There is a distinct way in which you can explore each city. If you are in Goa, you have to hire a bike to explore the beaches. If you are in Mumbai, you have to try the local trains at least once to taste the flavour of the city. Similarly, if you are in Lucknow, the heritage walk is a must to get the most of this city of Nawabs.
You can either take it solo, or hire a guide. You can begin the walk from Gol Chowk to explore the old lanes of the city. As you enter the narrow gullies, you might see a few men sitting with huge baskets, covered with a glass case. Under this magic basket, they are selling the local delicacy Nimish. You cannot continue on the walk without tasting this mouth-watering sweet.
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Your next stop should be the Gol Darwaza. And when you climb to its top, you will realise why it is called so. The view across the half dome is beautiful. The lanes below house some of the oldest shops in Lucknow.
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When you climb down, you can take a stroll through this old market to understand why Lucknow remains the city of Nawabi glamour. The Nawabs were great patrons of art, and they promoted these beautiful crafts across the region of Awadh.
Small workshops, called karkhanas, are studded on the both sides of the narrow street. Some of the traditional crafts that can still be seen here include Zardozi work (gold embroidery), Chikan work (especially block-printing the designs), Kites making and some iconic ittar shops.
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Another treasure hidden in these lanes is an Unani hospital. Similar to the traditional school of medicine like Ayurveda, a hakim still sits here, as if a remnant left by time. And cures patients for a nominal fee. It is indeed a relic from the earlier era. And you must visit this gem, before the modern times engulf it completely.
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Next you must head to the unique community housing complexes called Tolas. They are found only in the hidden bylanes of Lucknow. Due to the security concerns of the olden times, Tolas are built in such a way that the entrance of one community house becomes the exit for another, and they all are interconnected through this one gate.
You can end the walk at the food chowk. By now, you must garnered an appetite for some of the best street food in Lucknow, and you must not miss a place called Tunday ke kebab. And you must also try the exotic halwa here.
So, take a deter from the popular destinations to explore one of the most historical cities in India.
