Kanpur, originally known as Cawnpore, is a major industrial city in Uttar Pradesh, India. Founded in 1207, it became a key commercial and military center during British rule. Today, it’s the financial capital of Uttar Pradesh and part of the Bundelkhand Industrial Development Authority. Situated along the Ganges River, Kanpur is a vital hub for finance and industry in North India and is ranked as the ninth-largest urban economy in the nation.
The city boasts beautiful colonial architecture, parks, unique local sweets, a distinctive dialect, and thriving IT parks. It’s also famous for its quality leather, plastic, and textile goods, mainly exported to the West. According to the 2011 census, Kanpur is the 12th most populous city and the 11th largest urban area in India. It served as an important British military base until India gained independence in 1947. Today, the urban district of Kanpur Nagar is the administrative hub for the Kanpur Division, Range, and Zone.
Kanpur is about 475 kilometers from New Delhi and 90 kilometers from Lucknow, lying in the historical region of Awadh. The city is located in the flat Indo-Gangetic Plains, 318 meters above sea level. The Ganges River flows by, with several notable ghats like Sati Chaura Ghat and Sarsaiya Ghat lining its banks. The Brahmavart Ghat in Bithoor, about 25 km north, is another important religious location.
Kanpur is home to the Blue World Theme Park on Mandhana-Bithoor Road, offering a variety of rides across themes like European, Jungle, and Egyptian. For sports fans, Green Park Stadium, located by the Ganges, is a cricket stadium that can hold 32,000 spectators. Nature lovers can visit Nana Rao Park on Mall Road, known for its evergreen trees and colorful flowers. Additionally, the Kanpur Museum provides a glimpse into the city’s rich history, and Moti Jheel offers boating and street food. For a spiritual visit, the hilltop Valmiki Ashram in Bithoor is said to be where the epic Ramayana was written.
Situated on Mandhana-Bithoor Road, the Blue World Theme Park is a fantastic water and amusement park with tons of rides. The rides have been thematically divided into the following – European, Fairy Land Theme, Chinese Theme, Jungle Theme, Mayan and Egyptian Culture and Indian themes.
Located along the banks of the river Ganges, Green Park is a cricket stadium found at the Kan Chembar at Kanpur. Established in 1945, this well-lit stadium holds an accommodating capacity of 32,000.
Moti Jheel, located in the Benajhabar area of Kanpur, is a water storage spot as well as a great sightseeing point. Translating to the Pearl Lake, Moti Jheel also avails boating facilities with an array of street food stalls and toys sold at the entrance and within its premises. Constructed during the British colonial rule, Moti Jheel along with Moti Park and Kamala Retreat is a significant local recreational spot.
Nana Rao Park is a vast public garden centrally located on Mall Road in Kanpur. This beautiful garden is the ideal spot for nature lovers, famous for its lush greenery, particularly evergreen trees and bright-coloured flower beds.
Also known as the Kanpur Sangrahalay, this official museum of Kanpur is located on the Pool Bagh Ground. The Kanpur Museum exhibits artefacts and documents from the colonial period to the modern-day Kanpur. Formerly launched as the King Edward Memorial Hall in memory of King Edward VII, it was further renamed as the Gandhi Bhawan in 1999. It also has an in-house public library.
Valmiki Ashram is a hilltop holy site located in Bitoor, Kanpur. It is believed to be the place where the saint Valmiki wrote the Ramayana. Covering an expanse of vast land, the Valmiki Ashram encompasses three temples and a pond.
Kanpur offers a variety of accommodations to suit all budgets. The Landmark Towers, a 5-star hotel in a central location near Nana Rao Park and the Ganges, costs ₹5,507. For more budget-friendly options, The Deep Hotel, located near Gandhi Park and Ramleela Ground, is ₹2,536. Regenta Central The Crystal, ideal for sightseeing and dining, is a 4-star hotel at ₹4,703. Hotel Royal Cliff, close to Rawatpur train station and JK Temple, offers 4-star comfort for ₹4,658.
Central area with leafy paths in Nana Rao Park, airy Z Square mall & ghat steps down to the Ganges.
₹5,507
5 Star Hotel
Lively area with leafy Gandhi Park & biryani eateries, plus Ramleela Ground’s annual celebrations.
₹2,536
3 Star Hotel
Great location overall for sightseeing, recreation, dining and getting around
₹4,703
4 Star Hotel
This polished hotel is 2 km from both the Rawatpur train station and the JK Temple.
₹4,658
4 Star Hotel
Kanpur offers a variety of hotels catering to different tastes and budgets. Hotel Galaxy, a 3-star hotel priced at ₹513, located near the main railway station. Vijay Intercontinental, a luxurious 5-star hotel near Rawatpur train station and Anandeshwar Mandir temple, offers rooms for ₹3,303. For a peaceful stay, consider Hotel Mandakini Royale at ₹2,399, offers yoga sessions. Heaven View Clarks Inn, 3-star option priced at ₹2,503, provides accommodations close Chandari train station.
Busy area around the main railway station, with a statue of Ganesh in front of Siddhivinayak Temple.
₹513
3 Star Hotel
This upscale hotel lies 3 km from Rawatpur train station, 2 km from the riverside Anandeshwar Mandir temple.
₹3,303
5 Star Hotel
Tranquil area with yoga sessions at leafy Saket Park, plus motorbikes at the Royal Enfield Showroom.
₹2,399
3 Star Hotel
This straightforward hotel in a contemporary building is 5 km from both Massacre Ghat and Chandari train station.
₹2,503
3 Star Hotel
Kanpur offers a diverse dining scene with options like Barista Coffee for light bites and drinks at ₹600 for two, Aviary Cocktail Nest serving a mix of North Indian, Italian, and Asian cuisines for ₹1,400 for two, and Mocha providing fast food, salads, and continental dishes for ₹1,000. Pinch Of Spice offers a range of North Indian, Chinese, and Mughlai dishes for ₹1,000 without alcohol.
Cafe, Coffee, Desserts, Sandwich, Fast Food, Beverages
₹600 for two people (approx.)
North Indian, Biryani, Italian, Asian, Pizza, Desserts
₹1,400 for two people (approx.)
Fast Food, Salad, Continental, Italian, North Indian, Juices, Desserts, Beverages
₹1,000 for two people (approx.)
North Indian, Chinese, Mughlai, Biryani, Asian, Italian, Desserts
₹1,000 for two people (approx.)
Kanpur is well-connected by train, with the Kanpur Central Railway Station serving major cities like Delhi, Lucknow, and Agra. For air travel, Kanpur Airport has flights to Delhi, while the nearby Lucknow Airport offers flights to major cities across India. The city is also accessible by road via NH2, NH25, NH86, and NH91.
Kanpur Central Railway Station is one of the five major railway stations in India. It is well-connected to the cities across India, such as Delhi, Lucknow, Bhopal, Patna, Agra, etc.
Currently, Kanpur Airport has flights only to Delhi, via Air India. Tourists from other cities in India and abroad, can avail the services of Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport in Lucknow.
Kanpur has good road connectivity and NH2, NH25, NH86 and NH91 pass through the city. Volvo buses known as Royal cruisers connect Kanpur to tourist cities of Jaipur and Agra as well as to New Delhi.
Kanpur boasts a reliable bus network with both A/C and non-A/C buses are Available. These buses are frequent, economical, and offer a convenient way to travel around the city.
Rs. 200 for short-distance journeys
These vehicles have fixed rates rather than meters. private taxi services are available for a more comfortable ride.
Starting at only 9₹/KM
Auto-rickshaws are a popular and affordable option for short trips in Kanpur. They are readily available at most locations. Cycle rickshaws are also a good choice for navigating narrow streets.
Auto-rikshaw is starting From 10-200.Rs
Kanpur offers various car rental services with both self-driven and chauffeur-driven options. Companies like Kanpur Taxi Services and Savaari provide easy online booking. These services offer flexibility and convenience for exploring the city.
Starting at only ₹1499.
October to March is the best time to visit Kanpur when the winter sets in, making the weather pleasant for sightseeing. During these months, temperatures range between 7°C to 20°C, providing a comfortable climate for exploring the city. Summers, on the other hand, can be extremely hot with high temperatures and hot winds, making it less ideal for travel.
Monsoon season in Kanpur, particularly in June and July, brings heavy showers that can make many tourist attractions inaccessible. Beyond its renowned IIT, Kanpur offers beautiful sights and famous tourist attractions. With a humid subtropical climate, the city is best enjoyed in the cooler months of October to March, perfect for sightseeing and other activities.
The Distance of Kanpur to Mumbai is (1,290.4 km) via Mumbai – Agra Rd
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The Distance of Kanpur to Delhi is (520.9 km) via Agra – Lucknow Expy and Yamuna Expy
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The Distance of Kanpur to Bangalore is (1,838.1 km) via NH 44
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The Distance of Kanpur to Delhi is (1,871.3 km) via NH 16.
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When planning a trip to Kanpur, make sure to book your travel tickets and accommodations in advance, especially during the peak season from October to March. This helps avoid last-minute hassles and ensures you have a comfortable stay. Respect the local culture and avoid any actions that could damage historical sites or monuments, as this can lead to legal consequences. Choose clean and reputable places to eat to avoid health issues, and steer clear of unhygienic street food.
It’s wise to travel in groups, especially when exploring less crowded areas, to ensure safety. Many of Kanpur’s tourist spots require an entry ticket, so always purchase one to avoid penalties. Although there is no strict dress code, it’s advisable to dress modestly, particularly when visiting religious or culturally significant places. These precautions will help you have an enjoyable and trouble-free visit to Kanpur.
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