Uttar Pradesh is known for its rich culture and tradition due to which it attracts several tourists. Taj Mahal, one of the Seven Wonders of the World in Agra is in Uttar Pradesh. Agra, Jhansi, Lucknow and Meerut are historical cities known for their monuments. Mathura, Vrindavan, Gokul, Varanasi, Ayodhya and Allahabad are holy cities. Kushinagar and Sarnath are Buddhist places among the main four pilgrimage sites.

Important Tourist sites of Uttar Pradesh

Taj Mahal
It is a white Marble mausoleum that is located in Agra. It was built by Mughal emperor Shahjahan in memory of Mumtaz Mahal. It is the best example of Mughal architecture. The tomb is the main focus of the Taj Mahal. Taj Mahal attracts millions of visitors. It is a world Heritage site and considered as one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

Agra Fort
Agra Fort is a monument located in Agra. Mughals had captured the fort and Babur stayed in the palace of Ibrahim. He built a baoli within the premises of the fort. In 1530 Humayun was crowned here. Akbar had made it his capital and arrived in Agra in 1558. He had it rebuilt with red sandstone from Barauli area of Rajasthan.

Fatehpur Sikri
Fatehpur Sikri is a city and a municipal board in Agra district. The historical city of Fatehabad was constructed by Mughal emperor Akbar in the early 1570. It was built in honour of Sufi saint Shaikh Salim Chisti. Fatehabad later acquired the name Fatehpur, and gave rise to present Fatehpur Sikri. It was the first planned city built by the Mughals.

Sarnath
Sarnath is the deer park where Lord Buddha first taught the Dharma. This is where the Buddhist Sangha came into existence through the enlightenment of Kondanna. Sarnath is located in Uttar Pradesh.

Sangam at Prayag
Triveni Sangam is the "confluence" of three rivers which is a sacred place for Hindus. It is believed that a bath here would wash away all of one`s sins and free one from the cycle of rebirth. One such Triveni Sangam, in Allahabad has two physical rivers Ganga, Yamuna and the mythic Saraswati River. The site is situated in Prayag. It is the sit for historic Kumbha Mela that is held every twelve years.

Allahabad Fort
Allahabad Fort was built by Emperor Akbar in 1583. It stands on the banks of river Yamuna near the site of confluence with river Ganga. It is the largest fort that was built by Akbar. It has three galleries flanked by high towers.

Jhansi
Jhansi is a historical city of Uttar Pradesh. Places of interest in Jhansi include: Jhansi Fort, Rani Mahal, Maha Lakshmi Temple, Siddheshwar Temple, Jhansi Cantt, Cathedral of St. Anthony, seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Jhansi, St. Jude`s Shrine, Bodh Vihar, Mau Ranipur and many more.

Ayodhya
Ayodhya is an ancient city situated in the Faizabad district of Uttar Pradesh. Ayodhya is considered as the birth place of the Lord Rama. Places of interest include: The Hanuman Garhi, Kanak Bhawan, Ramkot, Swarg Dwar, Mani Parbat and Sugriv Parbat, Treta ke Thakur, Nageshwarnath Temple, Chhoti Devkali Mandir and several others.

Vrindavan
Vrindavan is a town in the Mathura district of Uttar Pradesh. It is believed that Lord Krishna had spent his childhood days here.

The town is near the Agra-Delhi highway. The town hosts hundreds of temples dedicated to the worship of Radha and Krishna. Popular temple includes Madan Mohan temple, Banke bihari temple, Radha Vallabh Temple, Jaipur Temple, Shahji Temple, Sri Krishna-Balarama Temple, Sri Sri Radha Govinda Temple, Raj Ghat, Kusuma Sarovar, Meera-Bai Temple and many more.

Buddhist destinations of Uttar Pradesh
Piprahwa, Kaushambi, Sravasti and Kushinagar are the popular Buddhist destinations. Piphrahwa is located to the South of Lumbini. It is believed that Buddha had spent his childhood here. It was here that he decided to renounce the sensual pleasures of lifeThere are several Buddhist stupas here. It lies between Lumbini and Shravasti.

Shravasti is the north-eastern town of Uttar Pradesh. It is located near the West Rapti River. This town is associated with the life of Gautama Buddha, who is believed to have spent 24 Chaturmases here.

Kaushambi district is one of the districts of Uttar Pradesh. It is a part of Allahabad Division. Gautama Buddha visited Kaushambi several times during the reign of Udayana in order to spread the dharma, the Noble Eightfold Path and the Four Noble Truths.

Kushinagar is an important Buddhist pilgrimage site, where Lord Buddha is believed to have attained Parinirvana after his death.