I have recently been transferred to Agra, and where ever I get transferred I like finding out about the state so I can take my family to visit the famous tourist places. I was browsing on Google and came across this travel forum, and thought I would get good feedback from here. I basically want to know the tourist places in Uttar Pradesh which I can visit with my family. We often go out on holidays and short breaks, and we can plan places according to season and interest then.
Hi there, welcome to the forum! Sharing a border with Nepal is one of India's largest states, this is Uttar Pradesh. It is one of the most populated states of India too. Located close to Delhi, the state is easily accessible and hence, one of the most visited destinations in the country. Boasting of both historical and religious places, it is here where you can experience the rich heritage of traditional and modern day India. The state also has lots of natural attractions, with both the Ganges and Yamuna rivers flowing around it. Lots of greenery also surround the state, despite its close proximity to urban cities. Best Tourist Places to Visit in Uttar Pradesh A glimpse back to the bygone era... 1. Agra - Why not start with Agra? After all, it is home to one of the seven wonders of the world, the Taj Mahal. But the truth is, there's more to the city than just the majestic Taj Mahal. Boasting of two more UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Agra would take your fill of history. It isn't as busy as other metro cities but it still offers the main tourist infrastructures that a traveller needs. Being in the proximity of the Taj Mahal, with its white marble beauty, gleaming in sunlight or even in moonlight, is such a wonderful opportunity. But you cannot miss visiting the Agra Fort as well, standing quite in contrast with the Taj Mahal, with its red bricked facade. It's as interesting as well, with the palaces, halls and mosques that you can visit inside it. There's also the Tomb of Itimad-ud-Daulah, also known as the Baby Taj, which resembles that Taj Mahal, albeit it's a smaller version of it. A little less known attraction is the Mehtab Bagh but it is here where you can enjoy the best views of the Taj Mahal from a distance. Outside the city centre, go on an excursion to reach the Fatehpur Sikri. It is the third UNESCO World Heritage Site in the city and has plenty of untold stories behind its walls. Agra is probably the most visited tourist destination in Uttar Pradesh and it's not difficult to know the reason why. Behind this modern city is a lot of heritage sites and stories to be told, a perfect destination for people who often wonder about the past. Must visit attractions - Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Tomb of Itimad-ud-Daulah, Mehtab Bagh and Fatehpur Sikri. Related thread - Agra Travel Guide Agra Fort (Image Courtesy of Wikipedia) 2. Allahabad - Ah, the City of Prime Ministers, the City of Guavas, the Venue for the Kumbh Mela, Allahabad is mostly well-known for these tag-lines and each of them holds true. But to simply describe the city, it is a sleepy place, wherein the slow-paced life is embraced. Of course the prime attraction here is the Triveni Sangam, where the confluence of the three rivers of Yamuna, Ganges and Saravati is located. Some opt to take a boat ride in the river too as there are plenty of fishermen with their boats here. During January or February, the Kumbh Mela is also held here, which takes place every 12 years only. Nearby the Triveni Sangam, you can also visit the Hanuman Mandir, where the lying Hanuman statue can also be found. Despite numerous efforts to lift the statue, it remains lying on the ground which is why the temple is a famous attraction in the city. Another must visit in the city is the Anand Bhavan, where the first prime minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru lived. It has now been transformed into a museum, where you can view the personal belongings of the late prime minister. Then, there's also the Allahabad Museum, housing important artefacts related to natural history as well as the independence of India. And lastly, there's the Company Gardens, where you can enjoy a leisurely stroll in and breath the fresh air. Lots of locals also visit this place especially during late afternoons and early mornings. Must visit attractions - Triveni Sangam, Hanuman Mandir, Anand Bhavan, Allahabad Museum and Company Gardens. Related thread - Kumbh Mela Religious and spiritual... 3. Varanasi - The place where three religions coincide, Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism. It's no wonder why the city is a renowned pilgrimage site for people of different religions. A place where ghats, evening aartis and temples abound, amidst all the chaotic city life. Varanasi is a treat for the senses yet at the same time, it overwhelms the senses too. It is confusing but also spirituality-laden. All these contrasts add to the beauty that is of Varanasi, a beauty that you cannot compare with any other religious city. While the Ganges River flows in the city, the numerous ghats become venues for aarti or even cremation. The Dasaswamedh Ghat is the perfect place for witnessing an evening aarti. However, it can get really crowded so reach the place early or else you might not be able to secure a good spot. There's also the Assi Ghat, which has lesser crowds and also has an evening aarti which is quite elaborate. Or to witness the tradition of cremation, you can also visit the Manikarnika Ghat. There are also many temples around the city but one that stands out is the New Vishwanath Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva. It stands high with its white and pink facade, along with the shikhara. The Durga Temple, with its red facade, is also a sight to behold in the city. The idol here is a self-manifested one too, so has an interesting story behind it. An excursion from the city can take you to Sarnath, about 13 kilometres away, the place where Buddha supposedly delivered his first speech. Must visit attractions - Dasaswamedh Ghat, Assi Ghat, Manikarnika Ghat, New Vishwanath Temple, Durga Temple and Sarnath. Related thread - Varanasi Travel Guide 4. Mathura - For the devout Hindus, Mathura is a very important place because it is here that Lord Krishna was born. While the city isn't as lively as Mumbai or as progressive as Delhi, it has its own charm. Being mainly a temple city, you can feel the presence of the spirituality here, everywhere you go. The Yamuna River flows in the city, which looks exceptional beautiful during early mornings. If ever you get tired of the city life, make sure you reach Mathura and get back to your religious side. It might just be the break you need to put things in your life back into perspective. A visit to the holy Sri Krishna Janmasthan, the exact location where Lord Krishna was born, is not just important, it is necessary. The Dwarkadhish Temple is one of the oldest temples in the city and is also dedicated to Lord Krishna. On the other hand, the Rangji Temple is dedicated to Lord Sri Ranganatha or a form of Lord Vishnu. It takes you to South India just because of the sheer architectural marvel of the temple, comprising of golden pillars, elephants and a pond. There are many more temples around Mathura that you can visit and even a whole day won't be enough to explore them all. Must visit attractions - Sri Krishna Janmasthan, Dwarkadhish Temple and Rangji Temple. Related thread - Places to Visit Near Agra Naturally beautiful... 5. Chitrakoot - Religiously and historically, Chitrakoot is an important region in Uttar Pradesh. But more than its temples and ghats, the city is also worth visiting because it boasts of natural attractions. One of which is the Gupt Godavari Caves, a relatively unexplored adventure attraction. There are two caves, one has a wider entrance and has dry interiors while the second cave has a narrower entrance and has water flowing inside it. Legend has it that Lord Rama and Lakshmana held court in the second cave, which is why there's this throne-like stone formation inside it. The peculiarity of the second cave is that the there is no known source of the water that flows within it. The Mandakini River also flows within the city and numerous ghats are also located within its sides. Ram Ghat is the most preferred one, and there are usually boats around it that you can ride to explore the river. There's also the Janaki Kund, best known as the place where Sita takes a bath during her exile in Chitrakoot. Now though, the place is popular as a bathing place, where devotees believe that their sins would be washed away by a dip here. Situated on top of a hillock is the Hanuman Dhara Temple, you have to climb about 650 steps to reach the top. Natural greenery and serenity add some charm to the temple. Must visit attractions - Gupt Godavari Caves, Mandakini River, Ram Ghat, Janaki Kund and Hanuman Dhara. Related thread - n/a Gupt Godavari Caves (Image Courtesy of Mouth Shut) 6. Dudhwa National Park - Nestled between the border of India and Nepal in the Lakhimpur Kheri District is the Dudhwa National Park. Because of its location, it is hardly visited by tourists, especially with the more nearby wildlife sanctuaries and national parks in Rajasthan. But the beauty of the Dudhwa National Park is that it remains untouched by modernism and urbanisation. Two major rivers flow from the two sides of the national park, the Mohana River on the northern side and the Suheli River on the southern side. The entire area has varying landscapes of Sal forests, grasslands and numerous streams flanking many parts of it. The wildlife here is also varied, with various species of deers, reptiles and also including the one-horned rhinos which can only be found in one other national park, the Kaziranga National Park. Want to experience truly living in the jungle? The Dudhwa National Park also has a forest house/lodge that you can stay in. Take note that amenities and facilities are limited, but this only makes your jungle experience more authentic. Must do - Jeep Safari and Elephant Safari. Related thread - List of National Parks in India Cities to explore... 7. Kanpur - This city is one of the main industrial hubs of Uttar Pradesh. Industries like leather, textile, electronics, automobile and many more flourish in the city. As such, it is not devoid of the usual thereafter of progression like pollution and overpopulation. Unfortunately, as compared to other metro cities, road infrastructures and even establishments here are not as plenty. But you know what makes the city stand out? Its people and their drive to progress and continue on with life, despite all these issues. Thus, Kanpur is the best place to explore to know the heart of the state, which is its people. Of course, after enjoying interacting with the locals, you can also visit some attractions in the city. There's the Shri Radha Krishna Temple, beautifully standing in the city centre with its white facade. Its interiors are well-done too, with the use of marbles and some elements of artistry with the murals on the walls. Some attractions that a whole family can enjoy are the Blue World Amusement Park, Moti Jheel and the Kanpur Allen Forest Zoo. The Nana Rao Park has a gruesome past wherein British women and children were massacred in the fight for Indian independence here. Now though, it has been transformed into a park that both locals and tourists enjoy spending some time in. Must visit attractions - Shri Radha Krishna Temple, Blue World Amusement Park, Moti Jheel, Kanpur Allen Forest Zoo and Nana Rao Park. Related thread - n/a 8. Lucknow - The capital of Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow, also deserves a mention on this list. The city has the largest number of Shia Muslims in the country, but there are still other religious groups in the state. It is also known as a foodie's paradise, chais, biryanis, kebabs... Every food here would make your mouth water, and I haven't even mentioned the sweets yet, yum! Once the home of the Nawab dynasty, the city also has remnants of the bygone era, noteworthy of which is the Bara Imambara. Aside from its grand architecture, there's this maze-like feature here called the Bhool Bhulaiya. It has more than 1,000 paths but only 1 of them is the correct one. You'd definitely feel like the Maze Runner when in here so make sure you bring a guide with you or you'd get lost in the maze forever. There's also the Chhota Imambara, which bears some resemblance in terms of design with the Taj Mahal. The Kaiserbagh Palace is also worth visiting, although much of the structures here are already destroyed. The Satkhanda is sometimes referred to as the Mini Leaning Tower of Pisa in Lucknow because they do have some similarities. You also cannot leave Lucknow without shopping so do include Hazratganj and Aminabad in your itinerary when in the city. Must visit attractions - Bara Imambara, Chhota Imambara, Kaiserbagh Palace, Satkhanda, Hazratganj and Aminabad. Related thread - Places to Visit in Lucknow Enjoy your stay in Uttar Pradesh.
