Lucknow was the seat of the Nawabs of Awadh from 1722 until the British annexation in 1856, and this period left a concentrated architectural, culinary, and cultural legacy that distinguishes Lucknow from other North Indian cities. The old city contains a dense cluster of Nawabi-era monuments — imambaras, mosques, and colonial-era buildings.
Places
Bada Imambara
A religious complex built in 1784 by Nawab Asaf-ud-Daula as a famine relief project. The complex includes the Bhulbhulaiya, an elaborate rooftop labyrinth of passages and staircases that requires a guide to navigate without getting lost.
Timing: Tuesday to Sunday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Closed Mondays
Entry Fee: ₹500 (cash at counter; includes Bada Imambara and Chota Imambara)
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Chota Imambara
Built in 1838 by Nawab Muhammad Ali Shah, also serving as his mausoleum. Known for its ornate interior — chandeliers, gold and silver work, and Venetian glass — which reflects the Nawabi aesthetic of its period.
Timing: Open daily, 6:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Entry Fee: Includes in Bada Imambara entry ticket
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Rumi Darwaza
A monumental gateway built in 1784, considered the defining symbol of Lucknow. Standing 18 metres tall, it was built in the Awadhi architectural style with no Mughal or European influence.
Timing: Open 24 hours
Entry Fee: No entry fee
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British Residency
The ruins of the British Residency complex, site of the Siege of Lucknow during the 1857 uprising, when British forces and civilians held out against Indian sepoys for 87 days.
Timing: Open daily, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Entry Fee: ₹300 (cash at counter), ₹250 (online pay). Entry is free for children below 15 years
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Hussainabad Clock Tower
A Victorian Gothic clock tower built in 1881, standing 67 meters tall — one of the tallest clock towers in India.
Timing: Open 24 hours
Entry Fee: No entry fee
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Lucknow Zoo
One of the oldest zoological gardens in India. Houses a significant collection of animals including Bengal tigers, Indian rhinoceros, and various bird species.
Timing: Tuesday to Sunday, 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM. Closed Mondays
Entry Fee: ₹100 and ₹100 for Video camera (online pay or cash at counter)
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State Museum Lucknow
Uttar Pradesh's primary state museum, housing a significant collection of Buddhist and Hindu sculpture, terracotta, coins, and paintings spanning 2,000 years.
Timing: Tuesday to Sunday, 10:30 AM – 4:00 PM. Closed Mondays and public holidays
Entry Fee: ₹50 and ₹25 for camera (cash at counter)
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Dilkusha Kothi
The ruins of a country house built in 1800 in the English Baroque style, used as a hunting lodge by the Nawabs of Awadh and later occupied by British forces during the 1857 siege.
Timing: Open daily, 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Entry Fee: No entry fee
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Hazratganj
The central commercial boulevard of Lucknow, developed during the British period and retaining its colonial-era arcade architecture. The street functions as the city main shopping and dining corridor.
Timing: Most shops — 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Entry Fee: No entry fee
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Getting There
Lucknow is a major rail junction and has a well-connected international airport. Whether arriving or departing, use the station codes, airport, and bus terminal information below.
Lucknow — Stations, Airport & Bus Stands
Rail Stations: Lucknow NR (LKO) | Lucknow NE (LJN) | Aishbagh (ASH)
Airport: Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport (LKO)
Bus Terminals: Charbagh Bus Stand | Kaiserbagh Bus Stand | Alambagh Bus Stand
By Train
Search "Lucknow" or any station above as your origin (if departing) or destination (if arriving). Lucknow NR (LKO) is the main station. A city may have multiple railway stations — select the main one (usually named after the city) and choose a train based on journey duration, departure time, and class availability.
By Flight
Search by city name across Air India Express, IndiGo, Air India, and Akasa Air — these cover the full domestic network from Lucknow.
By Bus
Buses (AC or non-AC) operate from the bus terminal — head to the counter and ask for your destination. Or, use app-based platforms such as redBus or AbhiBus to search and book buses on your route. Both state-run (RSRTC) and private operators are listed — prefer buses with ratings of 4★ or higher.
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