Kanpur Tourism And Travel Guide

Kanpur, a major industrial and a cultural hub is one of the most popular tourist destinations in India. Nicknamed ‘Manchester of the East’, Kanpur is a hub for major commercial trade. Kanpur is most famous for manufacturing of original authentic leather that is sold in the country as well as exported to foreign countries; Kanpur is also known as ‘the Leather City of the World’.

Reaching this amazing city is possible through air, rail or even road, with the fastest means being taking a flight. Tourism in Kanpur is famous due to the lovely gardens, parks, zoos and other structures in the city. Although you can visit any time of the year, it is best to visit during the winters when it is pleasant and perfect to indulge in things to do in the city and places to see. Read through our travel guide to Kanpur to explore tourism in the city.

By Air:

The Kanpur Airport is the main airport serving the city and is distanced at 10.6 km from the city center. This is the nearest airport to the city, but the frequency of flights aren’t as much; you can take a flight to airports in other nearby cities like Lucknow and Delhi that have more frequent flights and then travel to Kanpur by bus or train. 

By Road:

Being one of the major cities in Uttar Pradesh, Kanpur is well connected by roadways to other cities in the state as well as neighbouring states. You can drive up there or you can take various state and interstate busses that run in the city.

By Rail:

Serving a sea of passengers on a regular basis, the Kanpur Central Railway Station is the main railhead that is used by the people of the city and the ones coming from other cities in the country. It is distanced at 3.4 km from the city center and is one of the most convenient ways to get to Kanpur.

Getting Around:

The Kanpur Metropolitan Bus Service (KMBS) provides regular bus service within the city at a minimal cost, making it very easy for tourists to commute. Other local transportation like auto rickshaws, tempos and cabs are also available in the city.

Summer (April-June):

The summer season in Kanpur is very hot and humid with temperatures rising all the way up to 48°C during daytime in the peak months and a low of 35°C in the night time. This may not be the best season to visit due to the extreme climate.

Monsoon (July-September):

The rains bring some amount of respite for the region and see a good amount of rainfall throughout the season. Temperatures in the monsoon season range from 32°C to 24°C, making Kanpur a little cooler than it is in summers.

Winter (October-March):

This is a great time to visit Kanpur as the climate is pleasant windy and very cool. Temperature in winters range from 10°C-28°C with the visibility of dense fog during the peak winter months. This is a good time to go sightseeing as there not much heat to tire you down.

Visit Parks:

Kanpur has several parks that were built in the British era and are worth visiting. The Nana Rao Park and the Mahatma Gandhi Park are famous parks in the city that you can go to and relax in. Enjoy the beauty of nature by feasting your eyes on brightly colored flora that are blooming all over the parks.

Go to the Museum:

One of the famous attractions in Kanpur is the Kanpur Museum, a great place to visit, especially if you’re interested in history or archeology. The museum is located in the Phool Bagh ground and a must visit if you are in the area.

Visit a Temple:

Take blessings from the ISKCON Temple in Kanpur that is dedicated to Shri Krishna and Radha. This beautiful temple made of marble is simply stunning and houses other Gods and Goddesses too.

Buy Leather at Jajmau:

The well known suburb of Jajmau is one of the oldest regions in the city and is famous for the manufacturing and selling of leather. Visit this place to buy unique and original leather items to take back home after your trip.

Relax at Moti Jheel:

Moti Jheel is a beautiful recreational zone in Kanpur which originally served as a reservoir and then later was set up as a recreational spot. There is a children’s park in the same area which is a great place to go to if you are with kids. The beautiful landscape and relaxing atmosphere is the reason why many tourists visit Moti Jheel.

Food is an integral part whenever you travel and Kanpur is a place where you must eat local to get a feel of the city’s cuisine. If you are looking for great Biryani, you can head over to Baba Biryani in Swaroop Nagar to taste delicious Awadhi style Biryani. You can also go to Rakesh Chicken Biryani in Parade to taste some mouth watering Biryani. Go to Birhana Road, a street dedicated to street food and try some tasty batasha also known as golgappa. Also visit Hanuman Chaat Bhandar to sample some aalo chaat and many more delicious chaat items. After this if you are craving something sweet, head over to Banarasi Ke Ladoo, Mithas or Ram Mishthaan Bhandar to taste savour some ghee soaked ladoos and galebi.

Like any other destination, Kanpur has a variety of shopping options for tourists who come to visit. You can find different kinds of classy souvenirs and beautiful artifacts. Apart from all this Kanpur is the biggest manufacturer of leather goods and in the suburb of Jajmau you can shop for various items like purses, bags, shoes, jackets and other leather items from the many shops on the streets. You can even go to Birhana Road, Naveen Market and a few more places to buy authentic leather items. Emporiums are scattered all over the city and you can go to any of them to buy beautiful handmade products; these can be good to take back home for your friends and family. Other than all this, you can buy garments, jewelry and handicrafts at different places in the city.