Best Places to Visit in Jammu and Kashmir & Popular Destinations
Best Places to Visit in Jammu and Kashmir
Jammu & Kashmir the northernmost state of India, situated mostly in the Himalayan ranges. Srinagar is the summer capital of Jammu & Kashmir, while Jammu is the winter capital. The state has three divisions namely Jammu, the Kashmir Valley and Ladakh. Let’s know best famous tourist places to visit in Jammu and Kashmir.
Kashmir is famous all over the world for its charming natural beauty. The mountainous land of the state is broken by stretches of valleys, rivers, glaciers, plateaus and several mountain lakes. The hill stations of Jammu and Kashmir offer leisurely or adventurous holidays amidst breathtaking scenery.
The state has a very rich history and a distinct culture, the people of different religions like Hindus, Muslims and Buddhist faiths live in perfect harmony. Besides the state have some of the most sacred Temples, Mosques, Monasteries, and Caves. A visit to this ‘Paradise on earth,’ surely lingers for a long time in the memory of the tourists.
Major Tourist Attractions of Jammu and Kashmir
Jammu and Kashmir is one of the most popular holiday destinations in India. There is no fixed time or month to visit this place, because Jammu Kashmir attracts tourists all year round due to its pleasant weather. Dal Lake is considered to be the most famous tourist place to visit Jammu and Kashmir. Let’s know about the most famous tourist places to visit in Jammu and Kashmir. Below jammu & kashmir tourist places list.
Dal Lake
The sweet water lake located in Srinagar is one of the most famous tourist attractions of Jammu & Kashmir. The 6.4 Km long and 4 Km wide lake houses many world-famous Shikaras and Houseboats, which have attractive names.
The lake has two enchanting islands – Sona Lank (Gold island) and Rupa Lank (Silver Island), which are popular picnic spots.
The lake offers the adventurous activities like Shikara rides, Kayaking, Canoeing and Angling, etc. The visitors can stay and experience the Kashmiri hospitality in the houseboats. Dal Lake one of the best places to visit in Jammu and Kashmir for honeymoon.
Shalimar Bagh
The garden is the most beautiful of all the Mughal gardens in Srinagar. It was by Mughal Emperor Jehangir for his wife Noor Jehan in 1616. The garden has four massive terraces and it gets water from Harwan Lake.
The top most of the four terraces called as the ‘Abode of Love’ was used by the emperor and the ladies of his court. The garden is lined with about 150 fountains, which look beautiful with electric lights.
Numerous varieties of flowers blooms in the garden in the spring and autumn seasons.
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Nishat Bagh
The garden is 11 Kms from the district headquarters of Srinagar. Built-in 1633, Nishat Bagh is one of the largest Mughal gardens. Situated on the bans of Dal lake it offers a splendour view of the lake.
Harwan Lake
The clean and pure water lake, situated amidst the mountains, reflects the high peaks of Mahadev in its water. Harwan lake is a source of water for a nearby huge garden.
The vast green carpeted green lawns of the garden is very famous for picnics and excursions.
Pahalgam
Pahalgam is located in the Anantnag district, at a distance of around 96 Kms from Srinagar. The popular hill station is situated at a height of 7,200 ft above sea level.
Pahalgam attracts a large number of tourists throughout the year, as it is one of the finest health resorts of India.
The hill resort has a golf course at a height of 2,400 meters above sea level. Pahalgam is the base for the pilgrims of Amarnath.
Also Read: Best Places to Visit in Uttar Pradesh, India & Best Tourist Destinations
Gulmarg
Gulmarg is situated in the Baramulla districts, 56 Kms southwest of Srinagar. Surrounded by lush forests of tall conifers, Gulmarg is famous for its unmatched beauty.
The hill station located at an altitude of 2730 metres, is dotted with beautiful bluebells, daisies, forget-me-nots and buttercups.
Gulmarg is popular for its Golf course, and it is the premier resort for winter sports in the country.
Hazratbal Mosque
The only domed mosque in Srinagar is situated in Hazratbal village, on the banks of the Dal.
Hazratbal mosque houses the hair of the prophet Mohammad, which is displayed to the public on religious occasions.
The mosque located opposite to Nishat Bagh offers a splendour view of the lake and the nearby mountains.
Amarnath
One of the major dhams of Hindus, Amarnath is 145 Kms east of Srinagar.
There is a popular ice Shiva-linga at Amarnath which changes its size within different seasons. The size of the linga also changes as the moon waxes and wanes.
The cave temple of Amarnath is the venue of the Amarnath festival, which held every year on the full moon day of Sravana (July-August), when the linga attains its maximum height.
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Kargil
The town located 204 Kms west of Srinagar and 234 Kms east of Leh is the second largest urban centre of Ladakh.
Located in the center of the Himalayan mountains the town offers enough adventure activities. Kargil is the base for visitors to the beautiful Zanskar valley.
Leh
Leh is situated in the amazing land of Ladakh, surrounded by the world’s highest mountain ranges the Himalaya and the Karakoram.
Ladakh is situated at altitudes ranging from 2,750 metres at Kargil to 7,672 metres at Saser Kangri in the Karakoram.
Leh is famous for its nine-storeyed palace built by Sengge Namgyal, the 17th-century ruler of Ladakh.
The historical monument mostly in ruins offers a spectacular view of the Leh town. Leh Ladakh is one of the best tourist places to visit in Jammu and Kashmir for couples.
Kashmir Valley
The Kashmir valley is famous all over the world for its beautiful valleys. The popular valleys of Kashmir are Lidder Valley, Sindh Valley; Lolab valley and Wangat Valley.
Reaching
Air – The Jammu airport is the major airport, situated at a distance of 8 Kms from the city centre. The airlines operates flights for Kashmir Valley, Ladakh and the Jammu region from Delhi and Amritsar.
Rail – Jammu Tawi railway station is the main railway station. The trains connect Jammu with most of the major cities and towns of the country.
Road – National Highway 1-A connects Jammu with Punjab and also to the rest of the state. The state transport corporation buses and private buses run to most of the big towns and cities in north India.
