26 Places To Visit In Kashmir To Make Your Trip Unforgettable

A heaven of India, Kashmir is always a dream destination for most of the people. You can visit in either season it will always fascinate you. From summer to autumn, rainy season to winter and then snowfall, Kashmir visit is always incredible. Moreover, every season has its own beauty that can only be experienced not explained. Apart from nature, it has great culture and tradition, wooden houseboats, shikara, gardens, handicraft work, and many more. Technically, there is no perfect season visiting Kashmir you can visit anytime to feel the heaven, nature, and peace.

Here is the list of places that you must in Kashmir:

1. Gulmarg

A field of flowers in summers and ski resort in winters. In summers, it is full of greenery and at time of snowfall, it turns into white island where you can enjoy skiing and other snow sports. There is also a Gondola ride 13,000 feet above the ground. It will take 2 hours to reach there from Srinagar city.

2. Pahalgam

The valley of shepherds is popular for tourism and adventure. Here you can enjoy water rafting, golfing, fishing, and other water sports at peak tourist time. This is one of the way to Amarnath Temple.

3. Sonamarg

This is famous for its Scenic beauty of Thajiwas Glacier and is called a field of Gold. People visit there for mountain climbing and glacier hiking. You can also enjoy a pony ride. It is located on the Srinagar-Ladakh highway.

4. Yousmarg

To reach there, it will take 2 hours from Srinagar city. Its main highlight is Doodh Ganga River where you can reach after 30 minutes walk through a forest. Moreover, there is Charar-i-Sharief on the way where you can eat the biggest Paratha with Halwa.

5. Betab Valley

This valley is near to Pahalgham and was named after the movie Betab. Here, Betab movie was shot that is why people recognize it as Betab Valley. You can see both River and forest in this area.

6. Drass Valley

This is a second coldest inhabited place in the world. It is located at the altitude of 3230 m. Being surrounded by the cold winds; Drass is the coldest place in India.

7. Dachigam National Park

This park covers the total area of 141 sq. Km and is located 22 km away from Srinagar. With various variations of altitude in park it challenges the travelers to reach 5500 ft to 14000ft. The name Dachigham means 10 villages.

8. Mata Kheer Bhawani Mandir

The temple located at 27 km away from Srinagar and is built over a sacred spring, where Kashmiri Pandits perform pooja every year. Fair is organized here and people visit here to offer ‘Kheer’ as prasad. The colour of spring water changes occasionally and it is believed that when the spring turns black or darkish it is a sign of inauspicious times for Kashmir.

9. Amarnath Temple

Everyone must be aware of famous Amarnath Yatra that starts in July every year. It is the purest form of glacier Shivlinga that forms every year. It is said that Lord Shiva stayed here after leaving all his belongings. It is a holy pilgrimage for Hindus.

10. Shankaracharya Temple

The temple is located at the top of the hill at a height of 1,000 feet from the surface and overlooks the city of Srinagar. The Shankaracharya Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is though to be the oldest shrine for worship in Kashmir valley.

11. Chasme Sahi

The royal spring or Chashme Shahi originally derives its name from the spring which was discovered by the great female saint of Kashmir, Rupa Bhawani. Ali Mardan Khan built the garden around the spring in 1632.

12. Nishat Bagh

While roaming around the garden, you can feel the Mughal architecture and design. Asaf Khan, brother of Jahangir’s wife built it in 1633. A garden of joy, bliss, and delight, people gather here for family outings.

13. Shalimar Garden

This is a finest creation in Kashmir by Muslim dynasty. It got its name after the Cottage Shalimar built by King Pravarsena II. Later Jahangir built a royal garden to please his wife.

14. Tulip Garden

This man-made 30 hectares garden has all 70 varieties of tulips and it has a particular time to visit during May to July. The garden was opened in 2007 to boost Kashmir Tourism. It is located on the foothills of Zabarwan and is Asia’s largest tulip garden.

15. Pari Mahal

The Angels’ Abode or Pari Mahal is a seven terraced garden built by Dara Shikoh son of Shah Jahan in the mid-1600s at the top of Zabarwan mountain range. This beautiful palace is a ruin now, but still it depicts an example of Islamic architecture and patronage. It got its name after Dara’s wife Nadirs Begum aka Pari Begum.

16. Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Botanical Garden

This garden was constructed for research purpose in the year 1969 and it was named as Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Botanical Garden. It is located at Zabarwan mountain foothills and spread in 80 acres and contains many types of plants and vegetation.

17. Manasbal Lake

This lake is 30km away from Srinagar and is a good place for birdwatching. The best time to visit this lake is in July and August so that you can experience large number of lotuses blooming.

18. Dal Lake

Located at the center of Kashmir Dal lake is is named the “Jewel in the crown of Kashmir” or “Srinagar’s Jewel”. The shore line of the lake is spread over 15.5 Km around the Pir-Panjal mountain peak. Here shikaras are available for ride and there is also a floating market, houseboats in the lake.

19. Nigeen Lake

The lake is surrounded by a large number of willow and poplar trees hence it is referred as a “nageena”, which means “the jewel in the ring”. This deep blue lake is a offshoot of Dal lake connected by a narrow strait.

20. Hazratbal Shrine

A white Hazratbal Dargah is also located near Dal Lake and the place is called as Hazratbal. You can reach here via bus or shikara. It is an epitome of Muslim Prophet Mohammad and is considered to be Kashmir’s holiest Muslim shrine.

21. Kashmir University Campus

A huge campus which is spread over 263 acres near Dal Lake amid greenery and mountain range is a great place for learning.

22. Houseboat

When you visit Kashmir, one general thing that comes in your mind is Dal Lake. Here there are various houseboats on water which offers night stay for tourists. It is made of Devdar wood that is why for years they are still standing on the Lake.

23. Shopping in Kashmir

Local markets in Kashmir is famous for pashmina shawls, dry fruits, carpets, artificial jewellery, Kashmiri handicrafts etc.

Popular markets are Lal Chowk , Hari Market, Polo View Market, Floating Vegetable Market.

24. Jamia Masjid

Sultan Shikandar built this masjid in 1394 AD. which is one of the Holy Shrine in Nowhatta, Srinagar. With 300 wooden pillars, marvellous architecture, and courtyard, it offers a place for prayer.

25. Apharwat Peak

Situated at a height of 4,390 m this peak is located 13km from Gulmarg. India and Pakistan Line of Control (LOC) is just few kilometres away from here. You can get cable car to reach here. Also for adventure lovers, they can enjoy trekking.

26. Sinthan Top

Want a relax from crowd? Head to Sinthen top a hill station in South Kashmir’s Breng Valley located at 12,000 feet above the sea level. The place has gained its significance after the construction of Kisthwar to Kokernag road connecting Jammu and Kashmir. This is an excellent place for outing and trekking which remains snow-capped for most of the year.