Jammu Kashmir Tourism tripadvisor

Srinagar

Famously known as ‘Heaven on Earth’, Srinagar is every bit the epitome of paradise on earth. As picturesque as the most stunning painting to ever be painted, Srinagar, the capital of Jammu and Kashmir, lies on the banks of the Jhelum river, and has a cool, pleasant climate all year round, contributing to the perpetual influx of tourists visiting this city which offers a plethora of gorgeous scenic vistas.
From the ferocious waters of Pahalgam to the serene pastures of Gulmarg, everything about Srinagar will give you goosebumps, no matter where you’re looking at. Once you visit Srinagar, the first thing you do is close your eyes and breathe in lungfuls of the clean, fresh mountain air. The second thing you do is hire a houseboat and pay a visit to Dal Lake. Hills surround the most famous tourist spot in all of Kashmir, Dal Lake, and as long as your sight takes you, you can see the mountains reflected in the water. Taking a Shikara ride on Dal Lake is also a must-do activity. Bedecked with colourful rugs and carpets, these gondola-type rowboats take tourists to see attractions like the Floating Vegetable Market, and the Mir Bahris – a lively community of people who live on the lake itself. You can also spend a night in one of the houseboats, and wake up to a magnificent sunrise that will take your breath away. Dal Lake also offers water sports such as kayaking and skiing, for those interested.

Major Attractions
While visiting Srinagar, visit the famous lakes. The popular Dal Lake is one of the most beautiful and visited lakes in the world. The lake surrounded by mountains, blossoming gardens and orchards, leaves you speechless. Try a pleasant ride in Shikaras and Houseboats. Subsidiary to the Dal, another famous water body is Nagin Lake, mostly visited for swimming, diving and boating. As you walk over the Takht-e-Suleiman hill, you will find the Shankaracharya Temple. This temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is supposed to be the oldest shrine of Kashmir valley. The landscaped Mughal Gardens are a paradise for nature lovers. Developed by the Mughals, Chashmashahi Garden, Nishat Gardena and Shalimar Garden are the three places that blossom with some of the rarest flowers in the world. The nearby hilly areas provide opportunities for Fishing, Golf, Mountaineering, Skiing, Trekking, River Rafting, Paragliding, Aero Sports, Backpacking, Canoe Trips, Camping and Kayaking.

Food/Cuisine
Cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, saffron, and other spices are the identity of tempting and aromatic cuisine of Kashmir. The native people are very fond of several rice dishes and non-veg items, consisting of mutton, chicken, fish, etc. The famous Wazwan, an official feast, comprises of mostly non-veg dishes. A few famous non-veg dishes are: Rista, Seekh Kababs, Tabak Maz, Roganjosh, Yakhni and Gushtaba.

Shopping
Srinagar is not only about captivating natural beauty. It is known for a variety of handicrafts. You can shop for the unique Pashmina Shawls, Carpets, Papier-mache, Silk and Tweeds, Woodwork, Pherans, Metalware,Wall hangings with naqqashi work, Chain Stitch Embroidery, Cricket Bats and much more. All these hand-made items are unique and form an identity of the Kashmir valley.

Climate
When you are at an altitude of 1,730 metres, you are in the coldest region of India. In summers, the days are pleasant, and one can get by with light woolens or thick cotton clothes. But in winters, the area is covered with a thick layer of snow, and the temperature goes down to 0 degrees. Even the Dal Lake gets frozen. Spring is a good season for vacations.

How To Reach:
By Air : Srinagar International Airport is the major airport here, with Air India to Jeddah being the only international flight. It is well connected to various cities across the country, including, Delhi, Mumbai, Jammu, Goa etc via Air India, Go Air, Jet Airways, Spice Jet, and Vistara. People from smaller cities in India as well as international cities can reach any of the major airports in India, and then board a connecting flight to Srinagar.

By Rail : Srinagar Railway station only connects Baramulla, Anantnag, and Qazigund. Jammu Tawi Railway Station in Jammu is connected to different cities and towns in India. There are frequent trains to Mumbai, Delhi, Udaipur, Lucknow, Kanpur, Pune, and others.

By Bus : Srinagar has a good network of highways. The National Highway 1A connects the valley to the rest of India, and National Highway 1D connects it to Leh. Jammu And Kashmir State Road Transport Corporation operates many buses to reach Srinagar. Private buses can be availed from Jammu.


Jammu Kashmir Destinations

Jammu and Kashmir has been a symbol of eternal natural beauty since time immemorial. Few places in the subcontinent come close to the tummy-flipping beauty of the Himalayan mountain system. Like a pretty young girl, magnanimously voted by all as the beauty of her family, Jammu and Kashmir (often referred to simply, as J&K) has always been enveloped in an aura of mystery and elusiveness. J&K consist of 3 main regions: religiously oriented Jammu (the winter capital of the state), the pretty, flowery valleys of Kashmir and the cold. Whichever area you choose to start with, try completing the entire circuit to do full justice to these spellbinding lands of the North. The tourist places to visit in Jammu and Kashmir include Srinagar, Pahalgam, Gulmarg and Leh among others.