What is Lucknow famous for?
Lucknow, also known as the city of the Nawabs, served as a cultural and administrative hub during the Mughal era. It retained its prominence as a centre for poetry, music, and dance even after the weakening of the Mughal empire. Lucknow retains a lot of British architecture and is home to two of the biggest tombs in the world. Today, the city is one of the most populated cities in the world, serving as a perfect blend of ancient and modern.
Popular places to visit in Lucknow
Lucknow is a historic city, and is home to a plethora of monuments and structures of ancient architecture. It is really popular amongst tourists and visitors because of its antiquity. As a result, there are plenty of places in Lucknow that you can visit. Some of the most popular tourist spots include the following:
- The Bara Imambara: This historic architecture dates back to the late 1700s. The Bara Imambara was built by the renowned Nawab of Awadh, Asaf-ud-Daula. The complex includes a massive mosque, a labyrinth, and a stepwell. This monument features two large gateways that will lead you to the central hall. The hallway is considered to be one of the biggest vaulted chambers in the world. The best time to visit this beautiful structure is during sunset. The entry fee for adults is around ₹25, making it an ideal location to visit with your family.
- The British Residency: The British Residency comprises of a cluster of buildings that combine to form a complex. This place once served as the residence of the British Resident General. This complex was constructed during the late 18th century and was home to thousands of British residents at the time of the Sepoy Mutiny. The Residency is currently in ruins and protected by the Archaeological Survey of India. You can visit this complex anytime from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm, daily. There is no entry fee required to enter this historic structure.
- Rumi Darwaza: This place is an ideal location for all the history buffs of the world. The Rumi Darwaza is the perfect representation of the magnificent Awadhi architecture. It is located between the Bara and Chota Imambaras. This gateway was built towards the end of the 18th century by Nawab Asaf-ud-Daula. It is over 60 feet tall and serves as a logo for the city. This monument is also known as the Turkish Gate because it is inspired by the Sublime Porte in Istanbul. This historical structure requires no entry fee.
- Dilkusha Kothi: This historical structure was constructed in the early 19th century and is located on the banks of the River Gomti. The Dilkusha Kothi is the remains of a house that once served as the hunting lodge and summer resort of the Nawabs. Today, the building lies in ruins with few of its walls and towers barely standing. The Dilkusha Kothi also features a lovely garden that has a line of trees at its borders. Due to its history, the Dilkusha Kothi serves as a popular tourist place in Lucknow. The ideal time to visit the monument is during sunset. This structure does not require an entry fee, making it an ideal place to visit if you are on a tight budget.
- The Husainabad Clock Tower: This Tower is adjacent to the Rumi Darwaza and serves as one of the most significant structures in Lucknow’s history. Constructed in the late 19th century, the Husainabad Clock Tower soars over two hundred feet high and is inspired by London’s clock tower, Big Ben. There is no entry fee for this monument and it remains open to tourists throughout the day.
Lucknow Airport
The Chaudhary Charan Singh Airport is the principal airport serving Lucknow. It is an International airport that was established in 1986. The Chaudhary Charan Singh international airport was renamed to its current name in the year 2008. It is owned and operated by an organisation led by the Adani Group. This private consortium is also known as the Lucknow International Airport Limited. The Lucknow airport handles around 3 million passengers and over 20,000 flights every year. It has two working terminals and the third one is under construction. The third terminal is expected to be completed by the year 2022. The airport is located near the Amausi area. The IATA code for the airport is LKO.