Uttar Pradesh

Mughal showpiece city anchored by the Taj and two grand forts.

• Must-seeTaj MahalMarble mausoleum on the Yamuna, glowing at sunrise.
• HeritageAgra FortRed-sandstone Mughal palace-fortress facing the Taj.
• OffbeatMehtab BaghOffbeatGarden across the river with a quiet Taj sunset view.
• HeritageItimad-ud-DaulahJewel-box tomb nicknamed the Baby Taj.

University town famed for its locks and a Muslim heritage campus.

• CultureAligarh Muslim UniversityHistoric campus with a lovely Jama Masjid and museum.
• OffbeatKol Fort areaOffbeatOld ramparts and a shrine overlooking the town.

Sacred Sangam city of three rivers and the great Kumbh.

• SpiritualTriveni SangamMeeting of Ganga, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati; boat rides.
• HeritageAllahabad FortAkbar's riverside fort holding the Ashokan pillar.
• HeritageAnand BhawanNehru family home turned museum.
• OffbeatKhusro BaghOffbeatMughal garden-tombs, peaceful and little visited.

Eastern district of weaving towns on the Tamsa.

• CultureTanda handloom areaTextile town known for cotton weaving.
• SpiritualKichaucha SharifOffbeatSufi dargah attracting pilgrims of all faiths.

Rural Awadh district tied to Rae Bareli's political belt.

• SpiritualKaushalpur Mata TempleOffbeatLocal goddess shrine with festival crowds.
• OffbeatJagdishpur areaOffbeatQuiet rural landscape and craft markets.

Mango belt on the Ganga plains with Sufi roots.

• SpiritualVasudeva templeOffbeatOld riverside shrine locally revered.
• NatureGajraula Ganga ghatGanga bank for dips and sunsets.

Small district beside the Yamuna ravines.

• SpiritualBhaiyan temple areaOffbeatQuiet rural temple clusters.
• NatureYamuna ravinesOffbeatDramatic eroded ravine landscape once known for dacoits.

Purvanchal district of poets, black pottery and scholars.

• CultureNizamabad black potterySilver-etched black clay craft village.
• NatureDaurighat Ghaghra bankOffbeatQuiet river ghat in rural Purvanchal.

Western UP, close to Delhi, with Mahabharata links.

• HeritageBarnava (Lakshagraha)Mahabharata-linked mound and tunnel legend.
• OffbeatSanauli excavation siteOffbeatBronze Age burial finds with chariots.

Terai district near Nepal with forest and Sufi shrines.

• WildlifeKatarniaghat Wildlife SanctuaryGharials, tigers and Gangetic dolphins on the Girwa.
• SpiritualSyed Salar Masud dargahRevered shrine with a spring fair.
• OffbeatKishanpur riverbanksOffbeatForest edge for birding.

Eastern border district on the Ganga and Ghaghra.

• SpiritualBhrigu Rishi templeAncient sage's hermitage site on the Ganga.
• CultureDadri MelaLarge cattle and cultural fair in November.

Terai district with Nepal border forests and a Devi shrine.

• SpiritualDevipatan Shakti PeethFamous goddess shrine with Navratri crowds.
• WildlifeSuhelwa Wildlife SanctuaryOffbeatForest sanctuary near the Nepal border.

Bundelkhand district with forts and the Ken river.

• HeritageKalinjar FortAncient hill fort with Shaiva carvings.
• OffbeatBambeshwar HillOffbeatHilltop temple with rural views.

Awadh district with a famed Sufi shrine and Holi tradition.

• SpiritualDewa SharifDargah where Holi is celebrated by all communities.
• HeritageSatrikhOffbeatHistoric town with old mosques and tombs.

Rohilkhand centre known for zari work and bamboo furniture.

• SpiritualAlakhnath TempleOne of the Shiva temples around the old Panchal region.
• HeritageAhichchhatra ruinsOffbeatRuins of the ancient Panchal capital.
• CultureZari-zardozi workshopsGold-thread embroidery on display.

Eastern district of Ramayana-era legends and Ayodhya proximity.

• SpiritualBhadeshwarnath TempleRiverside Shiva temple.
• OffbeatAmorha Mela areaOffbeatQuiet river settlements.

India's carpet capital between Varanasi and Prayagraj.

• CultureCarpet workshopsHand-knotted rugs shown loom by loom.
• SpiritualSita Samahit SthalOffbeatSita's mythical resting place.

Ganga barrage district with Vidur Kuti and Mahabharata echoes.

• SpiritualVidur KutiHermitage of Vidura on the Ganga bank.
• NatureBijnor BarrageOffbeatWide Ganga barrage popular with birds.

Sufi-flavoured Rohilkhand town and Ganga bank.

• HeritageJama Masjid ShamsiOne of India's oldest big mosques.
• SpiritualDargah of Nizamuddin Auliya's familyOffbeatHistoric Sufi lineage site.

Gateway district west of Aligarh with temples and Ganges ghats.

• SpiritualAnupshahr Ganga ghatQuiet Ganga ghat with fairs.
• NatureNarora ghatOffbeatPeaceful river sections.

Varanasi neighbour known for waterfalls and forest.

• WildlifeChandraprabha Wildlife SanctuaryForested hills with deer and waterfalls.
• NatureRajdari WaterfallScenic cascade near Naugarh.
• NatureDevdari WaterfallOffbeatSeasonal falls ideal after monsoon.

Forest pilgrimage district where Ram spent exile.

• SpiritualRamghat MandakiniRiverside ghat with evening aarti.
• SpiritualKamadgiri ParikramaSacred hill circumambulation path.
• NatureGupt Godavari cavesOffbeatCave streams in the hills.

Eastern district linked to Mahabharata and Buddhist sites.

• SpiritualDevrahwa Baba AshramRevered saint's riverside ashram.
• SpiritualDugdheshwar NathOffbeatAncient Shiva temple with a long history.

Small Braj-adjacent district.

• HeritageAwagarh fort ruinsOffbeatOld fort remains on the plain.
• CultureJaleshwar craft beltBrass bells and metalwork makers.

Yamuna ravine district with a safari park and Chambal rivers.

• WildlifeLion Safari EtawahSafari park with lions and deer.
• NatureChambal river ravinesDramatic ravines and river birds.
• SpiritualBateshwar templesOffbeatCluster of Shiva temples on the Yamuna.

Ram's ancient birthplace, now a grand pilgrim city.

• SpiritualRam Janmabhoomi MandirNewly built grand Ram temple complex.
• SpiritualHanuman GarhiHilltop temple with a stepped climb.
• SpiritualSarayu GhatsEvening aarti on the river steps.
• OffbeatGuptar GhatOffbeatQuiet riverbank with old temples.

Ganga district known for hand-block printing.

• CulturePrinting workshopsBlock-printed cloth in the old town.
• SpiritualSankisaBuddhist site where the Buddha descended from heaven.

Between Kanpur and Prayagraj with Mughal sites.

• NatureBhitaura Ganga ghatOffbeatPeaceful bank for evening walks.
• SpiritualAsni GhatOffbeatRevered ghat linked with a local legend.

India's glass and bangle capital.

• CultureGlass bangle workshopsFurnaces and artisans making coloured bangles.
• OffbeatBateshwar tankOffbeatQuiet local pilgrimage tank.

Planned city district of malls, parks and the new airport.

• WildlifeOkhla Bird SanctuaryYamuna wetland for birders near Delhi.
• CultureDalit Prerna SthalLarge stone memorial park.
• OffbeatJewar regionOffbeatQuiet villages near the new airport.

Delhi's eastern industrial neighbour with old temples.

• SpiritualDudheshwar Nath TempleAncient Shiva temple in the old town.
• NatureHindon river banksOffbeatLocal walking and birdwatching.

Eastern Ganga city known for opium history and rose attar.

• HeritageLord Cornwallis TombBritish-era mausoleum on the river.
• CultureGahmar villageOffbeatKnown for its many soldiers' families.

Awadh district near Ayodhya, with Ghaghra and Ramayana links.

• SpiritualSwami Narayan ChhapaiyaSacred birthplace of Swaminarayan.
• SpiritualPrithvinath TempleOffbeatOld Shiva temple.

Eastern hub with the Gorakhnath Math and Buddhist trail.

• SpiritualGorakhnath TempleLarge nath-tradition temple complex.
• NatureRamgarh TalCity lake with promenade and boating.
• CultureGita PressFamous publishing house with a gallery.

Bundelkhand district at the Betwa-Yamuna confluence.

• NatureBetwa-Yamuna confluenceTwo rivers meet with ghats.
• OffbeatRath areaOffbeatQuiet rural countryside.

Delhi-adjacent district with Ganga bank at Garhmukteshwar.

• SpiritualGarhmukteshwar Ganga ghatLarge Ganga ghat with a November fair.
• CulturePilkhuwa weavingOffbeatHandloom textile town.

Awadh district with wetlands and Prahlad legend.

• WildlifeSandi Bird SanctuaryOffbeatWinter ducks and cranes on wetland.
• SpiritualPrahladpuri areaLegend of Prahlad and Holika.

Braj-region district famed for asafoetida and railway sweets.

• SpiritualDauji temple areaOffbeatRevered Balaram temple belt in Braj.
• CultureHing (asafoetida) marketPungent spice market of the region.

Bundelkhand ravine and river district.

• HeritageKalpi fort remainsRuined fort overlooking the Yamuna.
• SpiritualYamuna ghat at KalpiOffbeatQuiet riverside shrines.

Sharqi-era city of mosques and bridges.

• HeritageAtala MasjidSharqi-style mosque with grand gateways.
• HeritageShahi BridgeMughal-era bridge over the Gomti.
• HeritageJama Masjid JaunpurHuge mosque with pylon portal.

Rani Lakshmibai's fortress city and gateway to Orchha.

• HeritageJhansi FortHill fort tied to 1857 heroics.
• HeritageRani MahalPainted palace of the Rani.
• OffbeatBarua SagarOffbeatLake and old fort ruins.

Perfume capital of India with ancient history.

• CultureAttar distilleriesTraditional copper-still perfumery of the town.
• HeritageKannauj old fort ruinsOffbeatRemains of an ancient royal capital.

Rural belt around Kanpur.

• SpiritualParauli GurudwaraOffbeatSikh shrine tied to a Mughal-era incident.
• SpiritualBithoorBrahma's legendary site near the Ganga.

Leather and industrial city on the Ganga.

• SpiritualBithoor GhatsSacred ghats with Valmiki ashram legend.
• CultureJK TempleMarble temple with modern design.
• HeritageKanpur Memorial ChurchColonial church with a memorial to 1857.

Small Ganga-bank district in Braj.

• SpiritualSoron Sukar KshetraSacred Ganga bank and pilgrimage.
• CultureTulsidas birthplaceOffbeatBirthplace claim of the Ramcharitmanas poet.

Ancient Vatsa capital on the Yamuna with Buddha links.

• HeritageKaushambi ruinsRemains of an ancient trading capital.
• HeritageAshoka pillarOld Mauryan pillar on site.
• OffbeatKara FortOffbeatFort on the Ganga.

Where the Buddha attained parinirvana.

• SpiritualMahaparinirvana TempleReclining Buddha statue and stupa.
• SpiritualRamabhar StupaCremation stupa of the Buddha.
• CultureWat Thai templeThai-style temple and gardens.

India's largest UP district, home to tiger terai.

• WildlifeDudhwa National ParkTigers, rhinos and swamp deer in sal forest.
• WildlifeKishanpur SanctuaryOffbeatGrassland with barasingha deer.
• CultureTharu villagesOffbeatTribal culture and stilt-house homestays near Nepal.

Bundelkhand district of Gupta temples and Jain sites.

• HeritageDeogarh templesGupta Dashavatara temple and Jain complex.
• NatureGovind SagarOffbeatLarge reservoir with fish and birds.
• OffbeatChanderi borderOffbeatWeaving town just across in MP.

City of nawabs, adab and kebabs.

• HeritageBara ImambaraGrand maze-like imambara with vast vaulted hall.
• HeritageRumi DarwazaTowering Awadhi gateway.
• HeritageResidencyRuins of the 1857 siege.
• CultureHazratganj chaikhanaOld city lanes for kebabs and chikan.

Nepal-border district with Terai forests.

• OffbeatNautanwa borderGateway to Lumbini.
• WildlifeSohagi Barwa SanctuaryOffbeatForest sanctuary with deer and leopards.

Chandela-era district with lakes and temples.

• HeritageMadan SagarHistoric lake dotted with Chandela ruins.
• HeritageKakra MathOffbeatGranite temple on a hill.

Braj-edge district known for Tarkashi wood inlay.

• CultureTarkashi inlayBrass-in-wood decorative craft.
• OffbeatShikohabadOffbeatRural markets and cattle fairs.

Krishna's birthplace with ghats, temples and sweets.

• SpiritualKrishna JanmabhoomiBirth shrine complex of Krishna.
• SpiritualVishram GhatRiverside ghat with evening aarti.
• SpiritualGovardhan ParikramaSacred hill circuit with pilgrim trails.

Weaving district with Banarasi saris in the east.

• CultureMau handloomSari weaving clusters in old lanes.
• OffbeatGhosi areaOffbeatQuiet rural landscape.

1857 uprising city with a sports goods hub.

• SpiritualAugarnath TempleOld temple linked to 1857.
• HeritageShahid SmarakMemorial to the first war of independence.
• CultureSports goods bazaarCricket bats and gear market.

River and carpet town with waterfalls.

• SpiritualVindhyavasini TempleShakti Peeth on the Vindhya hills.
• NatureWyndham FallsSeasonal waterfall near Chunar.
• HeritageChunar FortOffbeatStone fort on the Ganga.

Brass city of artisan exports.

• CultureBrassware workshopsEngraved brass crafted in the lanes.
• HeritageJama Masjid MoradabadOld mosque built in Mughal era.

Sugar belt of western UP.

• SpiritualShukratalAncient Ganga-side pilgrimage with banyan tree.
• CultureSugar mill regionRural jaggery trails.

Tiger reserve district with sal forests.

• WildlifePilibhit Tiger ReserveTigers, swamp deer and birds in Terai.
• NatureSharda Sagar DamOffbeatLarge reservoir near the reserve.
• OffbeatChuka BeachOffbeatRiver sandbank for sunset and camping.

Awadh district of gooseberry orchards.

• SpiritualBhayahran Nath DhamGanga-side Shiva temple.
• SpiritualBelha Devi TempleOffbeatRiverside shrine in the town.

Dalmau and Ganga district with Sufi ties.

• SpiritualDalmau ghatGanga ghat with a pilgrim fair.
• CultureRaebareli Rail coach factoryOffbeatIndustrial heritage visit.

Nawabi town with a Raza Library.

• HeritageRaza LibraryRare manuscripts in a grand building.
• HeritageJama Masjid RampurIndo-Islamic mosque.
• CultureRampur knivesFamous bladed craft.

Foothills district known for wood carving.

• SpiritualShakumbhari Devi TempleHill shrine in the Siwaliks.
• CultureWood carving workshopsCarved wooden furniture.
• HeritageDeoband seminaryHistoric Islamic school.

Ancient town known for horn craft.

• HeritageJama Masjid SambhalMughal-era mosque.
• CultureHorn craftOffbeatIntricate horn-and-bone articles.

Home to Kabir's Maghar.

• SpiritualKabir MagharTomb and samadhi of saint Kabir.
• NatureAami river areaOffbeatRural river landscape.

Rohilkhand district of Bismil's memory.

• HeritageBismil memorialTribute to freedom fighters.
• SpiritualKhanqah areaOffbeatSufi shrines.

Western UP district with sugar fields.

• CultureKairanaOffbeatOld musical gharana town.
• NatureYamuna banksOffbeatQuiet river belt.

Where the Buddha spent many monsoons.

• SpiritualJetavana MonasteryRuins of the Buddha's retreat.
• HeritageSahet-MahetAncient city mounds.
• SpiritualAnandabodhi treeRevered tree planted by Ananda.

Nepal-border district near Kapilvastu.

• HeritagePiprahwa stupaPossible ancient Kapilavastu site.
• OffbeatNaugarhOffbeatGateway to Lumbini and Kapilavastu.

Awadh district of ancient forests.

• SpiritualNaimisharanyaForest of the sages.
• SpiritualChakra TirthaSacred pond.

Forests, falls and ancient rock art.

• HeritageVijaygarh FortHill fort overlooking dense forest.
• NatureLakhaniya DariRock paintings and gorges.
• NatureRihand Dam Govind Ballabh Pant SagarHuge reservoir and sunsets.
• OffbeatSidhi NathOffbeatWaterfall stretches and rock caves.

Gomti-side Awadh district.

• NatureGomti ghatsOffbeatPeaceful riverbanks.
• OffbeatKurebharOffbeatQuiet rural town.

Between Lucknow and Kanpur.

• OffbeatBangarmauOffbeatOld town with Mughal-era markets.
• NatureGanga ghatsRiver bank at Shuklaganj.

Kashi, the city of light and eternal ritual.

• SpiritualDashashwamedh GhatGanga aarti every evening.
• SpiritualKashi Vishwanath TempleGolden-spired Shiva jyotirlinga and corridor.
• SpiritualSarnathBuddha's first sermon site.
• HeritageRamnagar FortMaharaja's riverfront fort and museum.
• CultureAssi GhatSunrise yoga and music.