Located in what was historically known as the Awadh region, Lucknow has always been a multicultural city. Courtly manners, beautiful gardens, poetry, music, and fine cuisine patronized by the Persian-loving Shia Nawabs of the city are well known amongst Indians and students of South Asian culture and history. Lucknow is popularly known as the The City of Nawabs. It is also known as the Golden City of the East, Shiraz-i-Hind and The Constantinople of India.

Today, Lucknow is a vibrant city that is witnessing an economic boom and is among the top ten fastest growing non-major-metropolitan cities of India. It is the second largest city in Uttar Pradesh state. The unique combination of its cultured grace and newly acquired pace is its most promising feature that augurs well for the future

Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh, thrives along the banks of Gomti river. Nawab Asaf ud Daula is attributed to be the creator of Lucknow as it stands today. She reached its acme during the reign of Nawab Wajid Ali Shah a patron saint of music and poetry. The city, Awadh and UP fell to the British during his reign. Today, the city is dotted with remnants of its rich cultural past.

Lucknow is also known for its elaborate cuisine and 'Chikankaari' or exquisite shadow-work embroidery on fine muslin cloth.

Lucknow is a historically important city and for many centuries was at the heart of North Indian culture. In particular, the city was famous for its Adab and Tehzeeb (manners and hospitality), intricate embroidery, beautiful gardens and dance forms such as Kathak. It was also one of the sites of the 1857 Indian Mutiny (or First War of Indian Independence). The Hindi spoken in Lucknow is considered the most beautiful and gentle in the country. Currently the city has a population of around 2.5 million.

Lucknow is the heart of the art, cuisine, dance, culture and music of Northern India. It was the cradle of the Hindu-Muslim-Sikh symbioses that made India great. it brought in the best of various cultures and accepted Western institutions like La Martiniere in her womb. It was made famous by the soft-spoken, and sweet tongued, Awadh-lucknowai culture that was based on "civilized behaviour" toward fellow human beings. Lucknow is the home of Urdu, Hindustani and Hindi languages. The city became known as a centre for Urdu poetry and courtly presence and diction. Many poets were born and lived here. The "mushaira" an event of reading poetry formed the heart of Lucknow's nightlife. the "mushaira's" went on through the wee hours of the night. It is a only rival in Northern India was Delhi, though Lucknowies were always embroiled in a heathy rivalry with Delhi, home of the famous poet Ghalib and others. Lucknow is also famous for it's sweetmeat.

The sweet shops in the old city dates to 1850's. Awadhi and mughlai food is the delight of the people visiting Lucknow.

The people of Lucknow are among the warmest and the most courteous people in India. They are known to be very soft spoken and treat guests like Gods. The place has a rich cultural heritage and is known to be the city of Nawabs. The Nawabs were known for their polished and refined language and high standards of living. The lifestyle of Lucknow people was one of its kinds and the place still dwells in its old world charm. Read on about the ever-elegant Lucknow people.

The way Lucknow people indulge in the pleasures of life is truly worth seeing and experiencing. The people mix sophistication with warmth and courtesy added with generous doses of love to give you the politest language and lifestyle. They do not like to use harsh words and abuses are virtually unheard of! The city of Nawabs is known for its "Pehle Aap" (After you) culture. Though it sounds a bit outdated, it is undoubtedly chivalry at its best!

Summers are pretty hot and last from April to July. The temperature ranges from 30o Celsius to 45o Celsius and it can get really hot in the month of June. Hot dry winds called Loo make the temperatures go really high and it can get very uncomfortable during afternoons. Summers are usually hot and dry with occasional thunderstorms.

The monsoons last from July to September and Lucknow receives its share of rainfall from the southwest monsoons. On an average, Lucknow receives 101 centimeters of annual rainfall. It becomes quite humid after September and sometimes the temperatures may escalate due to the humidity. The evenings are pleasant with cool winds blowing thus reducing the night temperatures a bit.

Lucknow experiences cool and dry winter months. Winters usually extend from December to February and the temperatures go really low. The temperature ranges from 20o Celsius to 3o Celsius. It is not uncommon for Lucknow to be enveloped in thick fog during winter mornings and the visibility can literally go down to nil. Winters can be bone chillingly cold so it is recommended that you carry thick woolen clothes with yourself.

The most famous dishes of Lucknow are kormas, kaliya, nahari-kulchas, zarda, sheermal, roomali rotis and warqi parathas. It is not just the ingredients that are special but also the way they are made by expert hands and the way they are presented. Just looking at an elaborate layout of Lucknow cuisine will make your mouth water. The most famous of all dishes are the Kebabs or the meatballs that come in different varieties. Some of the most famous (and delicious!) varieties of Kebabs are Kakori Kebabs, Shami Kebabs, Boti Kebabs, Patili-ke-Kababs, Ghutwa Kebabs and Seekh Kebabs.

The famous Lucknow Gharana was created in the royal courts of the Nawabs of Lucknow. This Gharana inspired major dance forms like Kathak, which is the classical dance of the north of India. Today, the rich tradition of music and dance of Lucknow is kept alive by various exponents and preachers through various concerts and cultural programmes.

The people in Lucknow are known for their courtesy and will attend to every whim and fancy of yours. The service is excellent and the food is heavenly! There are some high-end restaurants and also those small restaurants on the roadsides. As long as you are satisfied with the service and food, it shouldn't really matter whether you eat at a plush restaurant or a decent lodge. For those who want easy and fast food, head onto the nearest Dominos and McDonalds outlet and have your kind of food. Some good restaurants of Lucknow are given below.