Situated in the northern part of India, bordering the capital of India New Delhi, Uttar Pradesh is one of the most popular and established tourist destinations for both Indians and Foreigners.

Geographically, Uttar Pradesh is very diverse, with Himalayan foothills in the extreme north and the Gangetic Plain in the center. In ancient times, most invaders from northern India have gone through the Gangetic plains, which are now called Uttar Pradesh. The control of this region was vital to the power and stability of all the major empires of India, including the Mauryan Empire, the Kushan empire, the Gupta Empire, and the Gurjara-Pratihara empire.

The greatness of Uttar Pradesh lies in the greatest rivers in the Indian sub-continent – the Ganga and the Yamuna. A morning boat ride and evening aarti on the Ghats of the Ganga River in Varanasi feel like a magical trip.

Uttar Pradesh is at the heart of India, hence it is also known as The Heartland of India. The state is known for a large number of historical monuments and places of religious significance. Agra, Jhansi, Lucknow, and Meerut are historical cities famous for their monuments. Mathura, Vrindavan, Gokul, Varanasi, Ayodhya, and Allahabad are holy cities for Hindus while Kushinagar and Sarnath are important Buddhist places, and are among the main four pilgrimage sites related to the life of Gautama Buddha.

The state is also known for its rich culture and tradition. It is also home to India's most visited sites, the Taj Mahal, and Hinduism's holiest city, Varanasi. Kathak, one of the eight forms of Indian classical dances, originated from Uttar Pradesh. Cuisines of Uttar Pradesh like Awadhi cuisine, Mughlai cuisine, and Kumauni cuisine are very famous not only in India but also in many places abroad.

Uttar Pradesh is also known for its rich tradition of handicrafts. Stone carving, embroidery, and weaving have attained a height of perfection at the skilled hands of artisans in Uttar Pradesh. You would find exquisite stone-carved items like marble boxes, wall plates, table tops, and replicas of The Taj Mahal. Most of them are made of marble, sandstone, and precious and semi-precious stones.

Best Places to explore in Uttar Pradesh - 

• Agra
• Varanasi
• Kanpur
• Allahabad – Prayag – Kumbh Mela
• Mathura
• Lucknow
• Vrindaban
• Ayodhya
• Sarnath
• Kushinagar
• Fatehpur Sikri
• Dudhwa National Park
• Lakhimpur Kheri Tiger reserve
• Pilibhit Tiger Reserve