Best Places to Visit in Kashmir

Kashmir is a beautiful landscape where heaven meets earth; it is an emotion for every tourist, and visiting it is a lifetime experience. Several writers, poets and philosophers have described its magnificence. Kashmir, in its stunning beauty, defies perfect capture by the camera. Consider this blog your travel buddy for a trip to the top places to visit in Jammu and Kashmir. It's your step-by-step help for planning an exciting vacation to Kashmir.

Ready to explore Srinagar tour packages? It's known for its vibrant traditions and stunning terrain. Don't forget about Dal Lake, Shankaracharya Temple, and Shalimar Gardens, which are amazing must-see spots. You can do many calm activities when residing in Srinagar, such as taking Shikara rides at Dal Lake or staying on houseboats. It would be a sin to visit Srinagar without entering any of its many houseboats! Besides that, it should be noted that Shalimar Garden is depicted on India's ten rupee note. 

Gulmarg, which people call snow paradise in Jammu and Kashmir, has the world's second highest ropeway ride with a wire length of 5km. The top view from the snow mountains, approximately 4000 meters above sea level, will take your breath away. You can take pleasure in snow falls even in the summer and spring months, which makes it the best part as you can travel at any point of the year and enjoy snowfalls. When you plan a Jammu and Kashmir family vacation, make sure to try out resorts and spas in the area as they are popular. Also, skiing with a professional should be a must on your to-do list. You can ski up to 14000 feet above sea level. 

Sonamarg, also locally popularly known as the land or route of gold, has one of the most photographic views in Kashmir. It is also known as heaven or Jannat on earth as the mountains are lined by sheets of snow just like velvet, while on a contrasting side, the grasslands are lined by plush green grass and horses and ponies just grazing on the fresh grass; it is just picturesque in total! The best part is that the popular Indian spiritual journey, Amarnath Yatra, starts from Sonamarg. While visiting Sonamarg, be sure to try trekking, rafting, skiing, skating, zorbing and many such activities. Remember, do not plan your Sonamarg visit during winter, as it is restricted at that time owing to the humongous snow blocks that clad the entire area. 

Betaab Valley is a must-visit if you are planning to relax in between your hectic Jammu and Kashmir adventure trips. You can stop at a perfect spot and enjoy the Kashmiri kahwa or tea or coffee while taking in the beauty of the scenery. As the name suggests, the valley flows right from the middle of the mountains, just like the perfect scenic photo. This location has a connection with Bollywood, with many blockbuster movies being shot here from 1964 onwards! 

Pahalgam is another exquisite site located around the Betaab Valley and Lidder Lake. This area is also full of valleys, but you can also witness the charm of the clear water rivers. You can try rafting and golfing in Pahalgam while planning Jammu and Kashmir cultural tours. Additionally, Pahalgam is popular in its Kashmiri market, wherein traditional Kashmiri accessories, outfits and articles are sold at a reasonable price. So make sure you don't complete your trip without visiting Pahalgam. 

Dal Lake is known popularly as the Jewel in the Crown of Kashmir. It is bordered by British houseboats and the Mughal Garden, which gives it an extravagant visual. It is the most loved destination for Kashmiris during the summer. Even the markets in and around Dal Lake are full of the alluring lotus flowers from the Lake and plump vegetables and fruits. You will be mesmerized by the enchanting beauty of Dal Lake as soon as you spend a few hours here. 

Drung Waterfall, popularly known as the Frozen Waterfall, is a popular tourist site located in Gulmarg. A huge stream of water flows in between numerous majestic mountains. The water stream freezes in winter due to the drop in temperatures. These glaciers appear crystal clear because the water that led to these glaciers is extremely clean and transparent. In addition to waterfalls during summer, you can also explore caves, and there is a small temple nearby. 

Katra, an apt site for a pilgrimage journey, is settled in the lowlands of the Himalayan Range. Within its walls stands the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Temple, which marks the beginning point of one of the most known religious yatras (pilgrimages), Vaishno Devi Yatra. It is also closer to the Nau Devi Temple and Bhairo Baba Temple, which makes it a spiritual heaven for a religious person. Make sure your best Jammu and Kashmir vacation packages include all of these. Additionally, Helicopter rides for the Vaishno Devi temple start right from this point. 

Chashmashahi is quite famous for its natural spring. It is a section of Mughal Gardens and is a must-visit location in Srinagar. A fascinating fact about this site is the natural spring that a female saint discovered. The spring water is considered to have medicinal properties. The astonishing fact is that even in the summer, the spring water is extremely cold. 

Aru Valley is a scenic beauty similar to the wallpaper image of the windows. It happens to be one of the best-known tourist destinations. It serves as the best picnic spot in Kashmir, with a peaceful atmosphere. The best part of Aru Valley is that you can ride a pony or trek and witness all the stunning sights in this area. Additionally, you can devour Kashmiri chaat and roadside street foods popular in Kashmir alongside Aru Valley. 

You might have heard about this most revered spiritually rejuvenated temple located in Pahalgam. It is open for only 60 days a year, which adds to the specialist of the temple. There is an ice Lingam inside the temple that is believed to represent Lord Shiva. The temple is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Kashmir since thousands of devotees travel there each year to seek blessings.

As the name suggests, Dachigam National Park is a group of ten villages that were relocated in order to construct the park. Dachigam was initially built to supply natural water to the residents, but later, it emerged as a wildlife park. The hangul, or Kashmir stag, is the park's most famous animal. Although Dachigam is open all year round, April to August is the ideal time to visit. 

Doodhpathri Gurez Valley is another such valley with lush green meadows, a captivating cityscape and crystal-clear streams. You can go for a walk in the natural environment, meditate in silence, take some artistic pictures and feel like you are in heaven. It is much closer to Srinagar; thus, after spending time around here, you will be back in Srinagar by evening, where you can have an easy time enjoying the beauty of Srinagar. 

Patnitop, also known as the Pond of Princesses, is a popular hill resort in Kashmir. It is a perfect spot for family picnics and outings due to its gorgeous vistas, plush green trees, snow-clad plateaus, and gentle slopes. You can also take delight in the three natural springs. Additionally, there are sacred temples and tranquil restaurants so that you can feel at peace and relax. 

Chandanwadi is a popular starting point for the famous Shri Amarnath Yatra, a Hindu pilgrimage­. It is a top choice for people se­eking a one-of-a-kind tourist spot in Jammu & Kashmir. It is like nature­'s own sanctuary. Surrounded by snowcapped mountains, it is known for its sightseeing opportunities and is gifted with beautiful beauty, with the Lidder River running nearby. From November to May, Chandanwadi is completely covered in snow, and visitors can take in the breathtaking view of glaciers melting into the Lidder River.

Conclusion

It is impossible to put into words the beauty of Kashmir's atmosphere. Imagine huge fields, pristine­ waters, lakes, scenic garde­ns, and mountains topped with snow. Kashmir is home to many well-known attractions e­njoyed by visitors worldwide. The amazing vie­ws and stunning beauty rank it high on India's vacation hotspots. No wonder many see­ Kashmir tourism as an unrivalled jewel among India's holiday wonders.

Kashmir has notable places such as Betaab Valley, Sonamarg Gulmarg Doodhpathri Gurez Valley, etc. The Maharani Temple, Hazratbal Shrine, Shankaracharya Temple, and Jama Masjid Mosque are some of the famous religious sites found in Kashmir. Another point is that many tourists visit Kashmir for thrilling activities like horse riding safaris, bird watching and taking shikara rides. With the Jammu and Kashmir travel guide, you must have an insight into the wonders of Jammu and Kashmir. So why are you waiting? Check out Jammu and Kashmir holiday packages now and book your holiday!