Kanpur

Kanpur is the largest city in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. It was known as Cawnpore in colonial times and is a major industrial centre of the Plains. The city is famous for its chemical (fertiliser, detergent), textile, and leather industries. The city was also an important British garrison during pre-independence era.

Understand

Kanpur is a major industrial and commercial city on the banks of the River Ganges. It has an area of over 400 km² and had a population of around 2.7 million in the 2011 census. Kanpur is home to several educational institutions, including an Indian Institute of Technology (IIT-Kanpur), CSJM University, Harcourt Butler Technological University (HBTU), University Institute of Engineering and Technology, GSVM Medical College and Dr. Ambedkar Institute of Technology (AITH).

Get in

By train

Being located on the national corridor of railways the city of Kanpur is well connected with the rest of India by rail services, e.g. Shadabti express from Delhi to Kanpur.

It also lies on the Kolkata-New Delhi rail link and hence is connected with Rajdhani expresses (many of them, Howrah rajdhani, Guwahati rajdhani, Bhubaneswar rajdhani).

Main railway stations in the city

  • 🌍 Kanpur Anwarganj - Its the oldest railway station of Kanpur. It is connected to Lucknow, Prayagraj, Mathura and Gorakhpur as well. Many Express and Passenger trains stop here.
  • 🌍 Kanpur Central, the main railway station of the city lies in the cantonment area. It is connected with Jhansi, Lucknow, New Delhi, Agra, and Howrah. Trains like Shatabdi and Rajdhani have stop here for 5 to 10 minutes.
  • Govind Puri It is the junction Railway station where the line is divided into two parts for Jhansi and New Delhi. Ticket room and overbridge are also here.
  • Panki, This station has only many express trains on Delhi-Lucknow and Delhi-Kolkata route.
  • Rawatpur, one of the main stations in the city to catch trains to and from Farrukhabad and Kasganj.

By plane

Lucknow airport (LKO IATA) which is about 70 km (43 mi) from Kanpur and handles more flights, can also be used.

The flights to Kanpur and Lucknow are generally reliable and timely, but may get delayed or diverted during winter (Dec-Jan) when the region often experiences dense fog. Trains too get affected. Plan your travel accordingly and allow for possible delays.

By car

Kanpur is well connected with Road, NH 2 and NH 25 passes nearby. The NHs which passes to Kanpur are NH 2, NH 25, NH 86 and NH 91. Kanpur has two major bus station. The very important bus station of Kanpur is Jhkarkati bus Station. Many Volvo buses especially Royal Cruiser which go to Delhi, Jaipur and Agra.

Get around

By bus

There are city buses run by UPSRTC under JNNURM. These buses offer cheaper rates than auto rickshaws. AC low floor city buses that are very comfortable cost the most to ride. Some other types of buses are non-AC low floor, minibuses and low floors which also offer low rates.

By auto rickshaw

You can travel using an auto rickshaw or the tempo called Vikram. Vikram is the cheapest mode of transport but a pain to travel. However, Vikram drivers have a fixed rate for point-to-point travels and it's an experience in itself when 10 people (and driver) travel in one Vikram. The quality of auto rickshaws in Kanpur is also pathetic and there is not fixed rate or meter system. You have to bargain with the driver.

By cycle rickshaw

There is no standard or norm for the price of cycle rickshaws. They can be found on the main road and smaller roads.

By taxi

Private taxis like vans and other cars are available from Canal Road Taxi Stand and from various hotels and travel agencies.

See
  • 🌍 Allen Forest Zoo (Kanpur Zoo), ☏ +91 8765974100, +91 512 2560257, . Biggest park in Kanpur City. This is the second best zoo in UP and third biggest zoo in India. Greenery and vastness of the zoo will capture any visitors attention. The natural surroundings in which animals are kept is a nice change from the caged variety that you see around other zoos. 
  • 🌍 Ganga Barrage. A dam built across Ganges River near Old Kanpur. Contains Boating Club. 
  • Gora Cemetery. A cemetery of British militants near Civil Lines. 
  • 🌍 ISCKON Temple, Singpur ,Mainawati Marg (9 km from Kanpur Central, 6 km from Parade, 7 km from Bada Chauraha), ☏ +91 7080007011, . It is a Radha Krishna temple on Mainawati Marg, Bithoor Road. There is also a restaurant named Govinda's. 
  • 🌍 Kanpur Sangrahalaya (Kanpur Museum), Phool Bagh. Daily 9AM-5PM. A museum established by Britishers. It exhibits old pictures, books, items and many other things. 
  • 🌍 Kanpur Memorial Church, Albert Lane, Cantonment. A church established by Britishers. It exhibits old fountains, books, items and many other things. 
  • 🌍 Massacre Ghat. Site of the Cawnpore massacre during the Indian Mutiny/War of Independence/Rebellion of 1857. The circular ridge of the well where the bodies of women and children were deposited is still visible and prominent figure of the rebel forces, Tantya Tope, is represented at the park in statue form. 
  • 🌍 Nana Rao Park, Mall Rd, Phool Bagh Chauraha, Phool Bagh, Civil Lines. Site of the Cawnpore massacre during the Indian Mutiny/War of Independence/Rebellion of 1857. The circular ridge of the well where the bodies of women and children were deposited is still visible and prominent figure of the Rebel forces, Tantya Tope, is represented at the park in statue form. 
  • 🌍 Shri Radha Krishna Temple (Popularly known as JK Temple), Govind Nagar (In the heart of the city near Gumti no. 5 and Pandav Nagar). Wonderful piece of architecture and art and you must see this monument if you visit Kanpur. The Temple has statues of Lord Krishna, Lord Shiva, Lord Hanuman, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Rama. The illuminated towers of the temple can be seen from quite a distance at night. On Sundays, it is usually very crowded at summers as people try to get some relief from the high temperatures in the greenery and openness of the Ttemple premises. 
  • 🌍 Vaisno Devi Mandir, Karrhi, Damodar Nagar. 5:30AM to 9:30PM. Hindu temple. ₹2 per ticket. 

Educational institutes
  • 🌍 Harcourt Butler Technological Institute (HBTI), Nawabganj. This is a premier engineering college in the region. This is the oldest engineering college of North India, after Roorkee. It was established in 1921 by the then Governor of United Province (now Uttar Pradesh) Sir Harcourt Butler. It has a sprawling 280 acres lush green campus having almost all the branches of engineering and Chemical-Technology. 
  • Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) (on the western side of the city). Campus in a isolated place with greenery and calm environment. 

Excursions
  • 🌍 Bithoor (25 km from Kanpur city). This is a popular getaway from Kanpur. This is a riverside of Holy Ganges river. Do take a boat ride across the river. There are no active lifeguards at this place so be cautious about swimming. 

Do
  • 🌍 Sports Village (Bithoor Road). Amusement park. 
  • 🌍 Ekta Park (near Pandu River). Amusement park. 
  • 🌍 Blue World Theme Park (near Suburb of Mandhana). Amusement park. 
  • 🌍 Golf Club. Play golf every morning by joining club. 
  • 🌍 Mahatma Gandhi park. Do boating at Mahatma Gandhi park. 
  • 🌍 Moti Jheel, Benajhabar. Literally meaning "Pearl Lake", Moti Jheel is an artificial lake created during the British Raj. Boating and morning walks are popular lacustrine activities. 
  • 🌍 Rave moti. Watch movies at Rave moti, Rave 3 and Zsquare mall. 
  • 🌍 Jungle Water Park (Bithoor Road). Amusement park. 
  • 🌍 Micky House, Swatantara Senani Marg, K Block (Kidwai Nagar). Amusement park. 

Buy

Kanpur is famous for leather goods. The main shopping centres in the city are; The Mall, Birhana Road, Gumti No. 5, Parade, Naveen Market, Meston road and P.P.N. Market. The city centre also offers the shopper a delightful array of State Emporia, viz. UPICA, UP Handloom Emporium, The Mall; Phulkari, Punjab Emporium and Manjusha, Bengal Emporium, The Mall.

  • Check out the market of Naveen market, ppn market, mall road, arya nagar, swaroop nagar, tilak Nagar, Gumti no 5
  • Check out Lalityam Sarees to buy beautiful Sarees, which is the national dress of India.
  • Check out the value for money clothes specially for ladies you will get in Beconganj area, This place is Hub for all the hand embroidered High , Medium and value for Money works ,Good Boutiques Like Khanam's are in the Vicinity.
  • Leather Goods on Meston Raod (Bada Chauraha). Meston road is also good for all other day-to-day items.
  • Clothes at Gumti no. 5, Naveen Market, P. Road. Also find wholesale markets at Navghada, General Gunj
  • Utensils, Sarees, Bangles and lot of other stuff at reasonable rates at Sisamau. Utensils can also be found at Hatiya.
  • Christ Church College
  • 🌍 Khanam's, 97/11 Kayasthana Road (Talaq Mohal, Colonelganj), ☏ +91 512-2540457, +91 9793516756. 11AM-9PM. Female clothing range, boutique and fashion point, high-end hand-embroidered suits, wedding gowns and wedding suits at affordable prices (accepts all major credit cards). 
  • 🌍 Z Square Mall, Mall Rd. It contain anchors like Westside, Lifestyle, Jambo Electronics, Big Bazaar and all other big showrooms. 
  • 🌍 Rave@Moti Mall, Rawatpur. It contain anchors Big Bazaar, and Pantaloons. 

Eat

Kanpur is a great place for Chat lovers, the city is planked with chat shops serving pani puri, allu tikki, dahai chat, etc.

A popular food junction is the lane at Arya Nagar, with eateries serving everything from chat, South Indian, biryani, egg rolls, burgers, chats to ice creams.

For a range of multi cuisine restaurants visit The Mall, Naveen Market, Civil Lines, Sarvodaya Nagar (Moti Rave) and Swaroop Nagar, restaurants open to 11PM. Check out Aromas in Swaroop Nagar for some awesome burgers. Try the mushroom burger if you are the adventurous kind, you will not be disappointed.

No meal in Kanpur can be completed without eating paan, hence, if you are near Cantt, the mall road, near Phool Bagh gives you excellent paan options, or may just drive till Birhana road and grab a paan there. Around the other side however, the lane near Halet, is a haven of paan vendors. With alternating medicine and CT scan clinics, the paans here are the best in the city. The paan shops are open comfortably till 2AM. Perfect reason to go out on a drive.

Budget
  • Aromas, Swaroop Nagar. A fast food point. 
  • Baba biryani, Swaroop Nagar,beconganj. Biryani. 
  • Banarsi ke ladoo. Serves tasty boondi ladoos and has grown from a small shop into a huge store with lots of branches all over the city. The sweet store always has a huge line outside it during all festivities, where the ladoos need to be booked in advanced. Its ladoos have been export to America also. 
  • Ghosh Misthan Bhandar, 80 Feet Road. Among the famous sweets in Kanpur are rasgolla from this shop. 
  • Hanuman Chat, P. Road. Chat 
  • Hathras, Meston Road. Chat. 
  • Makhan Singh, Arya Nagar. Biryani. 
  • Peru, Bakarmandi. Biryani. 
  • Rakesh Biryani, Parade. W-M 11:30AM-3PM. A small standing-only place near the Parade Chauraha that serves a mouthwatering Chicken Biryani. This place does not cater to vegetarians. 
  • Ram Mishthan Bhandar, Sisamau, Jawahar Nagar. A famous sweet shop offering varieties of mouth watering sweets and snacks and its "Peda" is very famous around the globe. 
  • Shanker, Birhana Road. Chat. 
  • Thaggu ke Ladu (Next to Somdutt Plaza). This is a small shop. Specialty of this shop are ladoos (balls of dried milk) and ice cream. Although high in calories, ladoos are very delicious. Bunty & Babli was also shot here. 
  • Babu Khurchan Bhandar, prem nagar (near vankhandeshwar mandir). 10AM-10PM. (updated Oct 2019)

Mid-range
  • Baba, Z Square Mall,Bekanganj. Non-veg. 
  • Celebration Point, M.G Marg. 
  • The Chat, Swaroop Nagar. Chat. 
  • Chin mi. Authentic Chinese. 
  • Chung Fa (Mall St.). Authentic Chinese. 
  • 0512, Civil Lines. Fast food, named for the telephone code of Kanpur, it offers a range of delicacies, specially the Indian style pizza and pasta. 
  • Energy Store, Swaroop Nagar. Biryani. 
  • Kwality, Mall Road. Old and popular this is with its charms of a diner which serves au gratin/baked vegetables still as a delicacy, and where tutti frutti and its famous pudding essentially close a meal. Must try are the desserts here, they are irresistible. 
  • Moti Mahal, Mega Mall. Fast food, named for the telephone code of Kanpur, it offers a range of delicacies, specially the Indian style foods and Many types of Non Veg. 
  • Palate. Multi-cuisine restaurant: Continental/Mexican/Chinese. 
  • 🌍 Pandit (Restaurant), katheri Bagh, Cantts (near Murry Co. Bridge). 7AM-11PM. Serving Indian, Continental, Rajasthani, South Indian, Chinese, Chaat, Paani Poori and world famous Laddus along with an exotic range of Indian Sweets. 100% vegetarian all preparations in Cow Ghee. Best packed thali for travel served in trains. 
  • Shahi Darbar, Parade. Biryani. 
  • Tandoori nights, Swaroop Nagar. Biryani. 

Splurge
  • 🌍 Antarang, Rave 3 Mall, Parwati Bagla Rd, Rave 3 Multiplex (Tilak Nagar). 11AM–11PM. 
  • 🌍 Karim's, Hospital Road, Parade, Kanpur, ☏ +91 8318937338. 2:30-11:30PM. Good quality traditional Indian food. ₹400. 
  • The Landmark Restaurant, The Mall. Traditional Indian food, ice cream, Southern cuisine, Thalis Continental and Western style food. 
  • Little Chef, Civil Lines. Fast food, offers wonderful ice-creams. 
  • 🌍 Mehfil Restaurant, 16/12, Near Airtel Office, Civil Lines, ☏ +91 512 230 6019. Noon–11PM. Fast food, offers wonderful ice-creams. 
  • Moti Mehal, The Mall. Traditional Indian food and Western style food. 
  • Glasshouse Cafe, Sale tax road (swaroop nagar opposite Concord Apartment). Noon-midnight. Foreign cuisine. Pasta is reported as good. (updated Mar 2024)

Drink

Mufarra is a red drink which you can drink in summer for getting relief from the heat. This is easily available in shops.

Pubs and bars

There are pubs at Landmark Hotel and at the new malls.

Cafes and teahouses
  • 🌍 Banarsi Tea Shop (at Motijheel Chauraha crossing). Famous tea vendor who sells only tea and there are always flocks of people waiting to have his tea, especially in the morning. 
  • Barista Coffee (at all shopping malls). Famous coffee shop who sells only tea and there are always flocks of people waiting to have his coffee, especially in the morning. 
  • Cafe Coffee Day (at all shopping malls). Famous coffee shop who sells only tea and there are always flocks of people waiting to have his coffee, especially in the morning. 

Sleep

There are a number of hotels on Mall Road and G.T Road.

Budget
  • 🌍 Hotel Akashdeep International, Shop No. 58/107, Birhana Road, Mall Road, Civil Lines (opp Phool Bagh, The Mall.), ☏ +91 94504 85566. (updated Feb 2016)
  • 🌍 Hotel Atithi, Mall Rd, The Mall, Phool Bagh, Civil Lines. (updated Feb 2016)
  • 🌍 Geet Hotel, 18/174-175, opp. Phool Bagh, The Mall, ☏ +91 512 231 1042. (updated Feb 2016)

Mid-range
  • 🌍 Hotel Gagan Plaza, 63/6,The Mall, ☏ +91 87260 39094. Offers 39 air-conditioned rooms and suites, fitted with a 100-channel cable TV, bathroom with hot and cold water, refrigerator and internet access. It houses two conference rooms that can fit up to 150 and 500 persons, and party and marriage lawn that can accommodate up to 1,000 guests. 
  • 🌍 Hotel Little Chef Kanpur, 15/198 - A, Civil Lines., ☏ +91 512 301 5334. Three-star hotel offering nine superior rooms and 12 suites, all with individually-controlled air-conditioning, private bath with hot and cold water, and refrigerator. It also has a conference facility and restaurant that can accommodate up to 250 persons. US$67 per night (2016). 
  • 🌍 Hotel Mandakini, 40/69B, Hospital Road Parade, The Mall, ☏ +91 9235605005, . Best rates on official website start at ₹1,190. 
  • Hotel Vijay Villa Kanpur, Tilak Nagar. Hotel rising high above the high-rise landscape of the city. Room rate starts at ₹2,500. 

Splurge

Go next
  • 🌍 Chitrakoot — about 200 km from Kanpur, it is a town of religious, cultural, historical and archaeological importance, situated in the Bundelkhand region
  • 🌍 Jhansi — about 210 km from Kanpur, this city is noted for the Fort of Jhansi (Jhansi Fort)
  • 🌍 Khajuraho — about 217 km from Kanpur, this town is famous for groups of Hindu and Jain temples. These temples are a UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • 🌍 Orchha — about 240 km, the medieval city of Orchha seems to have been frozen in time with many of its palaces and temples retaining their original grandeur to this day
  • 🌍 Panna National Park — also a Tiger Reserve as tigers reintroduced in the early 2010s. Besides the tiger, the sloth bear and sambhar, Panna National Park is home to many species of birds


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