Among other reasons, Kashmir is renowned worldwide for unparalleled natural beauty. Between Baramulla and Kishtwar, this land of tin-roofed hamlets and scenic hill stations shelters an abundance of places to visit in Kashmir Valley. In Kashmir, one can never run out of places to explore. While Srinagar remains the kernel of bowl-shaped Kashmir Valley, smaller towns like Anantnag, Pahalgam, Gulmarg, and Patnitop are also finding their place among top 10 tourist places in Jammu and Kashmir.
Tulip Garden In Srinagar
In Srinagar, there lies a huge 30 hectares Tulip Garden, which is Asia’s biggest garden till date. Located in the foothills of Zabarwan Range, this garden gives an overview of the famous Dal Lake too. It was opened in 2007 with a strong goal to boost tourism of Kashmir Valley. The layout of the garden is in terrace fashion consisting of seven terraces. Visitors will also find other different kinds of flowers like Hyacinth, ranunculus, daffodils and many more.
Shalimar Bagh In Srinagar
One of the most famous Mughal gardens in the Kashmir valley, Shalimar Bagh in Srinagar has become the crown of Srinagar today. Built by the Mughal Emperor Jahangir as a symbol of love for his beloved wife Nur Jahan, this garden is an apt representation of the word ‘Shalimar’ that translates to ‘Abode of Love’.
The garden is nestled on the banks of the serene Dal Lake and has lush green terraced lawns, fountains, pools, flower beds and rows upon rows of chinar trees and pavilions.
Architectural Marvel
Shalimar Bagh was constructed on flat land along the Dal Lake and has a rectangular central layout with four radiating arms. It offers splendid views of the lake and the shallow terraces.
There are three main terraces that display a colorful picture. The first terrace is also known as the Diwan-e-Aam while the second is known as the Diwan-e-Khas. The third terrace is the Zenana gaden. Water fountain supply water to each Chinar lined terrace.
The garden houses innumerable varieties of flora that offer a marvelous play of colors when the seasons change. The Shah Nahar water canal in the garden is fed by water from the Dal Lake and runs through the center of the garden.
Mughal Gardens In Srinagar
Srinagar is home to some of the most beautiful Mughal Gardens in India. Besides being perfect representations of Persian influenced Mughal architecture in its prime, Mughal Garden Srinagar are known for their exceptional beauty owing to their spectacular mountainous natural settings which remain unparalleled in all of India. Shalimar Bagh Srinagar in the foothills of Pir Panjal Range is a popular tourist destination in the Kashmir Valley.
Dal Lake In Srinagar
Resplendent with beauty, Dal Lake in Srinagar is one of the most visited tourist destinations in Kashmir valley. The exceptional charm and exquisite surroundings of Dal Lake attract tourists from all over the world. It is also the second largest lake in Jammu and Kashmir that offers a picturesque and mesmerizing view of the majestic mountains and its exotic surroundings to the travelers.
Shikaras at Dal Lake Srinagar are the cultural symbol of Kashmir, just like the Venetian gondolas. Travelers will also come across many oarsmen in colorful Phi Ran, which is a long embroidered woolen gown and a Shikaras with colorful cushions and floral canopies.
The best time for Dal Lake Srinagar is from April to June as the weather is pleasant and cool to help you explore the beauty and serenity of the place. The temperature during this time of the month varies between 10?C to 30?C. The winters are too cold in Dal Lake Srinagar as the temperature drops down to minus 10 degree Celsius and the frozen Dal Lake becomes the cricket playground. There are no fees for Dal Lake Srinagar, but to enjoy the Shikara ride on Dal Lake, tourists might need to spend some money.
Apharwat Peak In Gulmarg
Apharwat Peak is one of the main attractions of Gulmarg tourism. Ski-lovers always find their way to this summit to enjoy their hobby. This place is sure to provide you an out of the world experience while skiing. Since Kashmir is popularly known as the Switzerland of India, you would not deny this post your visit to Apharwat peak. If you are just a beginner and would love to experience skiing, then there is no better place to start than in Apharwat peak. Here, you have all the scope to learn this adventure sport of skiing as well as polish your rusted skills. Since the peaks are completely snow enclosed from all sides, they pose a challenge to even the most professional skiers.
Chandanwari In Pahalgam
Famed as the starting point of the most revered expedition to Amarnath Cave, Chandanwari is a beautiful valley nestled at an altitude of about 2895 meters above sea level. Located at a distance of about 16 km from the heart of Pahalgam, this valley is quite accessible via roadways. Apart from that, you can also choose to get to Chandanwari via airways while boarding a flight to Srinagar, and via railways while boarding a train to Jammu. Blessed with natural beauty, the valley of Chandanwari never fails to draw lakhs of pilgrims of Amarnath Yatra, who embarked on the sacred journey in the Shravan month as per the Hindu calendar, i.e. in between the months of July and August.
Aru Valley In Pahalgam
A little, quaint, and tranquil hill station, Aru Valley is a heaven for nature lovers. Lying amidst the pine and conifer trees, picturesque meadows and misty valleys, Aru Valley is located 12 km from Pahalgam in the Trans-Himalayan Region. Travelers come here for admiring the natural beauty of Aru Valley in Pahalgam, to spend some pleasant and calm time and also for adventures like trekking and camping. With a background full of snow-capped mountains, misty meadows and pine and conifer trees, Aru Valley is no less than a beautiful wallpaper set on the computer screen.
One can take a resort here and can spend some tranquil time with the family or friends. It is a perfect place to sip a cup of tea or coffee while admiring the scenic views outside. It offers a perfect relaxed vacation and is loved by people who love nature and the serene environment. A visit to Aru Valley can be enjoyed at any time of the year, be it summer, winter or monsoon. During the winter season, Aru Valley looks enchanting and scenic when it is covered with a thick sheet of snow. Aru Valley in Pahalgam offers horse riding, which is the best activity here. Just op on the back of the horse and go on an excursion to various hidden sub-valleys and let nature completely soak you in.
Aru Valley will surely help you free your mind from worries and will give you solitude and purpose in life by its enthralling beauty. If you are an adventure freak and loves trekking, then you are at the right place as it is the starting point of various treks like Kolahoi Glacier, Lidderwat trek, and Tarsar Lake trek. Trekking at Aru Valley is a fun way to explore the beautiful hill station and will make you awestruck by the enchanting trails and surrounding landscapes.
Tulian Lake In Pahalgam
A tourist spot, Tulian Lake is located at Pahalgam in the district of Anantnag in Jammu and Kashmir. Tulian Lake is found at a height of 3,684 metres above sea level, at a distance of 16 km from Pahalgam. The color of the lake is turquoise blue and it looks attractive with several lumps of ice floating in it.
Tulian Lake in Pahalgam is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Jammu and Kashmir. The location, pristine water and vistas of the surrounding peaks make it a famous tourist spot. One can easily spot the peaks of Pir Panjal mountain ranges as the Lake is located between Zanskar Valley and these mountain ranges. Tulian Lake remains snow-covered for most part of the year. On a closer look, you will realize that the lake looks like numerical 8 in shape. The lake is divided by a narrow inlet which connects it to the source of water. The contrast in colors between the mountain range and the lake makes it one of the most stunning attractions in Pahalgam.
Tulian Lake Trek
The trek to Tulian Lake is an adventurous one as the area is entirely covered with snow. But it is also one of the best ways to enjoy the pristine charm of the valley of Kashmir. From Baisaran onwards, the trek gets challenging as there are no marked trails for that matter. Also, the climb gets higher as you move closer to the Lake. However, there is an alternative way to scale the heights of Tulian Lake trek. You can also access the place from Pahalgam which is only 16 km away from the Lake. Most of the youngsters prefer to take the Baisaran trail as it is only 11 km away from Tulian Lake. If you are a beginner, the trek is nearly a perfect experience for you. It has a trail of 48 km with only a few steep climbs. Decent fitness level is required for the trek. Easy accessibility, less difficulty and picturesque views make the trek to Tulian Lake a perfect one. It is recommended to take a local guide along if you are planning to take the detour to Baisaran.
