Lucknow Travel Guide
From Wikitravel
Lucknow is the capital of Uttar Pradesh, India and the largest city in the state.
Contents |
Understand
Although a historically important part of India and one of the sites of the 1857 Indian Mutiny (or First War of Indian Independence), modern day Lucknow has little to offer tourists, either in the way of sites of interest or accommodation. However, Lucknow is at the heart of North Indian culture, and the city was traditionaly famous for its Ada' and Thebjeeb - manners and hospitality. Furthermore, it was a center for art as well as dance forms such as Kathak. The Hindi spoken in Lucknow is considered the most beautiful and gentle in the country.
Get in
By plane
There are daily flights from Delhi, Bombay and Calcutta. Amausi Airport, Lucknow is directly connected with Delhi, Patna, Calcutta, Bombay and Varanasi by direct flights. Indian Airlines, Reservation Enquiry, Ph : (0522)220927 Flight Information - Amausi Airport, Enquiry - Ph : (0522)435401, 436188 (pre recorded - 142) Air India-Janata Travels, (General Sale Agent) Hotel Clarks Awadh, 8, M.g. Road, Ph: (0522)226171 Sahara India Airlines, Sahara India Tower, 7, Kapoorthala Complex, Ph : (0522)377675, 372742
By train
Lucknow is on the New Delhi - Varanasi railway route. Connections can be made to Agra and Allahabad. A major railway junction, Lucknow is conveniently connected to many cities. Some of the important trains are : 5307/5308 Shatabadi Ex. : 5063/5064; Nainital Ex; : 9165/9166; Sabarmati Exp : 2553/2554; Vaishali Exp : 5609/5610; Awadh-Assam Exp : 8475/8476; Neelanchal Exp : 4283/4284; Ganga-Yamuna Exp : 4229/4230 Lucknow Mail : 2419/2420; Gomti Exp : 4057/4058; Kashi-Vishwanath Exp : 4011/4012; Nauchandi Exp : 1015/1016; Bombay-Gorakhpur Exp : 5011/5012; Cochin-Gorakhpur Exp.
By road
Lucknow is connected by road with all the major cities of the country. Some of the major road distances are : Agra - 363 km, Allahabad - 210 km, Ayodhya - 135 km, Calcutta - 985 km, Corbett National Park - 400 km, Delhi - 497 km, Dudhwa National Park - 238 km, Kanpur - 79 km, Khajuraho - 320 km, Varanasi - 305 km.
By bus
Buses from Sunauli-Bhairawa on the India/Nepal border stop on their way to Varanasi.
Get around
See
- Rumi Darwaza
- Chota Imambara, Bara Imambara
- La Martiniere Boys School Building
- Husainabad Clock Tower British landmark
- Ruins of the Lucknow Residency and Museum
- Dilkusha ruins
- Qaiserbagh palace
- Crocodile sanctuary near CIMAP
Do
Sahara Ganj Mall
Buy
- Aminabad
- Hazratganj Market
- Chowk
Chikan dress --- a cotton dress with hand made embroidery on it, is a must-buy in Lucknow. These garments are both for men and women. The cost is any where between Rs 250-2500 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's a small scale industry so it is cheaper to buy from there. Bhartiya Chikan Centre and Manoj Chikan, on Nadan Mahal Road are reasonably priced. In Hajratganj ("Ganj") the same piece will cost some 200 rupees more. Beware of the touts who will take you to shops near the Civil Hospital and Hussain Ganj where the prices are even 500%
Eat
Every one knows about the famous Lucknow tikkas and kebabs. They are Mughalai delicacies. Dastharkwan near Tulsi theatre, Alzaiqa near Novelty theatre, Lalbagh, many roadside hotels near Aminabad and old Chowk offer cheap and unique type of dishes. If you are looking in the "splurge" range, Royal Cafe, Aryan's etc in Hazratganj will cater to your needs.The Food Court at Sahara Ganj, near Hazrat Ganj is the recent hot favourite with a number of fast food joints including McDonald's.
Apart from the road side hotels in Aminabad, Tundae which has been serving kebabs for more than 50 years is a place of must visit.
For some lounge action head towards Mint at Arif Castle and Ultra Violet in Mall Avenue. These places offer non-alcoholic beverages and great food. Food festivals are common at these places.
If coffee and tea is something you like you will find lots of varities at Capuccino Blast at Mall Avenue. Sharma Tea House, Lalbagh and Kewal's, Outside Maqbara Compound, Hazratganj are famous for their tea and mouth watering samosas (Potato stuffed pancake)
Drink
Finding alcohol is not a problem, but there aren't many non-seedy bars, except at five-star restaurants.
A safer drink alternative is the famouse local lassi yogurt drink.
Sleep
Budget
Mid range
Splurge
- Hotel Taj Residency Gomti Nagar, Lucknow. +91 522 239 3939( fax:+91 522 239 2282 ''+91 522 239 2465). [1] is one of the landmark hotels of Lucknow
- Clarks Avadh Parivartan Chowk, Mahatma Gandhi Marg is one of the more centrally located hotels in Lucknow. The restaurant named "Falaknuma" at the ninth floor has the right ambience to enjoy a Mughlai dinner with awesome views of the city.
Get out
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