Top 6 places in Jammu & Kashmir that you should visit once in a lifetime

Kashmir is world famous for its snow-capped mountains. The Mughal era monuments along with local handicraft are still attracting tourists from all over the world. The presence of plentiful wildlife, scenic splendor, and hospitable people makes the travelers visit again.

Kashmir is world famous for its snow-capped mountains. The Mughal era monuments along with local handicraft are still attracting tourists from all over the world. The presence of plentiful wildlife, scenic splendor, and hospitable people makes the travelers visit again. Jammu and Kashmir is surrounded with the most beautiful mountain peaks, blue lakes, forests, rivers and tall pine trees, thus this beautiful place is rightly called the 'Paradise on Earth'. Adventure loving people can enjoy sports activities like Skiing, trekking, golf, paragliding, river rafting, and camping. Amarnath and Vaishno Devi attract a large number of pilgrims every year. Dal Lake, Khardung La Pass, Gulmarg, Kashmir Valley, Shalimar Bagh are some of the major attractions of the state.

1. Srinagar

The capital city of Kashmir has been the ultimate summer destination for tourists. Srinagar valley has the beautiful Dal Lake in the middle and is surrounded by mountains from almost all sides that give it a mesmerizing picturesque view. From the Mughal era, there exists a number of gardens in and around the city. The lake has thousands of colorful wooden boats, locally called Shikaras floating on it. Tourists can also experience staying at the houseboats in Dal Lake. Other major attractions in and around the city are listed below:

• Nigeen Lake
• Wular Lake
• Chatpal
• Betaab Valley
• Aru Valley
• Mughal Gardens
• Dachigam National Park
• Shankaracharya Temple

2. Pahalgam

Pahalgam was once a shepherds’ village but it has now become a hotspot for tourists. It is also a quick weekend getaway for the locals living in Srinagar. Pahalgam is surrounded by mountains and these snow-peaked cliffs offer a lot for trekking lovers and adventure seekers. Lidder Valley is a popular camping site in Kashmir which is located at a distance of around 24 km from Pahalgam. The Lidder Valley is also famous for trout fishing in India. State-run buses are available daily between Srinagar and Pahalgam.

• Baisaran Hills
• Mamaleshwar Temple
• Avantipur Temple
• Pahalgam Golf Course
• Kolahoi Glacier
• Sheshnag Lake
• Chandanwari
• Tulian Lake

3. Gulmarg

If you find the Swiss Alps a beautiful place, then Gulmarg is no less than that of it. It is the best destination for skiing in India. To reach Gulmarg from Srinagar, you can opt for a state bus and reach out to this place by traveling 50 km. The scenic Gulmarg is covered by snow on the peaks and pine trees on the lower ranges. There are Gondola services to reach the top of the peak, on reaching here, one can obviously enjoy the view with snow or you could even try skiing.

• Gulmarg Biosphere Reserve
• Strawberry Field
• Apharwat Peak
• Alpather Lake
• Ningle Nallah and Ferozepur Nallah
• Seven Springs
• Gulmarg Golf Course
• Shrine of Baba Reshi

4. Sonamarg

Sonamarg is located on the Srinagar–Leh highway, 87 km north-east of Srinagar. It is a small town having great historic significance, situated on the bank of Nallah Sindh and at the foothills of a famous Thajiwas Glacier. The Thajiwas mountain ranges look scary at first, but one can take a pony to the base of the glacier. Sonamarg was a gateway connecting India and China during the Silk Route Trade era.

• Thajiwas Glacier
• Zoji-La Pass
• Vishansar Lake
• Nilagrad River
• Krishnasar Lake
• Baltal Valley

5. Leh

The dry, brown mountains surrounding the vast green valley by on all sides offers a contrasting sight right at the outset. Leh is one of the coolest cities in India. The unspoiled cultural and geographical existence lend Leh a unique look and feel. Because of Tibet’s cultural and religious influence on the city and people, Ladakh is often called Small Tibet. The inhabitants of Leh are hospitable people. The valley is greener after driving through dried out landscapes for hundreds of miles. It is like an oasis in the middle of the desert. Once you experience the energy of the place, the popularity of Leh amongst the tourists comes as no surprise. Few nearby places to visit in Leh are:

• Zanskar Valley
• Pangong Tso Lake
• Kargil
• Khardung-la pass
• Magnetic Hill
• Spituk Gompa
• Hemis National Park
• Shanti Stupa

6. Jammu

Jammu is the ‘winter capital of Jammu & Kashmir’. It is the ‘city of temples’. Jammu is one of the most popular tourist destinations in India. Jammu city is truly a mesmerizing beauty with magnificent hills, fresh breeze, lush green valleys, and lots of other grand palaces. To escape the hectic work schedule, Jammu city is the perfect getaway. Whether you are visiting the place for a pilgrimage tour, or on a honeymoon, Jammu is the ultimate tourist place for all purpose. Some of the well-known attractions in Jammu City are listed below:

• Bahu Fort
• Mansar Lake
• Raghunath Temple
• Shivkhori
• Peer Baba Dargah
• Akhnoor Fort
• Poonch Fort
• Vaishno Devi Temple