Memorial (see below) which opposition leaders see as a waste. No matter who you speak to in Lucknow, everyone will have an opinion about her, and it's an excellent conversation starter.

26°51′0″N 80°55′12″E

Map of Lucknow

Places of interest are spread out over a large distance, so using motorised transit is advised.

• 26.8479380.975971 Ambedkar Memorial. A large, 107-acre development to honour Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar who was the architect of the Indian constitution. Impressive stone work, statues and fountains intermix with carefully sculpted gardens. Free. (updated Dec 2019)

• 26.86910480.9128852 Bara Imambara and Bhool Bhulaiya. A large and impressive tomb complex built in 1783. There is an interesting labyrinth too. You could easily spend half a day wandering around these beautiful but crumbling examples of Mughal architecture. If you hire a guide, do not expect him to know the way around; some are known to get lost in the labyrinth. The ticket also includes the Chhota Imambara, the Husainabad clock tower and picture gallery. Lone couples are not allowed to enter the labyrinth inside the complex without a guide. This prohibition is not brought to notice while buying the entry ticket. You will also have to pay a man 2 rupees to mind your shoes while exploring the complex: shoes are not allowed inside. ₹500 for foreigners. (updated Feb 2019)
• Cathedral School, Hazaratganj. It is a school and comprises of a massive church. Lot of celebrations take place around Christmas time and is packed. 

• 26.86055680.9158333 Chhota Imambara. An imposing mausoleum built by the third Nawab of Avadh in 1837. The ticket for Bara Imambara is also good for admission to Chhota Imambara.  
• Colvin Taluqdars College. A must see place with great architecture. It was built in 1896 and named after British Indian colonial administrator Sir Auckland Colvin. 
• Kukrail Foresh Reserve (Crocodile Sanctuary). One of the biggest sanctuaries in Asia.  
• Deva Shariff, around 30 km from the city, is a place of worship and faith where people from all the religions gather, a symbol of unity and love.
• 26.83180.9544 Dilkusha ruins.  
• Farangi Mahal. The Oxford and Cambridge of India author/poet Shibli Naumani. For more details see the book Ul Farangi Mahal by Francis Robinson 

• 26.87458180.9067885 Husainabad Clock Tower (Ghanta Ghar), Hussainabad Lucknow. A British landmark, set in a park with the somewhat poorly curated picture gallery, and a lake. A great place for sunset. The ticket for Bara Imambara also grants admission here.  

• Marine Drive, Near Inox Cinemas, Gomtinagar. Beautiful Gomti river-side and monumental structures view for fun with Family and friends. Best time to visit is 4–6PM, during the sunset. 
• Qaisarbagh (क़ैसरबाग़ Qaisarbāġ). A garden built by Nawab Wajid Ali Shah (1847–1856), the last Nawab of Awadh. (updated Jan 2024)
• 26.86055680.9158336 Rumi Darwaza (रूमी दरवाज़ा Rūmī Darvāzā), Hussainabad (adjacent to the Asafi Imambara). An imposing gateway built by Nawab Asaf-Ud-Daula in 1784, modelled after a historical gate in Constantinople (present-day Istanbul). It used to be a gateway to the Nawab's palace, but unfortunately the palace was destroyed by the British in 1857. (updated Jan 2024)
• Shaheed Smarak. 

Parks and gardens

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• Amrapali water park. 
• Botanical Gardens. 6AM–8:30. A good place for nature lovers, it features peacocks, a cactus museum, and research labs. (updated Dec 2019)
• 26.90229580.9440147 Buddha Park. A small park on the side of a noisy congested road in Lucknow. A statue of the Buddha gives the park its name. The park features fun rides and boating facilities. 
• Globe Park. 
• 26.8393580.9939678 Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Park, Gomti Nagar. A 76-acre park with courtyards, multiple jogging tracks, a fish pond and duck pond and a number of swings and benches for children.  
• 26.834980.98879 Janeshwar Mishra Park, Gomti Nagar, ☏ +91 7398 729922. Daily 5AM-9PM. An urban park spread over 376 acres and partially modelled on London's Hyde Park. It has a human-made lake, cycling and jogging tracks, a sports centre and gymnasium and even gondolas. Entre is free, ₹100 per gondola boat ride. (updated May 2023)

• Cricket: Ekana Stadium, ☏ +91 22 2289 8800. In full it's Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium; powerplay overs have been bowled in less time than it takes to say. Completed in 2017 and with a capacity of 50,000, it's on the ring road southeast edge of the city, and hosts the Uttar Pradesh team plus Lucknow Super Giants in IPL. (updated Sep 2023)
• CIMAP (Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants). 
• East End Mall & Wave Cinemas, Vibhuti Khand, Gomti Nagar. 
• Fun Republic Mall & Fun Cinemas (Adjacent Eldeco Greens, Gomti Nagar). 
• 26.868180.92261 Haathi Park (Elephant Park), Mahatma Gandhi Marg, Daliganj. A popular hangout place among the locals, the public park has two rows of large elephant statues as its main attraction. 
• Hazaratganj (lover's street) (the center of the city). The city centre provides the food of the Mughals to Chinese and dosa of marksmen to the tastiest rabdis of moti mahal. The choice of cloth are the best for any occasion and the showrooms give every sort of thing you want. The celebrations of India's wins during world cups and solar powered lights make it a forever young market. The Hanuman temple is the place for you to express your devotion perfectly 
• NBRI (National Botanical Research Institute). 
• Phoenix United Mall & PVR Cinemas (Behind Piccadilly Hotel , Alam Bagh Kanpur Road). 
• River Side Mall & Inox Cinemas (Adjacent Taj Residency Hotel, Gomti Nagar). 
• Sahara Ganj Shopping Mall & PVR Cinemas, Shahnajaf Rd. 
• TORNOS (Lucknow Walks), Tornos House, C-2016 Indira Nagar ('C' Block crossing), ☏ +91-522-2349472, toll-free: 18001022882, info@tornosindia.com. 10AM–7PM. They offer some great heritage walks including a culinary walk. ₹15. (updated Jul 2015)
• Lucknow Mahotsav. (updated Dec 2019)
• Lucknow Literary Festival. (updated Dec 2019)

Chikan dress — a cotton dress with hand-made embroidery, is a must-buy in Lucknow. These garments are both for men and women. The cost is anywhere between ₹250-5000 depending on the chikan work (hand embroidery work on cloth is of various types, "Murri" is the traditional handwork and is therefore a little more expensive). In old Chowk and Aminabad it is a small scale industry so it is cheapest to buy from there. There are a lot of shops next to each other, and for the obvious reason of close competition, you'll get the best bargain. In Hazratganj ("Ganj") the same piece will cost some ₹200 more. Beware of the touts who will take you to shops near the Civil Hospital and Hussain Ganj where the prices are 500% higher!

• Ambedkar Samajik Parivartan Sthal, Gomti Nagar. 
• Aminabad Market. Very old market, good for buying chikan (hand-embroidered clothes), leather shoes/bags and for chaat/sweets. There's a reasonably large book-market, consisting of an entire street. Gadbad-jhala is a market to get cheap bangles and fashion jewellery. 
• Chowk (in the old city, just south of the Imambara complex and the clock tower). Lively market. This is the place to find bargains, and check out the locals. Visit in the evening. 
• FUN Republic. 
• Hazratganj Market. Very trendy and upscale. All recognizable Western brands will be available here. 
• Inox. Movie multiplex and shopping mall 
• Kapoorthala. 
• Nishatganj, Nishatganj, NH-24. A very big fruits and vegetable market is here. Also, one can buy latest fashion trends clothes at a huge market area under the Nishatganj Gurudwara located nearby NH24. 
• Sanatkada, 130, Jagdish Chandra Bose Road, Kaiserbagh. 11AM-8PM. Sells wide variety of crafts, including woven and hand embroidered garments, short tops, sarees, dupattas, home furnishings, artefacts, silver jewellery and accessories, organic honey, jams, preserves and herbs. 
• SaharaGanj Mall, Sahanajaf Road, Hazratganj, Lucknow. The first and biggest mall in the city. Gives the experience of xbox for guys who don't have it 
• The Tornos Studio (Indira Nagar), Tornos House, C-2016 Indira Nagar, ☏ +91 2349472. 2. They have great collection of book on Indian Mutiny. One can visit to read pr watch a film on Lucknow. They will offer tea/coffee free of cost. But nothing is for sale - great place for evening. All this by appointment (call: 0522-2349472) 
• 26.784680.99161 Lulu Mall, Sushant Golf City IBB-2T-5 Shaheed Path (on NH 27, the Lucknow-Sultanpur National Highway), ☏ +91 522-3539001, lululucknowshoppingmall@luluindia.com. 10AM–10PM. The Mall will house over 300 national and international brands, 6,000 m² (65,000 ft²), family entertainment centre, food court, parking facility with a multi level car park. (updated Jan 2023)

Everyone in Lucknow knows about the famous tikkas and kebabs. They are Mughal delicacies. Lalbagh, many roadside hotels near Aminabad and old Chowk offer cheap and unique types of dishes. Also, try out the street next to Tulsi thatre in Hazratganj for some exotic non-vegetarian delicacies.

The Food Court at Sahara Ganj, near Hazrat Ganj is the recent hot favourite with a number of fast food joints. If coffee and tea is something you like, you will find a huge variety at Cappuccino Blast at Mall Avenue. At Akbari Gate, during winters one can also enjoy Kashmiri Tea (a red coloured hot tea) with cream and Makhan Malai (a local variant of ice cream, saffron flavoured, made by hanging unsalted butter overnight in dew and then aerating it by beating it).

Finding alcohol is not a problem, but most bars are seedy and are to be avoided, except for those in five-star restaurants.

• A safer drink alternative is the famous local lassi yogurt drink.
• Not all retail shops of wine/liquor are authorised to serve so it's always suggested to drink in a bar or at your home or hotel.
• Cool Break, ashok marg. Nice ambience, rich menu. 

Please be wary of any hotels listed here that give details like 'close to x y and z' and 'air-conditioned rooms'. Most of these might be self-promotion attempts and not based on real tourist feedback.

Mobile phone coverage in the city is excellent. There are many service providers offering a wide variety of plans, including Airtel, Jio, Vodafone, Reliance and BSNL.

Phone numbers in Lucknow begin with 0522, typically followed by seven digits. To call Lucknow from outside India you will need to dial the international prefix for your country, followed by India’s country code 91. If you want to dial a landline no. from a mobile, then you have to add 0522 before the number.

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